Best destinations for November - and Lisbon is one of them

November has arrived and is usually a quiet month to travel. After the summer holidays and before Christmas' break, it is not a regular time to travel. But that is just another reason to come to Lisbon, Portugal, at this time of year. It is also less crowdy, the temperatures are lower (but even so, pleasant) and by the end of the month, you will feel a sense of Christmas, with all the lights and Christmas' trees.

Lisbon is on Travel+Leisure list of destinations for November, along with other great destinations

And it also gives some ideas on what one should do in our great city.

Our capital Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills

If you climb each one of them, you will get a wonderful sight of the city and of the Tagus river, along with its southern margin. It mentions Alfama, one of the historic districts, where you can listen to fado music on many restaurants and wonder through the narrow streets. Our marvelous cuisine is never unnoticed, and the online magazine refers to seafood and fish, namely bacalhau (cod fish), which we cook in more than 100 different ways.

Photo by Tom Byrom on Unsplash

November is also a month of several cultural and business events

Vodafone Mexefest brings music to Lisbon's downtown, offering concerts in different locations, such as churches and train stations. Also, Lisbon and Sintra Film Festival brings to town many people related to the movies' industry, such as directors, writers and actors. On a business note, the Web Summit is in Lisbon for the 3rd year in a row, bringing Lisbon many entrepeneurs and techies. Travel+Leisure didn't forget our "São Martinho" celebration, on which we eat roasted chestnusts and drink Jeropiga (a delicious sweet wine). Check out the other destinations for November by Travel+Leisure.

Best Urban Hotels Shortlist by Wallpaper - and Lisbon is on it

Wallpaper magazine just announced the shortlist for Best Urban Hotels. And Portugal has one name on it.

The competition in the hotel business has never been stronger

And the same goes for the opportunities, with the travel business always increasing its numbers. These days, it is simply not enough to have great rooms, warm reception and exquisite restaurant. It is all about the experience. So, hotels are constantly introducing new services, thinking outside the box. The devil is all in the details.

This is what Wallpaper went looking for

A hotel that cultivates a sense of belonging and community... It’s all about the vibe without the starchy formality and fussy five-star frills, the current brief is for hotels to ‘drop any attitude’. Wallpaper is looking for simplicity, instead of good old glamour. In a nutshell. To help them, they surrounded themselves with six globetrotters, from diverse areas, all linking to style and beauty. A beauty entrepeneur, a creative director, an art consultant, a designer, an architect and a design curator. All looking for the Best Urban Hotels.

The shortlist has 39 names on it

But one which really stands out is our own Verride Palácio Santa Catarina hotel, in Lisbon. We could tell everything about it... but really this is a case on which the images will speak on its own. We are looking forward for January 2019 for the winner announcement!

Teresa Conceição shares her favorite Nature Parks - Part Two

We have talked about some of Portugal's Nature Parks, from the North to the Center of the territory. These were brought by Teresa Conceição, a journalist from TV channel SIC, who co-hosts the series "Ir é o melhor remédio" ("To go is the best medicine" in a free translation). She shared with the national newspaper Expresso some of her favorite Nature Parks. Today we share the ones south of the Tagus river.

Serra da Arrábida

The Arrábida Nature Park is right by the Atlantic Ocean, where it reaches in high cliffs and small coves. The diversity of the wild life is such that it is a protected area. The green forest is a contrast with the blue waters. The water at the beaches is freezing but that does scare away people, who choose these beaches for their beauty. Galapinhos is considered one of the best beaches in Europe.

Photo by F nando

Vale do Guadiana

This Nature Park rests in the Alentejo inland. Here it is possible to meet the wonderful and protected Iberian Lynx and the Royal Eagle. They make their life in this area, together with the trees and plants that create wonders one cannot forget. Pulo do Lobo is a waterfall in which resides one of the most beautiful natural atractions. Through the park makes its way the river Guadiana, all the way until the Algarve. It is also a wonderful area to try the best Alentejo cuisine.

