Castelo Novo - Portugal

Castelo Novo is one of the 12 portuguese Historical Villages. This is a  group of 12 villages classified under a government program called The Historic Villages Program (Programa de Aldeias Históricas). The aim of the program was to restore and promote a series of ancient villages/human settlements important to the history of Portugal. Most of the villages, 7, are located in my district but that's not the case of this one, Castelo Novo is located in the neighboring district of Castelo Branco. 

The card was a gift from Paulo.

Foto: Homem Cardoso

Situated in the east slope of Gardunha mountain range, this 650 m high Historical Village stands out for its concentrically harmonious design and the well-preserved urban structure. The streets have been drawn in accordance to the contour lines, revealing former manor houses, side by side of stone houses, small wooden verandas and vestiges of Roman paths. Among the must-see places, you should visit the Town Hall, the jail and the pillory, the drinking fountain Chafariz da Bica, Misericórdia Church and the Castle. - in: http://en.lifecooler.com/lifecooleren/castelo-novo-historical-village-historic-villages-and-towns-328209-1.html

Shepherd in Alentejo - Portugal

When I first saw this card, sent by Eduardo, I thought it was from Serra da Estrela, a mountain in my region, my I was wrong, the card is actually from Alentejo, a region in the South-Central part of Portugal. 

The area is commonly known as the "bread basket" of Portugal, a region of vast open countryside with undulating plains and rich fertile soil. With very few exceptions all the major towns are mainly reliant on agriculture, livestock and forestry. There are several types of traditional cheeses, wines and smoked hams and sausages made in the Alentejo region. - in: wikipedia

Postcrossing 9th Anniversary Meeting in Porto

Last month Postcrossing celebrated its 9th anniversary and 6 portuguese and 1 spanish postcrossers attended a meeting in lovely Porto. Luís and Zé sent me these cards, also signed by Paula, Blá, Diana, Ana and Vanesa. 

 Forways Lda. 

Porto is one of my portuguese favorite cities and this year the european citizens elected the city as Best European Destination 2014. I couldn't agree more!!

Porto is one of Europe's oldest tourist destinations. Its wealth of monumental and artistic heritage, Port Wine, open-air leisure spaces and cultural life are just some of the reasons to visit this city.

At any time of the day, 365 days of the year, Porto has a special charm for anyone visiting the city for the first time, as it does for those coming back for a second visit, to discover a city that is simultaneously modern and authentic.

In 1996, the historical centre of Porto was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The city unfolds along the river bank and the sea shore, to reveal charming vistas, inviting esplanades and all the pleasures of the outdoors, framed by its green spaces.

Setting out to discover Porto means bumping into surprise after surprise. Whilst maintaining its welcoming and conservative nature, the city is, at the same time, contemporary and creative. This can be seen in its streets, its architectures and its monuments, its museums, its leisure spaces, its esplanades and its shopping areas which run from the traditional to the modern and exclusive. - in: http://www.europeanbestdestinations.org/destinations/porto/

Edição: Vistal Gráfica Lda * Foto: Eduard - Fotolia.com

The yellow and red Lisbon's trams are probably more famous than those in Porto but these vintage tramcars are one of the symbols of the city. Its history dates back to 1872  when the first line of "american cars” was opened in the city of Porto. STCP’s Tram network is currently made up of 3 different lines running through Porto’s most iconic. Line 22, or the Downtown Line running through Porto’s most famous downtown streets on a circular route between Carmo and Batalha /Guindais Funicular and Lift. - in: http://www.stcp.pt/en/tourism/porto-tram-city-tour/

Snowy Montréal - Canada

Also from Canada, a lovely snowy view card, sent by Christine.

 Photo © Michel Degray

Autumn's snow in Montréal. Christine says is common to see buildings with these steep stairs in the city center and also in the portuguese area. I just found out that Montreal has a modest portuguese population but one of the city's neighbourhoods is Little Portugal!! 

CA-455890

An official from Canada showing the Saint Boniface Cathedral in Winnipeg. 

Copyright Property of Henry Kalen LTD.

CA-455890, sent by April.

On the back of the card: Located in French-sepaking St. Boniface, the oldest cathedral in Western Canada was founded in 1818. The original church has been replaced several times as fire destroyed the former structure. After the 1968 fire, a modern cathedral and forecourt were built within the walls of the ruins. In the graveyard are buried Bishop Provencher who founded the church and the controversial Louis Riel. 

US-2921898

This week I've only received 4 cards, all offcials and this is one of them. It shows Georgia's State Capitol in Atlanta. 

US-2921898, sent by Lee.

The Georgia State Capitol, in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, is an architecturally and historically significant building. It has been named a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the main office building of Georgia's government. The offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary of state are on the second floor, while the General Assembly meets on the third floor from January to April. There are also visitors' galleries and a museum on the fourth floor.

Like many U.S. state capitols, the Georgia State Capitol is designed to resemble the Classical architectural style of the United States Capitol, in Washington, D.C.. - in: wikipedia

It was completed in 1889. 

American cards

These 6 american cards were sent by Chayah. They're from Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. 

Photos by John Penrod © PENROD/HIAWATHA

 Dow Gardens is a 110-acre (45 ha) botanical garden located in Midland, Michigan. It is open to the public, and currently contains over 1700 varieties of plants hardy in mid-Michigan. 

The Dow Gardens were started in 1899 by Herbert Dow, founder of The Dow Chemical Company, on eight acres (3.2 ha) of flat, sandy land. The Herbert H. Dow House is located at the southwest corner of the gardens. The Alden Dow House and Studio are on the west side of the gardens, separated by a pond. Subsequent generations of the Dow family have continued to develop the gardens. - in: wikipedia

 Photo by Ann Ledsworth

A lovely snowy view of Grand Haven South Pierhead and its two lighthouses, the Entrance Light on the right and the Inner Light on the left. They're built in 1905 to mark the entrance to the Grand River at Grand Haven, Michigan. The lights are set on a concrete breakwater extending into Lake Michigan on the south side of the river mouth. 

 © Souvenir Factory

The wooden covered bridge named the "Charles A. Harding Memorial Bridge" was built in 1998 by Amish craftsmen to replace the old steel bridge across Plum Creek. 

 Color photo by Bron Miller © Modern-Ad

The McGees Mills Covered Bridge is a historic Burr truss wooden covered bridge located near Mahaffey, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is a 109 foot bridge built in 1873 over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. - in: wikipedia

Photo © Blair Seitz

On the back of the card: Bruce Lake is a natural glacier lake and part of the Promised Land State Park that is surrounded by 12,464 acres of the Delaware State Forest. The Bruce Lake Natural Area contains two lakes, wetlands and many unique plants, along with an abundance of recreational apportunities.