That Unforgettable First Treasure

From the moment I saw the Castle and its walls emerge on the horizon I knew I would fall in love. Being a huge fan of medieval history this place was perfect. It was the first time me and my family had visited Northern Portugal and so the whole area was new for all of us, with beautiful white sandy beaches and surfing spots, we dragged ourselves inland to visit this gem. And each time we have gone back we always make a special trip to Óbidos. This town seems to have remained untouched. With wall walks and cobbled streets it is always thriving with visitors and those who reside there. What made the town truly special for me was their medieval festival. There were medieval food stalls and shopping stalls, parades of regal knights and jousting events. Although most of the entertainment was in Portuguese there was still a shared excitement amongst everyone seated to watch the jesters and knights. Óbidos is the place that always sticks in my mind where I will tell everyone I meet about this magnificent place and the joy it brought me. Although inside each building there is that Mediterranean tourist-y feel of heat and ice cream, beautiful local pottery and souvenirs, walking the streets feels like a step back in time. You are struck from the first moment, you believe you are entering a castle, expecting a hefty fee for tourists to enter but it remains a town, and you pass freely beneath its great archway and stunning mosaic in the city gate. It is somewhere I will never forget, a real treasure in my life and I will always go back whether in person or in my memories.