We’ve had the good fortune of living in and traveling around Europe for some time. And what we’ve consistently noticed is that Europeans really know how to live; this stands in such contrast to what we experienced and saw firsthand in the States: drinking coffee on-the-go, eating while working, or dining on fast food. For so many Americans (us included when we lived there), reaching for those conveniences can feel…
Life In Portugal
-
-
Discovering the Fabulous Wines of the Douro Valley
Last weekend we headed to the Douro Valley to attend the Douro & Porto Wine Fest where Joss Stone, Corinne Bailey Rae, and others were headlining. J is a big fan of Corinne Bailey Rae so when we saw she’d be in our neck of…
-
A Beautiful Seaside Escape to Vila Foz Hotel
Since moving to Portugal, we’ve taken full advantage of short getaways to nearby towns and cities. This past weekend was no exception when J and I celebrated our 11 year anniversary together. We wanted a quick and easy escape without subjecting ourselves to the throws…
-
7 Braga Festivals You Need to Know About When Planning Your Portugal Visit
What makes Braga such an awesome city to live in (and visit) are the bevy of festivals and events that take place here every year. May marks the unofficial start of the season and there are 7 festivals that happen almost monthly through January: If…
-
Braga Unveiled: A Local’s Insider Guide to Unlocking the Best of Portugal’s Hidden Gem!
I am sitting outside on our patio this cool spring day, enjoying the sound of Braga: birds chirping, church bells ringing, children playing during recess at a nearby school, and old friends laughing in the café next door. These are the sounds of Braga. To…
-
Taking the Train Around Portugal? Here’s the Only Guide You Need
When my husband and I took our quick trip down to Lisbon earlier this month, I noticed a bevy of tourists hop aboard at the Porto stop, looking totally bewildered about where to sit. For the first 20 minutes of the ride, they shuffled back-and-forth…
-
48 Hours in Lisbon
“Uggghhhhh, when the HELL is this rain going to stop??” That’s what my husband and I kept asking ourselves. We moved to Portugal in the summer of 2023 and were spoiled by daily long walks – in the sunshine with the dog in toe –…
-
Adjusting to Life in Portugal (Part III)
Once we received our permit, we were official residents of Portugal and couldn’t have been more excited! If you’re curious about how we made the move, start here. As we settled in, we had to acclimate ourselves to our new home, new city, and cultural…
-
Getting Our Portuguese Residency Permit (Part II)
In June 2023, the day came when we received approval for our Portuguese residency visa (yay! 🎉). Shortly after, we made the move and arrived in our new city, Braga. Attending our immigration appointment was the final step to getting our residency permit but the…