Photo by Francisco Antunes

Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina

This park extends in a vast area, from the village of São Torpes all the way to Sagres, in the Algarve. It is a biodiversity sanctuary that has been preserved, regardless the high potential of the turist industry. It follows the coastline and offers many routes to the ones who love trekking. And for the ones who like to observe birds, it is the only place in the planet where you can see storkes laying their eggs on the cliffs.

Photo by Xuaxo

Ria Formosa

This is the farthest South Nature Park and sits in the Algarve. It is one of the seven Nature Wonders in Portugal. The area is well known for its paradise beaches. However, it holds other riches, like animal life which exists almost nowhere else in Europe, such as the chameleon. For the ones who love to observe birds, here is where they can see the flamingo, and other special birds. It is also a wonderful place to eat fish, octopus and seafood, cooked in an exquisite way.

Photo by Osvaldo Gago

Even though Portugal is a small country, its diversity and richness is well worth a visit, from North to South. These Nature Parks are just one (very good) example.

Teresa Conceição shares her favorite Nature Parks

Portugal is a small country but it offers many contrasts. High mountains, where it even snows, deep valleys, where the sun sometimes forgets to shine, and beautiful plains with wheat and old cork trees. Not to mention, of course, our wonderful coastline which offers amazing beaches and sights to the Atlantic Ocean.

Teresa Conceição is a journalist from TV channel SIC, who co-hosts the series "Ir é o melhor remédio" ("To go is the best medicine" in a free translation). She shared with the national newspaper Expresso some of her favorite Nature Parks. This is an excerpt of her sharing.

Peneda-Gerês

Nature, first. Then traditions, villages and people. This park was created in 1971 and sits in the North of Portugal. It integrates mountains Amarela, Peneda, Soajo and Gerês. The rivers Minho, Lima, Homem and Cávado flow through it and offer some marvelous sights.

Photo by José Antonio Gil Martínez

Montesinho

This mountain sits in the Northeast of Portugal and it's home of the iberian wolf. Apart from this wonderful animal, it also has many of its preys and other species. Wild boars, foxes, eagles, bucks. And of course, unique flora such as oak trees, chestnuts and heaths. The biodiversity of the Montesinho Natural Park is extraordinary!

Photo by Manuel Anastácio

Alvão

This protected area, created in 1983, invites many photographers and biodiversity lovers. It offers natural relics, not only in what concerns fauna and flora, but also in geological terms. Its ex-libris is the waterfall Fisgas do Ermelo. The river Olo floods the park with natural beauty. And it's just enough to sit and hear the sound of its water flow...

Photo by Bhavagati

Douro Internacional

The river Douro is very well-known as the cradle of Port wine. However, this long river is born in Spain and before it reaches the winery area, it has a much more wild string to it. This park holds border with our neighbour country, Spain, and it's called "hot land" for its enormous thermal amplitudes.

Serras de Aire e Candeeiros

Much far south, impressive geological formations tell an imense story. This set of mountains was craved throughout millions of years, offering dinosaurs' footprints and many pedestrian rails, One just needs to get himself lost on these lands.

Photo by Towiki60

Tejo Internacional

This Natural Park is one of the most relevant in Europe. It marks the separation of two regions, Beira Baixa and Alentejo, with the river Tejo (Tagus) in between. Portas de Rodão is where the two margins almost touch each other, offering a wonderful sight. Apart from that, the river flows generously.

Photo by Nuno Tavares

Soon we will share the rest of Teresa Conceição favourite National Parks...

Joana Vasconcelos' Castles of Portugal

oana Vasconcelos is our most renowned plastic artist, currently holding an individual exhibition at the Guggenheim in Bilbao. She takes inspiration from arquitecture in general and especially Castles and Palaces. Her exhibitions are proof of that, since she often displays her giant and modern masterpieces in wonderful heritage buildings.

