Portugal & Spain Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and Seville
Look at a map of Portugal and you’ll see that beautiful Seville is just over the border…. So if you’re visiting Lisbon or the Algarve, why not plan a road trip and drive to the Spanish city too? While on paper they seem close, the drive between Lisbon and Seville takes 4-5 hours. But if […]
My 10 favourite Portugal trips in 2024
Each year I round up my favourite trips I’ve taken across Portugal, and it’s a fun chance to reflect on where I’ve been and share a tale or two from cool places that I (often) haven’t had the time to write any blogs about (yet!). For me, 2024 was a really good year personally and […]
Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Porto and the Douro Valley
If you’re a wine lover, then a cheeky road trip from Porto to the luscious Douro Valley is a must. While you can visit world’s oldest demarcated wine region on a (very long) day trip, if you have the time to spare I suggest a road trip from the city to the countryside for a […]
Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and the Douro Valley
Anyone visiting Portugal with a love for wine will have the Douro Valley firmly on their radar. Here vines cascade down steep hills until the skinny terraces reach the curves of the Douro River. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, dating right back to 1756. Driving directly between Lisbon […]
Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and Lagos, Algarve
If you have at least five days or even a week in Portugal, you might like to skip south and explore two regions – the capital, Lisbon, and Lagos on the sunny Algarve coast. While you can zip between the city and this charming coastal town in under three hours, if you have the time […]
My 10 favourite Portugal trips in 2023
I have a confession to make: I have more fun than I have the energy (or time) to write about on this blog. It’s why last year I had a blast wrapping up my favourite trips across Portugal with a short summary – so I thought I’d do the same this year. From the far […]
Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and Porto
Most people visiting Portugal for the first time are keen to visit Lisbon and Porto, the biggest and second-biggest cities. But driving three hours directly from one to another skips out on coastal gems, medieval walled villages, wine regions, castles, and plenty of culture. Yes, Lisbon and Porto are two distinct cities with unique architecture, […]
22 most beautiful castles in Portugal
When diplomacy was more swords than handshakes, castles were critical for Portugal’s defence, especially against attacks from neighbouring Spain and the Moors. When the Zamora Treaty was signed in 1143, D. Afonso Henriques became the first King of Portugal, and Alphonse the VII of León and Castile, recognised this small nation as an independent kingdom. […]
Itinerary: My ideal 7-day Algarve road trip
Updated Jan 16, 2025 Golden shores with gently lapping waves. The smell of grilled sardines and sunscreen. Trees heavy with figs, lemons and olives. White-washed villages watching slow days pass by. I love the Algarve, especially in the summer, and it’s not hard to see why Portugal’s southern coast is a favourite destination for beach […]
Itinerary: Our magical 5-day Madeira Island road trip
Updated Jan 21, 2025 Life on much of Madeira is a battle between man and nature. Moments from the coastline, sharp, jagged mountains rise out of the earth covered in thick, green foliage that few manage to tame. A scattering of typical Portuguese houses with terracotta roofs dot the ridges and valleys. We catch but […]
How to spend 48 hours in Monsaraz
This area of the Alentejo is dotted with cute towns, wineries, olive groves, prehistoric monuments and the biggest artificial lake in Europe. Here’s my guide for things to do around Monsaraz.