U.K. & Ireland Destinations

Outside the tourist areas is an incredible museum in a 16th century convent that most visitors to Lisbon miss. Museu Nacional do Azulejo (National Tile Museum) (photo: Brent Petersen) Azulejo Tiles The word Azulejo comes from the Arabic word Zellij and means “polished stone.” This style of decorative painted tiles, first in Spain…

Brent is bar hopping Setubal to 4 different neighborhoods and 4 different bars. He samples wine, Moscatel, Beirão, and espresso with a shot of firewater!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My0hDrP3h_0&t=568s O Painel, Av. Manuel Maria Portela 85, 2900-212 Setúbal Snack Bar Amoreiras, Av. Dr. António Rodrigues Manito 78C, 2900-062 Setúbal Sociedade Musical Recreativa União Setubalense, Av. Luísa…

Every year on September 15th, Setubal celebrates the birthdate of its most famous poet. Flower arrangements at the base of the statue for Bocage Day in Setubal, Portugal (photo: Brent Petersen) Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage Manuel Maria Barbosa l’Hedois du Bocage was born in Setubal in 1765. He became so famous for…

Brent is on the hunt for the sour Ginja cherry at the Livramento Market in Setubal. He uses them to make the famous Portuguese liqueur Ginjinha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEGmIERFYkA About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel “Truffle Hunt” (Eckhartz…

Brent’s in Vilamoura in Portugal’s Algarve for a boat trip to the famous Benagil Cave. Then, he enjoys some great food and wine and even takes some time to play on the beach!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIHnIRPxITE iapepe AL’s Bar Salmora About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides…

The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is far and away the top site in the city. And, for good reason. This awe-inspiring building was constructed by both the Islamic and, later, the Christian rulers of the Iberian Peninsula. Mosque-Cathedral origin story Construction of the Mezquita began in the 8th century CE, as ordered by the…

Brent is in Portugal’s Algarve to visit the ancient city of Loulé. He starts the day in an historic pastelaria to try a local pastry. Then, its medieval castles, churches, and an Islamic bathhouse before a delicious lunch and a visit to the market for ice cream and the local firewater.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMFshojv3eU Foodie…

The Algarve’s stunning natural rock formation is a short boat ride away.

Up the coast less than 20 miles from the resort town of Vilamoura, Portugal is the stunning Benagil Cave. Porous rock dominates this part of the coast. Over many centuries and millennia, erosion created the Algar de Benagil (Benagil Cave) as…

Brent visits Braga’s stunning churches and enjoys some of the best ice cream in Portugal. Plus, he explores the local wine, Vinho Verde, from the Braga region and shares his crackpot theory on the lack of wine bars in the city.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7DUgEEYDx0 Braga Cathedral Pappa Lab Pastelaria A Favorita Bom Jesus do Monte…

Speculation has ranged from an art dealer to a New York doctor to Bob Dylan to John Lennon himself. Let’s take a look at the suspects. John Lennon statue, Liverpool (photo: Brent Petersen)

Doctor Robert Origin Story All four Beatles were enthusiastic recreational drug users. Shortly after their arrival in Hamburg in 1960,…

Brent samples lots of delicious food including a vegan version of a famous monster sandwich. He also visits a massive indoor market and some extravagant gardens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlrkz–KTQg Praça City Market https://praca.cm-braga.pt/ Paladares Vegan https://www.facebook.com/paladaresvegan/ Jardim de Santa Bárbara Anjo Verde https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anjo-V… Vegan Details https://www.facebook.com/vegandetails… Nogueira da Silva Museum http://www.mns.uminho.pt/ About the…

Braga, Portugal is known for its churches and sweets. Those two things come together in the many Convent Sweets in the city.

Convent Sweets origin story In Portugal, many of the best known pastries were invented in the country’s convents. Monks at Lisbon’s Jerónimos Monastery, using sugar from the slave plantations in the…

The English Market has been selling food to Corkonians since 1788. It was called the English Market to distinguish it from the nearby Irish Market (now gone). The covered market itself is stunning with a gabled roof, archways, and stained glass. The market has been renovated several times over the centuries including a…

Brent is in Braga searching for a local pastry that originated in a local convent. He also samples a delicious treat named after a part of the human anatomy, one that looks like a hat, and another that originated in Hungary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgXNWQET9BM Queijaria Central Ciccoria Caffè Tibias De Braga Pastelaria Montalegrense Frigideiras do…

The Jardim de Santa Bárbara (Garden of Santa Barbara) in Braga has an unexpected tie to a local pastry.

