Antoní Gaudi was born near Reus in 1852 in the province of Tarragona in Catalonia. At the age of 21 he began his architectural studies at the Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura in Barcelona. Upon graduation with only mediocre grades in 1878 the college’s director still didn’t know what to make of him as he noted: […]
Shore Excursions to Estoril and Cascais from Lisbon Cruise Port
Once listed among Europe’s most stylish destinations Estoril remains one of the top places to visit in Portugal today. A civil parish in the municipality of Cascais, Estoril is conveniently close to the capital, only 15km away, and is often included as part of the itinerary of Lisbon tourists. Estoril possesses a unique charm that […]
Shore Excursions to Sintra from Lisbon Cruise Port
The town of Sintra is one of the most scenic locations in Portugal. The celebrated 18th century English poet Lord Byron himself was inspired enough by its beauty to immortalize it in one of his poems calling it a “glorious Eden.” Other wealthy and prominent men of his time also found Sintra an ideal retreat. In […]
Shore Excursions to Fatima from Lisbon Cruise Port
The town of Fatima in Portugal is most famous as the site where the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Our Lady of the Rosary, as she is known in the country, was said to have appeared as a vision to three shepherd children in 1917. Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marta had these […]