Welcome to my story style travel blog, featuring my adventure through Spain and Portugal in the summer of 2025.
You can read the blog in order, or about whichever destination intrigues you! Within my stories, I’ll offer some recommendations and some tips and tricks for a smooth journey. When I travel, I mostly do group tours and the reasons are:
* As a solo woman traveler, it is much safer especially if traveling long distances or to countries that can be dangerous in some areas
*The itineraries are amazing and usually include all of the things you’d want to see and do…and if not, there is free time to do as you wish
*You don’t have to worry about booking transport, finding hotels, etc. Sometimes that can contribute to the adventure, but it’s also nice to sit back and relax and let your Tour CEO be in charge
* And finally…the new people you meet on your tour become your family, and I’ve made lifelong friends in these journeys. For myself, this has equal importance with exploring new countries.
This time I used Expat Explore; the tour is called Spain and Portugal Explorer. It’s actually split into 2 parts….you could do either part, or do the whole thing so of course I did the whole thing! I’ll explain more about that along the way! This is my second time traveling with Expat, and their European itineraries really awesome and not super expensive. Also, transport is by coach bus which is nice because the buses offer air conditioning, comfy seats, WIFI and charging ports.
Today we leave Spain and make our way into Portugal…..tucked along the Atlantic, Portugal blends beaches, dramatic cliffs, tiled city streets and of course – some of the best vineyards in Europe. And over the next 3 days, we will see a little bit of everything!!
The first stop today is in the Algarve, the sun soaked playground of Portugal. Here is where you’ll see the dramatic cliffs, hidden sea caves, long sandy beaches that line the turquoise Atlantic waters.
There is a mix of fishing towns and lively resort areas, and that’s where we will stop for lunch. This area boasts 300 days of sunshine; today is not one of them. Haha. We are in Albufeira- it is VERY touristy and to be honest, I’m not sure if I love that aspect of it.
It doesn’t feel authentic to me. But regardless, I’m going to make the most of the few hours we have here! First, I make my way to the beach but the weather isn’t nice enough to have a full swim; I settle for dipping my feet in the ocean instead.
I head up to one of the higher points of the town for some cool views of the ochre red colored cliffs.
The whitewashed houses are set against The Strip; the nightlife and restaurant hub.
I want to grab a bite to eat, but it’s all burgers and fries and pizza. Not awful, but too boring for me today. I will say though…this place would be SO fun at night and it would have been nice to do a sleepover. I do a bit of shopping…did you know Portugal is famous for its cork products? There’s lots of things to choose from….I get a necklace and a small bag.
Gustavo recommends a very interesting drink for me to try at a small bar located just off the main strip. I meet him and Jose there, and try the lager topped with a touch of red wine. It sounds weird but I actually like it!
Also, this guy is everywhere. I think the country must love him. Haha
Back on the bus, and this afternoon we roll into Lisbon. Before we head to the hotel, we stop at a lookout point from the other side of the Tagus River.
You can see the old town from here and views of the Ponte 25 de Abril, which resembles the Golden Gate Bridge.
Also over here is the giant statue Sanctuary of Christ the King, which resembles Christ the Redeemer.
Are we sure we’re in Portugal? Haha. We hang out here for a bit, in the heavy gusty winds.
We cross over the bridge to see a few more attractions here in Lisbon. The Belem Tower, which is currently closed and covered in scaffolding. But it is an important symbol of the city, as a historic defensive fortress and ceremonial gateway to the city.
The area surrounding is lively yet relaxing, with gardens and walking paths. There is also a giant floor design made of limestone called the Rose Compass
It is directly behind the impressive Monument to the Discoveries.
It celebrates the Portuguese Age of Exploration, and this is where the ships deported to explore and trade with India and the Orient. On the east and west sides of the monument are 33 navigators, including Vasco da Gama.
And now it’s time for dinner, another included one which is handy. We are at Aldea, and tonight’s menu is pirri pirri chicken with rice and potatoes, a custard for dessert and the Portuguese classic green wine.
We finally check into the hotel, VIP Executive Zurique Hotel – it’s really nice.
I meet a few of my friends in the lobby bar for some pre-birthday drinks.
This morning, I wake up to a glorious sunrise in Lisbon on my 50th birthday!! I have so many things planned for today, it’s gonna be epic! Lyn joins me to explore the old town of Lisbon for the first half of the day.
Perched on the banks of the Tagus River, Lisbon is one of Europe’s oldest and most captivating cities. Since it was once a launching point for many of the world’s greatest explorers, it’s rich in maritime history that’s shaped our modern world. Wandering around Lisbon you’ll see beautiful churches, pastel buildings up on the steep hills, vintage trams running along the cobblestone streets, so many amazing viewpoints and the soulful fado music drifting out from the taverns.
