"Tomar, Portugal" a Tomar Travel Page by DrewV

<font face=verdana size=+1 color=darkblue><p align=center><b>Tomar -- Closer to Heaven</font></b></p>

<font face=verdana>A swift glance at a map of Europe brings several large, formidable-looking countries into view. Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Russia... Big centrally-located countries. A closer examination yields the little ones caught in between: Switzerland, Austria, Belgium...

Only if you look really hard at the edge of the continent do you find Portugal. Forever tucked in the shadow of big brother Spain, forever looking across the ocean for hope and salvation, little Portugal is truly the end of Europe and off the itinerary of most tourists to the continent.

As such, it is enchanting. The country breathes an air of faded grandeur, of spices carried from farthest points, of fish caught in the plentiful Atlantic waters. The people are friendly, genuinely excited to see you, all too willing to share their happy little piece of paradise with you.

Portugal is hard to get to, no doubt about it. But you'll be rewarded with the most pleasant surprise in Europe.

Chief in that surprise is the charming village of Tomar. A magical medieval city nestled in the Tago Valley, Tomar was at one point the center of one of the world's richest and most powerful organizations: the Knights Templar.

While their monastery-cum-castle still dominates the skyline, the town itself is full of surprises, from magnificent nuggets of Manueline architecture to well-preserved churches and even a synogogue to friendly folks and delicious food. Tomar still ranks as one of my all-time favorite small towns. Hopefully, you'll agree.</font>