Green Porto road sign over highway.

When planning a trip to Portugal, many people look at Lisbon and see that the second largest city, Porto, doesn’t seem very far away. In fact, the distance from Lisbon to Porto is 197 miles by car, 170 if you fly, although that’s not the best way to travel fromRead More →

View along railings in square, Guimarães, Portugal

A visit to the ancient northern city of Guimarães, which is known as Portugal’s birthplace, will really give you a sense of the proud history of this country. Because there are so many things to see and do here, it’s well worth spending a day or two to soak inRead More →

Santa Barbara Gardens at night, Braga, Portugal

There are so many things to see and do in Braga and the surrounding area that it’s well worth staying overnight. Here are my recommendations for the best places to stay in Braga, from superb hotels to comfortable guesthouses. Not forgetting spacious apartments for when you want a little moreRead More →

What to see and do in Ponte de Lima

Ponte de Lima charmed me at first sight. When I revisited a couple of years later, Portugal’s oldest town nestled itself deep inside my heart and is never coming out. It’s got all the right ingredients for me: plenty of gardens, fancy mansions and other historical buildings, tons of restaurants andRead More →

Couple sharing romantic sunset dinner on the beach. Romantic getaways in Portugal

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 places for every region in Portugal where you and your sweetheart can feel the love and not just on Valentine’s Day. Table ofRead More →

Peneda-Gêres waterfalls and lagoon

One highly underrated hiking destination in Europe is Portugal’s only National Park, Peneda-Gerês. Boasting minimal crowds plus secret lagoons and waterfalls to discover, this is one experience that you don’t want to miss out on. In Peneda-Gerês you can experience seemingly untouched nature as well as a healthy dose ofRead More →

Views from the top of the hill. Douro walking holiday

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 →

Porto city at sunrise. Lots of historical buildings and holiday apartments for rent

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 →