The Nazaré and how the surfer Garrett McNamara fold the biggest waves in the world are just a pretext for the beginning of the story that CNN dedicated to the central region of Portugal. A «mysterious» place and unfairly «forgotten» that the US television ranks as «the center of the universe». And what about a better place to spend some surf holidays in Portugal?
Nazaré's waves have made headlines around the world and probably that's what sparked the interest of journalist Paul Ames, who walked across the central region, to discover its corners, the food, the places where to stay. «The Silver Coast and the rest of the back of Nazaré - the Centre region - is the home of a largely unknown array of treasures unjustly ignored by tourists in Portugal, since they usually only go to Lisbon or know the Port Wine charms.»
Nazaré, Peniche and Ericeira are quite wonderful places to spend surf holidays in Portugal
The beaches and the sun of the region are to take. «Trust us, Nazaré is a paradise for surfers», CNN says, recalling the hospitality of its people and the seven layers of skirts of a Nazarene. More and more, do not forget the Whale Bone Beach, Figueira da Foz and the Obidos Lagoon, for families. Quite astonishing places to spend surf holidays in Portugal.
Also remind us of the dunes at the beach of Vieira and its classic seafood rice. And the path that starts at the «fishing village» Peniche - which has become an obligatory surf stop - to the Berlenga Islands where it´s time to «enjoy the breeze of a nature reserve, spend the night in an abandoned fortress and dive in crystal clear water».
Sleep in places with history
The CNN journalist also highlighted the ancient palaces, castles, convents and palaces converted into hotels, retaining the old dash and the surrounding aura. The Bussaco Palace Hotel is one of them, «a castle built as a romantic retreat by King Charles I, in honor of his German ancestors».
The Palace Hotel Monte Real, near Leiria, the «glamour» of the Curia Palace in Anadia, north of Coimbra or the «elegance» of the Grande Hotel de Luso are also referred to. Surf holidays in Portugal, here I go!
Do not forget, too, the "Pousadas de Portugal" that «converted historic buildings into luxury hotels since the 1940s». Of these, stands the medieval castle of Obidos, «a whitewashed and refined city, famous for its sweet cherry liqueur. The Pousada de Belmonte and the old hospital, 200 years old, also converted to Pousada de Portugal, in Viseu, make the list, it could not be missed. Condeixa also where there are «some of the most spectacular Roman ruins of the Iberian Peninsula».
