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 …
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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 …
The first time my wife and I visited Lisbon, our tutuk driver took us into Alfama. She asked if we had tried ginjinha yet. We had only been in the country about 24 hours and didn’t even know what ginjinha was. She parked the Tuktuk up on the sidewalk close to a small and very …
Read more “A day in the Alfama District: Lisbon’s historic neighborhood”
Águeda is not one of those well known towns that are visited by thousands of tourists every year. It sits quietly to the east of Aveiro, a quick drive or 30 minute train ride into the town where its narrow cobblestone streets and traditional architecture make it just as enchanting as other Portuguese towns. But …
Read more “Águeda, Portugal: The colorful city of Umbrellas”
Just a short train ride southwest of Porto is a beautiful coastal city known as a the Venice of Portugal. The city of Aveiro sits on the Atlantic Ocean where a network of canals wind their way through the city offering scenic views and fun boat rides. Aveiro is not so big as Porto or …
Read more “Aveiro Portugal: What to do and see on your day trip”
Known as the “Cradle of Portugal,” Guimarães isn’t just another picturesque European town—it’s the birthplace of a nation, a living museum where medieval charm meets modern vibrancy. Unfortunately, Guimarães is ofter considered a city for a day trip from Porto. It’s combined with Braga and is a full day trip. Personally, I don’t think you …
Nestled in the heart of northern Portugal, Braga is a city that whispers tales of ancient Roman settlements, echoes with the peal of church bells, and dazzles visitors with its ornate baroque architecture. Often it is known as a day trip from Porto, but we think it deserves a few days of exploration on its …
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Picture yourself stepping off a train into a fairy-tale town, where pastel-colored palaces peek through misty forests. Or imagine wandering through sun-drenched medieval streets, where history whispers from every weathered stone. These aren’t far-off fantasies – they’re the reality of day trips from Lisbon, the enchanting Portuguese capital. Some of the best day trips from …
Read more “12 Incredible Day trips from Lisbon by train or bus”
Nestled in the heart of central Portugal on the banks of the Nabão River sits Tomar, a charming town that often flies under the radar of many travelers. Yet, this charming destination offers a perfect blend of rich history, stunning architecture, and natural beauty that makes it a true hidden gem. Founded in the 12th …
Read more “Must see sights in Tomar, Portugal: A day trip guide”
Along Portugal’s Silver Coast lies one of the best-kept secrets and hidden gems. The fishing village of Peniche has become one of the best landing spots for water sports, beaches, seafood, and great options for a relaxing vacation. It’s as close as you can get to the Algarve without all the tourists. When ever we …
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Located in the center of Portugal is the lovely town of Tomar. This medieval town is the perfect place to emmerce yourself in Portugal’s rich history. And what better way than to visit the Convent of Christ and the Tomar Castle. This vast monumental complex built in the late 12th century is now a UNESCO …
Read more “A guide to the Convent of Christ in Tomar, Portugal”
Imagine a hidden paradise just off the coast of Portugal, where crystal-clear waters lap against rugged cliffs, rare seabirds soar overhead, and a lone lighthouse stands sentinel over a landscape untouched by time. Welcome to the Berlengas Islands, a natural wonder that feels worlds away from the bustling streets of Lisbon, yet is easily accessible …
The Batalha Monastery (Mosteiro de Batalha) in central Portugal is a magnificent Dominican monastery and one of the finest examples of Late Gothic architecture in the country. The intricate stone carvings, soaring naves, and exquisite chapels showcase the pinnacle of Gothic style. It symbolizes this critical point in Portuguese history as it was built to commemorate …
Read more “Visiting The Batalha Monastery: A UNESCO World Heritage Site”
In the center of Portugal, off the beaten path of the big cities, beaches and tourist spots, sits a pure treasure. The schist villages of Portugal dot the mountain sides and breathtaking landscapes of this region and are a great place to take a break from the normal tourist destinations. These historic villages were created …
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Lisbon, or Lisboa, is one of the oldest cities in Europe and 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 lifestyle …
Read more “Best things to do and see in Lisbon for two days”
When people come to Portugal, there are usually just three places they are looking to visit: Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. But the Algarve is not a city like Lisbon and Porto. It is a whole region full of amazing things to do. There are lots of beaches to comb, water sports to enjoy, small …
Read more “Top things to do in the amazing Algarve, Portugal”
Those of you planning to take that dream vacation to Portugal this year should consider taking a day or two to experience a private tour with an expert tour guide. Sounds kind of strange coming from us who love to wander around, yes? But sometimes, we enjoy a great tour, especially with a knowledgable guide. …
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For those of you looking for day trips from Lisbon, Sintra is the perfect place to spend the day. There are loads of things to do in Sintra including palaces, castles, and historic charm. Located just a short drive from the vibrant city of Lisbon, Sintra emerges as a captivating tapestry of history, culture, and …
Located 1 hour and 40 minutes outside of Lisbon in the heart of the Alentejo region is Évora, an incredibly well-preserved medieval city, one of the oldest cities in Portugal. Évora has one of the best-preserved and most atmospheric towns in Portugal, with winding narrow streets and historic monuments that make this an easy day …
The Douro Valley is Portugal’s most famous wine region and home to some of the best wineries in the world. So if you are in Porto or even Portugal you should consider taking a Douro Valley Wine tour. Douro Valley wines are unique in the grape varieties and make the local vineyards the perfect place …
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 tastings rooms for you to enjoy the best port that the Douro wine region has to offer. If you are a …
Read more “Best Port Wine Cellars in Porto for Tastings and Tours”
