With its prime position on the mouth of the river Douro and its huddle of colourful buildings, Porto is extremely photogenic. Here are my tips for where to find the best views in Porto so you can go home with enviable holiday snaps. Clérigos Tower You can see the 76-metre tower of theRead More →
Since walking the Portuguese Camino de Santiago, several people have asked how I trained for walking over 200 kilometres of the Central Camino in 10 days. Here’s what preparation for walking the Way of Saint James Dori and I did and what we would do differently next time. There’s a summary of tips atRead More →
I often get asked about Porto’s ‘must sees’. The city has such a lot to offer that it’s hard to narrow down the selection but some places definitely make it onto a ‘best of Porto’ list. With that in mind, I’ve published a self-guided walking tour of Porto’s highlights that’s flexible enough to do inRead More →
If you’re going to be spending Christmas and New Year in Portugal, either as an expat or on holiday, this post is for you. Find out how and where to celebrate, how the Portuguese do things and what events are going on during the festive season (scroll down if you’re most interested inRead More →
Working out which travel card and payment system you need to use Lisbon’s many forms of public transport can prove more complicated than it should be. If you have a Lisbon card, your travel costs are covered. If not, you need to think about how many trips you are likelyRead More →
One thing you need to know about Porto is that it’s hilly. Fascinating and beautiful too, but be prepared for lots of steep slopes and steps. The maps don’t show where these sneaky inclines are so unless you’re very familiar with the city, your sightseeing route could easily involve an unanticipated workout. That’s why it’s worth findingRead More →
Vila Nova de Cerveira may be small but it made a lasting impression on me. This northern Portuguese village on the bank of the River Minho, has bags of natural beauty, historical architecture and more than its fair share of art. It’s also named after a legendary stag. In no particular order, hereRead More →
There’s a lot to be said for the power of pictures. Images of the recently opened Paiva River boardwalk started popping up in my Facebook feed and spurred me into action. Just days after the official opening, a couple of friends and I decided that the 2-hour drive to AroucaRead More →
You’ll find there are plenty of things to see and do in Funchal. Some of the city’s most worthwhile attractions are way above sea level and best reached by cable car but the journey is part of the fun. Thankfully, the city centre is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot. Just tryRead More →
If you’ve never been to Portugal, you’re in for a treat. You might even fall a little bit in love, especially if you know how things work. My insider tips can help you prepare for your first trip to Portugal and make it go more smoothly. Knowing a little about local customs, especiallyRead More →
