A half day beside Machico Bay
How to shape an unhurried Machico visit around the promenade, beach choice and a small-town walk.
Read the storyPortugal travel stories
Places to explore, routes to make your own, and photographs worth keeping.
A slow afternoon in Ponta do Sol
A small west-coast outing focused on the village, shoreline and enough time to watch the light change.
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Madeira without a car: plan from the journeys
How to choose a base and organise coast days, walks and transfers when you are travelling without a hire car.
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Balcões: a shorter Madeira walk with a big view
How to plan the out-and-back walk from Ribeiro Frio, including the return, cloud and time at the viewpoint.
Read the storyPico do Areeiro: choose a viewpoint visit or a hike
A clear planning guide to the difference between seeing the mountain outlook and taking the PR1 trail.
Read the storySurf and Sunsets: the Madeira trip I was putting together
Six rooms, five lessons and a week with room for the rest of Madeira.
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Ponta de São Lourenço: plan for an exposed coast walk
What to consider before walking PR8, from the treeless terrain to the return distance and a Machico finish.
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Lisbon for a first visit: where to begin
The hills, the river and a few decisions to make before booking.
Read the storyOne week in Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais
One city base, two excursions and a day you can move around.
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Sintra, Cascais or Cacilhas: which Lisbon day trip?
A palace day, a coast day or a short trip across the river.
Read the storyA rainy day in Funchal: three museums to choose from
Photography, a collector’s home or art in a former bishop’s palace.
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Lisbon airport to your accommodation: choosing the right journey
The useful arrival route ends at your door. Compare the metro, a city bus and a direct car journey with that last stretch in mind.
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