Articles
Every destination has a story worth telling. From scenic road trips and local food to unforgettable experiences and practical travel guides, you'll find it all here. Discover stories that might inspire your own next adventure, uncover hidden gems, and help you plan unforgettable journeys with confidence.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum: a visit that leaves no one indifferent
Personal belongings, photographs and the testimonies of the hibakusha tell what happened in the city on 6 August 1945. A heavy visit, the kind that stays with you long after you leave.
So, what exactly is the Commonwealth?
A word almost everyone recognises but few people can actually explain. It brings together 56 independent countries with very distinct histories and political systems - find out how this organisation came about, how it works and what still unites them today.
A quick escape to Rastoke, the Croatian village of waterfalls
Wooden mills, water falling between the houses and the quiet of Rastoke: the right stop between Zagreb and the Plitvice Lakes.
An intense climb to Coit Tower
Over 500 steep steps, wild parrots and Depression-era murals reward the climb to San Francisco's most storied hilltop tower.
Visiting the Terracotta Army in Xi'an
A guide to visiting the Terracotta Army in Xi'an: the story of Qin Shi Huang, our experience on a guided tour, plus tickets, opening hours and tips.
Cairns: The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree
Cairns is the perfect base for exploring tropical north Queensland - from the Great Barrier Reef to the Daintree. What to see and do in the city.
Our Visit to St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican
We climbed the 551 steps to the dome without queuing and walked through an almost empty St Peter's Basilica. By the time we left, the queue to get in was long.
Is Blue Spring Worth Visiting?
Incredibly crystal-clear waters and intense shades of blue make the Blue Spring, in Putāruru, a true natural treasure on New Zealand's North Island.
Exploring the Hiroshima Castle Complex
Long before the atomic bomb, Hiroshima Castle was the city’s feudal power centre. Discover its history and what to see across the whole complex.
Quinta das Lágrimas
The Coimbra gardens where Portugal's most tragic love story unfolded, between prince Pedro and Ines, with fountains that still whisper the legend.
Shanghai Tower, China's Highest Observation Deck
Going up the Shanghai Tower, the highest observation deck in China: our experience on the 118th-floor observatory, plus tickets, opening hours and tips for your visit.
Daintree Rainforest: The Oldest Tropical Rainforest in the World
The oldest rainforest in the world isn't in Brazil, but in the far north of Australia - what it was like to visit the Daintree Rainforest.
RENATA Restaurant & Terrace: a birthday dinner that exceeded our expectations
A birthday dinner at RENATA Restaurant & Terrace, in Gaia, with a view over Porto's Ribeira. Reinvented Portuguese cuisine, a stunning terrace and impeccable service - our full experience.
What Feudal Japan Was and Who the Samurai Were
Discover what Feudal Japan was and who the samurai really were. A simple guide to the shoguns, daimyo and 700 years of Japanese history.
Great Barrier Reef: The Largest Coral Reef in the World
The largest living structure in the world, off the coast of Australia - what it was like to visit the Great Barrier Reef.
Red Rock Canyon: A Day Trip from Vegas
The unplanned desert detour that saved our day when Death Valley closed: red cliffs, a scenic loop and a lucky free entry near Vegas.
5 attractions in Viana do Castelo
Five of the prettiest spots in this traditional Minho city, from a hilltop sanctuary to the famous Berliners and the legend behind its name.
New Zealand: 15 days at the end of the world
Fifteen days road-tripping across New Zealand, on the other side of the world — the longest trip I've ever taken and one of the most unforgettable.
1-Day Itinerary in Sacramento
Twenty stops for one day in California's capital, from the grand State Capitol to the Gold Rush charm of Old Sacramento beside the river.
China: a box full of surprises
China was the biggest box of surprises of all my travels: from Shanghai to the Avatar mountains, from the terracotta warriors to the pandas of Chengdu.
Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park
A relaxing São Miguel park of waterfalls and old watermills, crowned by the Bride's Veil cascade, and best of all it's free to visit.
Bacalhôa Buddha Eden, the Buddha garden
Europe's largest oriental garden, born as a protest, where golden Buddhas and a terracotta army rest among vineyards near Lisbon.
Salesforce Park in San Francisco
A lush rooftop garden hidden among San Francisco's skyscrapers, with 600 trees, a free cable car and two historic buildings next door.
ESTA: the document you need for the USA
Everything a Portuguese traveller needs to know about the ESTA before flying to the United States: what it is, cost, validity and tips.
The Furnas Lake Boilers
Where the earth boils and steams beside the lake, and the famous Furnas stew cooks slowly buried deep in volcanic ground.
The natural pools of Ponta da Ferraria
An open-air spa where volcanic springs warm the Atlantic, plus the tide tricks and tips you need before taking the plunge.
Times Square
The story behind Times Square's name and why this dazzling, screen-lit crossroads became the beating symbol of Manhattan.
Visit Terra Nostra Park
A botanical oasis in Furnas with centuries of history and an iron-rich thermal pool worth every drop of its murky brown water.
