About us

Did you know that Portugal is much more than just Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve? 

Hey! I’m Yvonne, I Started This Blog Somewhere In 2021, After COVID hit, and travel was still limited. I wanted to travel slow and travel local, but I didn’t know what to do or where to go..

But this website is not a travel blog. It is so much more than that. It is a place where you’ll:

  • Learn bout Portuguese history and understand the culture;
  • Discover different regions outside of the main tourism spots and;
  • Read about local stories and tips on living in Portugal

Hi, My Name is Yvonne ☺️

I moved to Portugal in June 2020. In reality, I never thought I would end up here. But it seems like the universe had other plans for me. After learning Portuguese in Brazil and marrying a Brazilian, my family and I decided to move to Portugal. That was also because I launched an ethical and sustainable swimwear company, Now in Rio Swim. If you didn’t know, the textile industry in Portugal is one of the best in Europe.

And so we packed our bags and moved from Belgium to Portugal. And it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

As I started to explore Portugal, I realized that there is so much to see and do in this beautiful country. So I wanted to start a website to talk about it and share Portugal with the world.

Want to learn a little bit more about me?

Well, let me answer some common questions I get:

Where Do I Live in Portugal?

I live in Central Portugal. My husband and I bought a bank-owned property and we renovated it. It was hard, but in the end it was worth it. We’ve slowed down a little bit, but we still travel. Previously I lived in Lisbon and Costa da Caparica.

Why Portugal?

My husband and I already speak Portuguese, and it seemed like a logical step. Before moving here, we lived in Belgium as I finished my Ph.D., but we didn’t want to stay in Belgium. I was also launching my swimwear company and felt like Portugal would be the perfect place for our headquarters.

Favourite place in Portugal?

Ah, this one is hard. I actually have fallen in love with every place I have visited in Portugal. Lisbon and Porto are beautiful cities, and I love just walking down different streets and getting lost. I also have explored a lot of the silver coast; I loved Obidos and Peniche. Algarve is breathtaking, the first time I saw those cliffs, I fell in love. However, I feel like I am still searching for that perfect place in Portugal, so I’ll get back to you on that.

Favorite dish in Portugal?

So I am a sucker for sweets, and on a recent trip to Sintra, I tasted the famous Travesseiro puff pastry filled with sweet, eggy almond cream and dusted with caster sugar on top.  It was delicious. I also LOVE a good pastel de nata. In terms of main dishes, I can’t say no to a bolinho de bacalhau.

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