Have you ever gone chasing after famous literary figures in Europe? On my first trip I searched out Dickens' old curiosity shop, then took the train over to the Paris of Henry Miller, without his infamous bedbugs, fortunately.

Charles Dickens turns 200 this year, and Ferne Arfin has been finding evidence of him all over England. The interested may wish to devour: Finding Charles Dickens in the Southeast of England. For a guy of 200, he seems hard to keep up with some times.

Then, if you've had enough of Dickens, try some other attractions in Jolly Old: England Attractions Map and Guide.

Little Guimarães, tucked in a valley in the far north of Portugal and often referred to as the birthplace of the Portuguese state, has been designated a European Capital of Culture for 2012. That means that visitors this year are in for a treat: an added load of cultural activities in a very interesting corner of Portugal.

The Cultural Capital year in Guimarães called for a kick-off party, and it was held yesterday. I'll let Julie Fox tell you about it:

Fireworks? Tick. Orchestra? Tick. Massive crowds? Tick. A knight in the air? Tick. Psychedelic lights and stunning graphics projected onto buildings? Tick. Gigantic metal horse and fibreglass man puppets? Tick. What more could anyone possibly want from an opening event? An all night street party? Oh, all right then, if you insist; after all, this is the beginning of a year of culture and festivities in Guimarães. ~ Opening Night in Guimarães, European Capital of Culture 2012

Ms. Fox goes on to describe the evening jam packed with lights, food, and cultural events. Her photos alone might induce you to jump on the phone to your travel agent (or at least get to reading our essential travel guide to Guimaraes).

Guimarães isn't out in Portugal's "left field" either. Nearby are the compelling cities of Ponte de Lima, Braga and Portugal's most photographed monument, the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus. Porto isn't far away; you can reach it by train. You could make a week--or a month--out of exploring the region.

Are you one of those people who don't think there's anything to do in the low season, even though you can save some money on your European travel? Well, let me tell you about little Ponte de Lima in the Minho region of northern Portugal. From January 29 to April 22, 2012 there will be an almost constant series of festivals. Here's the schedule:

• January 29/29 - Green Brides & Grooms
• Feb 3/5 - Pig and Sarrabulho Specialities Fair
• Feb 10/12 - Environment and Energies Fair
• Feb/21 Fev - Sales Fair
• March 2/4 - Sarrabulho's Ponto de Lima Style Weekend March
• 9/11 - The first edition of Bacalhau de Cebolada (Fried Cod Fish with Onions) Fair
• April 21/22 April - Craft show

But we're not only talking about festivals, we're talking free Leite Crème, a traditional Portuguese Milk Custard, served at participating restaurants.

And we're not done yet! Nope. Stay three nights during the period in Ponte de Lima and environs and one of the nights can be free! Many of the places offering this special are from Solares de Portugal, who offers Manner Houses, Country Estates, and Rustic Cottages at a very good price. Not sure if you'll like Ponte de Lima? Well, I liked it a lot, but even if you stay just a single night you can get 20% off the cost of a normal night's lodging. Just to try it out I mean. I'm sure you'll like it.

How to plan such a vacation? Read about Ponte de Lima, see the pictures, and then if all sounds good, download the PDF brochure. It's in Portuguese, but scroll to the end for the web and email addresses of the participating restaurants and hotels.

I wish I could meet you in February for the Pig and Sarrabulho, a rice spiked with blood. You didn't think they'd waste it, did you?

Are there alternatives to lavish commercial films and tour guides that fawn over a destination until it withers and dies over the onslaught of tourism? Well, you might want to check out Vendemmia, a Documentary film about the Cinque Terre and its current environmental and political problems by Krista & Sharon of Harvest Films. You can contribute as little as 8 dollars toward the completion of the film--the current price of a single gallon of gas in Italy--or you can pledge $1250 and get a four night stay in a Tuscan Villa worth more than your donation. Now there's a deal!

Read all about the endeavor: Vendemmia: A Documentary Film

More on Europe Travel: Cinque Terre Map and Guide | Cinque Terre Hiking Trails