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge
The story behind San Francisco's most iconic bridge, why it isn't really red, and my tip for catching it without the famous fog.
Monte Brasil in Terceira, Azores
A tough but rewarding volcanic trail above Angra do Heroismo, with panoramic viewpoints, an old fortress and deer that greet you along the way.
6 attractions in San Francisco's Chinatown
Six highlights of the oldest Chinatown in the United States, from a fortune cookie factory to a hidden temple and a pagoda-topped tower.
Visit and have lunch in Caloura
A tiny Azorean fishing village where a clear-water natural pool and a table of fresh grilled fish make the quick stop absolutely worth it.
5 Attractions to Visit in the Castro
Rainbow flags, Harvey Milk's camera store and the origins of the pride flag: five stops that make San Francisco's Castro unmissable.
Parque Grená, a well-hidden paradise
A hidden São Miguel park of waterfalls and wild greenery, where more than 600 steps lead to the breathtaking Poço do Salto da Inglesa.
Alcatraz, an island with a prison
The chilling history of America's escape-proof island prison, from Al Capone to the daring 1962 breakout, and what a visit there is really like.
I'm back again!
After more than two years away, I'm back to the blog with a new home, a huge 24-day US road trip and plenty of itineraries to share.
Conímbriga ruins
Wander the mosaics, baths and forum of one of Iberia's richest Roman sites and imagine the city that once thrived near Coimbra.
6 places to visit in Vila Franca do Campo
Six spots worth your time in this former Azorean capital, from the islet and viewpoints to those unforgettable Morgado cheesecakes.
Vila Franca do Campo islet
A volcanic crater in the sea shaped like a princess's ring, with a warm natural pool you can only visit between June and October.
Santuário do Sagrado Coração de Jesus
Perched atop Santa Luzia hill, this Sacré-Cœur-inspired sanctuary rewards visitors with sweeping views over Viana do Castelo.
Panoramic view of Detrelo da Malhada
A suspended viewpoint deep in Serra da Freita where, on a clear day, the Arouca GeoPark unfolds in every direction below you.
Lagoa do Fogo
Perhaps the most beautiful lagoon on São Miguel, cradled in a volcano crater and often veiled by fog. Here's how to catch it clear.
Montemor-o-Novo
A quick Alentejo lunch stop that surprised us: delicious tapas, a castle linked to Vasco da Gama and a lonely ancient menhir.
A visit to Arruda Pineapple Plantation
Inside a São Miguel greenhouse where pineapples take two years to grow, plus the tale of how this fruit replaced oranges in the Azores.
Budapest itinerary - day 1
My first day in the Hungarian capital, from Margaret Island to the lit-up Parliament and dinner in a Jewish Quarter ruin bar.
The fishing village of Rabo de Peixe
A quick stop in one of Europe's poorest parishes, proud of its roots, its Baroque church and the largest fishing port in the Azores.
12 New Year Wishes
An honest confession about New Year wishes, superstitions and the nervous butterflies of stepping into a big life change.
A quick stop in Água de Pau
A tiny parish on São Miguel's south coast that most visitors skip, yet its hilltop chapel and sweeping viewpoint make it worth a detour.
Start over and dream
Looking back on a year when travel plans crumbled, and the hope, dreams and postponed American road trip I carried into a fresh new year.
The origin of Santa Claus
The story behind Santa Claus, from the generous bishop Saint Nicholas to the Coca-Cola advert that shaped the jolly figure we know today.
My Christmas Tree
A peek at my beloved ceiling-high Christmas tree, the travel pendants from around the world and my no-holds-barred way of decorating.
Is there Christmas without Home Alone?
Why this film is a non-negotiable part of my Christmas tradition, and why Home Alone 2 in snowy New York leaves me dreaming every year.
Christmas markets in Madrid
A whirlwind one-day escape to Madrid on a 10-euro flight, from Retiro Park to Gran Via and the festive stalls of Plaza Mayor at Christmas.
8-day itinerary in Azores
My eight-day São Miguel itinerary, day by day, with the trick I used to catch the three main lagoons without a hint of fog.
5 More fun facts about me
Five more little curiosities about me, from hair accessories and curly hair to my love of lasagna and why sleep is sacred.
Antoni Gaudí: Barcelona architecture
How Catalan Modernism reshaped Barcelona, told through the life and most dazzling buildings of its greatest mind, Antoni Gaudí.
Buuuuuuhhhhh! It’s Halloween time!
Where Witches' Night really comes from, its ancient Celtic roots, and how the spooky tradition differs between Portugal and the United States.
Castelo de Paiva
A relaxed stop on the way to Arouca: sweeping river viewpoints, a quiet historic centre and a hearty, affordable lunch of roasted veal.
HGU New York hotel
After sifting through hundreds of listings, the cosy, spotless Midtown hotel that made my New York stay feel just like home.
