If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that I’ve lived most of my life in Portugal. I came here with my family when I was just ten years old and I’ve never left. Growing up, I had intended to go back to the UK and start a new life there, after university. However, on my 16th birthday I met the love of my life and all my plans went belly up lol. I never went back to the UK to live and I never went to university. There was just no way that I could possibly leave him. And so I stayed and we’ve lived very happily in this part of the world ever since.
Coming home
There have been times when I’ve desperately wanted us to move elsewhere – England, Canada, Scotland, Wales, Ireland LOL. But, in the past few years (probably since turning 40 really), I’ve come to realise that I already live somewhere pretty special. Portugal really is a gem of a place. Of course it has its negatives. Everywhere does. But it really has a place in my heart. It’s home. And, to be honest, I can’t really imagine living anywhere else any more. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always LOVE to travel and visit lots of different places, but there’s always something amazing about coming home.
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- Camels at the Silves Medieval Festival
A beautiful beach not too far from Praia do Carvoeiro where I grew up
The stunning city of Lagos
One of many incredible clifftop walks – and no, I didn’t walk far in those shoes!
Beautiful old street in the city of Portimao
Portimao street art
Portugal has lots to offer – I’m not going to go into any great detail here. Suffice to say, it has a pretty good climate so if you love the outdoors, you’ll love it here. It also has a lot of history (the medieval festivals here are amazing – see above) and there’s some beautiful towns and cities to get a great historical and cultural (and architectural) fix. It has some of the most stunning beaches and clifftop views that you’ll ever see. There’s a couple of fabulous motor racing circuits for motorheads (I’m married to one lol). One in Estoril, near Lisbon and the other very close to where I live (a bit too close at times!). The people are generally very warm and friendly and the food. Well… the food can rival anywhere on the planet if you ask me!
Hubby doing his thing!
Calla Shoes
Products that are made here in Portugal tend to be of particularly good quality and I am always very proud to own anything made in this country. For example, one of my absolute favourite shoe companies, Calla Shoes, prides itself on the fact that its shoes are made in Portugal – Porto to be exact. I have several pairs (a few were very kindly gifted to me over the past few years and some I bought myself) and they are ALL incredibly well made, beautifully designed and are the most comfy shoes you’ll ever wear. I’m hoping that one on these days I’ll get to meet Jennifer, the founder of Calla on one of her trips over here. When she couldn’t find any comfortable and stylish shoes for bunions, Jennifer decided to start the company and do it herself. I, and several of my blogging buddies, are grateful that she did! You can read some of my previous posts about Calla here, here, here and here.
Portuguese wine
I obviously love it lol!!
Other things that come from Portugal that are simply amazing include cork products and wine. Of course wine – how could I not mention Portuguese wine? Personally, I think it is the best in the world. There are several wine regions over here – all of which produce the most exquisite (and very reasonably priced) wine. Although the Douro region (Porto area) and the Alentejo (just north of the Algarve) are particularly well known for their wines (and they are delicious), I tend to favour wine that comes from the area just south of Lisbon. It used to be known as Terras do Sado but is now known as Península de Setúbal. The white wines from there are simply divine. If you’re in the UK and want to know more about Portuguese wines, I highly recommend you visit Lusus Wines who import Portuguese wines and who happen to be very good friends of mine too!
Say cheese!
And going back to Porto, I should also give the famous port wine a mention too! OMG, is there anything better than a glass of port and a piece of Portuguese goat’s cheese? LOL… now that’s something else the Portuguese do really well – cheese. I’m not talking about cow’s cheese because I’m lactose intolerant, I’m talking about the most delicious goat’s cheese ever. There are so many options and they are all divine.
Oh, almost forgot to mention the coffee! Seriously, Portuguese coffee is simply the best. There are no other words lol.
I could quite easily go on and on about what is wonderful about Portugal lol, but I won’t. Today is Portugal Day after all, and I think I shall go and celebrate with a lovely glass of wine and a large piece of cheese. Or perhaps a nice cold bottle of Super Bock, Cristal or Sagres? Yes…. something else I forgot to mention. Portuguese lager is simply the best too, of course. Now, what shall I have for lunch? Hm? Perhaps some chicken piri-piri? Mmmmm, now there’s a thought…
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