Figueira da Foz is one of those coastal cities that works well if you give it a bit of time, rather than rushing through. Mike and I have been visiting Figueira da Foz regularly for years, especially for the ice cream, and over the past few years have spent severalRead More →
Most people visit the quaint medieval village of Óbidos as a day trip, but staying overnight gives you a completely different experience. Once the crowds leave, the cobbled streets are quieter and it’s much easier to enjoy the atmosphere. If you’re deciding whether it’s worth staying, and where to baseRead More →
Aveiro is often visited as a day trip, but staying overnight gives you a very different experience. Once the day-trippers leave, the city feels much calmer and easier to enjoy. If you’re deciding whether to stay, or where to base yourself if you do, this should help. Whenever Mike andRead More →
Trying to decide where to stay in Coimbra? This city is compact enough to explore on foot, but where you base yourself still makes a noticeable difference. Some areas are much easier if you’re arriving by train or bus and planning to walk everywhere. Others make more sense if youRead More →
Why should you visit Viseu in central Portugal? Well, perhaps because it’s such a lovely place that it’s repeatedly been voted ‘Best city in Portugal to live in’. I won’t be moving up there any time soon but I am pleased to have got to know it a little better.Read More →
Portugal’s Silver Coast stretches roughly between Lisbon and Porto and includes historic towns such as Óbidos, Alcobaça and Nazaré as well as quieter beach resorts and nature reserves. As a beautiful, green, agriculturally rich area of Central Portugal with gorgeous beaches, ancient and interesting towns and villages and activities rangingRead More →
Driving to the picturesque village of Piodão is a scenic adventure full of hairpin bends and narrow roads that snake through the mountains. On clear days, the views are spectacular. The terraced fields and stone walls of low-lying arable land contrast with the barren heights of the Serra do Açor. Eventually, you’ll arrive at a picture postcard cluster of tightly packedRead More →
Wondering which of the smaller towns near the city of Coimbra might be of interest for a visit or even to live in? Here’s a quick overview of the main towns and villages within an hour’s drive of Coimbra. All of them are easily accessible by car or public transport,Read More →
Some of the best examples of Portuguese architecture can be found in its stunning palaces. They are known for their grandeur and beauty, with several having been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Many of the palaces in Portugal are influenced by a range of styles; an eclectic mixture from Neo-ManuelineRead More →
