After a drive along the Costa de Lisboa and some spectacular views of the Atlantic, this itinerary takes you into the heart of the Alentejo, with its fortified towns and romantic, walled medieval villages clinging to the top of strategic hilltops. Because this itinerary follows in reverse the natural pass that the Spaniards would have chosen in their days of conquest to march to Lisbon, you'll be seeing some of the most heavily fortified villages and castles in the country. Throughout much of the Portugal's early history, Spain was a constant threat, making defense spending a high priority for many early monarchs.