Time to Save…Porto Card, Porto (Portugal)

Save money on your next visit to Porto by purchasing a Porto Card during your stay. The card provides free entrance to municipal museums, discounts at several other museums and monuments, and unlimited use of the buses and trams. You will also receive discounts at shops, shows, restaurants, leisure centers, and cruises on the Douro River.

You can purchase a Porto Card for 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days, and prices range from €8.50 - €17.50. For more info on the card click here

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On the Menu…Restaurante A Ceia, Braga (Portugal)

Just a short walk from the Cathedral of Braga, in the old center of town, is Restaurante A Ceia. This rustic style adega (wine tavern) has a casual and inviting atmosphere. On the menu you will find traditional Portuguese dishes, including Cozido à Portuguesa, a classic Portuguese stew, and cod dishes such as Bacalhau à Zé-do-Pipo (made with layers of cod, onions, mashed potatoes, and mayonnaise that are oven baked), and the house specialty Bacalhau à Ceia.

The restaurant also serves specialties of the Minho region, including Alheira de Caça, a light, garlicky sausage made of chicken or game, and Papas de Sarrabulho, which is a dish that is made with pig's blood and is only served in the winter months.

• Rua do Raio, 331
• Braga, Portugal
• Phone (25) 326 39 32

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Checking In…Pousada de Estremoz – Rainha Santa Isabel, Estremoz (Portugal)

Located in the Alentejo region about 170 km east of Lisbon is the town of Estremoz. The region is known for its vast rolling hills, cork production, and marble quarries, and Estremoz is the largest of the marble towns that dot this region.

The centerpiece of town is the 14th C. castle that was built by King Diniz for his beloved Queen, Saint Isabel. This royal palace has been converted into the Pousada Rainha Santa Isabel, which sits on a hilltop overlooking the town. There are a total of 33 rooms, consisting of 29 Standard rooms, 3 larger Superior rooms, and 1 spacious Suite with a living room and separate bedroom. All rooms are uniquely decorated, and many have four-poster beds and handmade local rugs.

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On the Menu…Restaurante O Dezaseis, Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

Restaurante O Dezaseis (which means “16″) is a perfect place to have some tapas or a sit down meal after you’ve been visiting the sites in the casco antiguo(old town). Located just a short walk from the Cathedral, you will find O Dezaseis by descending a stone-lined staircase that leads you down to a rustic and charming 300 year-old dining room that once served as a stable.

In addition to the ambiance, the locals come here for the food. They are well known for their empanadas, which are pastry-covered pies that are often filled with fish or meat. The house specialty at O Dezaseis is the tuna empanada, which is round in shape and filled with tuna and flavored with paprika. The tapas menu has many other local dishes to choose from, including the pulpo a grela (grilled octopus), which gains rave reviews from all who try it.

If you’re looking for slightly larger portions, you can also choose from the selection of raciones offered, which are larger portions that can be shared. Some of the stand-outs on the menu are the lacón (the local cured and cooked ham), the razor clams, and the oxtail stew, just to name a few. Leave room for dessert, and try some of the local cheeses, or the cheese flan.

• Rúa de San Pedro, 16
• Santiago de Compostela, Spain
• Phone: (981) 564 880
• Website: O Dezaseis

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Next Stop…Toledo, Spain

 

 

Perched on a hilltop and surrounded on three sides by the Rio Tajo (Tagus River), Toledo is located in the center of Spain and is the capital of Castilla-La Mancha. In the 6th C. it served as the capital of Spain, but later lost its political prominence in the 16th C. when the capital was moved to Madrid. Over the centuries, the influence of the Arabs, Christians and Jews have been prominent, and as a result, Toledo has been known as the "city of the three cultures."

Toledo is perhaps most famous for inspiring some of the famous works of El Greco, who made Toledo his home in his latter life. A number of the painter's works can be seen at the El Greco House-Museum located in the old Jewish Quarter. Although the house was not the painter's original home, it is a reproduction of a 16th C. house with a courtyard, and the museum contains numerous works by the painter, as well as other 17th C. Spanish artists.  

