It is often said that the Nordic countries are the ideal countries, and the best countries to live in (mostly Scandinavia). Although we are from Romania, we spent many years in Denmark. You may have already heard that Denmark is often mentioned as one of the best countries to live in. Probably true if we follow Maslow’s hierarchy of needs; Those countries are perfect to have your most basic needs met.
Meanwhile as we traveled further south on the continent we noticed other countries value personal interactions a lot, you actually feel like you’re living your life, and not just simply enduring.
So it depends what you value most, if you prefer more financial security and well-being but cherish your solitude then North is for you. If you think that life is not about that and you like ambiance, warmth, having much fun and laughter with people around you, then better go South. And Portugal is a country where joy and interaction are everywhere.
For us, our Portuguese experience was all the more special as it was the second country I visited after I was cured of cancer, another reason to have it as a very special place in my heart. So, let’s begin the journey, let’s taste Portugal because life should taste as good as Portugal. We personally like driving because you get to see the views and the countryside.
Image from our flight to Lisbon from Copenhagen 
As soon as we arrived, we took the car and headed south 
The Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge over the River Tagus is one of Lisbon’s most notable landmarks
Immediately after we arrived, we headed south and there we visited several places on the southern coast of the country. Faro -the capital of southern Portugal’s Algarve region. It can be reached by direct plane as there are many international flights to Faro, but because we arrived in Lisbon, we had to drive almost 300 km to get here.
Faro was the first and we enjoyed, we discovered a charming Portuguese city with a rather quiet atmosphere compared to what was happening in the other places. Maybe it was Portugal way of saying: “take it slow, the best is yet to come”
Faro retains much of its past charm. It was really pleasant to walk down on the Manuel Bívar park, the main square and historic center of Faro and was greatly admiring the flashy yachts on display in the Marina de Faro, after stopping off for refreshments in one of the watersides.
A warm afternoon is treated with a cool fresh and cold beer. And of course a cool cake. 
Forget about souvenir shops on the main drag, just enjoy the Manuel Bivar park. 
Peace is the second name of the town. 
There is an overall sense of calm to the whole place 
When I said tranquil afternoon, I was serious.
We continue our journey through the Algarve region in the town of Albufeira. This town has almost everything for tourists who want to have the most out of their vacation. It has a huge beach, restaurants, shops, and bars, you can make day trips in the surroundings or you can rest in all-inclusive hotels.
It’s sand time. 
Praia do Tunel is a city beach in Albufeira. It is also known as Praia do Peneco. 
There’s only one thing in the world that I want and that is a beach 
When in Albufeira, we chose instead of a hotel, villa with a private pool. There are plenty on Montechoro 
After a tiring walk, a moment of relaxation is well deserved 
Albufeira never sleeps in the night. Everywhere people and pumping music coming from the bars and clubs
Are you a beach person or a mountains person? … We are mountain lovers, but whether a person love beach or mountains, the true is that not only do we make choices but choices also make us.
A beach is not only a sweep of sand. There’s more. The sea, the waves…Of, I remember the joy of those waves
Beaches are territories of dreams. They are our favorite refuges; they are a protectorate for the soul. They shed our tears, and they hear our pain. All Portuguese beaches are special and Portimao is no exception
While in Portimao: close your eyes, take a deep breath and let the beach invade your body.
From Praia da Rocha you can walk to other beaches nearby. 
Here is Marius like a little ant in a huge chain. At least here he looks small 
Portimao is known for beaches but also for its old quarter 
This is Praia da Rocha, the main beach of Portimão. It is quite long and wide.
Portugal offers not only beaches but also historic cities. At the end of our stay in the Algarve region, and before we return to the capital region, we chose to visit the city of Silves. Situated 17km northeast of Portimão, Silves. We walked the streets of the city, we enjoyed the view of the historical center of Silves overlooking the Castle and Cathedral.
The landscape of Silves is generally hilly and you get a great view over Silves from the Museum of Archaeology. But the best Silves landmark is Silves Castle, this massive castle atop the hill, visible from miles away, and very much worth a visit, even though it’s a pretty steep climb up!
Silves Castle entrance fee €2,80.
Castle & Archaeological Museum entrance fee €3,90.
A picture as we enter the city 
The castle offers nice views over the town and the surrounding countryside. 
Silves is a historic and delightful town, which was originally the ancient capital of the Algarve 
When you think of the Algarve, medieval castles aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. But here we are at the Silves Castle
We returned in the greater Lisbon area, and this country becomes more and more beautiful with every place we’d discovered. If there’s heaven for us, I’m sure it has a Portugal attached to it. 😉
Our sense of direction leads our way to Sintra. It was love at first sight. The colourful town of Sintra, located only 30 kilometers from Lisbon, is a world of its own.
This Unesco World Heritage Site is a major expression of the 19th-century Romanticism. The Pena Palace (Portuguese: Palácio da Pena) started in the Middle Ages when a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Pena was built on the top of the hill above Sintra. According to tradition, construction occurred after an apparition of the Virgin Mary.
