Cobbled lanes, Jardim do Mar. What to do in Madeira island

If you’re wondering what to do in Madeira, this travel guide will help you discover the sights beyond its capital city, Funchal. The subtropical climate of Madeira makes it mostly green and beautiful with an abundance of flowers, which is just one of the things I love about it. ItsRead More →

Curral das Freiras nestled in mountains. One of 3 easy walks in Madeira, Portugal

With its dramatic volcanic mountains and craters, Madeira island really is a paradise for walkers. You won’t catch me scaling the peaks of Pico do Areiro or Pico Ruivo any time soon but I have now done five fairly easy walks in Madeira. (Originally, this article contained just 3 walks but I’ve updatedRead More →

Village of Piodao in Central Portugal with hills in background

Driving to the picturesque village of Piodão is a scenic adventure full of hairpin bends and narrow roads that snake through the mountains. On clear days, the views are spectacular. The terraced fields and stone walls of low-lying arable land contrast with the barren heights of the Serra do Açor. Eventually, you’ll arrive at a picture postcard cluster of tightly packedRead More →

River at Moinhos do Maneio, Penamacor, Portugal

Exploring Portugal off the beaten path will lead you to many pleasant surprises, such as traditional villages, stunning landscapes and fascintating history. It doesn’t take much to leave the tourist trail behind and for this article, I’d like to tell you about some places in the east of the countryRead More →

Portinho de Arrábida, Serra da Arrábida, Portugal

You really don’t have to go far from Lisbon to find stunning landscapes and some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches. Simply take a day trip south across the River Tagus to the Serra da Arrábida Natural Park and you’ll find white sand and turquoise waters backed by greenery and limestoneRead More →

Views, Serra da Estrela

Mainland Portugal’s highest mountain, at 1993 metres altitude, is called the Estrela, which means Star. I’m fortunate that the Serra da Estrela mountain range is only an hour and a half drive from where I live in central Portugal but it’s about 3 hours from Lisbon and 2.5 from Porto.Read More →

Penha Garcia nestled in the rocks

The quiet village of Penha Garcia straddles a rocky cliff which commands sweeping views over the neighboring plains in the southeast part of Central Portugal. The surrounding rock formations are one of the geological highlights within the NaturTejo Geopark, notably the trilobite fossils that are scattered within them. Given itsRead More →

Hiking in Peneda-Gerês National Park

If the idea of spending a week walking from village to village in the mountains of northern Portugal appeals to you, this could be the tour for you. In the Peneda-Gerês National Park, you’ll get a variety of landscapes and terrains and stunning views as well as the chance toRead More →