A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Nestled among rolling hills adorned with a lightweight cover of cork oak trees, Montemor-o-Novo represents an unassuming town in the core of the Alentejo region. This locale is home to several significant attractions worthy of exploration. The Alentejo region is dotted with ancient monuments, with no fewer than 12 located within this municipality.
Paredes, located in the Porto District, is a town and municipality bordering the Sousa River Valley. This picturesque area of northern Portugal is distinguished by its vineyard-covered hills and farms that cultivate the delectable casca de carvalho melons. The Romanesque Route, which traverses this region, is adorned with historic monuments from the medieval period, including two remarkable churches and the remnants of a castle that played a role in the conflicts with the Moors during the 10th century.
Situated along the River Tagus, Póvoa de Santa Iria is a municipality surrounded by wetlands, approximately 20 minutes from the center of Lisbon by train. The previously industrious waterside area has been revitalized with a “linear park,” offering visitors a boardwalk that traverses the marshes and provides enchanting views of the estuary and its diverse avian population.
The coastal town of Câmarade Lobos is recognized as one of Madeira’s oldest settlements, dating back to the 15th century. It is home to a pair of churches from this era, along with a cove where caravels would have moored six centuries ago. While these vessels have been replaced by modest fishing boats, the town continues to thrive due to its maritime activities, despite the growing number of visitors.
Located along the coastline between Aveiro and Porto, Esmoriz is a burgeoning resort town that is gaining recognition. The primary beach offers consistent breaks, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced surfers. Numerous surf camps allow visitors to refine their skills throughout the day, followed by various evening activities.
Stylish and artistic, Montreuil is an eastern suburb of Paris, located just north of the Bois de Vincennes. Historically, this area was characterized by industry and agriculture, and many residences are found in refurbished warehouses and mills. It is a neighborhood where visitors can explore flea markets for vintage finds and experience the charm of the remaining old walled peach orchards.
Rimini is arguably one of the most recognized beach resorts throughout Europe, primarily known for its 15 km long expanse of exquisite white sand beaches, numerous hotels, and an abundance of bars and restaurants. A significant number of visitors are attracted here to bask in the sun, unwind on the beaches, and momentarily detach from the hectic pace of contemporary life.
A serene coastal community in the southeast of Madeira, Caniço boasts many of the island’s finest features. Here, one can encounter steep hills, pebble beaches, and sheer cliffs. At Garajau, a prominent statue of Christ overlooks the waters, a tribute established prior to Rio’s Christ the Redeemer. Furthermore, Caniço is situated within a marine reserve where groupers often approach divers closely.
Ferrara is a remarkable tourist destination situated in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. With strong connections to Bologna, Venice, and Ravenna, and located merely 50km from the coastline, Ferrara serves as an excellent base for exploring this picturesque part of Italy. As the provincial capital, the city boasts a population of 133,000 and possesses a robust industrial sector that significantly contributes to the regional economy.
This railway town located in the Tagus Valley emerged during the industrial era when workers established camps at a junction in the network (“entroncamento” translates to junction in Portuguese). Consequently, it developed into a crucial hub for both freight and passenger trains heading north and east. Renowned figures of the period frequently dined at the station’s restaurant before transferring their journeys.
If you have not visited Ljubljana, it is essential to have a compelling reason. Centrally located in Slovenia, this clean, progressive city features architecture influenced by Italian styles. The city’s charm partly arises from a past disaster: an earthquake in 1895 devastated numerous neighborhoods. Nevertheless, this calamity allowed visionaries like Jože Plečnik to create Art Nouveau masterpieces from the ruins.
While London is often associated with the Thames River, Covent Garden Market, and Piccadilly Street, it is important to clarify that this London refers to a considerably smaller city situated in Southwestern Ontario. Known as ‘The Forest City,’ it was founded by clearing land amid a forest.
Sumbawa, positioned in the sun-drenched West Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia, is geographically separated from neighboring Lombok by the Strait of Alas. Additionally, it is isolated from Komodo Island by the Sape Strait, with the Indian Ocean bordering the south and the Flores Sea to the north. Sumbawa stands as the largest island in West Nusa Tenggara, endowed with breathtaking natural scenery, crowned by the prominent Mount Tambora, a still-active volcano.
The town of São João da Madeira in the Aveiro District is frequently regarded as one of Portugal’s most livable locations. While there aren’t abundant historical landmarks, this industrious town is rich in industrial heritage, serving as the hub for Portuguese hats, footwear, and pencils.
The town of Abrantes is dominated by a medieval castle perched above the right bank of the Tagus River, which winds far below. The topography is hilly, while the adjacent landscape remains flat, providing several lookout points from which to survey the river plain for miles. Within the historic center, friendly squares are interconnected by narrow cobblestone streets.
Norway is a nation where historical and contemporary elements coexist seamlessly, featuring natural attractions alongside sophisticated cultural venues. The capital city, Oslo, exhibits vibrancy and energy, while opportunities abound for excursions to snow-capped mountains and breathtaking gorges. Renowned as the Land of the Midnight Sun, Norway experiences prolonged daylight during certain seasons, and it offers some of the premier locations globally to witness the northern lights, a remarkable natural spectacle.
A prosperous western suburb of Paris, Courbevoie maintains a connection to the city center while offering a relaxed, residential ambiance. The area features several understated museums located in pavilions originally constructed for the Exposition Universelle in 1878. Additionally, Courbevoie encompasses part of La Défense, the modern financial district, providing access to futuristic urban architecture and France’s largest shopping center.
Terni is a captivating city situated in the southern region of Umbria, Italy. This lovely city, which has a population of around 111,000 inhabitants, has affectionately branded itself as the City of Lovers. The Nera River runs centrally through Terni, serving as a vital artery for trade in historical times. Established in the 7th century by Umbrian tribes, Terni later evolved into a Roman stronghold characterized by a series of defensive installations. Throughout the years, it became embroiled in various conflicts and hostilities among rival factions during Italy’s communal period. It was not until the 19th century that Terni truly began to prosper, particularly due to the establishment of steel mills that fueled its economy. Today, Terni continues to be an important industrial hub, comprising three distinct manufacturing areas.
Located on the southeastern coast of Madeira, Machico is historically significant as the landing spot of the island’s discoverers in 1419. The once-stony beach was transformed with imported Moroccan sand in 2008, offering a unique coastal experience. Visitors can engage in various aquatic activities or hike to the easternmost point for breathtaking views of the region.
In the northwestern suburbs of Paris, Cergy is part of a newly developed town intended to address a housing crisis following the war. Cergy was merged with its neighboring commune, creating the Cergy-Pontoise conurbation, whose population surged from only a few thousand in the 1950s to approximately 200,000 today.