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On the Coast Road: A lovely tour of the coastline of Portugal from north to south

A must-see bridge in Lisbon, the wine not to be missed in Porto, spectacular beaches, a cliff with a crazy view of the ocean and more.

In the days when more and more Israelis receive Portuguese citizenship, the country's coastline offers a variety of options - here is a short and striking journey along its entire length

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• Portugal

In collaboration with Pegasus

Sunday, 22 August 2021, 07:00 Updated: 07:06

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In Porto - Do not give up the wine (Photo: ShutterStock)

In recent years, more and more opportunities and options for obtaining European passports have been opened up to many Israelis, based on the rich and often painful history of the Jewish people. So for those who are in a hurry to get Spanish, German or Polish citizenship and open new doors in the EU thanks to them you have probably already heard, but what about Portugal?

According to official data published by the Ministry of Justice of the country located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, no less than 40,000 (!) Israelis have received Portuguese citizenship in the past two years (2019-2020), more than any other country in the world except Brazil. Add to that the fact that thanks to not bad treatment in Corona, Portugal remains most of the time a "green" country for us, which saves the returnees from it the need for prolonged isolation, and you get a destination that simply must be known up close.

Because Portugal is far beyond Cristiano Ronaldo and much more than the "neighbor of Spain" - it is a combination of a vibrant culture, a glorious past (including a strong Jewish heritage) and some landscapes and vantage points that can not be found anywhere else in Europe, and perhaps worldwide.

In the past, Portugal was a maritime empire, sending its people to all corners of the globe and discovering the world, and today no less than 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites are spread throughout Rehavia. And a community that has been expelled or gone.And as in any good Western European country, the smooth, fast and sharp transitions between the picturesque villages and the big cities complete the experience.

Portugal enjoys a long coastline, stretching from north to south on the Atlantic coast, to the south of the country and the border with Spain.

A walk along this coastline provides a great glimpse into the various options of the country and the best way to see everything is in an organized trip, with a guide who knows Portugal and will also know how to lead you to all the points and attractions and spice it all up with behind-the-scenes stories.

Organized trip to Portugal - information on the Pegasus website

A unique and legendary vantage point.

Cabo de Roca (Photo: ShutterStock)

The road from north to south is worth starting with at Praia do Cabedelo, a special beach at the end of the Lima River, which empties into the ocean. In the vicinity of the beach you can enjoy the dunes and walk in the forest, but what makes it especially popular are the wind and waves, which attract crowds of skiers. The beach itself has an extra wide strip of white sand and a spectacular view of the nearby city, Viana du Castello, built in the Middle Ages, and right next to it you will also find the "Eiffel Bridge" inaugurated in 1878 and if the name sounds familiar to you, then yes - it is the work of the same architect Published. The bridge, 562 meters long, helped connect the train to the city, which helped it return to prospering after many years.

Less than an hour's drive south you will reach Porto, the second largest and most important city in the country, known to many Israelis for its famous football team. Around the Douro River, the northern capital is centered on quite a few points of interest, including a variety of bridges, each worth a look and a visit. Do not miss the old town, especially in the evening, Boleio Market, Clarigos Church, Bell Tower, the Jewish area with the old synagogue (which was visited in 1492 by many Jews expelled from Spain, until they were also expelled from it), the stock exchange palace and the whole downtown area and of course - Arrive at the Santa Catarina pedestrian mall and drink port wine, produced in the city.

The next destination on the way south is Aviero, "the Venice of Portugal", as it is called, thanks to its canals that guarantee a fun and extraordinary day trip.

Next to it you will find the beloved coastal town of Costa Nova, where you can relax in front of the sea, eat great and walk in the nice local market and south of there awaits Nazara, AKA "Nazareth", a particularly picturesque fishing village converted into a coastal town.

The village was established in the 17th century and provides a dramatic view of the cliffs protruding from the shore and into the depths of the ocean.

Apart from the beach, the town itself is also beautiful and it is definitely possible to dedicate two or three hours of a trip to it, during which try to ask the locals for the origin of the name of the place.

You will probably hear in response some options, including a legend about a local nobleman who almost fell off one of the cliffs, but without spoilers.

The April 25 bridge looks just like the Golden Bridge and will take you to beautiful Lisbon (Photo: ShutterStock)

Even before arriving in Lisbon, it is also worth stopping at the Fortress of Finica, built in 1558 and used, among other things, as a prison for political prisoners in the first half of the 20th century. There is an interesting display that tells its story and from there you continue with a two-hour drive to the cliff of Cabo de Roca, the westernmost continental point in Europe. On the amazing cliff, which rises 140 meters above the water, lies a lighthouse and a stone monument, on which are engraved the coordinates of the point where it stands, as well as the famous poem of the Portuguese poet Louis de Camouche: "Here, where the land ends and the sea begins ... the point Western Europe. " The song was written during the "Age of Discovery" of the 16th century, when until then the Portuguese believed that it was the last point in the world and after that there is nothing but the sea, where formidable monsters await. They also feared that if they tried to sail beyond the horizon they could see from Cabo de Roca, they would simply fall from the flat world below.

The dessert is available in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and its center in terms of culture, history, economy and more. Like Porto, Lisbon is located on the banks of a river, the Tejo, above which passes the "April 25" bridge, which is really, really reminiscent of the Golden Bridge in San Francisco. In Lisbon you should also visit the city's famous sites, including the unique Carriage Museum, the late 15th-century Geronimos Monastery and the Discoverers Monument, in memory of those who left the city and discovered the whole world on brave journeys. In the lower city you will discover impressive squares, parks, Independence Avenue and the Old City, where the Jewish Quarter resided before the deportation of Portugal.

As you probably understand, Portugal offers everything from everything and you don't even have to move in from its shoreline to find out.

So if you are looking for a special and interesting destination that also does not require very long trips - come to this western country and you will not regret whether you do it on your own or even more recommended on a guided tour with a professional and skilled professional guide who can tell you the story of the place.

The article is sponsored by Pegasus Organized Tours - as part of its goal to promote acquaintance with world cultures and enrichment of knowledge.

Article sponsored by Pegasus Organized Tours https://www.pegasusisrael.co.il

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