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Unique Places to Visit in Portugal: Hidden Gems & Unusual Destinations

by Shelley RohmPortugal, travel January 26, 2026January 26, 2026No Comments

Portugal is known for its golden beaches, historic cities, and pastel-colored towns, but beyond Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve resorts lies a country full of unexpected, off-the-beaten-path places. From surreal gardens and secret islands to dramatic cliffs and villages carved into stone, this guide highlights the most unique places to visit in Portugal. Whether you’re planning a …

Best things to do and see in Lisbon for two days

by Shelley RohmPortugal, travel January 15, 2026January 15, 2026No Comments

Lisbon, or Lisboa, is one of the oldest cities in Europe and is steeped in history, coastal beauty, delicious cuisine, and a mild climate, which makes it the perfect place to explore in Europe. Plus, compared to other major European capitals, Lisbon offers exceptional value for accommodation, food, and attractions, and the relaxed, laid-back Portuguese …

Appreciating the Art of the Azulejos: Lisbon’s National Tile museum

by Shelley RohmPortugal, travel January 15, 2026January 15, 2026No Comments

If there’s one visual art form that perfectly captures the soul of Portugal, it’s azulejos, those hand-painted ceramic tiles you see on nearly every street, church, and house façade in Lisbon. These vibrant tiles aren’t just decoration; they’re stories in color and clay, reflecting centuries of culture, influence, and artistic evolution. One of our favorite places to dive …

Portugal Travel Predictions for 2026: What Travelers Should Expect

by Shelley RohmPortugal, travel January 8, 2026January 8, 2026No Comments

Portugal has been one of Europe’s most talked-about destinations for years, but 2026 marks a shift in how people travel there. Instead of chasing cheap prices or quick highlights, travelers are becoming more intentional by focusing on food, nature, culture, and responsible choices. Here’s what we are noticing and what we’d do differently because of it. **Wandering …

A Complete Guide to Christmas Markets in Portugal

by Shelley RohmPortugal, travel December 13, 2025December 13, 2025Comments are Disabled

If your idea of Christmas markets involves shivering in three layers while clutching a mug of mulled wine for warmth, Portugal is about to change your mind. Here, the festive season arrives with twinkling lights, lively squares, and a mild coastal breeze that makes wandering between stalls feel downright dreamy. From Lisbon’s sparkling avenues to …

Explore Smarter with GPSmyCity: Free Access to Our Travel Guides

by Shelley Rohmtravel December 11, 2025December 11, 2025Comments are Disabled

We’re excited to share some great news with our readers! We’ve partnered with GPSmyCity, a travel app platform that turns blog posts into downloadable, GPS-guided articles, to bring you a special holiday giveaway. For a limited time, you can access five of our travel guides in their full app version completely FREE. Whether you’re planning …

Christmas Magic in Zagreb: A Winter Guide to Croatia’s Award-Winning Advent

by Shelley RohmBlog, travel November 14, 2025December 5, 2025Comments are Disabled

Before this trip, Croatia wasn’t high on our winter travel list. Like many, we associated the country with turquoise beaches and summer island-hopping — not twinkling lights, mulled wine, and festive markets. But when friends invited us to explore the Zagreb Christmas Market, repeatedly voted the Best Christmas Market in Europe (2016, 2017, 2018), we said yes without …

São Martinho Day: Wine, Chestnuts, and the Warm Spirit of Autumn in Portugal

by Shelley RohmLiving in Portugal, Portugal, travel November 9, 2025November 9, 2025Comments are Disabled

It’s November, and the growing season has ended here in Portugal. All the vegetables have been harvested, the olives shaken from the trees, and the grapes picked, stomped, and processed. So the only thing left to do is celebrate! São Martinho Day or Saint Martin’s Day is celebrated as the last day of the harvest …

All Saints Day: A Popular Tradition in Portugal

by Shelley RohmLiving in Portugal, Portugal November 7, 2025November 7, 2025Comments are Disabled

Before moving to Portugal, Halloween was my favorite time of year. Six weeks in advance, we’d start decorating every corner of the house—pumpkins on the windowsills, lights strung around every room, and crates of decorations brought down from the attic. Weekends were filled with stringing lights outside, hunting for the perfect haunted house, or wandering through …

Visiting The Batalha Monastery: A UNESCO World Heritage Site

by Shelley RohmPortugal, travel October 27, 2025October 27, 2025Comments are Disabled

The Batalha Monastery (Mosteiro de Batalha) in central Portugal is a stunning example of Late Gothic architecture and one of the country’s most important historical landmarks. Built to commemorate Portugal’s victory over Castile at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385—a triumph that secured the nation’s independence—it stands as both a spiritual and national symbol. Designated a …