Legos of world attractions
My growing LEGO Architecture collection of world landmarks and the giant LEGO stores I always hunt down wherever I travel.
File for travel planning
The Excel file I build for every trip, splitting budget and daily itinerary so I never overspend or waste time, and you can download it too.
Necessary changes
How growing instability pushed me to leave my job, face a flurry of interviews and take a leap toward a new professional challenge.
Holidays in Alentejo
A week road-tripping through the Alentejo, from Évora's historic streets to hilltop villages, great food and relentless summer heat.
Paiva Walkaways
A stunning riverside boardwalk near Porto that clears the mind, with gorgeous views, hidden beaches and far more stairs than I ever expected.
Ballekes in Brussels
A cosy little spot beside the Grand-Place serving Belgium's beloved meatballs, made to a family recipe with sauces that are ridiculously good.
5 Fun facts about me
Three months in, it's time you met the girl behind the trips: shyness, piano, a Hello Kitty obsession and a love for FC Porto.
Sagrada Família in Barcelona
The story behind Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece, its symbol-laden facades and forest-like interior, plus tips for visiting Barcelona's great icon.
10 attractions on Margaret Island
Ten attractions to discover on Budapest's green heart, from a musical well and Japanese garden to medieval convent ruins in the Danube.
Summer holidays in Portugal
When COVID cancelled my big USA road trip, I swapped it for a summer rediscovering the beautiful country on my own doorstep.
Szechenyi Baths in Budapest
Everything to expect at Budapest's grand Szechenyi Baths, plus the 2,000-year thermal culture that makes them an essential stop.
Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra
Step into a fairy tale in Sintra: mysterious gardens, hidden tunnels and an initiation well straight out of a Harry Potter film.
Who is this blog for?
Celebrating two months of the blog by answering one simple question — who is it really for — and sharing everything it has taught me so far.
Popular Saints festivities in Portugal
In June, Portugal's streets fill with colour and music for the Popular Saints: the traditions behind Santo António, São João and São Pedro.
5 days in Barcelona
A five-day escape through Gaudí's masterpieces, Montjuic's hills and a day trip to Montserrat, balancing sightseeing with plenty of rest.
She dreams of travelling
A personal confession about my obsession with planning, the two years behind my New York trip and why we should never give up on dreams.
Our trip to New York (part 2)
The second half of our 10-day New York itinerary: Harlem, the Brooklyn Bridge, Broadway, rooftop skylines and one last slice at Joe's Pizza before flying home.
Our trip to New York (part 1)
The first five days of a dream trip to New York, from Times Square to the Statue of Liberty, full of tips and honest impressions.
Travel Books for trip planning
Why this self-confessed perfectionist still buys travel guidebooks, from the history they tell to the fold-out city maps I can't live without.
Chez Léon in Brussels
Inside Belgium's largest restaurant, a family icon since 1893, where I finally tasted the mussels and fries everyone raves about.
The arrival on Newark airport
What landing in New York really looks like, from the long immigration queues and interview to the scramble to reach our Manhattan hotel.
The first month of the blog
Looking back at the blog's first month: the fears I overcame, the numbers that surprised me and why I'm just getting started.
Save your travel photos as a treasure
Why I treat my travel photos like treasure, and the simple backup routine and digital albums that keep those memories alive.
Brussels - day 2
Day two in Brussels: climbing inside the Atomium, touring the European Parliament and chasing Christmas lights at Mont des Arts.
The Grand Central Terminal
The history and hidden curiosities of New York's monumental train station, from its starry painted ceiling to the famous whispering gallery.
Brussels - day 1
A freezing December Sunday on foot through Brussels: grand squares, chocolate, Christmas markets and a very underwhelming Manneken Pis.
New York: United Airlines flight
Everything about flying direct from Porto to Newark: ticket prices, the questions at check-in and eight long hours on board to New York.
5 days in Budapest
Five packed days in the Pearl of the Danube, from steaming thermal baths and ruin bars to the mighty Parliament, right before the world locked down.
Park Warner - Madrid
Shorter queues than Disney and a big dose of adrenaline: why this Madrid theme park keeps pulling me back, three visits and counting.
Weekend in Brussels
How a spontaneous December weekend chasing Europe's Christmas markets turned Brussels into a surprising favourite - freezing cold, cheap flights and all.
The New York travel planning
The dream trip I spent almost two years planning, and how I built the perfect New York itinerary from books, blogs and endless Google Maps pins.
1 day in Bratislava
How I packed Slovakia's compact capital into a single day on foot, from the Blue Church to the hilltop castle and traditional food.
My favourite travel souvenir
The one souvenir I bring home from every trip, the stories behind my favourites and the smelly market that nearly cost me one in Turin.
Top 5 stores in Times Square
My five favourite stores in dazzling Times Square, from a giant Line Friends bear to chocolate worlds and a shop full of New York Christmas.
The first blog post
How a lockdown, a lifelong travel dream and a lot of courage turned into this blog - meet Cristina, a girl from Porto set on exploring the whole world.
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