This is an adaptation of what she told the national newspaper Expresso, for a special Castles and Palaces' Guide Edition.

These buildings have not only the ability to reveal our story as people and society, but also have contributed to our dreams of a happy ending, through fairy tales of princes and princesses. It is from these stories that we have formed our romance concepts and behaviours. A great deal of childrens' tales are about a princess which is saved by prince charming. All this happening in a wonderful castle and palace, leading them to a rich and fulfilled life. So we, as a society, always long for something great. It's no wonder Joana Vasconcelos takes inspiration from Portugal's Castles and Palaces. And while some make the headlines, others are hidden gems. So we're going to explore these and bring our castles to you.

Photo by Francisco Antunes [2] - Flickr [1], CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2283573

A portuguese professional surfer talks about his favorites' beaches and why he thinks surf has a lot of potential

Tiago Pires is a surf icon in Portugal and worldwide. And he has a lot to say in what concerns beaches and best surf spots in Portugal, along with the potential this sport has from a travel destination point of view.

This is an excerpt of what he told national newspaper Expresso, for a special Beaches' Guide Edition.

We have some of the best beaches of the World, much diversified and beautiful. Our cropped coast has a lot of character. Personally, I love the Vicentine Coast. In terms of natural beauty, it is and area with beautiful beaches, pretty untouched by Man. For surfing, there are good waves from North to South, although the northern ones are colder but beautiful, like Moledo beach. In terms of waves, I would say south of Nazaré and Figueira da Foz there is a lot of diversity, coming with all sizes and formats. The best known are on my special list, such as Ericeira and Peniche. Let's not forget surfing is a development factor, but these days we need to ask ourselves what can we do to keep this going. We have to take advantage of the conditions we have, in terms of waves and climate, as we have the best climate in Europe. So it is yet the time to do a profound study of surf potential in Portugal. Sport's initiation is providing jobs to many people, and it is necessary to organize this practice. Beaches are not just for surf and sun... they exist all year long. Meaning we need to understand the interaction with the beach, both with surfers and bathers. And we need to keep preserving them. One cannot love the ocean and not respect the beach. We can no longer take garbage and not put it into the bin. We have to respect and leave the beaches clean, also because of the image this offers to our country. We want the traveler to come and find a well preserved beach. We totally agree with Tiago and welcome all these initiatives to keep our beaches as they are. Beautiful and lasting.

Photo by Rita Gomes Oliveira on Unsplash

An epic journey to find best beach of 2018. In Portugal, of course!

Business Insider India came to Portugal looking for the best beach in 2018. We think it was a wise choice!

The journey started in Serra da Estrela

From there, they headed south. Although it was a longer journey, they got to appreciate Alentejo's plains, with its wheat plantations and cork trees (we call it sobreiros), for which they fell in love with.

Serra da Estrela

First stop - Alvor, Algarve

Looking for a quieter place, they followed the advise of a shop owner and went to this small and picturesque village. However, in the summer, it is hard to have a quiet place in the Algarve, so they kept looking.

Alvor, Algarve

They then followed west, hoping for less crowded beaches. The area around Sagres is known as the best spots for surfing and other ocean sports. It is a beautiful sight, with the high cliffs falling onto the Atlantic Ocean. Beaches are less crowded here, as the water temperature is lower and the wind is stronger. But, still, the best beach was not there yet.

Praia do Camilo, Algarve

Algar do Benagil, Algarve

Moving up the coast, they explored the Alentejo beaches, much more deserted and wild. This means sandy roads, not always accessible to every car. But if one gets to arrive there, it will find spectacular beaches! Downside: cold cold water.

Last stop was Arrábida

This protected area is home to many species of birds and other wildlife. A portuguese shop owner had told them to go to a secluded beach and tell noone its name. We just love secrets, so we will just keep this one, as well. And they found their idyllic beach, just then and there.

Arrábida, secret name beach

Travel along the portuguese coast

To travel along the portuguese coast is a magical experience, made of cliffs, golden sand beaches and good people.

