Portugal is known for its strong cultural heritage. One of the first things we learned in Portuguese class was the 3 F’s: Fatima (religion), Família (family), and Football (that’s soccer to all our American friends). However, I think the festa should be added since it is an integral part of Portuguese culture. You can find …
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The Douro Valley is Portugal’s most renowned wine region, celebrated for its exceptional wineries and breathtaking landscapes. If you are visiting Porto or traveling through Portugal, a Douro Valley Wine tour should be at the top of your list. Discover Unique Douro Valley Wines Douro Valley wines are distinguished by their unique grape varieties, making …
Across the Douro River from the old city of Porto is Vila Nova de Gaia, where some of the oldest and best port wine cellars are located. Most of these port wine houses have tasting rooms for you to enjoy the best port that the Douro wine region has to offer. If you are a …
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Porto is undoubtedly one of the coolest cities in Portugal, not to mention Europe, and should not be missed. The second-largest city’s combination of historical charm, wine culture, friendly locals, and vibrant atmosphere makes it a truly special destination for travelers. We love Porto for many reasons. For one, it has the best wine in …
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This past December, we took our first trip to London together. Beth has been several times but not in the past 10 years. I had never been so I had quite the adventure. Truthfully, we both did. We had five full days to get acquainted with London. We were there to see our niece, who …
As we were walking through Schiphol Airport at the end of our trip, I said to Beth “We did a lot but I don’t feel like we did everything.” She laughed and said, “Amsterdam is a city you keep coming back to.” And I agree with this! Although this was our first trip to Amsterdam, …
Portugal is becoming a very popular destination for tourists, travelers, and even digital nomads due to the D8 visa. But there is more to Portugal than the usual suspects regarding the top attractions. Portugal has a rich history with many historical sites, but if you are looking for something that is not usually on the …
Halloween is my favorite time of year because it is a spooky season. The weather is a little cooler, leaves are turning to a rainbow of colors, and pumpkin ale begins to fill the shelves in the store—well, in the United States, that is. At the beginning of October, a few stores began to put …
When you hear about palaces in Portugal, most think of Sintra and Pena Palace. It is the famous castle on the hill that (some say) inspired Disney’s castle. But if you want an alternative that is easier to get to, has fewer crowds, and is grander than Pena, we recommend Mafra Palace. This incredible 18th-century …
For the past few years, Portugal has ranked pretty high for tourism and vacations, especially among Americans (and Brits although they have been visiting Portugal for years). Portugal has a great deal to offer in terms of affordability, beauty, fantastic food, and the people are incredibly nice. Most people coming from North or South America …