We see dead people…

…lots of dead people!!

It feels like hundreds of ghostly hands are reaching out towards us. Walking into the bone church, one thing is clear… this has to be the freakiest place in Europe!

Every wall is covered from floor to ceiling with human bones. Thigh bones are stacked like bricks and pelvic bones act as cornices. The empty eye sockets of thousands of skulls stare at us from the pillars. Above the entrance a small sign reads, "We bones that are here wait for yours." Strange doesn't quite sum it up.

Bone Church Chapel in Evora, Portugal

Why would anyone build such a bizarre place? Well, according to legend, the church was built by three monks using the bones of 5,000 local people. It was meant as a reminder that death is something that will happen to all of us. There's a message to pep you up.

The chapel is located in the small medieval town of Evora, in central Portugal. It's a really pretty place, but apart from the bone church there's not much doing. It is, however, a great place to be car-camping. Just outside the medieval walls is a huge open parking area, complete with free public toilets.

Believe it or not, the bone chapel is not the only odd place that Portugal has to offer.

Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal

About half an hour from Lisbon we stumbled on Sintra, a gorgeous little town in the hills. Among the beautiful woods and enormous estates is "Quinta da Regaleira". With just a glance, it might not look that different to the surrounding villas. But there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.

Hidden in the garden are secret passages, underground grottoes, and caves that lead to hidden exits. The entire place is like a huge amusement park. It is the ultimate location for a game of hide and seek.

The former owner was a rich aristocrat, who clearly had a vivid imagination and an unlimited supply of money. The whole place feels like some sort of ancient Disneyland.

Our relaxing trip through Portugal has turned into one wild ride. We now realise it's a lot more than just the land of beautiful beaches. Off the beaten track, it's really a hotbed for the bizarre. And the only way you can truly explore it all is in a camper.

WICKED TIP… Every town has an information office, and it's always our first stop. With a quick conversation, we know everything there is to see in a town plus the best places to park the van. They always tell us where to find free parking, toilets and showers.