The southern side of the Douro Valley gets far less attention than the north, which makes it perfect for an off-the-beaten-track walking holiday. I had the privilege of experiencing this 1-week, self-guided hiking vacation in the Douro wine region while working on the written descriptions and route instructions that theRead More →
There are countless fairs and festivals in Portugal, celebrating everything from obscure beans to Roman heritage. Finding out about them can sometimes be a challenge so my guide to some of the best Portugal festivals is designed to give you a starting point. Note that smaller festival dates, and especiallyRead More →
Why choose a holiday apartment in Lisbon when you could stay in one of the gorgeous hotels and guesthouses available? Well, if space is important to you then a serviced apartment in Lisbon is perfect. From kitchens that come with all you need for making simple meals to comfy livingRead More →
As we all know choosing the best place to stay can make or break a vacation. No one wants cramped, dingy lodgings in a dodgy part of the city. While I enjoy staying in hotels, sometimes we need that extra space, privacy or maybe the use of a well equippedRead More →
There are some wonderful stylish guesthouses and boutique hotels in Porto that will make your experience of the city even more memorable and unique. To make it easier for you to choose where to stay, I’ve selected 10 of the best boutique accommodations in Porto city centre. Whether you’re lookingRead More →
Portugal has many spectacular hiking trails to offer, with a range of difficulty levels and a huge variety in landscapes. I’ve had the pleasure of walking in every region of mainland Portugal as well as many of the islands of Madeira and the Azores. Here are some of my favouriteRead More →
As a leisure activity, hiking in Portugal has become much more popular in the last few years. When I first moved here, it was mainly foreigners who went for long walks just for fun. Nowadays, there are more Portuguese hikers out and about and lots of visitors are keen toRead More →
The small but charming town of Tomar in Central Portugal was one of the first day trips I made when I first moved here many moons ago and I’ve enjoyed every subsequent visit. Fast forward 13 years or so and there are more things to do in Tomar than everRead More →
Portugal’s longest road, the N2, (or Nacional 2), runs from Chaves, just below the northern border of the country, all the way to Faro on the south coast. Given that it’s Portugal’s most epic road trip, the N2 is often refered to as the Portuguese Route 66. Built in 1945,Read More →