Category Portugal

When we first started planning our (getaway) adventure we learned that we, as US Citizens would be limited to 90 days of travel in the Schengen Area. For those of you surprised to hear this, below are the details. We…

We have loved our island visit. It is beyond beautifully breathtaking with so much to see and do. It’s our last day enjoying this enchanting island and Madeira will always be special in a unique way. I hope we’ll be…

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Laurissilva Forest includes a section on Madeira Island called the Fanal Forest. A variety of plant and animal species can be found in this subtropical forest, which is about 15,000 hectares in size. Some…

Today we decided to get a closer look at our home away from home. Located on a large slope facing the Atlantic and shaped like a natural amphitheatre, Funchal is Madeira’s largest tourist, commercial and cultural centre. Elevated to city…

We did not post a blog yesterday. We totally chilled and went from reading on the patio, to doing and hanging laundry in the sun to dry (haven’t seen a dryer yet) on the patio, to napping on the patio…

Today we set out to drive the coast road and take a dip in the natural pools of the Atlantic Ocean in Porto Muniz. Madeira is a relatively small island but the terrain leaves us in total awe. The mountains…

Beat the crowds by getting on the gondola when it first opens & no lines is always welcome. The lush vegetation of the garden of Monte Palace Madeira surrounds enormous ponds, filled with Koi fish, which provide a pleasant spectacle…

Hmmm… there’s seems to be something a little odd about that door. Actually, you know what, there’s something a bit different about the next one as well. In fact, as I walk along the street, it seems every door is…

Haven’t found the right words to describe this island. We’re fascinated with its history, its beauty and amazing housing. How did they squeeze all of these homes in, all the way to the top of Funchal, the capitol city. We…

Madeira (/məˈdɪərə/mə-DEER-ə or/məˈdɛərə/mə-DAIR-ə;[6][7][8]European Portuguese: [mɐˈðɐjɾɐ]), officially the Autonomous Region of Madeira (Portuguese: Região Autónoma da Madeira), is an autonomous region of Portugal. It is an archipelago situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, in the region of Macaronesia, just under 400 kilometres (250 mi) north of the Canary Islands, Spain, 520 kilometres (320 mi) west of the Morocco and 805…

The Flix bus took us away from the Algarve 😢 back to Lisboa for a quick sleep and morning departure. Sally to Italy and us to Madeira. It’s been amazing.

At the far southwestern tip of the Algarve is the town of Sagres. This is where the western Algarve is at its wildest. For lovers of traditional towns and winding streets, Sagres might not be for you. Compared to other towns and…

Perfect way to start the day is to jump on a Blue Fleet boat tour along the incredible coast line of the Algarve. We woke up to cloudy skies and the water was a little choppy. The kayakers were struggling…

Lagos is the perfect place to relax, chill and recharge. We took a little trip to Luz to meet some new friends and have a nice conversation about their move to Portugal 🇵🇹 My sister Sally’s here for a few…

Saturday morning farmers markets here are beyond amazing. The sights, colors, varieties, smells and freshness are incredible. If you stop at a stand and look at the watermelon because you can’t decide, the man pulls out a knife and slices…

Traffic jam at the marina while the tall masts go out to sea On the other side is coffee & a treat at Studio Coffee. Some great sardine wall art End the day with a walk into town when the…

Lagos is one of the Algarve’s top destination cities. Boasting a historic oldtown, modern marina, cultural attractions, with some incredible beaches and scenery it really combines much of what the Algarve is famous for. Today was a long bus ride…

We have arrived in our 10th Country and it feels sooooo good. The Flix bus was late picking us up and the couple in our reserved seats wouldn’t give them up and the honey badger was too hot to argue.…