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"Portugal's amazingly close island! " a Ilha da Berlenga Travel Page by Bwana_Brown

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"Portugal's amazingly close island! " a Ilha da Berlenga Travel Page by Bwana_Brown

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Bwana_Brown   
Don`t sweat the small stuff


Real Name: Glenn Brown
Lives In: Regina, CA
Member Since: Mar 09, 2002
VT Rank: 4

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Page Views: 7,465            Last Visit to Ilha da Berlenga: May, 2004      

Portugal's amazingly close island!

by Bwana_Brown - last update: Jul 19, 2008

Approaching Fort de Sao Joao Baptista
The Berlenga Islands were one of the highlights of our entire 2-week trip around Portugal (see my General tip for a map of their location and an overview of our travels around this magnificent country!). We arrived in the coastal town of Peniche in mid-afternoon of our second last day in the country, with a specific goal to try to get out to this small archipelago only 10 km (7 miles) off the coast. This rugged granite outcropping of three small island groups is less than a two-hour drive from Lisbon, and the high-rise buildings on the outskirts of town attest to the fact that this must be a busy spot in peak season! In our case, we were in the off-peak period and arrived on the waterfront just before 2 PM, after our mid-day tour of Obidos, and we had no idea at all of what, where or when tours to the islands could be had! By instinct and without a map of the town, I headed directly to what I assumed was the dock area to park our car. As soon as we emerged to begin our wanderings about town, we noticed a young lady standing beside a cubicle that said something about tours to the Berlenga's. She was very conversant in English (luckily for us!) and said that the next (and last) boat was leaving in just over 30 minutes. Right, that was it, we signed up on the spot and the adventure began! Since time was short, for lunch, we wolfed down the remnants of our previous day's bread, tomatoes and cheese while sitting in our car. Then it was a quick sprint to the wharf for our trip to these not so well known Portugese Islands (but definitely more affordable than the Azores or Madeiras!).
Crystal clear diving waters

Dive From the Fort!

After arriving on the island and making the overland trek to the site of the old fort, we decended from the cliffs to have a closer look at it. As we approached it by crossing a small stone bridge, we were amazed at how clear the waters were. I could see a small school of very blue fish lazily swimming along just below us. I thought, 'gee, Kenmerk would like this place!'

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"Very different from your usual vacation destination"
Cons:"You had better like Sea Gulls!"
In A Nutshell:"An experience that you should not miss!"
Bwana_Brown's Ilha da Berlenga Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 10 - Photos: 10
 
Restaurants
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
 
Transportation
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3
Local Customs
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Packing ListsShopping
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1

Bwana_Brown's Ilha da Berlenga Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
More Fort de Sao Joao BaptistaMay, 2004 5

Comments for Bwana_Brown about Ilha da Berlenga
scottishvisitor Mon Sep 21, 2009 22:38 UTC
 I did love my tour here = seemed a little home from home with the herring gulls and sea cliffs :) I do enjoy being near to the sea
LoriPori Mon Oct 6, 2008 12:47 UTC
 Some pretty spectacular scenery here, esp. Caramusteira Bay. Enjoyed reading about the yellow-legged gulls and the Fortaleza.
evaanna Thu Sep 18, 2008 17:42 UTC
 What a picturesque area and excellent photographs! You have certainly encouraged me to put the islands on my list of places to visit.
globetrott Sat Jul 19, 2008 23:24 UTC
 What an interesting place and great pics ! That Fort looks really interesting and makes certainly a great place to stay overnight !
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