Established in 1959, Brighton Dam's Azalea Garden is home to over 22,000 azalea bushes over 5 acres land. Each year in May, this place is a heaven for people who appreciate flowers and nature. The gorgeous azaleas bloom and glow and give us so much joy (photos were taken in May of 2022).
Monsanto is a historic village in Portugal that played a significant role in defending the country from various invaders throughout the centuries. Set atop a hill, the village is famous for its unique feature - boulders. The entire village was built around these massive rocks, giving it a distinct character. Monsanto has been bestowed with the title of the "most Portuguese town in Portugal."
It's important to note that driving up to the top is not recommended due to the narrow and sharply twisted streets. Instead, we opted for a slow hike up to the village, admiring the tiny dwellings along the way while stopping to take in the stunning views of Monsanto below. It was a truly unique experience. As we hiked, a friendly village dog followed us all the way to the top, and we almost took him home with us!
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At the very top of the hill is a very old square built castle. It was said that the castle played an important role in Medieval times when the Templars Grand Master built a castle which withstood several battles.
