Tips on traveling smart and on a budget
Strikes and protests are quite popular in Portugal. Next month, the National Union of Drivers of the Portuguese Railways (SMAQ) will be conducting a series of strikes at CP (Comboios Portugal). They will affect schedules the entire month. The union cites unaddressed issues requiring urgent attention as the primary reason for the strike action. What …
Even though I live in Lisbon which is super close to the beach, I didn’t make it to the beach in the past 3 years. This year, I have made it a mission to get to know all the beaches within an hour of Lisbon. This is the first of those posts, and I started …
Exploring the Best Beaches in Ericeira – Less Than an Hour from Lisbon Read More »
Antonio and I constantly argue about which EU country has the worst drivers. Of course, it’s always a toss-up between Italy and Portugal. But one thing we can both agree on is that road safety in the EU needs significant improvements. In 2022 alone, over 20,000 lives were lost on EU roads, and sadly, most …
Breaking News: EU Proposes Major Updates to Driver Licenses Read More »
I go food shopping daily; I am lucky to have a Supercor, a Lidl, and an Aldi nearby. I am sad to report that daily shopping is getting more painful by the day. Food prices have increased significantly. On average, the cost of essential food items has risen by 23% compared to the same month …
Food Prices In Portugal Up 30% Since The Beginning of The War Read More »
I have been a fan of AirBnB for years. The company is who I think of when I think of short term accommodations. They are not the only ones who will be affected by the changes being put in place by the Portuguese government to address the artificially scarce housing market in Portugal with the …
Portuguese Condominiums Can Terminate Alojamento Local Licenses Read More »
Before moving to Portugal, I had only visited Lisbon (many times), and the Algarve. Now that I have been here over five years (and now that COVID-19 is better controlled) I plan to visit all of Portugal’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. Portugal is renowned for its remarkable history, culture, and urban landscapes, and there is …
Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal Read More »
2023 Changes to Portugal’s Golden Visa: The program is being cancelled ***Portugal has decided to end its golden visa program for foreign property buyers to address the country’s lack of affordable housing. When I moved to Lisbon, it was a completely different city than it is today. Buildings were in shambles, tourism was manageable, and …
Changes to Portugal’s Golden Visa: Cancellation Of The Program Read More »
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As if it wasn’t hard enough to get your kids enrolled in private schools, Portuguese Private Schools Full. Parents in Lisbon and throughout the country are scrambling as the public education system in Portugal struggles with strikes and protests from teachers and staff, demand for private schools is on the rise. Many private schools have already …
I’ve been living in Portugal since 2017. I’m not the only one looking to make Portugal home. When I first got here, I noticed lots of French “expats” (immigrants or whatever you want to call us), Brits, and Nepalese. Now, I see people from all over, particularly Brazilians. Today, I’m going to break down the …
When people think of Carnaval, they usually think of Brazil, with its famous Rio de Janeiro parade and samba schools. However, what many people may not know is that Portugal also has a rich tradition of Carnaval celebrations that are just as authentic and lively. In fact, many of the Carnaval Celebrations in Portugal are run …
Unleash the Fun: Exploring Carnaval Celebrations in Portugal Read More »
I’ve got a love/hate relationship with cruises. I thought I’d hate them, until I took one and found out that I loved it. That being said, they are horrible for the environment, they don’t help local economies (really), and for a city as small as Lisbon they really cause an overinflation of neighborhoods that are …
Looks like the folks in Lisbon are in for a wild ride, because the city just signed a collaboration agreement to tame the scooter and bicycle wildlings with new electric scooter laws in Lisbon! What You Need to Know Before Riding An Electric Scooter in Lisbon Speed Limits: That’s right, those reckless scooter riders will have …
Scooting Around the Rules: The Latest Electric Scooter Laws In Portugal Read More »
The rise of Natural gas prices should come as no surprise. Although Portugal is not dependent on Russia for gas, it is a part of the EU. This has caused an increase of about 3% that started on January 1. In Portugal, the monthly bill (on average) runs around €27. For people who pay around the average, …
Feeling the Burn: The Rise of Natural Gas Prices in Portugal Read More »
Lisbon just gets better and better. The expansion of Lisbon’s metro system is set to continue with the addition of a violet line running to Loures and Odivelas. The new line will provide faster and more convenient transportation for residents and visitors to these areas, as well as improving connectivity with the rest of the …