The Portuguese islands of the Azores, set in the mid-Atlantic, are characterised by dramatic landscapes, lake-filled calderas, fishing villages and hedgerows of blue hydrangeas. And tea and pineapple plantations. There are also some fabulous places to stay in the archipelago, from the best Azores hotels to guesthouses, mostly with staggeringRead More →
Where’s the best place to stay in Lisbon if you’re visiting for the first time? The central neighbourhoods of Chiado, Baixa, Principe Real, Bairro Alto, Avenida da Liberdade, and possibly Alfama, are the best areas for accommodation if you want to be based in the heart of the city andRead More →
I always enjoy visiting Olhão in the Algarve but I was a little nervous about taking a visiting friend there in April to show her its understated charms. Would she find it too low key or shabby? Not at all! In fact, she loved its laid back authenticity, as didRead More →
If you’re looking for a great hotel in São Miguel, Azores, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whether it’s the celebrity treatment you’re looking for or the chance to spend some time relaxing in the middle of lush greenery, this amazing island is guaranteed to give you a vacation you’ll neverRead More →
Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel Island, is the capital of the Azores archipelago of Portugal and, as such, has some super places to stay. Here is my selection of Ponta Delgada hotels and other accommodation, including apartments, that will help make your stay in this part of Portugal special. ForRead More →
Given that there are 9 islands in the Azores archipelago, first-time visitors often wonder which to go to first. Due to its size, diversity and the number of flights, I’d say that São Miguel is the best island in the Azores to start off with. The attraction of the AzoresRead More →
Considering that it’s a small fishing village in the Algarve, you may not expect there to be many things to do in Alvor. You’d be wrong! Especially if you enjoy walking and being in nature. With the exception of a cluster of high rise apartment blocks near Praia da Torralta,Read More →
If you are a non-EU resident planning a trip to Portugal, you might not realise that you are eligible for tax-free shopping. Even if shopping is not really your “thing”, you may want to purchase some Portuguese wines, produce, jewellery, clothing or crafts to take home so why not saveRead More →
If you’re looking for an inland town to visit in the Algarve, you’ll find several things to do in Monchique that more than justify the journey into the hills. Monchique is a gorgeous little town in the Serra de Monchique mountain range and is surrounded by forested slopes. Although itRead More →