Porto is no doubt one of the coolest cities in Portugal, not to mention in Europe and should not be missed. The second largest city’s combination of historical charm, wine culture, friendly locals, and a vibrant atmosphere makes Porto a truly special destination for travellers. Getting To Porto Porto does have an international airport and …
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Embark on a heartening journey as we recount an unexpected act of kindness in Portugal. Lost wallets, friendly strangers, and a genuine sense of community redefine our experience abroad. While we were standing in the beer isle in Lidl, an employee approached my wife and said “be careful of your phone.” He pointed to her …
Read more “From Panic to Relief: A story of kindness in Portugal”
Packing for your Portugal trip is probably one of the easiest trips to plan for. Its sunny days, beautiful beaches and amazing seafood are just a few reasons Portugal is the perfect travel destination. But anyone that is unfamiliar with the cobblestones, stairs, and many hills might find themselves spending more time handling luggage than …
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Just outside of Coimbra, sits one of the most well-preserved Roman archaeological sites on the Iberian Peninsula, the Conímbriga Ruins. From intricately designed mosaic floors to remnants of residential quarters and public spaces, Conímbriga paints a vivid picture of daily life in a Roman city during the 1st and 2nd centuries. We were rather captivated …
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For those of you that have watched 100 Foot Wave on HBO/MAX, you know about Nazaré. If you haven’t watched it, I encourage you to so you can see some of the biggest waves in the world and the crazy people who surf them. But Nazaré is more than a big wave surfing destination. It …
Read more “Epic Waves and Coastal Charm: Nazaré, Portugal in 2024”
This past year was quite a year. We thought we’d share what we considered to be some of the bests in 2023. Well, as you well know, 2023 was a big year for us. We sold everything and moved across the Atlantic Ocean to Serra D’El Rei Portugal and began all new lives! Community makes …
Our first Christmas in Portugal turned out to be one of the best and definitely most different we have had. Last year, we spent the season in a whirlwind because we knew it was our last in the states for awhile. We attended all of the parties, went to many different light shows, saw all …
We’ll admit, the Balkan countries were not high on our list for a visit. Croatia is an up and coming location for tourism, especially the beaches. But Zagreb? Why Zagreb? This past fall, some friends of ours were interested in visiting the Christmas Markets of Zagreb since they were voted best Christmas Market in 2016, …
Greetings fellow wine enthusiasts! We have yet another wine tour to talk you into. A Tuscany wine tour specifically in the Chianti wine region. Of all the things we did while we were in Florence, this was our favourite day. Not only did we taste and buy some amazing wine, we had great tours of …
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links for services. We may receive a commission from the company at no extra cost to you if you purchase from the link. If you are visiting Florence, the Uffizi Gallery is a must-see. The Uffizi is one of the most famous art museums in the world and for a …
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Every time someone comes to visit us here in Portugal, we take them to Óbidos. We cannot help but to share the charm of the place. The town of Óbidos is located just outside of Caldas da Rainha about an hours drive from Lisbon and is one of Portugal’s most beautiful destinations. The medieval walls, …
Summer in Portugal means beaches, vacations and festas! These festas are popular parties that each village has during the months of July through September. Some last for a weekend, some go through the week. This years festas for Serra d’el Rei was four nights of a grand party. Last may, our town had a festa …
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This summer, we had a chance to spend a week in the Algarve, me for the first time and Beth for the second. Our friend, Carrie, was coming to visit us for a few days and then head to Faro to meet up with an old friend and we decided to join her. The Algarve …
We did A LOT in 3 days in Scotland.
This is a story about 2 souls, Inês and Pedro, who embark on a journey where love is their salvation and betrayal their greatest adversary. Before our first trip to Portugal, I was doing some research on things that I wanted to see. I was also reading a history book called The Portuguese: a Modern …
Since we moved to Serra D’EL Rei, you can say our life is pretty different. After all, we live in a totally different country with a different culture and language. We don’t work a 9-5 job anymore so our days are slower and more flexible. And this has also allowed us to be more social …
Read more “Living in a small village in Portugal: Is our life really any different?”
In case you haven’t heard, we sold everything, moved and are now living in Portugal! We loved it so much that we decided to sell everything and move. But since we’ve been here, the blog has sort of been on hold. But we’re back!! And we are back with a podcast! Wondering Works for us …
Read more “19 Weeks Living in Portugal. Have we found Paradise?”
We might have been on Portuguese TV this weekend. But will probably never know. It was a big weekend in Serra d’El Rei. This July marks the 20th anniversary of our parish reaching village status. Our mayor or more accurately called the President the Council, has planned many parties and events to commemorate the event. …
Read more “Professional Cycling and Domingão makes for a big weekend in Serra D’EL Rei”
Getting to Our New Home in Portugal was a grand adventure If you ever have the chance to fly on a privately chartered plane, DO IT. It is more than worth every penny. When we first decided to make the move to Portugal, we didn’t have any idea what sort of adventure just getting there …
Read more “The Journey to Portugal is much better on a Chartered Plane”
Caldas da Rainha is a beautiful city in Portugal. It is not one of those that many people flock to on vacation, but it does offer beautiful parks, great architecture and very unique ceramics. Caldas is known for a few things though. The town translates to the Queen’s Bath since it holds the hot springs …
Read more “Need a unique Christmas gift? Ceramics from Caldas Da Rainha”
Tourism in Spain has been getting a lot of bad press lately. Most people are headed to the big cities such as Barcelona and Madrid where overcrowding and tourism protesting have become big. So why not visit a part of Spain that is a little less crowded, but has the charm of the old world …