PORTUGAL

“Life is what we make of it. Travel is the traveler. What we see isn’t what we see but what we are.” ― Fernando Pessoa

The land of my ancestors, my mother’s homeland… my nationality! Portugal is obviously very close to my heart, but it also is an amazing place to visit. My mother grew up in the place where her family is from, the Açores! The Açores are an archipelago quite far off the coast of mainland Portugal. The largest island is São Miguel and I’ve visited numerous times. Our beautiful summer home is located in Caloura, this quaint and pristine town by the ocean. With my uncle and aunt living down the street and my cousins living up the mountain, you could say that I know everyone around me!

Of course, Lisbon is an incredible city with so much to offer. From the most delicious natas in Belem to the numerous historic sites, the city is full of interest. You can easily take day trips to nearby Sintra to visit the whimsical castle of Pena Palace or to Cascais for its popular beach.

Portuguese cuisine is one of my favourites. Their seafood and fish are like no other place. Octopus, sardines, crab, scallops, everything is available here!

There are so many places to discover like the Algarve, filled with whitewashed fishing villages doted between cliffs and long stretches of white beaches. Northern Portugal blends with Galicia and represents a distinct region of the country. Porto is the new hip city in Europe, with its cobbled streets, port wine and plenty of cafes. There is so much more to discover about Portugal and I hope to visit a new part every year.