Travel: Retracing Vasco da Gama’s footsteps in Portugal - Hindustan Times
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Travel: Retracing Vasco da Gama’s footsteps in Portugal

Hindustan Times | ByAlison and Sumanto Ray
Feb 10, 2019 12:48 AM IST

A few centuries after the discovery of the sea route to India, we decide to discover homeland of the Portuguese explorer

A few centuries after Vasco da Gama’s ‘discovery’ of India, we decided to trace his steps, albeit in reverse. Portugal has everything a traveller could wish for: scenic views, history, fantastic food and drink, and of course shopping. The people are friendly and more than glad to stop for a chat. It is not as expensive as some other European countries. There is a saying among the locals about the weather: If you don’t like it, wait for five minutes, it’ll change. Sunny skies could be replaced by storm clouds in a matter of minutes. This means you must dress in layers and always carry an overcoat and an umbrella.

A view of Lisbon city from the River Tagus(Alison and Sumanto Ray)
A view of Lisbon city from the River Tagus(Alison and Sumanto Ray)
In Porto, you cannot miss a visit to the Palácio da Bolsa or the Stock Exchange Palace (Alison and Sumanto Ray)
In Porto, you cannot miss a visit to the Palácio da Bolsa or the Stock Exchange Palace (Alison and Sumanto Ray)
Porto is also home to Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful book stores in the world (Alison and Sumanto Ray)
Porto is also home to Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful book stores in the world (Alison and Sumanto Ray)
The shimmering white Monument of the Discoveries in Lisbon is a sight to behold (Alison and Sumanto Ray)
The shimmering white Monument of the Discoveries in Lisbon is a sight to behold (Alison and Sumanto Ray)
In Faro, the historical capital of The Algarve, the marzipan available in different shapes from carrots to bunnies is not to be missed (Alison and Sumanto Ray)
In Faro, the historical capital of The Algarve, the marzipan available in different shapes from carrots to bunnies is not to be missed (Alison and Sumanto Ray)
The 18th century Palace of Queluz sits pretty in the city of Queluz (Alison and Sumanto Ray)
The 18th century Palace of Queluz sits pretty in the city of Queluz (Alison and Sumanto Ray)
From Lagos, one can set off on a fishing excursion to Ponta da Piedad (Alison and Sumanto Ray)
From Lagos, one can set off on a fishing excursion to Ponta da Piedad (Alison and Sumanto Ray)
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