Viúvas Viúvas is a custard tart made from egg yolks, sugar, and almonds. The recipe originated at the long-gone Convento dos Remédios in Braga. The recipe was forgotten, only to be recently revived by…

Brent takes a day trip from Porto to the oceanside town of Foz do Douro. He checks out the lighthouse and a beach bar as well as a relaxing garden. Then, Brent enjoys a cocktail with ginger foam and some delicious snacks from a characteristic market. And, he checks out a mushroom museum. Duuuuude!

Aguardente de Medronho origin story Aguardente de Medronho (photo: Brent Petersen) Aguardente is a distilled spirit from Portugal. Normally, it is made using the leftovers of the wine making process (grape skins, seeds, and stems). These ingredients are distilled…

Brent is in Porto, Portugal to try the namesake wine of the city. Ruby, Tawny, Rose, L.B.V., and even a dry white Port. Plus, some delicious dishes including an almond pastry, an almond cookie and some terrific petiscoes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG8xADjBrZs Confeitaria do Bolhão Ramos Pinto Café Candelabro Aduela The Wine Box Kind Kitchen Prova…

For a city with a population of about 50,000, Évora punches far above it’s weight class when it comes to food culture. There are a couple Michelin recognized restaurants, numerous fantastic places that offer traditional Portuguese cuisine, and local pastries that go far beyond the usual riffs on Pastel de Nata. A selection…

Brent is in Porto, Portugal to gaze in wonder at the amazing tile murals in churches & at the iconic São Bento Train Station. Plus, he visits a cultural bank where tiles of historic importance are deposited. And, of course, Brent samples some local dishes and visits the impressive Mercado do Bolhão.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol9ZMb3p_Ec&t=488s…

Braga’s Tibias got its name from a human bone. Some say it resembles another part of the anatomy.

Tibias origin story Tibias De Braga filled with cream and lemon curd (photo: Brent Petersen) The Tibias was invented in a convent in Braga, or so the story goes. That’s because there is little to…

Brent returns to Almada to try some local pastry, drink a little wine, and order a hard boiled egg (just because). Plus, a visit to an amazing Syrian restaurant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh7BzRaw-c4 Almada, Portugal pastry crawl Pastelaria Repuxo Torte de Azeitao video Damasqino Quinta do Almaraz Amarra Ó Tejo O Antonio Pastelaria Golfinho Pastelaria Páscoa…

A pastry from The Algarve came from a contest between rich families.

Enjoying a Folhado de Loulé (photo: Karen Campopiano) Folhado de Loulé origin story In the early 20th century, Loulé, as well as the rest of the Algarve, was an economically disadvantaged place. Even sugar was an extravagance in many homes. The…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4l-o2qUd3k&t=28s Almada, Portugal food crawl & sites Brent visits Almada, just a quick ferry ride from Lisbon to eat at the restaurant made famous on “Somebody Feed Phil.” He also has some wine at a spot with some of the most incredible views in Portugal. Then, there’s an abandoned winery and an iconic…

Big Nazo puppets at Ancient & Horribles parade, Chepachet, RI (photo: Brent Petersen) Unlike other reverent parades, Rhode Island’s Ancients & Horribles parade skewers local and national figures and satirizes popular culture. Ancient & Horribles origin story Photo: Brent Petersen In the 19th century, it was common in New England to have military…

Pão Alentejano, the sourdough bread made in the Alentejo region of Portugal is known for it crunchy crust and distinctive bump on the top of the loaf. Alentejo is a large region in central Portugal, but it’s not very popular with tourists. It is known for it’s wheat production as well as vineyards…

Brent is in Lisbon to try eight different coffee drinks at both historic and neighborhood cafes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR2htBEsi9w He tries uma bica at the place it was invented, a milky coffee drink at a French inspired cafe, an iced coffee by one of the most picturesque squares in Lisbon, an espresso with a shot…

Brent samples an unbelievable number of delicious pastries in Évora, Portugal, including many that were originally developed in local convents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byc1K0Y8K40&t=32s Pastelaria Conventual Pão de Rala Convento de Santa Clara 505, R. de Serpa Pinto 70, Évora Convent of St. Helena of the Mount Calvary Praça do Giraldo Pastelaria Violeta Jardín Público de…

A delicious soup from Portugal that inspired Spanish dish. Sopa de Tomate Alentejana origin story Alentejo is the largest region of Portugal. But, it’s also one of the least visited. That’s because parts are remote and there isn’t a big city in the region. Évora is probably the most popular place in Alentejo…

Brent visits Évora, Portugal to sample a delicious local dish called Ovos Mexidos com Espargos Selvagens (Scrambled Eggs with Wild Asparagus). Then, it’s time for a wine tasting paired with some sheep’s milk cheese. Brent also visits the creepy bone chapel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yVNww_-Ues Évora Bone Chapel Botequim da Mouraria Évora Cathedral Cartuxa Enoteca Évora…