A lovely little cake from a town south of Lisbon. Azeitão, Portugal Situated on the edge of the Arrábida Natural…
Brent visits the decidedly non-touristy Lisbon neighborhood of Alvalade. He starts the day in the Alvalade market for a coffee,…
Brent is in one of Portugal’s most popular cities, Sintra to try the famous local pastries. Plus, he visits sites…
Brent tries Portuguese coffee in several characteristic and charming cafes in the seaside city of Setubal. He samples Galão, Abatanado…
A short drive from Lisbon is the tiny riverside town known for its castle, salt production, and 27 centuries of…
One of Portugal’s top attractions is a fairy tale castle on a hilltop in Sintra outside Lisbon. Pena Palace origin…
Brent is in his adopted town of Setubal to try Moscatel, a local fortified wine. He sips Moscatel in a…
Portuguese people love eggs! It seems everything comes with a fried egg on top. From sandwiches to French Fries, don’t…
The Pena Palace gets all the love in Sintra. But, for me, the Sintra National Palace is more interesting. Sure,…
We sold or donated most of our belongings and moved to Portugal, bringing only 3 suitcases each. I imagined it…
The traditional pork sandwich is often consumed late at night with beer, but you don’t have to be drunk to…
Often called “Portugal’s Stonehenge,” these Megaliths actually predate Stonehenge by at least 2,000 years. Unlike the better-known Stonehenge, Almendres Cromlech…
The wealthy oceanside town of Cascais is known for it’s beautiful beaches and high priced housing market, but there’s also…
On one of the most prominent points in the Setubal Peninsula sits an historic castle with a fascinating history. Palmela…
Continental Europe’s westernmost point is marked with a monument on the windy cape. By far, the biggest tourist attraction in…
In the heart of the Parque Natural da Arrábida (Arrábida Park) is a charming little winery. Quinta de Alcube‘s production…
Some of the best views in Portugal is paired with lots of street art at this former army base. 7…
A delicious pastry from the university town of Coimbra, Portugal Pastel de Santa Clara origin story The Monastery of Santa…
A pastry invented by nuns in the 16th century is now an iconic treat enjoyed all over Portugal. Pastel de…
Graça is a neighborhood in Lisbon that is often overlooked by tourists. But, it’s gaining in popularity and there is…
The largest cave system in Portugal is one of the country’s seven wonders. Grutas de Mira de Aire origin story…
A lavish royal palace and garden is just a quick train ride from Lisbon Queluz National Palace Origin Story Following…
Lisbon’s modern neighborhood is on reclaimed land from a former industrial site. Parque das Nações origin story Parque das Nações…
Volto já is a Portuguese phrase with several closely related definitions. But, when going to a store, it has an…
Lisbon’s custard tart, the Pastel de Nata is available at every bakery in the city. But only one place can…
Évora is a town in Portugal that attracts tourists from all over the world for its Roman Temple, Medieval Wall, and…
A pastry chef in Palmela, Portugal has created a new pastry that incorporates one of the region’s most famous products.…
Colares is the smallest and oldest wine region in all of Portugal. Wine grapes have been cultivated here for 800…
Who was this 16th century fortress designed to protect? Philip II of Spain When King Henry of Portugal died, the…
A short train ride from Lisbon, Cascais, Portugal is a wealthy seaside enclave with lots of fun things to make…
Lavadouros have traditionally been places where ladies (it’s almost always women) come to wash clothes, chat with neighbors, and sing.…
The annual Banheiras e Insólitos Regatta of Baía do Sado is a celebration of homemade (barely) seaworthy boats in Setubal,…
Trying to find a specific specialty coffee drink proves challenging in Lisbon. Mazagran origin story Mazagran is a cold coffee…
The culinary highlight of Sintra is the Travesseiro. This light and flaky pastry is filled an egg yolk and almond…
Lisbon’s famous egg custard tart has a vegan version. Pastel de Nata origin story Pastel de Nata is by far…
The first Sunday of each month is a huge open air market in Azeitão, Portugal. Hundreds of local and regional…
June is Festival Season in Portugal. Some of the biggest festivals celebrate the three saints: Anthony, John, and Peter. The…
In Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood, Alfama, an outdoor art exhibit celebrates local residents. Artist Camilla Watson Alfama is one of the…
A cave in Setubal, Portugal has amazing views and an unlikely chapel. Santa Margarida Cave Setubal, Portugal is situated on…
You’ve heard of culture shock, the feeling of being upended and out of touch by the customs and traditions of…
Some of the best food in Lisbon has its origin in former Portuguese colonies. Mozambique Mozambique is a country in…
The slightly sweet, slightly acidic fruit has been cultivated in China for 1,000 years. But, it’s also widely grown in…
There’s a great scene from “Seinfeld” in which George beats himself up because he doesn’t realize that when his date…
The modest Italian lightweight trucks are popular all over Europe. Ape Origin Story After WWII, Italy was in ruins and…
Lined by cafes and shops (and the City Hall), Praca de Bocage is the most beautiful square in Setubal. Praca…
The statue stands in a prominent spot in the city, but it wasn’t immediately met with acclaim. Monument origin story…
An amazing experience of cooking, feasting, & laughing wasn’t in a restaurant or cafe. Our friend in Setubal, Helenice, wanted…
Hidden in Lisbon’s up and coming Mouraria neighborhood is a plant based restaurant with incredible food and a great vibe.…
A quiet evening turns into a raucous party. We had only moved to Portugal a couple days earlier and were…
When citrus is in season, you see vendors selling the bounty of their fruit trees. Winter is citrus season in…
Everywhere you go in Portugal, it seems, you have to take a number. In Portugal, waiting in line is a…
There are parts of Portugal, especially in Lisbon and Porto that are rapidly changing. New condos and apartments are being…
Lisbon’s trams have become a symbol of the city. And riding the tram is a great way to see many…
Every year, percussion groups gather in the port city of Setubal, Portugal for a giant drum party. We were sitting…
Ginjinha is a drink that can be found all over Lisbon. But, for a unique experience, look for a Ginjinha…
Cases of Covid are currently spiking in Portugal, like much of the rest of the world. But, Portugal’s citizens are…
When your city lies on seven hills you’ve got lots of great views. This one is my favorite in Lisbon…
Portugal has an efficient transportation network of light rail, bus, metro, and ferry. But, their high speed train system lags…
Spain is an internationally known cheese making country. But, her neighbor on the Iberian Peninsula also makes some wonderful cheeses…
Lisbon’s biggest party celebrates the city’s patron saint with a barrage of music and dancing, not to mention grilled sardines,…
The Pastel de Nata, was invented by monks in Lisbon. Today, it is by far the most popular treat in…
Coffee, Wine, and sweet, local liqueurs. Lisbon is one of Europe’s best cities for liquid refreshment. Ginjinha Enjoying a Ginjinha…