We have to take the train into the city centre, but it’s fairly easy. Gustavo gave us an orientation yesterday so we know where to go. We walk through Rossio square over to experience the number 1 thing to do in Lisbon. Ride the funiculars!
You have to get there early, like by 9am, otherwise you’ll wait for hours. We luck out, and get on within half an hour. Tram 28 is the main tourist route, but many locals take it as well(which must be really annoying for these locals).
It’s easier to get around in these cars because Lisbon is NOT flat. We ride for a bit, but we don’t want to go too far because the plan is to walk back down the hills after. We try to get off at one of the stops, and exit out the back door. My understanding is to push the door open, but it is a little difficult…I have it almost all the way open and I can hear the driver yelling at us. OMG I’m mortified….apparently the driver has to open the door…..I saw people leaving out the back, so I figured that’s what we should do. After that incident I definitely don’t want to get back on any trams. Haha. I’m not sure if I broke the door. Speaking of funiculars, only a couple months after I was in Lisbon, a horrible accident happened when one of the cars derailed, killing 16 people. We did not ride that one, but we had walked past that street a few times. I had even taken a photo of it. Wow, so scary.
Anyways we get off in the area of Chiado, where we look around in the square and some shops
Souvenir alert! Of course you must pick up some thing that displays the rooster of Portugal! Or anything relating to the tram cars
As we are wandering around, we accidentally stumble into Praca do Comercio, Lisbon’s biggest square surrounded by administrative buildings, and King Jose I standing tall in the centre.
I find a shop that is selling the famous dessert of Portugal, pastel de nata.
It’s a flaky custard tart, filled with rich cream, and often topped with powdered sugar or cinnamon. I have no complaints, it is amazing!
We head over to the Lisbon cathedral but there’s a fee to go inside…I really dislike this trend.
So we settle for the outside view, and right close by is a small park with a beautiful miradouro. The translation is a scenic viewpoint.
The views are very beautiful from up here.
An easy way to get back down to Rossio square is to just follow the tram tracks – and be careful to not get in the way of a tram – some of the streets are quite narrow. Rossio Square is one of the main meeting points and it’s always lively and full of people
One cool shop I want to mention in Rossio Square…
It’s very overpriced and touristy, but I love the design. Sardines are a popular item to buy for souvenirs; you could find them cheaper, but the packaging of these are so much more fun!
After, we make our way back on the train to the hotel and have lunch at the shops in the old bullring, which is a short walk from the hotel.
This afternoon I am taking a day trip to Sintra to visit Peña Palace. There are a few of us from the tour that have chosen this optional excursion. Located up in the misty hills just outside of Lisbon, Sintra is like stepping into a fairytale.
It was once a summer retreat for Portuguese royalty – with whimsical palaces, lush forests and winding cobblestone streets that beg you to get lost in them. The main attraction here is Pena Palace, and I’m not joking when I say I’m going to live like a princess today. The brightly colored towers look like luscious candies against the cloudy backdrop – bright yellows mixed with deep reds, with ornate décor.
The palace is a blend of styles , and it’s completely wild and playful; it almost feels like it was built as a tourist attraction. Because there’s no way this is for real…..but it is. It sits on the edge of a mountain, so I can take in the sweeping views of the Atlantic.
It is SO busy..like probably the most insanely busy place of this entire trip. The stats say 300 visitors every half hour . WOW! We have skip the line tickets and everything is properly timed.
Here is a brief walking tour of the palace
After the palace we have some free time in the town of Sintra.
I stop at a bakery called Piriquita, and it’s busy so obviously it’s good! I order a pillow pastry. Then I find a place to sit outside and enjoy a birthday Aperol spritz.
Part of this afternoon’s tour is an included dinner, so we head over to Adega do Saloio and enjoy more pirri pirri chicken with fries and rice, and a melon boat for dessert.
When we arrive back to the hotel in Lisbon, I’m hoping some of my friends would want to go out for a drink in town but everyone is too tired. Well I’m not going to waste a night in Lisbon, especially on my birthday! Portugal is famous for a style of music called fado – it’s melancholic, haunting and emotional – but in the best way. Some modern versions of fado are a little more upbeat. It originated in the old neighborhoods of Lisbon among sailor and working class communities. I do a bit of research on which bar is one of the best, and hail an Uber to drop me off. I’m going to check out A Tasca do Chico; there is a lineup, but it only takes half hour.
It’s really small inside and they seat me at the back of the bar at a table with strangers. I’m sitting with a young couple from the US and they’re really nice.
A typical performance is very stripped down – one singer backed by a Portuguese guitar and a classical guitar(the former has more strings). The songs are more like stories, and the players have the audiences’s full attention.
Tonight, there is a grandmother and granddaughter pair that sing and it’s so cool. I stay for 2 sets; I’m so glad a took a chance tonight to come experience this very special part of Portuguese culture.
We’re back on the road tomorrow for 1 more day in Portugal!
Everywhere On Earth With Erin 