Seven Hanging Valleys Hiking Trail

While motoring along the coast on my Benagil boat tour, the guide pointed to a series of boardwalks along the coast remarking, “That’s all part of the Seven Hanging Valleys Hiking Trail,” at which time my ears immediately perked up. I’d not heard of this trail before. Once back to the laptop, I did some research to learn it’s rated as one of the most beautiful hikes in Europe! Continue reading

Lagos: Two if by Sea

As I mentioned in my previous post, my guesthouse while staying in Lagos is located only two blocks from the Lagos Marina, where dozens of boats come and go daily. There are a plethora of boat tour operators working from kiosks along the dock offering kayaking tours, speedboat tours, and sightseeing trips to the grottoes.

One trip that has piqued my interest is a little further away, to a cave known as Algarve de Benagil. It’s not only a massive cave with two entrances to access a small a beach, Continue reading

Lagos: One if by Land

When deciding on an itinerary for Portugal after leaving Lisbon, I wasn’t sure whether to head north first toward Porto or south to the Algarve region along the southern coast. All research said the beaches became a mob scene during July and August, the time period when Europeans typically take their vacations. Sun-worshipers arrive in droves during the doldrums when the spring winds die down, and the scorching sun makes swimming in the numbing Atlantic Ocean bearable. But not only do the temperatures soar, so do the prices. I’ve got a good six weeks before the high season rolls around, so I figure I’ll head south first and get a jump on the crowds, then work my way back up north after I’ve had my beach fix. Continue reading