Portugal, with its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history offers visitors a unique and unforgettable travel adventure, especially if you choose to explore the hidden gems of this country by sea. A feature of a cruise to Portugal are the mesmerizing coastlines and charming villages, a treasure trove just waiting to be discovered. No doubt, the historic city of Lisbon and the beaches of Algarve are a major draw, but cruising to places overlooked by tourists, and that too ...Read more

In recent times, Portugal has become increasingly popular with visitors seeking an affordable yet enriching travel experience. From the colourful streets of Lisbon to the scenic Algarve coastline, there is no shortage of activities to be enjoyed by everyone. As travel to any European destination is associated with high costs, people naturally assume that visiting Portugal can dent the pocket. However, nothing could be far from the truth. With a bit of planning and some insider tips and tricks, you ...Read more

If you’re thinking of moving out to Portugal or going there for a working holiday, you might want to know what the internet speeds are like out there – and how expensive it is. Here are all the answers (and a little bit more too) Internet in Portugal Over in Portugal, fibre optic broadband is known as ‘internet fixa’ or ‘banda larga’. It’s available all throughout the country, and most people can get it to their property. There are about ...Read more

August represents the peak of summer in Portugal. The gardens are in full production, offering a wide array of fruits and vegetables. Understanding August in Portugal: This month can be very hot! Especially in central and southern regions, requiring careful water management and plant care. Harvesting and Maintenance: It’s time to reap the rewards of your hard work. Harvest summer crops and maintain watering schedules. August Planting Guide: North Portugal: Begin sowing autumn crops like kale and carrots. Harvest potatoes ...Read more

If you are looking for a story you will surely find one here in the mountains, for tragedy and mystery stalk these villages. The modern drama of the deforestation of Silveira is one of a long series of occurrences that have a way of solidifying into legends, like clay into schist. Cerdeira, a corruption of sardeira, the old word for cherry tree (cerejeira), is said to have been founded by runaway lovers who, defying their disapproving families, settled in this ...Read more

Portugal offers much more than just its famous cities. For those looking to explore beyond the usual tourist spots, Portugal’s hidden gems provide unique experiences that are both refreshing and captivating. This guide will take you through some of the most charming and less-known destinations in Portugal, where you can immerse yourself in authentic beauty and tranquillity. Tranquil Villages and Rustic Retreats Portugal’s countryside is dotted with quaint villages and rustic retreats that offer a glimpse into the country’s traditional ...Read more

After the global pandemic taught us to keep physical distance and work remotely, digital nomadism became a popular career choice for many professionals. Today, those who mostly work with tech companies, prefer to have contracts that allow them to work from any location. This is a great chance for young professionals to pursue a career but also travel around the world and gain more experience. However, when you receive a salary from one country and spend it in another, you ...Read more

Five mammoth sequoia sempervivens, among the largest and longest-lived of all trees, grow right beside the N-236. From here, look up, way, way up, past the barely discernible ruins of Pé da Lomba and through forest canopy. Somewhere up there nestles Silveira. Silveira is at the heart of a long-term reconstruction project that will see three abandoned villages offer lodging, physical and spiritual relaxation and opportunities to volunteer in the agricultural and forest sectors — and drive the economy of ...Read more

Living and working abroad as an expat is an adventure like no other – you get to immerse yourself in a whole new culture, build meaningful connections and create lasting memories that will stay with you forever. But it can be easy in the chaos of moving and getting used to your new surroundings to let those cherished memories slip by without documenting them. It’s important to capture your unique experiences so that years down the line, you’ll be able ...Read more

It is late afternoon and day-trippers are arriving to view the sunset. Golden rays penetrate straight down the valley, bathing the village and the hill in warmth. The aldeias were well situated to capture as much daylight as possible. In the cool, dark valleys, the temperature change is palpable, especially near the many streams. Despite the effort required to climb uphill, the uplands are the place to be. Once the sun sets, the air turns chilly and the cold and ...Read more

Holiday homes in Portugal are administered under the Alojamento Local (AL) regime. This is a regime that regulates holiday homes. Registration is mandatory for this regime and the home must meet certain requirements such as shading on the windows, the existence of fire extinguishers and a self-aid kit. Recently (in 2023), the socialist government in Portugal passed legislation with the aim of reducing the amount of AL properties in Portugal. Now, it is no longer possible to obtain an AL ...Read more

It is the beginning of December and it seems the fine weather is over here in the Serra da Lousã. I blame the full moon. It is raining sideways, downwards and even upwards, as column after column of cloud drifts through the valley and up over the ridge. The phenomenon is called chuva tocava do vento — rain touched by the wind. Cerdeira seems to huddle down under its trees, each house clutching onto its neighbour for shelter. Warmth and ...Read more

Late at night an owl circles Cerdeira, filling the valley with its lonely cries. A small creature scurries over the roof tiles, intent on some personal goal I can’t fathom. Deer are known to come right down the steep slate steps of the village. One morning, I saw a herd of five does under the watchful eye of a stag high on the mountain. They observed me with mild curiosity for several minutes before moving off. Officially, there are 27 ...Read more

In the dynamic world of food packaging, sustainability has emerged as a pivotal priority, driving a wave of innovation that is transforming the industry. The significant shift towards sustainable practices reflects both consumer demand and corporate responsibility, influencing how products are designed, manufactured, and disposed of. As awareness of environmental issues grows, stakeholders across the food industry are exploring new packaging technologies that promise to mitigate ecological impact while maintaining practicality and efficiency. The demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions has ...Read more

We wanted to take a moment to share this fabulous GoFundMe because it is such a fabulous cause! Steve and Sarah bought Quinta da Chumbaria after seeing it advertised on Pure Portugal and what they have achieved there is nothing short of amazing! Not only are they lovely humans, who deserve all the luck in the world, what they are aiming (and succeeding) to achieve is nothing short of amazing, they are a real inspiration! If you can help with ...Read more

Between the earth, the water, the fire and the air, pottery invokes the magic or transformation. Do we have the humility to learn from it? –from the RTP television series “Histórias da Cerámica” featuring Renato Silva and Kerstin Thomas Potter and wood carver Kerstin Thomas was hiking through the mountains with friends in 1988 when they stumbled upon the abandoned village of Cerdeira hanging on a mountainside, high above the town of Lousã in central Portugal. Kerstin thought it would ...Read more