Other sites to see in Toledo include: the magnificent Cathedral which was completed in the 15th C. and is considered one of the greatest Gothic structures in the world, the Alcázar (fortress) which dominates the city's skyline, the Iglesia de Santo Tomé, a small chapel in the Jewish Quarter that houses El Greco's masterpiece The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, the Museo-Hospital de Santa Cruz, a museum that displays El Greco's The Assumption of the Virgin, along with other works by Goya, Ribera, as well as gold items, Flemish tapestries and antique furnishings, and the synagogues of Santa María La Blanca (12th C.) and El Tránsito. For more information from the tourist office of Toledo click here

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On the Menu…Don Sebastião Restaurante, Lagos (Portugal)

Located in the heart of the historic town of Lagos, on a pedestrian cobblestone street not far from the waterfront, you will find Don Sebastião Restaurante. Since opening in 1979, the restaurant has attracted a loyal following of customers who come for the traditional Portuguese cuisine, fresh seafood, and local ambiance with warm, friendly service. The interior dining rooms feature a rustic décor with traditional brick archways, or you can dine al fresco on the lovely outdoor terrace.

The menu features locally sourced ingredients, such as fish, shrimp, crabs, oysters and other seafood that come in daily on the local fishing boats. If you prefer meat, you can also find a selection of traditional Portuguese dishes, including pork chops with figs, or a hearty lamb stew with red wine.

To accompany your meal you can select from the extensive wine list. The owner's collection of over 240 varieties of Portuguese wines is stored in the restaurant's own underground wine cellar. Special tours of the cellar and wine tastings can be arranged with advance notice.

Rua 25 de Abril, 20-22         Phone: (282) 780 480

Lagos, Portugal                  Web: Don Sebastião

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On the Menu...Restaurante 100 Maneiras, Lisbon (Portugal)

If you venture over to Lisbon's trendy Bairro Alto neighborhood, make sure you visit one of the city's new hip restaurants, 100 Maneiras, which is Portuguese for "100 ways." The Bosnian-born chef Ljubomir Stanisic has won over both customers and critics alike with his modern interpretation of Portuguese cuisine.

He uses only the freshest ingredients, which are sourced daily from the local market. The menu offered is a 10-course prix fixe tasting menu that is sure to delight any foodie. The restaurant's intimate atmosphere, professional wait staff and inventive menu offerings are sure to leave you with a true dining experience. Be sure to make a reservation, since this small restaurant is sought out by many, and you won't want to be turned away.

Rua do Teixeira 35, Bairro Alto               Phone: (21) 099 04 75 Lisbon, Portugal                                  Web: Restaurante 100

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On the Menu...L'Estimat Restaurante, Valencia (Spain)

Paella is one of Spain's best known dishes and is served in restaurants throughout the country. But Valencia is the birthplace of this quintessential Spanish dish, so no visit to this city would be complete without sampling this local favorite.

L'Estimat Restaurant is a family owned restaurant that was established in 1927 and today is run by the 3rd generation of its founders. It is located on the Paseo Neptuno on Las Arenas beach. Here you will find so many different types of paella to choose from, that one visit may not be enough. If you're not sure where to start, the traditional Paella Valenciana, that contains chicken, rabbit, snails and vegetables, is a good choice, or you can opt for the Paella Marinera, that contains a variety of fresh seafood, including mussels, calamari and shrimp. Whatever type of paella you choose (seafood, meat, vegetable, or a combination), you will not leave hungry.

Paseo Neptuno, 16
Valencia, Spain
Phone: (963) 711 018
Web: L'Estimat Restaurante

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Next Stop...Guimarães (Portugal)

The picturesque medieval town of Guimarães is located about 30 miles northeast of Porto, in the heart of the Minho region. It is the birthplace of Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, and was the country's first capital. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and will be the European Capital of Culture in 2012.

On a hilltop just outside of town is a 12th C. Augustinian monastery that was built by Teresa, the mother of Afonso Henriques. There is also a Manueline church that still offers Mass on Sunday, along with extensive grounds and beautifully maintained gardens.

Today the monastery welcomes guests as the Pousada de Guimarães, Santa Marinha. It is one of the most impressive hotels in the Pousadas group, and was awarded the coveted Europa Nostra prize for its renovation and restoration. The Pousada has 49 rooms and 2 suites that are outfitted in traditional Portuguese style and have been equipped with modern amenities. Guests can enjoy the views of the city below from the beautiful outdoor swimming pool and gardens that surround the hotel.

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Time to Save...Barcelona Card (Spain)

For your next visit to Barcelona, don’t forget to purchase a Barcelona Card. This savings card features free travel on public transport, discounts and free offers at museums, cultural venues, leisure facilities, night clubs, shops, and restaurants, as well as other services and unique means of transport.

You can purchase a card for 2, 3, 4, or 5 consecutive days, and prices range from €27 - €45, so pick the one that best fits your itinerary. For more info on the card click here.

