On either side of the Douro river, and in the side valleys they have been constructing terraces for centuries. The UNESCO World Heritage List...
Everything from Southern Europe
This category contains all Sandalsand’s articles from countries in Southern Europe. You will find an introduction to this region under the Destinations menu.
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VIDEO – Portugal – Porto
This video is from Porto, or Oporto as it used to be called in English. The city has the unmistakable atmosphere of an historically important city....
World heritage sites in central Portugal
On this fourth day of our road trip in Portugal we had planned on visiting five World Heritage Sites in central Portugal. Would that be possible?...
World Heritage #0755 – Oporto
Would you like some Port? In the cellars of Porto (or Oporto) you may taste whichever Port wine you'd like. The UNESCO World Heritage List includes...
VIDEO – Portugal – Coimbra
This video is from Coimbra, the ancient university town in central Portugal. Some scenes are from the university and some from the town centre....
VIDEO – Portugal – Mosteiro da Batalha
This is a video from the Mosteiro da Batalha in Portugal, one of the country's prominent World Heritage Sites. "The Monastery of Batalha" is no. 264...
VIDEO – Portugal – Mosteiro de Alcobaça
This is a video from the Mosteiro de Alcobaça. The church and monastery were among the first Gothic buildings in Portugal. The impression of...
VIDEO – Portugal – Evora
This video is from Évora, an important town for the Romans and later on for the Portuguese until the 18th century. After this the town turned into a...
World Heritage #0505 – Monastery of Alcobaça
The Monastery of Alcobaça is one more of Portugal's fine examples of beautiful architecture and fine masonry. The UNESCO World Heritage List...
World Heritage #0361 – Historic Centre of Évora
The historic centre of Évora, a lazy little town in the interior of Portugal hides a proud history. It is a pleasant place. The UNESCO World...
World Heritage #0264 – Monastery of Batalha
As soon as you enter the halls and cloisters of the monastery of Batalha you will discover a world of tranquillity and the crafts of great masons. ...
World Heritage #1387 – University of Coimbra
The university of Coimbra, a town in central Portugal has deep roots and a splendid view of the river below. The UNESCO World Heritage List includes...
VIDEO – Portugal – Sintra
This is a video from Sintra. There are many palaces scattered around in the area, and one will have a hard time reaching them all. Most tourists...
Lisboa (Lisbon) and Sintra
We had two days at our disposal in central Lisbon and topped it with a full day excursion to Sintra. Neither should be enjoyed in less time,...
World Heritage #0723 – Sintra
The natural landscape in Sintra to the west of Lisbon is fine, but the palaces set this area aside as unique. The UNESCO World Heritage List...
VIDEO – Portugal – Lisbon
This is a video from Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Get an introduction to squares, districts, food and transportation what is officially called...
VIDEO – Portugal – Belém and Jerónimos
This is a video from Belém and Jerónimos, two very important and popular attractions in Lisbon. They are also World Heritage Sites. "Hieronymites...
World Heritage #0263 – Hieronymites and Tower of Belém
The monastery of the Hieronymites and the tower of Belém in Lisbon bear witness to Portugal's heroic history. The UNESCO World Heritage List...
Portugal Road Trip – Planning for perfection
This is the plan for a Portugal road trip, more specifically eight days on the road in Lisbon and the northern half of Portugal. It worked out fine...
VIDEO – Italy – Milano
Here is a video from Milano. The capital of northern Italia (Italy) is a major city when it comes to finance, fashion and football. Here are 11...
Getting to know the city of Milano
Following a successful excursion to Lake Como and Crespi d'Adda, the capital of northern Italy, Milan, was coming up. A modern city with fashion...
VIDEO – Italy – Milan – Last Supper
Here is a video from the Last Supper, the famous mural by Leonardo da Vinci. Or rather, it is about the painting and its surroundings. "The Church...
World Heritage #0093 – The Last Supper
The world's second most famous painting, The Last Supper, was made by a universal genius. This gem hides inside a convent in Milan. The UNESCO World...
VIDEO – Italy – Lake Como
This is a video from Lake Como (or Lago di Como). Some say it is the most beautiful of the northern Italian lakes. We visited the town of Como and...
VIDEO – Italy – Crespi d’Adda
This is a video from Crespi d'Adda, an outstanding example of the 19th- and early 20th-century 'company towns'. Such towns were built in Europe and...
The Lakes Region north of Milano
We went on a football trip to Milan's San Siro stadium and started with complementary visits to the beautiful Lakes Region. We first went to Lago di...
World Heritage #0730 – Crespi d’Adda
There are not many factory towns on the UNESCO list, and Crespi d'Adda in northern Italy is a fascinating one. The UNESCO World Heritage List...
Pictures from Spain
This is a collection of Sandalsand's pictures from Spain, the result of trips to different parts of the country. If you look up my articles from...
A dream became true – visiting Granada
Days 8 to 15 in a road trip in Andalusia were mostly spent in Granada. I also made a day-trip to the Renaissance towns of Baeza and Úbeda inland and...
World Heritage #0522 – Úbeda and Baeza
The two towns of Úbeda and Baeza were defining centres in the birth of the Spanish renaissance in the 16th century. The UNESCO World Heritage List...