If you need to transfer money abroad or between different currencies, there are lots of options available and just as many different charging and commission levels. Some of these are outrageously expensive, notably banks and currency exchange offices, especially at airports. Finding the cheapest way of sending money abroad isRead More →
The best time to visit Portugal is as soon as you can! Seriously though, this country has so much to offer throughout the year that there is no bad time to come. Obviously, this depends to some extent on what you want to do when you’re here as certain activitiesRead More →
Many people in the Vila Nova de Poiares neighbourhood learned to swim in the swimming pools at Recreio da Fraga leisure complex (nicknamed Fraggle Rock in our house) but it became neglected and was closed down for many years. Thanks to the efforts of the local council and local investment, theRead More →
You don’t need to go far to find calçada Portuguesa (Portuguese pavement, or sidewalk) in Portugal. It’s a prominent feature all over the country from the pretty shopping streets of Loulé and Faro in the Algarve to Queen Saint Isabel at Coimbra University and the zig-zag patterns in Santa Cruz onRead More →
I often get enquiries from readers who are considering moving to Portugal. Some of them have spent time in Portugal already while others have only read of its charms. Like many expats in Portugal, I enjoy living here despite certain frustrations, and know I made the right decision in settling down here. For some immigrants, however, theRead More →
If you’re going to be spending Christmas and New Year in Portugal, either as an expat or on holiday, this post is for you. Find out how and where to celebrate, how the Portuguese do things and what events are going on during the festive season. Click one of these links to jumpRead More →
Guest post by Tim Leffel, author of . If you move to a country that has a lower cost of living than where you live now, you can easily live a richer life while spending far less money. Unless you’re at retirement age though and have a lot sockedRead More →
If you’ve ever dreamed of moving to a country where life is considerably cheaper than where you are now, you should read Tim Leffel’s new book, A Better Life for Half the Price. Travel writer, author and experienced expat Tim Leffel has identified 18 countries where this is possible for peopleRead More →
Do you really need to learn European Portuguese if you’re coming to Portugal? The short answer is yes. Even if it’s only how to say please and thank you. How far you go beyond that will depend on many factors but if you’re planning to spend any significant amount ofRead More →
