Lauren David in Portugal

This week’s Portugal travel tale comes from Lauren David. She’s managed to explore a fair portion of Portugal via public transport and has fallen for Portuguese food. Note: This interview is part of a series that I conducted with other people who had recently travelled to Portugal, back in 2012-2013)Read More →

Alison Cornford-Matheson and husband in Portugal

The latest in my series of interviews with travellers who’ve visited Portugal stars Alison Cornford-Matheson. Understandably, she is smitten and keen to come back. Note: This interview is part of a series that I conducted with other people who had recently travelled to Portugal, back in 2012-2013) Can you tell usRead More →

Cat Gaa in Porto

In 2012 I invited readers who have travelled in Portugal to share their stories in an interview. The first of these weekly travel tales features the lovely Cat Gaa. Who are you? Name, age, nationality, where you’re based, what you do… I’m Cat, a Chicagoan by birth but a sevillanaRead More →

Roman sculptures at Museu Nacional Machado de Castro, Coimbra

Coimbra’s national museum opened its doors to the public in 2012 after years of renovation. It’s a uniquely fascinating space with underground treasures and life-size chapels that was incorprated into Coimbra’s UNESCO World Heritage area in 2019. Here are five very good reasons why you should incorporate a visit toRead More →

Green Elvas olives

I try to keep an open mind about Portuguese food, really I do. Despite more than a few disappointing if not disgusting experiences, I continue tasting different dishes hoping to understand what makes the Portuguese so proud and fond their cuisine. Sometimes, I’m rewarded with a tasty treat but this isRead More →

blue and green hot air balloon, inside

The wind did its best to thwart my attempts to fly in a hot air balloon but I finally got the chance to make one of my dreams come true at the International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Elvas in Portugal’s Alentejo region. Find out what my experience of hotRead More →

single propeller aircraft and luggage

Update 2020: When I originally wrote this article in 2012, I was still rather ignorant of the racist connotations of the term expat. I recognise now that I am, of course, an immigrant in Portugal and proud to be one. Still, these musings on my journey to accepting that myRead More →