MFA – Carnation revolution – 25 of April – Portugal The Portuguese 25 April Revolution, also known as the Carnation Revolution, was a political event that occurred in Portugal in 1974. It was a peaceful revolution that brought an end to the authoritarian Estado Novo regime, which had been in power in Portugal since 1933. The revolution was sparked by a variety of factors, including widespread discontent with the regime’s economic policies, political repression, and the colonial wars in Africa. The revolution began on April 25, 1974, when a group of junior military officers, known as the Arme ..read more

The Camino de Santiago de Compostela, also known as the Way of St. James, is a pilgrimage route that leads to the shrine of the apostle St. James in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. The origins of the Camino de Santiago date back to the early 9th century when the tomb of St. James was discovered in the area. According to legend, St. James had traveled to Spain to spread the message of Christianity but was martyred and beheaded by the Romans in the town of Iria Flavia, near what is now Santiago de Compostela. The discovery of the tomb of St. James led to the establ ..read more

You should absolutely visit Portugal! The tremendous breadth of activities, sights, landscapes and experiences means Portugal truly has something for everyone. So if you fall into one of these ten categories of travelers, book your trip today! History Buffs Portugal’s historical drama is long and varied, with roles played by the Celts, the Romans, the Christians, the Visigoths, the Moors, the Catholics, the Allies and Nazis, and the nationalists. In Lisbon alone, you can see the ruins of a Roman theatre in a bank basement, stroll the Alfama, a centuries old neighborhood stuck in time, and sit ..read more

Ponta Delgada Origins Ponta Delgada is located on the island of São Miguel, which is part of the Azores archipelago. The Azores were created by a series of volcanic eruptions that began over 8 million years ago and are still active today, although the last recorded eruption was in 1957. The island of São Miguel itself was formed through a series of volcanic eruptions that began around 3 million years ago. These eruptions created a series of overlapping shield volcanoes that eventually coalesced to form the central mountain range of the island. The most recent eruptions on the island occurred i ..read more

The Story behind Pasteis de Belem a.k.a. Nata The origin of Pasteis de Nata, also known as Portuguese custard tarts, can be traced back to the 18th century in Lisbon, Portugal. It is said that the recipe was developed by Catholic monks at the Jeronimos Monastery in the Belém district of Lisbon. The monks used egg whites to starch their clothes, and the leftover yolks were used to make custard tarts to be sold to support the monastery. The recipe was eventually sold to a nearby sugar refinery, which opened a pastry shop called “Pasteis de Belem” near the monastery in 1837. The shop still exists ..read more

Historic Mercado da Graça in Ponta Delgada mercado da graca – Ponta Delgada The Mercado da Graça is a historic market located in the city of Ponta Delgada, which is the largest city on the island of São Miguel in the Azores archipelago of Portugal. The market has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. The construction of the market began in 1855, and it was completed in 1860. It was named after the nearby convent and chapel of Nossa Senhora da Graça, which was built in the 17th century, and is now the Academy of Arts of Ponta Delgada. The market was designed by the architect Car ..read more

Origins of Cataplana The Cataplana is a traditional Portuguese dish that is believed to have originated in the Algarve region of Portugal, which is located in the southernmost part of the country. The name “cataplana” actually refers to the copper pot in which the dish is cooked, which is similar to a Dutch oven or a wok. The dish is thought to have been created by fishermen, who would cook their daily catch along with locally available ingredients like tomatoes, peppers, onions, and garlic in the cataplana pot. Over time, the dish became a staple of the region’s cuisine and spread throughout ..read more

Background The Algarve is a region in southern Portugal, and its history goes back thousands of years. The original people of the Algarve were likely various pre-Roman and Celtic tribes, such as the Lusitanians and the Tartessians, who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula before the Roman conquest in the 2nd century BC. After the Roman Empire fell, the Algarve was ruled by various Germanic tribes before being conquered by the Moors in the 8th century AD. The Moors, who were of North African and Arab descent, ruled the region for over 500 years and left a lasting influence on the culture, architectu ..read more

Background The Algarve is a region in southern Portugal, and its history goes back thousands of years. The original people of the Algarve were likely various pre-Roman and Celtic tribes, such as the Lusitanians and the Tartessians, who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula before the Roman conquest in the 2nd century BC. After the Roman Empire fell, the Algarve was ruled by various Germanic tribes before being conquered by the Moors in the 8th century AD. The Moors, who were of North African and Arab descent, ruled the region for over 500 years and left a lasting influence on the culture, architectu ..read more

Caldeirada de Peixe is a traditional fish stew from Portugal, specifically from the coastal regions of the country where fishing is an important part of the local economy and culture. The dish is said to have originated in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal, where it has been enjoyed for generations. The name “caldeirada” comes from the Portuguese word “caldeira,” which means a large pot or cauldron. The dish is typically made by cooking fish and vegetables in a large pot or cauldron over an open flame. The ingredients used in Caldeirada de Peixe vary depending on the region and the a ..read more