Portugal by Heart

27/08/2026

A Truth About Benagil

I am truly fortunate to have built my own company; it's given me a job I’m passionate about and often lets me enjoy incredible experiences like the one shown in these photos.
Fortunately, the people around me get to share in that good fortune, too. A few weeks ago, I went to a hotel in the Algarve to meet some clients, and when I arrived at the reception, I saw my wife. She had posed as a client and exchanged a series of emails with me, all to ensure I’d take a few days off.

During our stay, we decided to take a boat trip to Benagil. It was simply awful, not because the boat lacked comfort or safety, nor because of the service quality (which was actually excellent). Still, the experience itself was deeply disappointing and unsettling. Our boat stopped near the cave entrance, and we transferred to a smaller boat to go inside; it felt like dropping €20 straight to the bottom of the sea (the cost of boarding that smaller vessel). You feel bad not about the money itself, but about the sheer stupidity of having let that €20 go to waste.
There were boats and hundreds of kayaks all over the area, and they all shared a single goal: getting into the cave to snap that coveted photo. The result? Our boat had to maneuver constantly to avoid ramming into the kayaks. Collisions were inevitable, though thanks to a mix of luck and skill no one was hurt. Fortunately, our skipper was a true professional. In the end, we barely got a glimpse of the cave, and I didn't manage to take a single photo worth sharing. If you’re visiting the Algarve during peak season, think twice before deciding to visit Benagil. The best part of the experience was snorkeling and hanging out together, lying in the boat's hammock. (Note: I’ve done this tour before in November and loved it.)

So, yesterday, after I don't know how many weeks, I drove to Lagos to drop off some clients and arrived quite early. I decided to go on a boat tour. I paid €50 (the minimum price for two passengers), but it was an INCREDIBLE experience. All I could think about was how much I wanted to share the moment with my Goddess. It was simply amazing the best money I spent all week.

We actually went inside several caves, and I had the chance to find the best angles and take all the photos I wanted. Yes, there were other boats nearby and entering the same caves, but certainly far fewer of them.

If you’d like to get in touch with these small boat operators, send me a private message; I can provide the contact person's name and mobile number, along with a 20% discount code. When booking, you can even arrange for some extra time to go for a swim.
Sorry, I can't share the contact details here, but I don't have authorization to do so.

16/08/2026

🚩🚩 I’ve got some bad news for you! 🚩🚩

There’s really no such thing as “natural wine”.

What does exist is low-intervention wine.

Just like the wines made at this small winery. And you won’t find these in the usual tourist guides.

Out here, time feels different. Slower. Calmer.

Nature sets the rhythm.

Every vine, every stone, every harvest carries its own story.

We recently had the chance to visit a small producer who, like us, is deeply connected to the countryside, to wine, and to the work behind it. Someone whose passion is so genuine it’s impossible not to feel it.

Here, making wine isn’t about chasing perfection.

It’s about respect.

Respect for the land, for the vines, and for what each year brings.

That’s why intervention in the cellar is kept to an absolute minimum.

The idea isn’t to control or standardise nature, but to listen to it.

No added enzymes, no selected yeasts, no unnecessary bacteria.

Just the pure expression of the grape, the soil, and the character of each vintage.

Sulfite levels are also kept very low. In some cases, around five times lower than what you’d typically find in conventional wines.

What you get is wine that feels honest.

Wines that speak clearly about where they come from, about the grapes they’re made from, and about the year they were born in.

But the real story starts long before the bottle.

It begins in the vineyard.

In the daily care of a living ecosystem, where balance between soil, insects, plants, and climate is everything.

Because a healthy vineyard doesn’t just produce grapes, it produces truth.

And maybe that’s exactly what people find so special here.

Respect for nature isn’t a concept. It’s a way of life.

Bottles are sealed by hand with wax instead of plastic capsules.

Labels are applied one by one using natural pine resin glue.

During harvest, friends and family come together to help keep a tradition alive that has been passed down through generations.

Of course, some technology is involved.

But above all, there are people.

People who know every parcel of land.

People who work with their hands.

Who observe, listen, and learn from nature every single day.

And through experiences like this, you realise that travelling through Portugal is about much more than beautiful landscapes.

It’s about connection.

About stories you don’t find in guidebooks.

About sitting at a table with the people who live from the land.

And about understanding that inside a bottle of Douro wine, there is so much more than wine.

There is a landscape.

A heritage.

A way of life.

All cared for with a rare kind of dedication.

And this is the Portugal that moves us.

And the Portugal we love to share. ❤️

Portugal by Heart
Where luxury meets soul. Where travels turn into lifelong friendships.

