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Recent Blog Posts
Torta de Azeitão
A lovely little cake from a town south of Lisbon. Torta de Azeitão (photo: Brent Petersen) Azeitão, Portugal Situated on the edge of the Arrábida Natural Park, Azeitão is a small town of about 20,000 people. But, what Azeitão lacks in size it makes up for in wine, cheese, and pastry. A trip…
Food crawl outside Lisbon’s tourist areas in Alvalade
Brent visits the decidedly non-touristy Lisbon neighborhood of Alvalade. He starts the day in the Alvalade market for a coffee, pastry, and to buy some fresh produce. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMHIV6v_n-U&t=24s A Mariazinha https://amariazinhacafes.lojasonlinec… Alvalade Market https://www.jf-alvalade.pt/tema-a-tem… Helsinquia Av. da Igreja 12, 1700-236 Lisboa Moko Veggie Cafe https://www.facebook.com/Moko.Veggie…. About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination…
Pastries & Sites in Sintra, Portugal
Brent is in one of Portugal’s most popular cities, Sintra to try the famous local pastries. Plus, he visits sites like the Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, and the Quinta da Regaleira, home of the “Pit of Dispair.” Plus, Brent visits another Sintra palace that your shouldn’t miss!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo3s_YKzbl0 Queijadas da Sapa Casa…
Portuguese Coffee Crawl in Setubal
Brent tries Portuguese coffee in several characteristic and charming cafes in the seaside city of Setubal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3zixG8e4Q He samples Galão, Abatanado and compares Portuguese and Italian espresso. Visit Destination Eat Drink for more foodie travel content Listen to the Destination Eat Drink podcast Places visited: Alegre-me Flores by Noor Daniela Gourmet R. Antão Girão 44,…
Alcácer do Sal, Portugal
A short drive from Lisbon is the tiny riverside town known for its castle, salt production, and 27 centuries of history. A Short History of Alcácer do Sal Alcácer do Sal lies at a point along the Sado River where it empties into the Sado Estuary (and later into the Atlantic Ocean). This…
Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal
One of Portugal’s top attractions is a fairy tale castle on a hilltop in Sintra outside Lisbon. Pena Palace origin story The Pena Palace was originally just a Medieval chapel on a steep hill in Sintra. The chapel was expanded to a monastery in the 16th century. The earthquake of 1755 that leveled…
Trying Moscatel, Portugal’s other fortified wine
Brent is in his adopted town of Setubal to try Moscatel, a local fortified wine. He sips Moscatel in a great local’s hangout, has a Moscatel cocktail on the main city square, and talks about why local tourism office is a great place to shop for wine. Plus, he gets served the local…
Asparagus and Eggs in Portugal
Portuguese people love eggs! It seems everything comes with a fried egg on top. From sandwiches to French Fries, don’t be surprised if you see an egg topping your dish, even if you didn’t order it. Omeletes and Scrambled Eggs (Ovos Mexidos) are also wildly popular.
In spring, asparagus is in season. The…Torta de Azeitao, a delicious Portuguese pastry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaEbQOwPuJc Brent is in Azeitao, Portugal for the town’s namesake treat, Torta de Azeitao. He visits the place where the dessert was invented over 100 years ago and other bakeries that serve the sweet. Plus he samples some coffee and a local fortified wine to go with the pastry. Pastelaria Cego Forno da…
Sintra National Palace
The Pena Palace gets all the love in Sintra. But, for me, the Sintra National Palace is more interesting. Sintra National Palace (image: wikipedia.org) Sure, it doesn’t have have the fairytale design or romantic hilltop location that Pena boasts, But, the expansive rooms featuring azulejo tile work, decorated ceilings, and Islamic inspired design…
Seville Bar Crawl (with some tapas)
Brent travels to Seville, Spain to try some of the city’s famous drinks like Orange Wine, Vermouth, and Sherry. And, of course, it wouldn’t be Seville without tapas. Brent tries marinated veggie tapas and the best tortilla!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhkWcKHNUGI Destination Eat Drink podcast in Seville here and here Cafeteria Santa Ana Taberna Álvaro Peregil…
Things I Thought I Couldn’t Live Without
We sold or donated most of our belongings and moved to Portugal, bringing only 3 suitcases each. I imagined it would be difficult living without so many things I thought were necessities. I was wrong. Moving to Portugal Moving is considered one of the most stressful “life events,” right up there with the…
Lisbon Ginjinha bar crawl
Brent samples Ginjinha, Portugal’s famous cherry liqueur, at three bars in Lisbon, including the place where it was first served. Then, he visits a church that was a site of a shameful event in Portuguese history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSAKQ5hS9os Lisbon foodie travel guide A Ginjinha Ginjinha Sem Rival Ginjinha Rubi Igreja de São Domingos Lyon sits at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. So, as you would expect, there are a lot of bridges in Lyon. Many of them are beautiful works of art. Others, like the Bonaparte Bridge, are better seen at night or for their spectacular views of the city. View of Old…
What to do in Cordoba, Spain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCZV6G18yCg Brent visits the iconic Mosque-Catheral to learn about the over 1,200 year Mezquita. Then, it’s off the Roman Bridge where locals enjoy gathering. He also makes a trip to the Jewish Quarter and one Spain’s oldest Synagogues. Later, a walk down flower alley to the spot where everyone gathers for IG shots….
