The Algarve and the summer season seem to be synonymous with its white sandy beaches, sapphire blue and aquamarine ocean waters, and of course, the food which is full of the “fruit of the sea”. The abundance of fresh seafood, fish and sun-ripened vegetables is what I dream of when I think of taking holiday […]
Cataplana: The traditional Portuguese cooking vessel explained! Read More »
Beyond the festivals, concerts and cultural activities in Portugal, lies a community of people who ride on boards like chariots upon the sea. I’m proud to be part of this clan, addicted at a young age by the peaceful feeling of being immersed in the sea. Over the years, I have visited Portugal several times, typically with
Top 5 Places to Surf in Portugal Read More »
The sound of chestnuts (castanhas) crashing down through branches is one that I always associate with autumn in Minho. Throughout the baking summer, we watched the thick green prickly clusters growing on large majestic trees scattered about the surrounding hill slopes wondering if they would ever ripen. By the middle of October, the clusters turned
Chestnut Season in Portugal Read More »
Like most of northern Portugal, the geology of the Minho region is dominated by granite rocks. Rolling hills with massive round boulders cluster around peaks or are strewn about slopes and sandy river banks in the valleys. Every now and again, on my hikes through the forests or along the country lanes, I come across
Schist: A Cultural Staple in the Douro Valley and Beyond Read More »
The southern Portuguese region of the Algarve is a huge summer destination for many Portuguese residents, as well Europeans, as the vast coastline of warmer water currents and consistently sunny weather are ideal for the perfect beach vacation. That said, the Algarve also tends to have a reputation for being crowded and touristy, especially in
Seafood in Sagres, Portugal: A Deliciously Natural Area of Algarve Read More »
In the summer, Lisbon – and Portugal in general – has always been a huge draw for visitors, and this trend doesn’t look to be subsiding. What’s interesting is the considerable rise in independent and extended-stay vacationing, pushing an equal rise in food shopping – after all, there’s no hotel room service is a hostel/flat, no matter how
How to Shop For Food In Portugal: What and Where to Find the Best Produce in Season Read More »
Frango is Portuguese for chicken, it’s far from KFC or Popeyes’, rather it’s a specific type of chicken that is best roasted or grilled over hot coals – normally called Frango no Churrasco (chicken on the grill) or Frango na Brasa (chicken on the hot coals) *Note: The term galinha normally refers to a larger, fattier chicken that’s stewed or used for soup*.
Over the years that I’ve lived in Portugal, I have developed an appreciation for some relatively off-the-wall flavors; dishes that I would’ve stayed clear of if they weren’t ordered by a fellow diner. What a shame it would have been to miss out on so many extraordinary flavors. Portugal has brought out the proud “foodie”
10 Delicious Reasons Why You Should Visit Portugal! Read More »
