Portugal Things to Do : Tours, Top Attractions & Local Recommendations

Statue in the Gardens of Monte Palace, Funchal

May 8, 2012

Monte Palace Tropical Garden in Madeira

Some places are just magical and this is one of them. Overlooking the Atlantic and the city of Funchal in the Islands of Portugal, the Monte Palace and its Tropical Garden are a must-see.

April 24, 2012

0 Comments

Recommended Restaurants in Lisbon

Lisbon is a city of flavors with its little cafes, bars and restaurants that can stun you with just how good their food is. I think the secret is in the personal approach – these are not big chains, but places where the owner brings the food to the table and makes sure you order the very best offering on the menu that day.

April 10, 2012

0 Comments

Listen to Traditional Fado in Lisbon

Sometimes the best way to get to the beating heart of a country is through its music. Portugal has Fado. This sung musical form is linked to the Portuguese word saudade meaning loss, evoking a deep-soul loss that lasts a lifetime. Fado has two main types: Lisbon and Coimbra.

March 27, 2012

0 Comments

Douro Valley Port, Wine and Accommodations

The River of Gold, 125 miles (200 km) of winding water that travels from the border with Spain to the coast at Porto and is called the Rio Douro. The valley of Douro is famous for its port wine.

March 12, 2012

0 Comments

Museu Calouste Gulbenkian

One of Lisbon's most interesting museums - Museu Calouste.

Sometimes just as interesting as a museum’s collection is the story of the collector behind it. Museu Calouste Gulbenkian is the legacy of Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, a Turkish oil mogul and art collector who traveled widely and lived in Constantinople (Istanbul), Paris, London, Lisbon and the south of France where he is buried. But it is to Lisbon that he left his art collection…

February 24, 2012

0 Comments

Top 5 Activities for Kids in Lisbon

Here are some great things to do as a family visiting Lisbon!

1. Marionette Museum (Museu das Marionetas, Rua da Espercanca, 146, Lapa). In a lovely 18th century former convent, this collection of over 1000 puppets includes knights, princesses, and devils – something for everyone! Some of them date from as far back as the 17th and 18th century, and while most are from Portugal there are also puppets from places like China, India, and even New Zealand.