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Next Stop…Consuegra (Spain)

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Visitors looking to experience the essence of Spain so beautifully captured in Cervantes’ epic tale of Don Quixote need to travel no further than the town of Consuegra, on the the outskirts of Toledo. Consuegra can easily be visited as a day trip from either Toledo or Madrid.

Located about 40 minutes south of Toledo (60 km) and about 1.5 hours from Madrid (130 km), Consuegra is a prime example of a traditional village in La Mancha region. It is perhaps best known for the series of 12 restored windmills that dot the landscape. Five of those windmills even maintain their original mechanism, and one is known as “Sancho” in honor of Don Quixote’s trusted squire.

The scenery in Consuegra evokes the images immortalized in Cervantes’ tale of La Mancha that are so quintessentially Spanish, so be sure to have your camera ready. The windmills date from the 16th C., and the ones that can be visited include a museum, a tourist office and a gift shop. There is even a working mill so that visitors can see how the windmills operated.

In addition to the windmills, visitors can see the Medieval Castillo de Consuegra. The castle fell into disrepair in the 18th-19th C., but it has been partially restored and can now be visited. The town of Consuegra is also very picturesque and should not be missed. Consuegra is known for the high quality saffron that is produced in the region, and the annual Rose of Saffron Festival that takes place in October. Be sure to stroll through the Plaza de España town square, with its 17th C. Renaissance-style Town Hall. Other places to visit include the churches of Santísimo Cristo de la Vera Cruz and Santa María la Mayor, the Municipal Archaeological museum, and the Cristo museum.

Photo Credit: Jebulon

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Next Stop…Aveiro (Portugal)

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The town of Aveiro, located about an hour south of Porto in the Central region, is one of Portugal’s hidden gems.  Known as the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro’s charming canals, picturesque wooden houses and tranquil seaside location make it a perfect place to visit as a day trip, or as a stop along the route between Lisbon and Porto.

The town was established in Roman times and served as an important seaport until the end of the 16th C. when a storm closed off the port. The old town center is crossed by a network of canals that is reminiscent of Venice, down to the gondola-like boats known as barcos moliceiros.  The colorful moliceiro boats that tourists ride today are traditional flat bottom boats that were once used for collecting seaweed from the lagoon.  Also located in the town center is the 15th C. Convento de Jesus, which houses the town museum. The convent is primarily devoted to Santa Joana, the daughter of King Alfonso V, who lived in the convent until her death in 1490. Her beautifully carved tomb, made of inlaid marble, is showcased in its own lavish room in the convent.

Aveiro is also know for its picturesque wooden houses, once used by fisherman, that have been painted in bright colors and candy striped, so be sure to have your phone or camera fully charged for the photo ops. There are many good seafood restaurants in town along the canals that serve freshly caught seafood and local specialties such as eel stew, cod and lamprey (a jawless fish with an eel-like body).

If you decide to spend the night you can stay at the Pousada Ria (Torreia-Murtosa), located about 45 minutes from Aveiro on a peninsula next to the San Jacinto Natural Reserve. The Pousada overlooks the blue lagoon and is a perfect place to explore the region and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. For more information and reservations, click here.

Photo Credit: Joaomartinho63

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Next Stop…Tomar (Portugal)

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ILC-blog-Next-Stop-Tomar-PortugalLocated in the Central region of Portugal about an hour and a half north of Lisbon is the historic town of Tomar. This charming and culturally rich town was the last Knights Templar town to be commissioned, and played a significant role during the Portuguese Renaissance and the overseas expansion during the Age of Discovery.

The town itself is picturesque, with well preserved architecture, attractive streets and the River Nabão that runs through it.  The focal point and historic gem in town is the 12th C. castle that contains one of the country’s most significant and impressive monuments, the Convent of Christ, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The round church was modeled after the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.

When the Templars were banned in Europe, the Order of Christ was created. Henry the Navigator was made Governor of the Order in the 15th C., and it was from the Convent of Christ that he directed Portugal’s expansion overseas. The Convent was also the site where the short-lived formation of the Iberian Union took place in 1581, when Philip II of Spain was also recognized as Philip I of Portugal.

Other important sites in Tomar include:

  • Praça da República – elegant main square
  • Church of São João Baptista – 15th C. church on the main square
  • Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição – 16th C. church on the hill leading to the castle
  • Church of Santa Maria do Olival – 12th C. church that was the burial place of Knights Templar and Knights of the Order of Christ
  • Synagogue of Tomar – one of Portugal’s oldest synagogues, built in 1430
  • Castle of Almourol – a 12th C. Templar castle located on a small island in the middle of the Tagus River, 20 km. south of Tomar

Photo Credit: © Joaquim Alves Gaspar. Photo of Convent of Christ.

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