Portugal has been known for years for the Algarve and its beaches. Actually, for many years, all which travelers knew in Portugal was the Algarve. Fortunately, our beautiful country is being discovered, from north to south, showing the World its potential. However, there are still many places which travelers are missing out. One of these examples sits, ironically, on the Algarve but on a less known area. Together with the Vicentina coast, on its neighbour region Alentejo, it offers idyllic and desert beaches, wonderful cuisine and nature reserves. Check this wonderful piece by Lonely Planet and discover more of our beautiful coast. The Algarve's wild western coast by Lonely Planet

Cape St. Vincent. Image by Lola Akinmade Åkerström / Lonely Planet

Praia do Martinhal beach. Image by Lola Akinmade Åkerström / Lonely Planet

Vicentina Coast Natural Park. Image by Lola Akinmade Åkerström / Lonely Planet

Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. Image by Lola Akinmade Åkerström / Lonely Planet

Seaside cafes in Sagres. Image by Lola Akinmade Åkerström / Lonely Planet

Local seafood is highlight of a visit to the region. Image by Lola Akinmade Åkerström / Lonely Planet

Portugal is the Hottest Destination of the Year 2018 according to Virtuoso Awards!

Following the last Virtuoso Travel Week 2018, which took place on August 11-17 at Las Vegas, the luxury travel network recognized Portugal as the Hottest Destination of 2018. The award was given to the National Tourism Bureau (Turismo de Portugal I.P.) in front of an audience of 1,700 members of the luxury travel industry, representing travel agents, hotels, airlines and cruise lines from all over the world.

Portugal is still growing as a luxury destination for the North-American Market! The last year 2017 the North-American market had a total growth of 35%, and this year of 2018 it has already grown 21,3% compared to last year first trimester.

Congratulations Portugal!

16 Fun Things To Do in Portugal with Kids

Most people here in Europe associate Portugal with beaches, nice weather, and good food. But if you have been following our blog for a while, you probably know that we are not that much into sun-tanning on the beach. 

So when I think about our recent trip to Portugal with kids, I have completely different family-friendly experiences in mind that I want to share with you. This is a selection of all kinds of fun things to do in Portugal with kids that doesn’t involve swimming, playing on the beach, visiting zoos, aquariums, or other traditional family activities. Find out!

 Best experiences to have in Portugal with kids

In no particular order, below is a list of some of the best things to do in Portugal with kids from Full Suitcase. This selection is based on our experiences that the kids enjoyed the most. You know, the kind that they keep on talking about long after the trip…

1. Ride a tuk-tuk

If you ask our kids what they liked the most in Portugal, they will unanimously vote for the tuk-tuk ride. It was the very first time they ever rode a tuk-tuk, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen all three of them so excited! Ever. So if you are traveling to Portugal with kids, make sure you take them for a tuktuk ride. You will find them in Lisbon, Porto, and Sintra.

2. Walk the city walls of Obidos

Obidos is a small medieval town just an hour North of Lisbon. Walking the old city walls was one of the most unforgettable experiences in Portugal for kids. Just be careful, especially with kids, as the walls have no rails on one side.

3. Explore the gardens of Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra 

Sintra has so many castles and palaces that it might be difficult to choose which ones to visit. There is one castle, however, that you really shouldn’t miss if visiting Sintra with kids, and that is Quinta da Regaleira.

Actually, it’s not that much the castle that kids will love the most. The garden of Quinta da Regaleira is a real paradise for little explorers! Your kids will love walking in dark secret tunnels, exploring hidden passageways, jumping over stones over water at a hidden waterfall, or climbing the spiral staircase of a 27m deep well…

Check this post for more ideas on what to see and do in Sintra in one to three days.

