Berlengas Island: Portugal’s Wild Atlantic Outpost

Berlengas Island, a rugged Atlantic outpost off Peniche, blends history, adventure, and raw beauty. Once a haunt of pirates and monks, today it’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where travelers come to hike, kayak, dive, and explore Portugal’s wilder side.

La Lippe: 18th-Century Star Fort of Portugal

Perched above Elvas on Portugal’s frontier, La Lippe is a masterpiece of 18th-century military design—star-shaped bastions, layered defenses, and vast views toward Spain. We walked the walls, traced the geometry, and folded the fort into a day of UNESCO-listed Elvas: aqueducts, taverns, and sunset over the Alentejo.