It may be less than an hour away from Lisbon but when you visit the enchantingly historical town of Sintra, you’ll see that it’s a world apart. Nestled in woodland filled with fanciful palaces, romantic gardens, centuries-old castles and convents, both Portuguese and British elites flocked to Sintra in the 18th andRead More →
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 →
I’m probably not the only one who felt slightly disappointed the first time they visited Aveiro. It’s marketed as the Venice of Portugal but although the city centre has canals and pretty boats, the similarities end there. Don’t get me wrong – the historical centre and nearby Ria de Aveiro lagoons are undeniablyRead More →
Since the beautiful island of Madeira has so much to see and do, it’s important to choose the right base so that you can make the most of your time. My guide to Madeira accommodation covers some of the best places to stay on the island and carefully selected hotelsRead More →
The subtropical climate of Madeira makes it mostly green and beautiful with an abundance of flowers, which is just one of the things I love about it. Its volcanic origins are evident in weird and wonderful rock formations, sheer cliffs with waterfalls tumbling down them and steep craggy mountains. IfRead More →
I am often asked about the best things to do in Lisbon so it’s high time I collated some of Lisbon’s must see sights. I get cross whenever I see a list of Lisbon attractions that features a day trip to Sintra. Yes, it’s one of the many day tripsRead More →
When I first visited Marvão, in the Alto Alentejo region of Portugal, I was on foot and weary after a couple of botched attempts to follow a walking trail uphill to the village. After eventually finding the correct cobbled path through the cork oaks, I emerged in a fairy taleRead More →
The Algarve region is one of Portugal’s most popular destinations, thanks mainly to its pleasant climate and stunning beaches. The caves and cliff stacks that back golden sands and turquoise waters (when the light is right) draw holidaymakers in their droves but the Algarve is more diverse than most peopleRead More →
