Tips on traveling smart and on a budget
(I’ve just updated this for 2020 pricing. The process was exactly the same) I’ve worn glasses since I was about 11. Contacts since I was about 13. Before I moved to Lisbon I went to the optometrist and ordered a year’s worth of contacts since I knew I would not speak the language and was …
I moved to Portugal last year and I have learned a phase which will sum up every time you were cut in line by the woman with the big hair. In Portugal, she is called “Tia de Cascais”. What is a Tia de Cascais? Tia de Cascais (noun): A wealthy woman who lives in the Portuguese …
My days of renting cars for pennies (€45 – €85 per month) are over sadly. The price for rentals has recently skyrocketed in the last few months. For the past year, I had a great system for renting cars in Lisbon cheap. In February, I was able to rent a car for €45 with insurance …
Blanca and I have always dreamt of getting our perfect Frank Lloyd Wright style home. Somewhere near the beach, not too far from the city and near the mountains. It’s a dream we have been researching like crazy and now that we moved to Lisbon, got a dog (a beautiful Portuguese Podengo) we have the …
If you’re coming to visit Lisbon and want to take home your not-so-average souvenirs, then you need to visit the Feira da Ladra, Lisbon’s Flea Market. Most people think it’s named after thieves, but it’s actually named after the ladro a bug that is found in old furniture. This is the place where you can find a …
Firm bodied. Smart. You are a Portuguese’s avó’s first son. I love you, but please let people pass. People are trying to walk by you but we cannot because your in the middle of the street, road, or beco. Sadly, this plead won’t happen because this is Portugal and people stand in the middle of …
Now that we have residency in Portugal, we’re trying to get to know as much of Portugal as we can. That means we’re taking tons of day trips from Lisbon. Our latest was a day trip to Obidos. If you’ve heard the name, you have probably tried their signature drink, Ginja de Obidos, but that’s …
I’ve learned plenty of languages. I am fluent in English and Spanish. I speak French quite well and I will never go hungry in Italy. I’ve also learned enough Croatian, Mandarin, and Hungarian to at least order a glass of wine. I will tell you right now that Portuguese has been one of the most …
If you’re making the move to become an expat in Portugal, you may think of shipping your furniture over. Our advice, don’t. It’s a wasteful stress of time that I have not yet written about because I still get angry about the whole process. Our relocation company when moving to Lisbon sucked, big time. Anyway…if you …
Visa runs. Everyone hates it. Once you get excited in living in Europe, Thailand, USA or countless other countries you’re forced to leave when your Visa runs out. I decided to put together a quick calculator to give you the entry and exit date when booking your flights, train, bus or mule travel over the …
If you want to find an apartment in Lisbon, prepare to be frustrated…and to shell out some dough. Lisbon is no longer the cheap place to live. Due to its gorgeous climate and everyone gushing about how amazing it is, it is no longer a value when it comes to housing. I did a lot …
I am from NYC. I grew up in the city. I curse like I am the step-mother of a Disney princess. It is in the blood of every New Yorker (and everyone who is bridge & tunnel) but doesn’t in Lisbon. The Lisboetas or Alfacinhas as they call themselves (a bit more on that later) do …
Mafra is one of my favorite day trips from Lisbon. Besides having a fantastic Palace, the city has gorgeous nature, a basilica, a library that Belle would die for, great places to eat AND bats (yeah…you heard me right, these guys would give the bats in Austin a run for their money). If you’re coming …
As an American expat/immigrant living in Portugal, I am continually rating the services I receive in Lisboa by the level I would receive in New York City. It’s not fair. I know. But, it’s hard not to compare the Big Apple with my new home, but it’s what we do. If a waiter is rude, …
One of the best things about Lisbon besides its beautiful parks, incredible museums, and delicious restaurants is the city’s proximity to amazing beaches. If you’re in Lisbon, you can be on a beach in under 30 minutes – and that’s both by car or by train. If you’re coming to Lisbon and you need some …