Who doesn't love a Road Trip?! Madrid to Lisbon Portugal - finding hidden treasures

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There's something about a road trip that is different to a planned destination when you go on a vacation.
I think its the freedom of having the ability to get in that car and not really know exactly where you are heading - it gives you the sense of exploration and the ability to change your direction depending of how you feel and what you see.

There's nothing like it - its part of the joy of travelling and exploring - where you see some little gem of a destination that you may never have even heard of, or, it may have been a little dot on a map - and you just think, "you know what, lets just stop here" and it turns out to be something amazing. Giving you memories unplanned.

This happened many times of our recent trip around Spain and Portugal.
The driving leg from Madrid to Lisbon had us discovering  Trujillo in the region of Extremadura.



Plaza Major






The Plaza Major, when lit at night is said to be the most beautiful in all of Spain.  We, however were there by day and saw a great plaza with locals mainly gathering for Sunday Lunch. There a many wonderful outdoors restaurants to select from and they all link up to create this one big dining area - its creates a real family vibe, even if you are a visitor!

We wandered quiet ancient streets and lanes, passed a 11th century Islamic fortress overlooking the town. Buts its fame is that it is the birthplace of Francisco Pizarro who conquered Peru and his brother Hernando, that founded the Palicio del Marques de la Conquista.

 After a long 6.5hr drive from Madrid  we arrived from the east, in the late afternoon, to Lisbon - and what a grand entrance - greeted by the Ponte Vasco da Gama - a engineering feet. This bridge spans 17km over the Tagus Estuary and is so long, it disappears into the distance.



Further afield from Lisbon, on one of our day trip outside the city we visited  Erstoril and Sintra (Sintra I will covering my next Blog as it required its own!).

The freedom of driving along the coast, windows down and breeze flowing is the Best! Estoril is a lovely resort town - quiet for the time of year we visited but still beautiful with its beach promenade. Great place to stop for a stroll and have a afternoon Spritz or beer!  Also got try the garlic prawns!



The promanade































Where have you found that 'hidden gem'? Please share, as we would all love to learn and discover though you. Post your comments!
Enjoy

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