Portugal is such a unique and diverse country… Even the most experienced traveller finds a lot to discover and enjoy here over and over again… It will be my great pleasure to share with You my know-how, favorite places and secrets about Portugal... There really are INFINITE SOLUTIONS!!! What I recommend are my personal choices. And from living and experiencing different cultures around the globe has made me the most demanding traveller myself. From local food markets t

- New Mortgage Lending Up 24.2%… Housing permits rose by 20.6%, while residential bank valuations were up by 8.0% in the year to May. At the same time, cement consumption in Portugal rose by 11.5% y-o-y, according to AICCOPN’s Statistical Synthesis of Housing. During the first five months of 2021, licences issued by city councils for the construction or rehabilitation of residential buildings rose by 20.6%. The rise stemmed from a 22.6% increase in new housing, 19.1% fo

They start up here, in the North of the country, and go all the way down to the Algarve. Of the more than 100 river beaches that exist in Portugal, where tranquility and fresh air reign, I decided to highlight only 10 places where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, with family, friends or even alone. These are just some of the most beautiful river beaches in the country that you really have to visit: 1 – River Beach of Lomba, in Gondomar… In th

Portuguese cheese is a frequently found on the table, both at homes and in the restaurants of Portugal. Slices of regional cheese and ham are often served together with bread, olives and pates as starters. Although today there is a huge variety of cheeses and most are made on an industrial scale, traditional cheeses are still quite popular. These are handmade in queijarias (small cheese shops), also known as rouparias, by queijeiros e queijeiras (cheesemakers). Since

Portuguese wines are acclaimed all over the world, but did you know each region has a very distinct identity and taste???... Those who have had the privilege of visiting Portugal know that one of the country’s most memorable treasures is its unique flavours. And for those who appreciate wine, the various Portuguese grape varieties and wine regions are simply unforgettable!!! From North to South, the climate and geography of Portugal are quite different and so are the wi

June is a glorious month and officially the start of summer celebrations. The Portuguese people give thanks to their three most popular saints - Saint Anthony, Saint John and Saint Peter. Saint Anthony, on the 11th, is the patron saint of Lisbon. The whole area is decorated with red and green bunting and parades with colourful characters in costume, folk music, and throngs of spectators enjoy the festivities until the early morning. Known as the “Matchmaker Saint”Sain

On the 10th of June is celebrated the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities. A national holiday, this date pays tribute to the great poet Luís Vaz de Camões, author of “Os Lusíadas”, the greatest epic work in Portugal, who died on June 10, 1580. The Dia de Portugal program includes many activities, such as parades, military demonstrations, and awarding of merit medals, for example. This is also considered the day of the Portuguese language and the nation

The vineyard and property in question is located in the north of Portugal, the business of which consists of viticulture and a B&B. The wines have very good to excellent reviews and are mainly exported to, among others, top Dutch restaurants and the Far East. This is partly due to a unique view of the way in which the vines are treated and the way in which the vinification process is organized. Right next to the wine cellar is a beautiful tasting room that can be used

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the center of a multifaceted region that appeals to different tastes and senses. In a city that has been receiving many different cultures from far and wide distances over time, today it still feels like a village breath in every historic neighborhood. You can walk through the grid of streets in the Baixa Pombalina that opens to the Tagus in Praça do Comércio and, following the river, get to know some of the most beautiful places in

Since you have already selected the region where you want to buy, you now need to do some research before going home-hunting. There are plenty of real estate offers in Portugal, therefore, in order to save time you should first elaborate a list of criteria of what you want and what you don’t want in the house you are planning to buy. Define the type of property you like. You have to check your finance and decide on the price range you are considering to pay but also know

Portuguese wines are acclaimed all over the world, but did you know each region has a very distinct identity and taste???... Those who have had the privilege of visiting Portugal know that one of the country’s most memorable treasures is its unique flavours. And for those who appreciate wine, the various Portuguese grape varieties and wine regions are simply unforgettable!!! From North to South, the climate and geography of Portugal are quite different and so are the wi

Porto is considered the capital of the north and as the second largest city in Portugal, rightfully so. There are really very few similarities between Porto and Lisbon – they are both near the coast, on the banks of large rivers and have some fairly daunting hills, but that’s really where it ends. The two cities have a totally different feel and different charms. Porto’s most striking characteristic is that of “faded grandeur”. In Europe there are very few remaining c

Portuguese wines are acclaimed all over the world, but did you know each region has a very distinct identity and taste???... Those who have had the privilege of visiting Portugal know that one of the country’s most memorable treasures is its unique flavours. And for those who appreciate wine, the various Portuguese grape varieties and wine regions are simply unforgettable!!! From North to South, the climate and geography of Portugal are quite different and so are th

If you are a foreigner living or working in Portugal, you will typically be eligible to access subsidized state healthcare. The Portuguese healthcare system incorporates both public and private healthcare services and the standard of healthcare in Portugal is high. This helpful guide explains the healthcare system in Portugal and how expats can claim Portuguese healthcare benefits while residing in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for everyo

On the banks of the Mondego River, Coimbra is known for its University, the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe, which over time has shaped its image making it “the city of students”. We start this visit, precisely at the University founded in the 13th century that UNESCO included in the World Heritage list, in a classification that also includes Rua da Sofia and the upper part of the city. It is worth going up to its tower, where the bells that marked

Portuguese wines are acclaimed all over the world, but did you know each region has a very distinct identity and taste???... Those who have had the privilege of visiting Portugal know that one of the country’s most memorable treasures is its unique flavours. And for those who appreciate wine, the various Portuguese grape varieties and wine regions are simply unforgettable!!! From North to South, the climate and geography of Portugal are quite different and so are the wi

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education are jointly responsible for the country’s education system. They receive support from the Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity in providing pre-school education. In Portugal, you can opt either for a state school (generally free) or a private school. If you opt for a private school, you can confirm whether it is certified by the Ministry of Education (primary and secondary educatio

When it comes to golfing, Portugal has always been a favourite amongst Northern European golfers. With its excellent climate and a big concentration of golf courses in the popular Algarve, it’s not hard to understand why Portugal is so popular. Vidago golf course, in the north of Portugal, is located at one hour drive from Oporto and 15 min. from Chaves, near the Spanish border. The Vidago golf course was redesigned by Cameron & Powell in 2010, specialists on McKenzie

Fortified city on the bank of the River Minho, its suevo name Orosion was translated into Latin as Mons Sanctus which evolved into Portuguese Monção. In 1291, the Portuguese king D. Afonso III gave it a charter and, in 1306, D. Dinis had the old defensive castle built, whose walls still welcome visitors. Overlooking the river Minho, with its pleasant terraces and viewpoints, such as the esplanade of the Neris, no one would say that it was the scene of fierce fighting

The Institute for Economics and Peace, it’s Global Peace Index, ranked Portugal as the 3rd world’s safest countries. Overall, the study found, that while the world is still less peaceful than it was a decade ago (probably not surprising for anyone who reads the news, like, ever,) it is slightly more peaceful today than it was at this time last year—the first time that the index improved in the last five years. But while world peace has fluctuated over time, one fact ha