4. Ride Lisbon tram nr. 28, Nazaré funicular, Porto gondola, and take the kids for a boat ride

If there is one thing we learned from our trips with kids, is that children love all kinds of transportation. The more varied the better. I already mentioned the tuk-tuk rides. But there are many more fun experiences involving different means of transport that you shouldn’t miss if traveling in Portugal with kids.

Here are some of our family’s favourite transport-related activities in Portugal:

·        Ride a historic tram in Lisbon or in Porto

·        Take a funicular to the O’Sitio district in Nazaré. Read amore about it here: Visiting Nazaré fishing village in Central Portugal.

·        Ride a gondola in Porto

·        Take the kids on a sailing cruise in Lisbon (you can book this highly-rated and very affordable cruise here). Read more about it here: How to spend a perfect day in Lisbon with kids.

5. Visit the caves Grutas de Mira de Aire

Grutas de Mira de Aire is a must place to visit if traveling in Central Portugal with kids. Descend 110m below the ground and explore more than 600m of incredible underground chambers. This is something the whole family will love for sure! Oh, and don’t worry about having to climb back up – there is an elevator to take you back to the surface.

6. Taste traditional Portuguese custard cakes Pasteis de Nata

Traveling is also about getting to know the local food. Our kids are becoming more and more difficult when it comes to new culinary experiences, but they all really enjoyed the Portuguese custard cakes, pasteis de nata. 

7. Discover some of the most amazing viewpoints of Portugal

This will probably come as no surprise: our kids love climbing staircases and visiting old towers. The higher, the better.

Here are some of our favourite towers to climb and viewpoints not to miss in Portugal with kids:

·        Elevador de Santa Justa in Lisbon;

·        O Sitio district in Nazaré;

·        Dom Luís I Bridge in Porto (the bridge has two levels, the views from the top are priceless);

·        The Cathedral tower of Evora.

 8. Explore an old convent

Museums, churches, and other kinds of religious buildings are not always a big success when traveling with kids. However, Portugal has some amazing places, especially the monasteries, that any kid will love to explore. Our favourites were the monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha. Not a chance your kids will get bored here!

9. Get lost in the most beautiful forest of Portugal – Mata Nacional do Buçaco

If you like off the beaten path destinations, nature, and history, make sure you take the kids to the Bussaco forest in Luso, Central Portugal. They’ll love this ancient forest with something different and exciting to explore behind every corner. Take a picnic and make this one of the most memorable family day trips in Portugal!

10. Admire Portuguese azulejos

It would be unthinkable to visit Portugal without falling in love with the traditional Portuguese tiles – azulejos. Children will love looking for new patterns or discovering some ancient stories on the walls of residential buildings, churches, train stations, and old castles… Take the time to really explore this unique kind of art with your kids.

11. Visit Costa Nova – the most colourful town of Portugal

Take your kids to Praia da Costa Nova. This little coastal town with colourful striped houses was a favourite with our boys.

12. Visit a local market

Our kids love visiting markets. There is so much to see, to touch, to taste…

We visited a couple of markets in Portugal with kids, but there was one that left them speechless – a local seafood market in Costa Nova. They didn’t know where to look first – there was a huge variety of fish, but also octopus, shrimp, crab… And then there were eels, hundreds of eels, alive and crawling, waiting for a buyer to take them home for dinner. The kids couldn’t believe their eyes! 

13. Explore Porto by night

One of the best parts of any vacation for our kids is being able to stay up late. They love exploring new places at night!

Our favourite place to explore late in the evening in Portugal was the Cais da Ribeira waterfront area in Porto. Not only does it have some incredible views, you will also find a really great atmosphere with nice also family-friendly restaurants and lots of street performers. The whole family loved it!

14. Buy a Portuguese hat

We try not to buy many souvenirs when we travel, but it’s something our kids look forward to on every trip. I guess all kids do…

If you buy one souvenir in Portugal for your kids, make it a hat. It’s the best 5 Euros you can spend! Not only will it protect them from the harsh sun, it will make all the vacation pictures so much more stylish.

