A stork hi-rise - we counted 17 nests. Although this one was exceptionally built up, many of the electrical towers along the marshy area outside of Lisbon had nests on them. (Lisbon, June 5)

Heading inland the terrain changed to rolling hills (ok knolls) covered with vineyards and olive groves and often topped with a fortified village and castle. After basing ourselves in a hamlet (Montesjuntos) - so small a traveling van filled to the brim with everything from milk to mops served as the store - we fanned out in all directions visiting those hilltops. (Estromez, June 4)

Quarries run along a 50 km stretch of marble rich land. Due to the marble's purity and strength it is considered some of the finest on the world market. With mining never interrupted for at least a couple thousand years, Portugal is the second largest exporter of the stone...Italy and its Carrerra marble gets first prize. (Estromez, June 4)

As one of the sunniest regions in Europe, it’s not only the plants that are thriving - nearby sits the sizable Moura solar park. To appreciate how solar has grown, ten years ago Moura’s park was touted as the largest in the world and today it doesn’t even make the top 40 list. (Moura, June 3)

Perfectly maintained whitewashed buildings and shops selling local delicacies drew in the visitors. One specialty is creamy sheep cheese served with oregano - yumm. (Moura, June 3)

For 7.5km, spanning 833 arches, water from several springs funnel along the channel at the top of the Amoreira Aqueduct. Although it was built in the 1500s, and the town now weaves under and around it, it continues as the water supply. (Elvas, June 2)

A small hamlet made up of one main street intersected by a handful of cross-streets all contained within the fortification. Of all the villages we visited this one was fully contained within the walls giving it the sense that what we saw was much like it looked a thousand years ago. (Monsaraz, June 1)

June is a big month for the bar crowd’s happy hour because it’s caracois (land snails) harvest time. They’re cooked in an herbed broth and sold by the bowlfuls. Toothpicks are offered, but the truly initiated just suck the meat out. (Horta do Preto, May 31)

The Algarve...a 150km rugged coastline running the length of southern Portugal. Known for its warm climate, turquoise waters and rock formations it has become a popular destination for Northern Europeans seeking sun. (Algarve, May 26-30)

According to one American-based study, the area was determined to be the world's best place to retire. But the 2008 recession took its toll - beautiful homes like this one and subdivisions either completely finished or still in the build stage, were abandoned.

The kilometers of cliff top trails with their stunning views attracted as many people as the beaches. Later for a different perspective we took a boat ride to see the ocean’s handiwork on the porous stone - riding under the arches and inside several sea caves and grottoes.

Fences encircled enormous sinkholes.

With the full moon out and an app that tells you exactly where and when the moon will rise, it was an opportunity to catch its reflection ideally positioned on the water.

There was a Huffington Post article entitled The Embarrassingly Obvious Truth About Where Pine Nuts Come From... after years of watching squirrels frantically tear apart a pine cone who knew there was a tasty pine nut under each “leaf” of the cone. The pine nuts here are as over-sized as their pine trees.

Portuguese Calcada (mosaic) tile work defines sidewalks, public spaces and private courtyards. It is considered so emblametic of the country’s style that even Brazil, where Portuguese is the official language, follows the practice. (Lagos, May 30)

Rural tourist guesthouses were a common option and this one was located on a 500-acre cork tree farm. (Grândola, May 25)

Cork production requires patience and merciful weather gods. After a tree’s initial 35 undisturbed years their first layer of cork (bark) is harvested and, due to its relatively poor quality, sold for pennies on the dollar. After that, about every 9 years large strips of the cork are ‘peeled’ from the outer layer of the trees. This grow-and-peel cycle can repeat for a couple hundred years, while never harming the tree.

Only the thickest and best quality cork tops a wine bottle. The rest is boiled to make it more malleable, shaved into thin slices and glued to a material or item to form the outer layer of the finished product (purses, hats, shoes, couches, etc.)