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On the Menu...Casa Lucio, Madrid (Spain)

Casa Lucio is located in the heart of Old Madrid, not far from the Plaza Mayor. Since 1974 it has been serving traditional Castilian dishes, such as Callos a la Madrileña (Madrid-style tripe), Cocido (Madrid-style stew). Cochinillo (roast suckling pig), Merluza de la Casa (hake in green sauce), and its signature dish, Huevos Estrellados ("broken eggs" mixed with potatoes). The charming atmosphere of the interior of the restaurant, with its tiled floors and white-washed walls, adds to the warm ambiance created by Lucio and his family, who still run the restaurant to this day.

Cava Baja, 35                                   Phone: (91) 365-8217
Madrid, Spain                                   Web: Casa Lucio

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Checking in...Hospes Palacio del Bailío Hotel, Córboda (Spain)

The city of Córdoba is a former Roman city that is best known for its Mezquita (mosque), as well as the narrow, cobblestone streets of its charming Jewish Quarter. Córdoba has the second largest Old Town in Europe, and visitors enjoy strolling through the picturesque streets, taking in the whitewashed houses with their beautiful patios and balconies.

Located in the heart of the historic center is the 5-star Palacio del Bailío Hotel. This traditional Moorish manor was built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and is designated as a Cultural Heritage monument. As you enter through the archway, you will be transported back in time. The buildings of the manor house are arranged around a series of patios, with one that has been restored to include a glass floor that reveals the Roman ruins that were buried beneath it.

The hotel offers standard Dreamers rooms that are adorned with velvet headboards, frescoes and hand-painted stucco walls, and larger Deluxe rooms that are each unique and include features such as vaulted ceilings or stone arches from the original palace. The Junior Suites include a sitting area, and the larger Suites include frescoes and original 18th C. paintings. The Grand Suite Loft located on the top floor is accessed via a private elevator, and offers panoramic views through its 14 arched windows that face the surroundings of the Dolores Convent.

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On the Menu...Mesón del Asador, Jerez (Spain)

Whether you're in the mood for having a few tapas at the bar, or for a sit-down meal in the restaurant, you are sure to enjoy both the food and rustic atmosphere at the Mesón del Asador. The restaurant is known not just for the fine quality of its grilled meats, but also for the generous portions served and the friendliness of its staff - all offered at reasonable prices. At the tapas bar be sure to try the cola de toro (oxtail), chistorras (Basque-style sausage), morcilla (blood sausage), and carillada (pig's cheek). Mesón del Asador is truly a meat-lover's paradise.

Avda. de la Cruz Roja, 20               Phone: (956) 311-404
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain             Web:   Mesón del Asador

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Next Stop...Salamanca (Spain)

 

 

 

 

 

Salamanca is a true gem of a city, located about a 2 hour drive northwest of Madrid. It is well known for its beauty, culture and the ambiance that is rooted in its world-renowned university.

The University of Salamanca, which was founded in 1218, is the oldest university in Spain and the third oldest university in Europe. The city has a vibrancy and pulse that is quite unique, and stems from the buzz created by the students that come from all parts of Spain, and from around the world, to study at this esteemed institution.

Salamanca has been nicknamed "La Dorada" (the Golden City) due to the golden color of the sandstone used in many of its buildings, which is quarried in the nearby town of Villamayor. In the sunlight, the buildings give off a warm glow that only adds to the beauty and enchantment of the town. It's no wonder that Salamanca has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage City. For more information from the Salamanca Tourist Office click here.

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Checking In...Hotel M'AR De AR Aqueduto, Évora (Portugal)

 

 

 

 

 

The city of Évora is the capital of the Upper Alentejo region. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visitors can get a glimpse of its rich and varied history in the city's many monuments and churches.

The M'AR De AR Aqueduto is a 5-star hotel located in the heart of the historic city center. The hotel itself is historic, as it was built within the walls of the 16th C. Sepulveda Palace, which still retains the original chapel, dome ceiling, and a set of three Manueline windows from the palace.

Built alongside the traditional palace is a new wing that showcases contemporary-style architecture and design. The décor of the 64 guest rooms is stylish and elegant, with hardwood floors and neutral colors that are warm and relaxing. Rooms in the Superior category include either a patio or balcony, with views of the historic city center. 

The M’AR De AR Aqueduto provides guests with a unique combination of old and new under one roof. It also offers all the modern amenities expected in a 5-star hotel, including a spa. Guests can relax on the hotel's rooftop and enjoy the terrace and the pool while taking in the views of the 16th C. aqueduct nearby.

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