Cesca Rampley

Culture vulture from London with a passion for all things foodie. I’ve lived abroad for almost 10 years, floating from one magical place to another. I studied literature at university in the eclectic city of Brighton, and since then, I’ve been hooked on keeping up with what to do, see, and, of course, eat. I’m a firm believer in appreciating and learning from local cultures, travelling responsibly, and giving new things a go with an open mind and a healthy dose of curiosity. I try to share useful tips, local insights and a bit of honest know-how, so you can make the most of wherever you find yourself.

Living in Tomar: life in the Templar city

Tomar feels as if it’s been plucked from a medieval epic and set down gently on the banks of the Nabão River.

Living in São Miguel: life on the Azores' Green Island

As the largest and most populated island in the Azores, this speck of Portugal in the middle of the Atlantic offers a life quite unlike any on the mainland. It’s not hard to see why it earned the nickname ‘Green Island’.

Living in Ericeira: Portugal's World Surfing Reserve

Just a short drive up the coast from Lisbon lies Ericeira, a traditional fishing town that has earned its place on the global map. As Europe’s only World Surfing Reserve, it's a spot where cobbled streets and blue-and-white houses meet a deeply ingrained, laid-back surf culture.

Traditional food in Lisbon: what to eat in Portugal's capital

Lisbon’s food scene is a fantastic mix of the old and the new. You have tiny, traditional restaurants tucked down side streets, right alongside busy food markets where you can try a bit of everything.

Tourist Tax in Portugal: 2025 rates for Lisbon, the Algarve & Madeira

To help manage the impact of high visitor numbers, many popular destinations levy a tourist tax. This supplementary fee is charged to visitors staying in a city or region, typically on a per-person, per-night basis, and is collected directly by accommodation providers.

Things to do in Madeira: hikes, Funchal sights & local food

Floating in the Atlantic Ocean, closer to Africa than to mainland Portugal, Madeira is an island with a character all its own. It's often called the 'island of eternal spring', and for good reason, as the weather stays mild throughout the year.

Portuguese passport ranks 4th globally: visa-free travel & EU benefits

A passport is far more than a simple travel document; it is a measure of global mobility and the key that can unlock opportunities across the world.

Living in Funchal: Madeira’s gentle capital

Located between Atlantic waves and green hills, Funchal is Madeira’s easy-going capital with a distinctly local flavour. Life unfolds at a comfortable pace, with daily routines shaped by the sea, mountain air, and a city centre full of markets and friendly faces.

Best places in Portugal for digital nomads

Thinking about life as a digital nomad in Portugal? While Lisbon and Porto often top lists of the best places in Portugal for digital nomads—with all the perks and some rapidly rising rents—they’re far from your only options.

Sustainable living in Portugal: off-grid homes and eco-villages

What’s happening with sustainable living in Portugal is more than just a passing phase. It's genuinely becoming part of the culture now, popping up in the cities as much as it is in rural communities.