PORTIMAO, PORTUGAL

Leaving Portimão we head to Cape St Vincent, the most south westerly point of mainland Europe. It was here that Nelson defeated the French in 1797. With its coastline of rugged cliffs constantly beaten by the relentless breakers of the Atlantic, this is an awesome area.

Leaving Portimão we head to Cape St Vincent, the most south westerly point of mainland Europe. It was here that Nelson defeated the French in 1797. With its coastline of rugged cliffs constantly beaten by the relentless breakers of the Atlantic, this is an awesome area. A lighthouse is situated on top of the cliffs, providing the guiding beam that safely directs hundreds of ships that pass this way every year away from inevitable destruction. We may be lucky enough to spot local fishermen, wedged in dramatic perches on the cliff face, with the thundering sea many feet below. Our tour continues to Sagres, a small port where Prince Henry is thought to have has his headquaters – his so-called ‘school of navigation’ – although the exact location is unknown. We will also see the 17th century Hermitage, where the infant Dom Henrique sometimes used to pray, and a giant compass which has been laid out in stones – the Rosa dos Ventos. From here we will drive to Lagos, the departure port for the first caravels. Here we shall see the statue to the memory of Prince Henry the navigator, and the arcades where slaves were first auctioned in Europe. Lagos was the capital of the Algarve until 1756; in 1755, an earthquake destroyed a large part of its infrastructure and architectural legacy. The capital was transferred to Faro. Today Lagos retains the atmosphere of its great cosmopolitan heritage, and it has a wealth of interesting buildings and monuments. We should have some free time to enjoy this beautiful town before our return to Portimão. There is a moderate amount of walking involved on this tour, some of it over uneven surfaces. A few steps may also be encountered.