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.
Portugal does the festive season with a cosy, neighbourhood feel: twinkly squares, proper artisan stalls, and plenty of warming snacks. You'll get cork crafts, ceramics and textiles alongside seasonal favourites like bolo-rei, roasted chestnuts and cups of ginjinha.
Madeira is already humming with festive buzz as Funchal's Christmas lights go up. Crews started stringing up the illuminations in early October, so by the time December arrives, the centre feels like a living postcard.
Portugal’s housing market is still inching upward, and the gap between everyday prices and the most expensive places to buy property in Portugal has grown stark.
Living in Faro means easing into the laid‑back capital of the Algarve, where a compact old town meets the lagoon. With a population of around 60,000, life feels refreshingly local.
Portugal consistently sits near the top of Europe’s league table for safe travel, and the 2026 ranking from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection confirms it: Portugal is comfortably within the top 15 safest countries worldwide to travel to. BHTP's safest destinations report explainedThe BHTP St