Pastel de nata is one of my favourite Portuguese cakes. These custard tarts at their very best when they’re still warm – the flaky pastry is crispy and the filling soft and gooey. When I was offered the chance to learn how to make them at a pastel de nata workshop,Read More →
Where’s the best place to stay in Lisbon if you’re visiting for the first time? Chiado, Baixa, Principe Real, Bairro Alto, Avenida da Liberdade and Alfama are the best areas if you want to be based in the heart of the city and within walking distance of major sights, restaurants, transportRead More →
I can’t recall how I first found out about Mafra’s Iberian Wolf Recovery Centre but it took me several years to finally get around to visiting. This is the only place in Portugal where you are likely to see these magnificent beasts in anything resembling the wild. What’s so specialRead More →
If you haven’t had the pleasure of tasting Portuguese wines yet, you’re in for a treat and some surprises. Wine tasting in Lisbon is a very popular pastime and there are several wineries near Lisbon so you don’t have to travel far to do a wine tour and tasting session in aRead More →
Like most cities, Lisbon is steeped in history and even has an interactive museum dedicated to its story. While the Lisbon Story Centre certainly helps you understand the background to the enticing blend of old and new that shapes Portugal’s capital, it’s not one of the best Lisbon museums. There are many others thatRead More →
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 →
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 →
Narrowing down the selection of idyllic locations for romantic getaways in Portugal has been a tough job. There’s just so much choice! To keep it simple, I’ve highlighted at least one place for every region in Portugal where you and your sweetheart can feel the love and not just on Valentine’sRead More →
The wide waters of the Tagus River are an integral part of Lisbon’s identity and history. As well as reflecting the kind of light that inspires poetry, the river brings the city boats of all sizes carrying fish, workers, tourists and shipping containers from distant shores. Intrepid navigators once setRead More →
