European Travel Magazine

15/04/2025

Alfama is Lisboa's oldest and most soulful neighbourhood—where time seems to linger.

It’s also where most visitors find themselves, drawn by the charm of narrow alleys, the sound of Fado, and iconic landmarks like the majestic Sé Cathedral and the breathtaking viewpoint at Largo das Portas do Sol.

Perfect for sitting in the sun, sipping a coffee, and soaking in sweeping views of the Tagus River and the city’s terracotta rooftops, Alfama captures the old essence of Lisbon.

27/03/2025

Fishermen’s Trail – Day 5: Odeceixe to Aljezur
22 km · 6 hours incl. stops

We left Odeceixe at sunrise, the sky still pastel and the town perfectly quiet. The first 9 km flew by—cool air, empty trails and the promise of coffee and cake in the next village.

Then the trail left the coast behind and turned inland. Gone were cliffs and crashing waves, replaced by long, dusty farm roads and sunbaked fields. The kind of walking that gets your thoughts spinning—out of the trail and back into real life.

Just before reaching Aljezur, our watches ticked past 100 km. We stopped and cheered: 105 km in five days. We’d stretched time, and now it was folding back in.

We celebrated with lunch and wine on a sunlit terrace. And as the FlixBus pulled out of Aljezur, the trail began to blur in the window behind us.

26/03/2025

Fishermen’s Trail – Day 4: Zambujeira do Mar to Odeceixe
20 km · 6.5 hours walking incl. stops.

We set off from Zambujeira in the early light, fuelled by a meia de leite and a pastel de nata—our now well-established morning ritual.

The trail started steep and stayed that way. Today brought more climbs, more descents, and a refreshing sense of variety. Spring was everywhere: lush green hills, muddy paths and wildflowers bursting in colour.

Around midday, we couldn’t resist the sea any longer. A quick dip in the Atlantic was cold, salty and absolutely worth it. Drying off in the sun afterwards, we felt completely reset.

This was also the busiest day so far. At times we found ourselves queuing up narrow trails behind groups of hikers—one of us joked it felt like hiking Everest, just with more storks and less oxygen.

We had a late banana lunch with a view of the nesting birds, then pushed on through the hot final stretch. The Ribeira de Seixe river welcomed us to the Algarve, and we arrived in Odeceixe sun-tired but smiling.

A hot shower, a proper meal (Feijoada de Choco e Polvo and Carne de Porco à Alentejana), and an early night. Tomorrow’s our last day—and it starts early.

26/03/2025

Fishermen’s Trail – Day 3: Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar

We left Almograve in the mid morning, joining the steady stream of hikers making their way out of town and towards the coast. The trail quickly climbed to the cliffs, and from there, the rest of the day played out high above the Atlantic with uninterrupted views of crashing waves and endless sea.

The sunshine stayed with us all day, casting bold light across the rocky coastline. The true highlight, though, was the storks—dozens of them nesting on cliff ledges, gliding gracefully through the air, or perched quietly with their enormous nests silhouetted against the sky. It felt like walking through a nature documentary.

We paused mid-morning for coffee and pastel de nata at a small café just off the trail, still warm and golden from the oven. A few hours later, we stopped again—this time at a clifftop viewpoint overlooking the storks—to eat our lunch of bananas and muesli bars.

After 22 kilometres and around six hours of walking, we reached Zambujeira do Mar, a whitewashed village perched above the sea.

We hit the beach just in time for the sunset and watched the light fade over the cliffs and beach, taking a gazillion photos to preserve that beauty and special moment.

Dinner was quiet and simple, the kind of meal that doesn’t need to impress when you’ve earned it step by step. Another memorable day on the trail, and tomorrow already calling.

25/03/2025

Fishermen’s Trail – Day 2: Vila Nova de Milfontes to Almograve

If Day 1 was shaped by wind and sand, then Day 2 was all about the colour blue. Blue sea, blue sky, blue backpack, blue clothes, blue trekking poles. Even the mood of the day felt blue—in that calm, clear, wide-open kind of way.

With only 15 kilometres ahead of us, we allowed ourselves the luxury of time. We paused for an hour in the dunes, another on the beach, eating bananas and biscuits for lunch with our feet in the sand. The sun was out, and we nearly went for a swim—but the waves were a bit too fierce for comfort. A mild sunburn was the only real consequence.