With picturesque stacks of mansions, regal estates, and mountain-top castles, all wedged into the green serenity of rolling hills, folded into luxuriant hills that roll down to the blue Atlantic, this place is of rare beauty.
And definitely, the place where the pictures really come out well 
Hidden within these pine-covered hills there are many extravagant villas. 
In every corner of Sintra everything is beautiful 
In Sintra we found a Romanian restaurant and of course we ate sarmale 
Mimicking suffering in the castle of pain 
My old passion to test the wine. And the Portuguese wine is perfect 
Once you get up here, you’ll love it. 
Only 4 months after the cancer remission and discharge from the hospital 
The inside of the palace is as great as the exterior 
The Palacio Nacional da Pena is one of the finest tourist attractions in Portugal 
When you find that safe place in an unsafe world
When you go to Sintra, make sure you visit Capo da Roca also, it is less than 20 kilometers from Sintra. These beautiful calcareous cliffs marking the edge of continental Europe is amazing, and the landscape along the way it’s beautiful and relaxing too.
Don’t miss the chance to visit this wild and rugged headland 
Cape Roca is the westernmost point of the Sintra Mountain Range, of Portugal, of Europe, and of the huge Eurasian landmass.
Cascais is a small beach town in Portugal next to Estoril coast in the greater Lisbon area. Before we got here of course we read some stuff about Cascais and they say about Cascais: “Come for one reason. Stay for many!” It’s true!
Cascais is one of those (few) places that have a bit of everything in a very small space. It is a coastal town that has amazing cliffs and rock formations, sandy beaches, and a cool marina. On top of that, there are some amazing historical and cultural sites like the medieval fort Nossa Senhora de Luz or the Citadel Palace, where the royalty used to retreat.
Next stop Estoril!
Cascais has maintained a certain old-world charm that is particularly hard to come by these days 
Cascais is a traditional and charming Portuguese fishing town 
Cascais may be a city but it still has the vibe of a small beach town 
It’s November, it’s still hot and I am looking for shade. 
Look at the colors, you can’t stop at just one 
There’s plenty of scenic seaside cliff around 
We liked the sunny Cascais so much 
Would you lie with me and just forget the world? 
You can heal the world with the beaches of Portugal. This is Cascais beach
The warm, sunny, and welcoming Estoril will very quickly make you feel at home. The amazing food of Portugal, the lovely coastline, the nice people always very polite and welcoming, the sunny weather and of course Estoril by the beach.
You still need something else? Probably not. Estoril will do.
Enjoying our meal before climbing Boca do Inferno 
Lovely walk along the boardwalk from Estoril 
The Praia do Tamariz is the central beach of Estoril. The beach has calm sea waters and plenty of soft sands 
Seafood is the main part of Portuguese cuisine and is delicious. 
There are four major beaches in Cascais. It is hard to lay on the beach with so many. So I keep myself busy 
They do not have the notoriety of their Mediterranean neighbors, but a glass of Portuguese wine compensates.
And here we are in Lisbon
Did you know that Lisbon has one of the nicest climates in Europe with about 3K annual average hours of sunshine?
Lisbon is the largest city in Portugal and one of the oldest cities in the whole world. There are loads of things to visit in Lisbon, also known as the city built on seven hills.
When you say Lisbon, you mean Paella, sangria, the aquarium is 2nd biggest in Europe, Praca do Comercio, nightlife, amazing churches and cathedrals, Bairro Alto, the Alfama – the oldest neighborhood of Lisbon, spreading on the slope between the São Jorge Castle and the Tagus river. The cozy tram is one of the most popular attractions in Lisbon. Even though it is part of the public transport system, it is very frequented by tourists.
Lisbon is so much to do and see. I suggest you look at the TripAdvisor list of things to do to make your choice on what to do.
By cable car to the Oceanarium 
Don’t miss the Lisbon Oceanarium, which is the second-largest aquarium in Europe, after L’Oceanogràfic in Valencia. 
Everybody knows about Avenida da Liberdade, but there are plenty of charming streets 
Have you forgotten how good enjoy life tastes? It tastes like a good wine 
Lisbon is the photographer’s dream. They’ll have a hard time finding a city that captures more perfectly the old-but-modern essence of this part of the word 
Lisbon stays on tram track every day 
My Lisbon and me in the night 
Sit down, relax and enjoy the ride, especially when no one else is around 
The top pick in Lisabona was paella 
When you head above the rest
This was our Portugal story. Every trip creates a story, but Portugal has so many beautiful stories, maybe not as big of a destination as other titans in Europe such as Spain, Italy, France or Greece, but personally we think Portugal is amazing!
We were truly impressed by this very charming country, with a lot of things to see, amazing coastline, friendly people, sunny weather. We can’t wait to see you again someday one day, this time heading north to Porto.
Life should taste as good as Portugal because Portugal has all we need to live a healthy and happy life. Its magical healing properties have been touching the souls of musicians, philosophers, writers, actors, painters, and artists in general.
We are catchynomads, and when we not frolicking abroad, we love to show people our country Romania, that’s why we created Enjoy Romania. You’re more than welcome!
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