Óbidos

Only about 10 kilometers from the farm is the medieval town of Óbidos. Apparantly it is very old but it was captured from the Moors in 1148. It is a beautiful small village inside the fortified walls. They have a lot of festivals here  and the most famous is the Medieval Festival. If you visit Óbidos you must try the local speciality ginja, which is a cherry liqueur that you get in a chocolate cup.

ginja in a chocolate cup

From wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%93bidos,_Portugal

Óbidos Medieval Market[edit]

Each July Óbidos castle hosts a traditional 'Medieval Market'. For two weeks the castle and the surrounding town recreate the spirit of medieval Europe.

Flowing banners and heraldic flags set the mood together with hundreds of entertainers and stall holders dressed as merchants, jugglers, jesters, wandering minstrels, soldiers and more. Visitors can shop at the traditional handcrafts fair or watch medieval shows, horse displays and a costumed parade that winds its way through the streets. There are also displays ofjousting knights and armed combat.

Spit roasted hog, hearty soups, rabbit, lamb, cod, quail, sausages and other grilled meats are just some of the many medieval style meals on offer from dozens of "taverns" and stalls spread throughout the market. Drinking from pewter tankards and eating from wooden trencher all adds to the experience.

We haven´t been there during this festival, only in April. But it´s certainly something we like to visit. In February they are hosting a chocolate festival. That is something I definitely would like to visit yummie.

http://www.obidos.pt/CustomPages/ShowPage.aspx?pageid=40e75e24-a678-4f4e-bd5f-9ebfd2fc449e

Every year over 200 000 people visit the chocolate festival.How many that visit the medieval festival I don´t know but it must be many many more than 200 000.

If you come to stay in our quinta next summer this is a must visit.

Åse