We were far from alone on the trail today. Our best guess is that 50 to 75 hikers walked the same stretch, making it the busiest day so far. In a small village like Almograve, with just a few restaurants and limited accommodation, that makes a difference. We were grateful we’d booked ahead, even though it was a run-down old hostel where a portable heater fought a losing battle against the evening chill.

But a hot shower, a good cup of coffee and a quiet book in the sun made everything better.

The town’s only open restaurant was packed, with many dishes sold out—but a steak and a simple omelette landed in front of us, and after a long day in the sun, it tasted nothing short of glorious.

24/03/2025

Exploring Portugal’s Fishermen’s Trail 

The Fishermen’s Trail, part of the Rota Vicentina, is a 226.5 km coastal path stretching from São Torpes to Lagos. Renowned for its stunning landscapes, the trail winds along rugged cliffs, secluded beaches, and through traditional fishing villages, offering hikers an immersive experience of Portugal’s unspoiled southwestern coastline.

Day 1: São Torpes to Vila Nova de Milfontes

Our journey began just south of São Torpes, embarking on a 27 km trek to Vila Nova de Milfontes. The path led us through soft sandy stretches and dramatic cliffs, each turn unveiling panoramic vistas of the Atlantic Ocean.

As the day unfolded, sometimes the sun cast a warm glow over the landscape, illuminating the vibrant hues of wildflowers that dotted our path. Then some rain showers could sweep in from the ocean, tapping gently on our caps. The only constant was the wind, the sand and the roar of crashing waves.

After eight hours of steady hiking, we arrived in the whitewashed town of Vila Nova de Milfontes, nestled along the Mira River, where we celebrated our achievement with a hearty meal and a well-deserved glass of wine.

01/11/2024

We spent All Saints’ Day at the hauntingly beautiful All Saints’ Abbey in Schwarzwald.With a mist hanging in the air and the ancient stone walls shrouded in shadows, it felt like a scene straight out of a Halloween tale. Perfectly atmospheric, capturing the mystery of history and the beauty of remembrance. 🖤

10/06/2024

Explore Toledo through the eyes of Saul Schwartz, an American traveller discovering the top attractions around Spain's capital.

Wondering what are the must-visit sites near Madrid?

In this article, Saul finds out if Toledo is worth dedicating an entire day of your travel itinerary and recommends taking a free walking tour to uncover the hidden gems of this World Heritage Site.

Explore Toledo through the eyes of Saul Schwartz, an American traveller discovering the top attractions around Spain’s capital. Wondering what are the must-visit sites around Madrid? In this …

25/04/2024

Follow in the footsteps of America-based Saul Schwartz as he learns what the capital of Spain has to offer in October.

What is most important to visit in Madrid? From free walking tours to discovering the most famous museums, Saul suggests an exhaustive itinerary of Madrid.'s best attractions.

Whether you want to dig deeper into the historic heart of Madrid, or are game for exploring the fascinating area around it, here are some great tips on what not to miss:

Follow in the footsteps of America-based Saul Schwartz as he learns what the capital of Spain has to offer in October. What is most important to visit in Madrid? From free walking tours to discover…

22/04/2024

What city is best to visit when it comes to museums? In our humble opinion, it’s Madrid.

The city is absolutely abundant with art museums, science museums and historical museums. Which museums are the best and which are free? In Madrid, they’re both!

We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best museums in the capital of Spain, that offer free entrance in certain timeslots.

Because we both know you’d rather spend the money on a sumptuous dinner, right?

What city is best to visit when it comes to museums? In our humble opinion, it’s Madrid. The city is absolutely abundant with art museums, science museums and historical museums. Which museum…

07/01/2024

Follow in the footsteps of America-based Saul Schwartz as he learns what the capital of Portugal has to offer on a gastronomic level.

What are the options for vegans and vegetarians in a land that prides itself for its bacalhau, fish, meat and poultry dishes?

As Saul embarks on a gastronomical journey through this city that is shaped by its bonds to Brasil, he shares his tips and suggestions for vegans, vegetarians and healthful foodies visiting Lisboa:

Follow in the footsteps of America-based Saul Schwartz as he learns what the capital of Portugal has to offer on a gastronomic level. What are the options for vegans and vegetarians in a land that …