15. Visit a real-life Disney castle – Pena Palace

Portugal is home to many castles, but there is one that kids will definitely remember long after the trip. Palace of Pena in Sintra is probably the most colorful castle in the world. It’s like walking into a real-life Disney castle.

16. Look for street art

City trips can be tiring for children. Looking for street art is a great way to keep the kids busy and involved when exploring Lisbon or Porto. You will be amazed at how much street art there is, and the kids are really good in finding it!

 So, this is our selection of somewhat unusual things to do in Portugal with kids. Of course, you can spend a day at the beach with your family (check the best beaches in Algarve!), take the plunge in the pool, visit an aquarium or a zoo… Portugal has many family-friendly activities. I just wanted to show you that traveling with kids doesn’t always have to be about beaches and theme parks. Not even if visiting such a typical European beach vacation destination as Portugal.

Source: Full Suitcase | See more hidden things to do in Portugal here. 

25 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Portugal

#1 - Quinta da Regaleira

Eccentrically decorated palace and gardens replete with grottoes, fountains, underground tunnels, caves, and numerous statues.

#2- Livraria Lello

One of the most beautiful bookstores in the world hides an Neo-Gothic interior behind a Art-Nouveau facade.

#3 - The Village of Monsanto

Houses are tucked between, on, and underneath giant boulders.

#4- Portugal's Chapel of Bones

A 16th century chapel decorated with bones, skulls, and entire bodies hanging from the wall.

#5 - Pena National Palace

This unreal Portuguese palace looks as though it's made from a pile of different castles.

#6 - Drowned Village of Vilarinho da Furna

A submerged village appears when dam levels drop.

#7- Carmo Convent Ruins

Legacy of the earthquake that nearly wiped Lisbon off the face of the Earth.

Walls built of femurs

#8- Capela de Ossos Bone Chapel

This small chapel is built of human bones and decorated with a golden skeleton.

#9 - Livraria Bertrand

The world's oldest bookshop still in operation.

#10- Boca do Inferno

A unique seaside cave where Aleister Crowley faked his own death.

#11 - Convento de Cristo

The medieval castle built as headquarters for the Pope's secretive Knights Templar.

#12 - Belem Tower Rhinoceros 

A king's pet, a pope's gift, an artist's inspiration, and a tragic shipwreck.

#13 - Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors)

An ancient and majestic fortress that played an integral role in Portugal's road to independence.

#14 - Capela do Senhor da Pedra

Picturesque intersection of witchcraft and ancient Christianity.

#15 - Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias

This fairy-tale, neo-Gothic church in the Azores is a world of magical realism.

#16- Igreja de São Francisco

The stunning interior of this Gothic church is covered in ornate gold details.

#17 - Stone House

A small Portuguese cottage formed between boulders in the countryside.

#18 - Santa Justa Lift

This Industrial Age architectural and engineering gem helps visitors and residents alike traverse Lisbon, “The City of Seven Hills.”

#19 - Jerónimos Monastery

Elaborately carved to showcase the glorious wealth that the age of exploration brought to the Portuguese empire.

#20 - Bom Jesus do Monte

A stunning 18th-century site where pilgrims ascend by a series of punishing stairs only to return via funicular.

#21 - Fort of Graça

This star-shaped military outpost is now simply trying to protect itself from neglect.

#22 - Mina de São Domingos (Sao Domingos Mines)

An abandoned mine now resembles a post-apocalyptic landscape of derelict buildings and blood-red pools of water.

#23 - Bordallo Pinheiro Garden

A garden in Lisbon filled with giant porcelain creations.

#24 - Ponte da Misarela (Misalera Bridge)

Local lore says the devil built this beautiful medieval bridge to help a fleeing bandit.

Montemor-o-Novo Castle

#25 - Montemor-o-Novo Castle

This crumbling Portuguese ruin overlooks the populace it once ruled.

Source: Atlas Obscura | See more hidden things to do in Portugal here.