By Kathryn Romeyn, Brides
Increasingly,
more newlyweds are hopping across the pond to Portugal, realizing that
the super safe coastal country of 10 million in the southeast of Europe
is an incredibly attractive proposition whether they’re seeking
stunning sand and surf or city life with excellent cuisine. Because of
its position on the Atlantic it’s really a year-round destination—the
summers are gorgeous, spring and fall are mild and beautiful, and even
winter (though it does get a bit rainy at times) can still have its fair
share of blue sky days (it’s also when serious surfers want to be
there).
From north to south the long, skinny
country is easily traversed by car (the roads are fantastic, too). If a
fabulous road trip with plenty of scenic stops and glamorous hotels
along the way is your idea of fun then you may have found your dream
honeymoon. Most international flights land in Lisbon, which is situated
in a convenient spot to head north or south. If you have the time it’s
worth doing both.
In
the north, Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, also as the
name suggests, famous for Port wine. The grapes are grown inland a bit
in the beautiful Douro Valley, which the Douro River cuts through
(oenophiles may know Ribera del Duero, a Spanish wine-producing area,
and it’s actually the same river, changing names to Duero once it
crosses into Spain). Both are worth stays. Six Senses Douro Valley
(a three-and-a-half hour drive from Lisbon’s airport) would kick any
romantic getaway off on the perfect foot with its stunning, serene rooms
and suites (with large tubs), beautiful pool and truly outstanding
cuisine. A bit farther afield, almost to the Spanish border, Vidago Palace is a gracious Belle Epoque property with a spa doling out some of the best massages anywhere.
Wine country
is idyllic for a few days—the region’s table wines (as in not sweet
like Port) are a relatively new development, but there are hundreds to
try—but Porto is a charming city worth checking out, too. There you can
choose between cool and slightly quirky stays at bed and breakfast–style
townhouses like the trendy Rosa Et Al or the super luxe The Yeatman,
with its double Michelin-starred restaurant. Architecture buffs will
love wandering around (check out the prettiest McDonalds in the world),
or taking a tour by foot or bicycle. There, don’t miss an elegant night
out at DOP - Chef Rui Paula (or, while in the Douro, its sister
restaurant DOC).
Michelin
star–seekers will have plenty to choose from in Portugal. There are
actually around two dozen in the country, with several in Lisbon, making
it quite the gastronomic mecca. (Fortunately Portugal also tends to be a
bit more affordable than elsewhere in Europe.) But before you drive
straight back to Lisbon, take a beat in the beautiful town of Óbidos,
considered by many the most beautiful in Portugal, and plan a day in
Sintra, where there are castles that bring your childhood fairytale
fantasies to life. Surfers can stop in Nazaré, iconic for its up to
100-foot waves, or Ericeira, which is a charming village at the heart of
a World Surfing Reserve with beautiful beaches and fantastic breaks
(plenty of instructors and surf lessons, too).
In Lisbon, stay at AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado for a comfy-chic central location or the drool-worthy Lisbon Cheese & Wine Suites,
and swing by the Time Out Market for casual eats—you’ll want to go
multiple times, there are so many delicious stalls to choose from—before
watching the sun set over the river with a glass of wine. Alongside the
Michelin-approved fine dining are fun interactive experiences like at
Palacio Chiado, a dramatic building where six restaurants are united
under one roof (so you can have poke while your partner has steak). It’s
a toss up which is more attractive: Lisbon or Porto. Both have the
colorful tile facades and intimate
cobblestone streets the country is known for, which are guaranteed to
woo. Also make time for visits to Cascais, a cute town where tiny
beaches are colorful scenes in the summer, historic Castelo de São
Jorge, Pastéis de Belém for truly addictive custard-filled pastries
called pastel de nata and, for an idyllic beach day, Comporta, a hip village where the likes of Christian Louboutin and Philippe Starck have homes.
