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 →
I’ve lost count of all the road trips in Portugal that I’ve done over the years. While I certainly enjoy car-free city breaks and day trips, I’m usually keen to explore further afield in order to get to know a particular area. Given the limited public transport in rural areas,Read More →
If you’ve ever needed medical treatment while on holiday, had to cancel your trip at the last minute due to illness or had your luggage stolen from a train station, you’ll know how important travel insurance is. Even more so if you are not entitled to any form of reciprocalRead More →
Do you really need to learn European Portuguese if you’re coming to Portugal? The short answer is yes. Even if it’s only how to say please and thank you. How far you go beyond the basics in Portuguese will depend on many factors but if you’re planning to spend anyRead More →
The Algarve region is one of Portugal’s most popular destinations but it’s more diverse than most people realise. That’s why it’s worth researching where to stay in the Algarve. Before you start looking for the best place to stay in the Algarve, you should work out which area suits yourRead More →
I firmly believe that Sintra deserves more than a day trip. Not only does it have more sights than you can feasibly visit in just one day, once the majority of the tourists have disappeared back to their Lisbon hotels, the historical town takes on a more relaxed atmosphere. StrollingRead More →
The breathtakingly beautiful Douro wine region has become one of Portugal’s must see destinations. Commonly referred to as the Douro Valley, the UNESCO World Heritage landscape actually extends way beyond the Douro River and is dotted with towns, villages and wine estates. When deciding whether or where to stay inRead 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 possibly Alfama are the best areas if you want to be based in the heart of the city and within walking distance of major sights,Read More →
When I first moved to Portugal, I was nervous about driving here. Portuguese drivers have a bad reputation plus I hadn’t driven for years and never on the right hand side of the road. Even so, I was determined to get a car so that I could take road tripsRead More →