Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas, Coimbra

History buffs, romantics, and curious travelers will find a treasure trove at Quinta das Lagrimas, a 14th-century palace that was the site of one of history's more tragic love stories. The Portuguese Prince Pedro and Spanish noblewoman Inês de Castro began their forbidden affair on these grounds. Pedro's father, King Alfonso IV, ordered assassins to kill Inês, who became a muse for writers like Ezra Pound and Victor Hugo, who wrote his first play 16 about her. Experience the rich history embedded in these palace walls, just a 10-minute drive or 20-minute walk from the University of Coimbra and the old cathedral.

Take your pick from Palace Rooms in the original building or Spa Rooms in a newer wing. If you're looking for character and charm, Palace Rooms channel a more elegant and historic style of vintage furniture and original details, while Spa Rooms can feel a bit more generic. The two-bedroom Grand Suite is ideal for families or larger groups and includes a palatial style of rich colors and a marble bathroom. The split-level Pedro and Inês Suite is in a medieval tower with a wooden-beamed ceiling, making it perfect for those looking for romance and history.

The hotel's peaceful garden oasis was the setting for Pedro and Inês' love, and if you wander around the grounds, you'll find a red fountain that was "born of her tears," which gave this estate its name. The all-wood library has books reaching up to the ceiling and is a great place to feel the atmosphere. There's an unheated seasonal outdoor swimming pool to cool off in the summer and a soothing spa overlooking the garden, where you can indulge in the heated pool, sauna, or a number of treatments. The restaurant has a shady terrace overlooking the garden, where you can enjoy a meal of tasty local cuisine.