Note: It is not only in the Douro region that quality and unique wines are produced.

08/05/2026

The typical Douro region's open-air kitchen warmly welcomes friends and family for lunches that unfold at the region's tranquil pace, where laughter and shared toasts are the only things that break the silence. These gatherings often extend until the sun sets on the horizon, creating memories in the twilight glow.
A kitchen carefully carved into the whitewashed schist walls helps keep the space cool, while a wooden counter made from an old house door and wooden crates filled with freshly picked oranges and lemons from a short walk around the property bring vibrant colors and a sense of life. The iron pots on the floor whisper promises of comforting flavors slowly cooked over low heat, shaped by centuries of know-how.

The Douro is more than a landscape; it's an experience for the senses, an invitation to celebrate life's simple joys. This is where regional sausages, freshly baked bread, and the purest olive oil come together in perfect harmony, complemented by wines that honor the elegance of the land, the strength of its vines, and the passion of those who cultivate them. No photograph can truly capture the essence of these landscapes.

Visitors to this land are not mere tourists; they are welcomed as friends and invited to share the table, enjoying the warm hospitality and the best of this very special region.

The Douro awaits you with open arms. Let yourself be touched by the beauty of its simplicity and the extraordinary warmth that resides there.

José Azevedo Right
Portugal by Herat

26/11/2023

Olive oil holds a significant place in Portuguese cuisine and culture, and it's crucial to understand its relevance to the country's history. This healthy ingredient is used in various dishes, including salads, grilled vegetables, fish, and meat dishes, and traditional desserts such as convent sweets.

Here are some important facts about olive oil and its significance in the Portuguese culture and history:

1. Portugal has a rich history of olive oil production that dates back centuries. The use of olive oil in the Portuguese diet, both as food and as an essential cultural element, has been passed down through generations. The country has established itself as one of the world's largest olive oil producers, with the Alentejo region being a famous producer of high-quality olive oil. Other regions such as Douro, Trás-os-Montes, and Beira Interior also boast of local olive oil production. (I personally like Douro and Beiras Olive Oil)

2. Olive oil is so crucial to the Portuguese that it is nicknamed green gold. Several festivals and events related to olives and olive oil production are held in several regions of Portugal, including the "Festa da Oliveira" in Trás-os-Montes and the "Festa do Azeite" in Ferreira does Alentejo. These events celebrate ancient traditions and offer visitors the opportunity to participate in activities related to the harvesting and production of olive oil.

3. Olive oil is known for its health benefits, and it helps reduce the risk of heart disease. The antioxidants present in olive oil also promote overall body health.

4. Portugal boasts of different olive varieties, each with unique flavor and aroma characteristics. The most common varieties include Galega, Cobrançosa, Cordovil, and Verdeal.

In the photographs, we can see workers traditionally harvesting olives in the Douro region.

01/11/2023

Wow! Today was an incredible day! I had the opportunity to organize a completely unusual tour, and my clients, as happens most days, were incredible and super friendly. It was one of those days when I remembered why I am so passionate about my work, despite all the work and dedication it requires. I feel extremely grateful for this unforgettable experience!

01/11/2023

Hold on to your hats, folks, because the Historical Village of Sortelha in Portugal has just won the "Best Tourist Village" award for the third time in a row from the World Tourism Organization! And it's no surprise, given that this hidden gem is nestled among steep rocks that form a natural ring, with medieval streets, alleys, and a 13th-century castle that are so well-preserved, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time.

The "WTO Best Tourist Villages" initiative recognizes only the best-of-the-best villages that are committed to preserving their cultural and historical heritage, promoting sustainable tourism, and Sortelha's innovative sustainability practices have really set it apart.

But that's not all - the Historical Villages of Portugal are like hidden paradises that transport visitors on a journey through the past, complete with exciting legends, thrilling castle visits, and unique traditions and flavors that are sure to leave you with unforgettable memories of adventure and discovery.

23/10/2023

A few weeks away from turning 92, this impeccably dressed lady is still in charge of the kitchen of the restaurant where we can eat one of the tastiest rice dishes in the country 😋

28/04/2023

Yesterday we had the chance to do a tranfer Porto-Lisbon.
During this tranfer we had a few stops chosen by the wonderful couple we were taking, to finish of they had a toated offerd by us, to end with a chefs kiss.
Here is some of the pictures we took in those stops.

22/04/2023

Reviews like this are the result of dedication and passion for what I do. I always strive to provide the best for experience ever. Another memorable tour 😃


🇵🇹 🇪🇸

28/03/2023