SERRA DA ESTRELA

Both of my grandfathers came from this region, and on this trip I was able to see only the east side of the mountain range.

COVILHÃ

Just outside the eastern park boundary, the prosperous town of Covilhã made a fine night stop, before I drove up the mountain.

TORRE

The highest point of Portugal, at 2000m, when a nasty dog waits to bite you.

MANTEIGAS

It's a beautiful drive on the road that winds down from Torre to Manteigas, lined by stone houses with straw roofs, along the valley of the Zêzere river. Certainly much more enjoyable, if your leg is not in pain from a vicious dog bite!

BELMONTE

A charming village, the birthplace of Pedro Álvares Cabral, the discoverer of Brazil.

ALMEIDA

Of course, I had to spend one night in the most impressive of all the fortified border towns, located within cannon-shot of Spain.