11th June 2019

Hi,

Just a quick note to accompany the photos on the third part of our recent Portugese odyssey.

We travelled from Evora to the Troia peninsula on 25th May and spent four full days there before returning on the fifth day to Manchester. Situated south of Lisbon the Troia peninsula is a huge finger of land which stick up just south of Setubal, which is a thirty minute ferry journey away. If you leave the car and take the catamaran ferry its only fifteen minutes from Setubal.

We stayed part of the way up the peninula in Soltroia in a nice air bnb. At the northern tip is the village of Troia with lots of eateries. South of us was Comporta of which more later.

The finger of land has beaches going for miles up each side and they were pretty much empty when we were there. it was 30 degrees but it looks as if the proper tourist season doesn't start until the end of June. The water was baltic but we braved it occasionally and the beasties on the beach can bite quite a bit if there is no wind!

Two days frying was enough for me so I jumped the ferry and went over to Setubal. This is the third largest port in Portugal and most of the tourist sights are within walking distance from the ferry so it can be done in about half to three quarters of a day.

The main square Praca de Bocage (called after a famous poet) is attractive and there are plenty of Jacaranda lined streets. I didn't manage up to the Fort of S. Filipe but my favourite place was the House of Corpo Santo. Built onto what is reckoned to be a 4th century wall, the building has a huge collection of items related to seafaring and has beautiful ceiling and tiles, many of which have a nautical theme. The convent is the main tourist attraction but it was closed for renovation. I walked along the main Avenue Luisa Todi which is attractive and gives you a good view of the fort. The shoreline gave great views over to Troia and the fishing part of the port has an attracive art deco building along the front. An americano cost me 0.75 cents so 'much cheapness!'

The rest of the trip is was all sunshine and eating out in the evening. Comporta, a village which was just south of where we were staying in Soltroia was a real find, with lots of lovely fish restaurants.

Portugal is hard to beat, as I may have said in previous blogs. It is better value than Spain, France or Italy and if anything is friendlier as well. It has a bit of an undicovered feel for myself, having not even been to the Algarve for a mainstream holiday. I would love to go back some day. Fantastic to spend time with close family! Enjoy the photos.

Take care

Murdo