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”
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 …
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 …