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Iberian masks and festival fun in Lisbon
The last thing I expected to see in the grid of shopping streets in Lisbon’s Baixa district was a couple of men in hessian suits wearing blood red devil masks. They weren’t alone, either. A very odd...
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Feeling Safe in Portugal
A friend recently visited me here in Portugal and when I asked her what she liked about the country, I wasn’t surprised when she said, “I feel safe here.” I do too. I feel free to explore and enjoy and...
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What a lot of craft fairs!
Like me, Portuguese people seem to be quite fond of handmade arts and crafts. I’m basing this opinion on the number of craft fairs that are held every year. Most reasonably sized towns hold at least...
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Going back in time at Óbidos’ medieval fair
Whenever I stand on ancient castle walls, I find myself trying to imagine what life was like when the castles housed royalty and their grounds contained thriving marketplaces buzzing with people,...
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A fun day out for everyone at Buçaco national forest
Whether you’re after a fairytale palace, war museums, magnificent views, an old convent or a wander through Portugal’s finest collection of national and imported trees, Buçaco is the place to go. Which...
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Being a tourist in Albufeira
I can’t remember the last time I went anywhere as touristy as Albufeira and it came as a bit of a shock to the system. I haven’t seen that many pink shiny people in one place since one August bank...
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Sundowners, Coimbra style
On a sunny, late summer evening, Mike and I decide to finish off a long working day with a drink by the Mondego river. Unsurprisingly, we are not the only ones to think this is the perfect spot to...
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G is for Gold
I’ve never been remotely interested in gold jewellery but a friend of mine who came to visit dragged me round every jeweller’s in Coimbra and in doing so, introduced me to some exquisite filigree...
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It’s chestnut festival time again!
November 11th is St Martin’s day, and is eagerly awaited by many Portuguese people, especially those who make their own wine as this is the first day that the new batch of wine is ready for tasting....
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Miscaros Mushroom Festival in Alcaide
It’s not just honey and chestnuts that get a weekend-long festival devoted to them in Portugal. Mushrooms do too, and in November, the ancient hilltop village of Alcaide throws open its doors in...
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