Hiking
Community, capitalists, and the Douro Valley
The rosy glow from this rural community, people bonded by the production of Port wine for over 300 years, was like being wrapped in a Merino wool blanket on a chilly morning. […]
Portugal
Europe
The seven marvels of Portugal
A wee bit of research uncovered it was a competition which had been held every year since 2007, each year involving a different aspect of Portugal’s many natural and human-made attractions. It was like finding a direct insight into a ‘best of’ the country as known by residents. […]
Bavaria
There’s no guarantee you’ll like this travel destination
There’s history as rich as anywhere, Roman ruins, golden beaches, forests, plains, scenic ridges, Moorish castles, traditional towns, sprawling vineyards, more gastronomic specialities than you’d find in a trendy London deli, the people are exceedingly friendly, and there’s the Virgin Mary on a giant mule. […]
Food and drink
You say patata bravas I say batta harra, it’s all tapas
Tapas might be considered a Spanish ‘invention’ but it’s actually a sociable way of eating which is popular in many countries. […]
Andros
Adjusting to rural transport around Europe
As we specialise in hiking we regularly find ourselves in areas where figuring out how we’re going to travel to, or return from, a linear walking route using whatever local transport is available can prove somewhat of a ‘suck it and see’ exercise. […]
La Palma
Scenes from the water’s edge
As the wintery sun yawns and slips towards the duvet of the horizon there’s a mini pilgrimage in Alcochete on the southern banks of the Tagus. The place of worship is Alcach, a bar with jazzy sounds and chairs facing west. […]
Europe
Eight reasons to visit Arrabida Natural Park in Portugal
It’s not that Arrábida Natural Park is a secret; Portuguese holidaymakers know all about it. But, apart from a handful of more inquisitive travellers, other nationalities are generally conspicuous by their absence. […]
Europe
Winter in Central Portugal
After 14 years in the Canary Islands we already knew about the important difference between Britain’s centrally heated houses and ones in (mostly) warmer climes with little or no heating. But we still weren’t prepared for the temperature drop between the Canaries and central Portugal. […]