Christmas Vacation in Portugal
January 14, 2024We sort of have a go to itinerary for friends that come to Portugal and spend a few days with us on their holiday. Our standard Alentejo highlights include visits to Monsaraz, Evora and Estremoz. Typically our guests have already spent a few days in Lisbon or elsewhere and are then looking to spend a few days with us in the country. However, on this occasion, our guest in coming between Christmas and New Years and staying for a week, so I’ll need to do a bit more planning to give our guest both a taste of Portugal (Lisbon and…
First Christmas in Portugal
December started just perfect to kick off the holiday season. The weather was sunny and comfortable but much cooler with a high of only 13C/55F. Perfect weather for a visit to the Estremoz Saturday market to look for holiday trinkets.…
Olive Harvesting
It’s olive harvesting season here in the Alentejo. It’s a busy time of year as property owners with olive trees (which includes just about everyone around here) scramble to pull all those green and black fruits from the trees. Whether…
Fall in the Alentejo
Although summer in the Alentejo extends well into September and October, once the hot, dry summer months have ended, it’s time to prepare for the Fall and winter months, which will include lots of rain and some cold, damp nights.…
Estremoz Saturday Market and Castle Tour
The Saturday market in Estremoz is pure Europe. Vegetables, fruit, bread, marinated olives and all sorts of cured meats and sausages are for sale at this weekly market. Vendors line the streets with their small booths bloated with all kinds…
Monsaraz Day Trip
A trip to Portugal would not be complete without visiting the walled village of Monsaraz. You’ll be rewarded with amazing views, excellent dining, and boutiques selling local wines, olive oil, rugs and pottery. This historic village is a special gem…
Wake-up Walk
I typically wake up with a cat tucked into my arm. He’s content to follow the rhythm of my sleep cycle. Although I wake up at 6:00 A.M., we have an understanding that 6:00-7:00 A.M. is my transition period from…
Redondo Street Flower Festival (Ruas Floridas)
Every two years the streets of Redondo, in the Alentejo region of Portugal, come alive with flowers. Not actually alive, since they’re paper flowers, but absolutely alive with color and creativity. And it’s not just flowers. Animals, movie characters, food…
Setting up the Coffee Station
I’ve been getting the house set up with all the necessities and the daily coffee experience is one of them. Starting the day with a great cup of coffee is critical to a successful day. It’s the second thing I…
Welcome to our Portugal Home
Monte da Casa Branco is the name of our new home in Portugal. It translates as ‘white house on the hill’. The house is very white but the area it sits on is not much of a hill since this…
Moving to a New Country
Portugal is now home. It’s not the first time we’ve moved out of the United States. Back in 2005, we moved to Singapore and lived there for two years, so we’ve had some practice being expats. I always find it…