Portugal’s Bifana sandwich
The traditional pork sandwich is often consumed late at night with beer, but you don’t have to be drunk to enjoy one. Bifana origin story The Bifana is a simple pork sandwich so no one really knows its true origin. However, many say that the dish was first made in Vendas Novas, a…
Sherry tasting in Cordoba’s most characteristic bar
Brent is in Cordoba to try a cold Spanish soup that’s not gazpacho and gets a sherry recommendation from the regulars at a great bar in the Jewish Quarter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNmcCDTDArY Restaurante Sociedad PlaterosBodega Guzman, C. Judíos, 7, 14004 Córdoba, SpainBrent’s Foodie Travel Guide to Cordoba
Almendres Cromlech ancient site
Often called “Portugal’s Stonehenge,” these Megaliths actually predate Stonehenge by at least 2,000 years. Unlike the better-known Stonehenge, Almendres Cromlech sees far fewer visitors and you can see the stones up close. Almendres Cromlech (photo: Brent Petersen) Almendres Cromlech origin story The Almendres Cromlech is a collection of 95 granite monoliths. The stones…
Video: Pirâmide de chocolate & Convento de Jesus
Brent visits the Convento de Jesus in Setubal, Portugal. Then, he enjoys a Pirâmide de chocolate at a characteristic pastelaria. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aod4PKsouxo
Fantastic Vegetarian Restaurant in Cascais, Portugal
The wealthy oceanside town of Cascais is known for it’s beautiful beaches and high priced housing market, but there’s also a great restaurant in an amazing setting that serves top-notch vegetarian dishes. House of Wonders It’s not always easy to eat healthy when dining out in Portugal. So, when I find healthy food…
Palmela Castle
On one of the most prominent points in the Setubal Peninsula sits an historic castle with a fascinating history. View south to Setubal, the Sado River, and beyond to the Troia Peninsula (photo: Brent Petersen) Palmela Castle origin story Portugal seems to be one of those places where every hilltop is capped with…
Why We Eat Zeppole on Saint Joseph’s Day
Italian bakeries crank out millions of zeppole every Saint Joseph’s Day. Enjoying this delicious pastry is a tradition not only in Italy, but all over the world. Saint Joseph’s Day March 19th is Saint Joseph’s Day, aka the Feast of Saint Joseph. It’s also recognized as Father’s Day in many countries, including Italy….
Cabo da Roca, Portugal
Continental Europe’s westernmost point is marked with a monument on the windy cape. By far, the biggest tourist attraction in the Colares parish (part of the Sintra municipality) is Cabo da Roca. The first thing you’re likely to see as you round the bend and Cabo da Roca comes into view is the…
Quinta de Alcube
In the heart of the Parque Natural da Arrábida (Arrábida Park) is a charming little winery. Quinta de Alcube’s production is so small they don’t even have a local distributor. Any restaurant or store that wants to sell their wine has to drive to the winery and pick it up themselves. So, if…
Abandoned Military Post in a National Park
Some of the best views in Portugal is paired with lots of street art at this former army base. 7 Bateria de Outão origin story After WWII (in which Portugal was neutral), fascist dictator António de Oliveira Salazar was paranoid about an invasion. To protect the country against foreign incursions by sea, the…
Pastel de Santa Clara
A delicious pastry from the university town of Coimbra, Portugal Pastel de Santa Clara and espresso at Pastelaria Briosa, Coimbra (photo: Brent Petersen) Pastel de Santa Clara origin story The Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha (Old St. Clare Monastery) was originally built in the 14th century along Coimbra’s Mondego River. and consecrated in 1330 CE….
Berenjenas Fritas con Miel (Fried Eggplant with Honey)
Berenjenas Fritas con Miel (Fried Eggplant with Honey) is a tapas dish that’s incredibly popular not only in Cordoba, but all over Andalucía. Berenjenas Fritas con Miel at Restaurante Sociedad Plateros María Auxiliadora in Cordoba (photo: Brent Petersen) Berenjenas Fritas con Miel origin story The importance of The Moors’ influence on the cuisine…
Pastel de Tentúgal
A pastry invented by nuns in the 16th century is now an iconic treat enjoyed all over Portugal. Pastel de Tentúgal origin story Like most famous pastries in Portugal, there is a great legend surrounding its invention. So it is with the Pastel de Tentúgal. Supposedly, in the 16th century, Carmelite nuns in…
Street Art in Graça, Lisbon
Graça is a neighborhood in Lisbon that is often overlooked by tourists. But, it’s gaining in popularity and there is plenty to recommend it, including an interesting street art installation. Caracol da Graça steps artwork (photo: Brent Petersen) Where is Graça? Graça is a neighborhood in the São Vicente parish of Lisbon. It’s north…
Side Trip from Lisbon: Grutas de Mira de Aire
The largest cave system in Portugal is one of the country’s seven wonders. One of the many pools of water in the Grutas de Mira de Aire (photo: Brent Petersen) Grutas de Mira de Aire origin story The Grutas de Mira de Aire (Caves of Mira de Aire) system of caves formed in…