A Portuguese Affair

It’s no surprise that Portugal - with its blend of natural beauty, rich culture, world-class cuisine and incredible wine - is a favorite among travelers in the know. What is surprising is how little the rest of us know about this small nation with such a big history; and how it’s often overlooked in favor of its larger, more famous neighbor, Spain.

But, Catarina Araújo, the Lisbon-born writer of one of the top Portugal ...

The Portuguese take food very seriously.  In fact, Catarina believes that one could even say it’s the key ingredient to their collective identity (pun totally intended). In Portugal meals are something to be savored not rushed – and certainly not something you do in front of a computer screen. The Portuguese approach to food is not only healthy, but one that values recipes passed down through the generations, the best...

If you haven’t already guessed, food is important to the Portuguese. Very important. The importance of food in Portuguese culture, family, social life, and tradition isn’t just something connected to holidays or special occasions - this is a year-round love affair. So much so that there is actually a codified “7 Gastronomic wonders of Portugal”!  And trust us, they are, in fact, worthy of such grand treatment.

From...

When you imagine your time in Portugal, perhaps you see yourself tasting port in dimly lit cellars surrounded by large barrels or sipping red wine over an al fresco meal with a view of the ocean.  Portugal is not lacking in well-known ways to unwind with a drink or two. But the drinks you already know are only half the story.  

In this episode, Catarina takes you on a tour that begins with the fabulous Po...

30 minutes outside of Lisbon, situated in the hills of the Serra de Sintra, is a place of majestic forests, magnificent palaces, resplendent villas, and so much more. Sintra has been casting its spell on visitors for centuries. Famous English poet Lord Byron once called it a “glorious Eden,” and said that it was one of the most beautiful villages in the world. And Catarina tends to agree.  In Sintra, you feel transpor...

There is history everywhere you look in Downtown Lisbon. Portugal’s capital is an ancient city after all - four centuries older than Rome.  On its streets, entire swaths of history co-exist. Roman ruins from 300AD next to more modern structures from the 1800s. And nineteenth century buildings with basements that hold the ruins of structures from the 1500s. Lisbon was shaped by an almost unimaginable natural disaster -...

Given how much there is to see and do - not to mention taste - in Downtown Lisbon, it’s easy to understand why some people don’t ever venture further afield. But Downtown is only the start of what Portugal’s capital has to offer.  In this Episode, Catarina takes you on a tour of other parts of the city that you won’t want to miss.

You’ll taste world famous tarts, fresh from the oven at Pastéis de Belém, mix with th...

It’s no secret that Catarina loves Lisbon and believes everyone should visit there at least once in their lives. But while Portugal’s capital is a shiny gem that attracts travelers from all over the world, there are tons of beautiful places nearby that shouldn’t be overlooked.

In this episode of A Portuguese Affair, Caterina invites you to venture outside Lisbon and sample all that there is on offer just outside of Lisb...

Catarina is off dreaming up and making fresh episodes of A Portuguese Affair to help you fall in love with the country she calls home. But, not wanting to leave her listeners hanging, she’s sharing an episode of fellow Cerca show, Passport. What started with a simple prompt to the Passport team, “Let’s do an episode in Portugal,” soon became so much more. Enjoy!

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Portugal’s Douro Valley is one of the toughest pla...

For most people, Portugal brings to mind images of “white sand beaches” and “incredible wine.” And it’s true, the country isn't known for stereotypical white Christmases.  But that doesn't mean the Portuguese don’t take the holiday seriously.  Very. Seriously.  In fact, it’s arguably the biggest holiday of the year.  But what exactly makes Christmas in Portugal so special, and what exactly is a traditio...