Outside the tourist areas is an incredible museum in a 16th century convent that most visitors to Lisbon miss. Azulejo…
Brent is bar hopping Setubal to 4 different neighborhoods and 4 different bars. He samples wine, Moscatel, Beirão, and espresso…
Every year on September 15th, Setubal celebrates the birthdate of its most famous poet. Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage Manuel…
Brent is on the hunt for the sour Ginja cherry at the Livramento Market in Setubal. He uses them to…
Brent’s in Vilamoura in Portugal’s Algarve for a boat trip to the famous Benagil Cave. Then, he enjoys some great…
The Algarve’s stunning natural rock formation is a short boat ride away. Up the coast less than 20 miles from…
Brent visits Braga’s stunning churches and enjoys some of the best ice cream in Portugal. Plus, he explores the local…
Brent samples lots of delicious food including a vegan version of a famous monster sandwich. He also visits a massive…
Braga, Portugal is known for its churches and sweets. Those two things come together in the many Convent Sweets in…
Brent is in Braga searching for a local pastry that originated in a local convent. He also samples a delicious…
The Jardim de Santa Bárbara (Garden of Santa Barbara) in Braga has an unexpected tie to a local pastry. Viúvas…
Brent takes a day trip from Porto to the oceanside town of Foz do Douro. He checks out the lighthouse…
The Strawberry Tree produces a fruit used to make a local firewater in Portugal Aguardente de Medronho origin story Aguardente…
Brent is in Porto, Portugal to try the namesake wine of the city. Ruby, Tawny, Rose, L.B.V., and even a…
For a city with a population of about 50,000, Évora punches far above it’s weight class when it comes to…
Brent is in Porto, Portugal to gaze in wonder at the amazing tile murals in churches & at the iconic…
Braga’s Tibias got its name from a human bone. Some say it resembles another part of the anatomy. Tibias origin…
Brent returns to Almada to try some local pastry, drink a little wine, and order a hard boiled egg (just…
A pastry from The Algarve came from a contest between rich families. Folhado de Loulé origin story In the early…
Brent visits Almada, just a quick ferry ride from Lisbon to eat at the restaurant made famous on “Somebody Feed…
Brent is in Lisbon to try eight different coffee drinks at both historic and neighborhood cafes. He tries uma bica…
Brent samples an unbelievable number of delicious pastries in Évora, Portugal, including many that were originally developed in local convents.…
A delicious soup from Portugal that inspired Spanish dish. Sopa de Tomate Alentejana origin story Alentejo is the largest region…
Brent visits Évora, Portugal to sample a delicious local dish called Ovos Mexidos com Espargos Selvagens (Scrambled Eggs with Wild…
Just across the river from Lisbon is an abandoned winery with some amazing street art. Quinta da Arealva origin story…
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…
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…
Brent samples Ginjinha, Portugal’s famous cherry liqueur, at three bars in Lisbon, including the place where it was first served.…
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…
Brent visits the Convento de Jesus in Setubal, Portugal. Then, he enjoys a Pirâmide de chocolate at a characteristic pastelaria.
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…
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…
Online rating sites don’t take into account cultural differences. You’re finally taking that Covid-delayed trip to Europe! Yay! You get…
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…
Malasadas have been popular in the Atlantic Ocean island chains of the Azores and Madeira. But, the sweet treat is…
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…