Portugal is one of the best countries for living, with a great climate, rich cultural life, low cost of living, and convenient infrastructure. Thus, you might like to take a closer look at this destination if you are exploring options for living abroad. Being a relatively straightforward process, immigration to Portugal will not take you much time or effort. Furthermore, requirements are straightforward. Are you not convinced yet? Discover why expats are happy with their choice.

Affordable cost of living

When you decide whether to migrate to a country in Western Europe, the cost of living in Portugal becomes one of the factors that might help you make your decision. Living there is more affordable than, for example, in Spain or France. Especially when it comes to housing and accommodation.

Groceries, dining, and transportation are also budget-friendly, so if you have passive income, you can live there even without the necessity to work. With a nomad visa, working remotely is also a possibility. Moreover, healthcare is of good quality and also inexpensive. Depending on your budget, you can choose public or private options.

Read more: travelling on a budget in Italy

Safety and quality of life

Portugal is ranked high in the Global Peace Index and is recognized as one of the safest countries in the world. Crime rates are low, so you do not need to look over your shoulder when walking on the streets. This safety enhances the quality of life in the country.

Climate is another factor that makes staying in Portugal enjoyable. In the southern regions, you might expect more than 300 sunny days in a year, so sun-lovers would undoubtedly appreciate the absence of rain. Locals highly appreciate work-life balance, so there are plenty of outdoor activities for enjoyable leisure.

Expat-friendly environment

There is a big UK expat community, so it would be easier to endure the homesick moments. Moreover, locals are hospitable and friendly to foreigners. English is widely spoken, which makes integration into a new environment much easier. With a thriving international culture and plenty of expat-friendly activities, settling in feels more like an adventure than a challenge.

Bureaucracy and challenges

While advantages certainly outweigh disadvantages, you still should be ready for some challenges when you plan your migration to this country, namely:

1. Visa processing can be slow and bureaucratic. However, you can use the services of expert companies like Migrun to ensure a smooth visa application process.
2. Housing demand is rising as the number of tourists and nomads rises, and rent is getting more competitive each year.
3. Banking and tax registration are highly bureaucratic and require patience and a lot of paperwork.
4. The healthcare structure might be slightly confusing for newcomers.

Given all the features of permanent stay in Portugal, it appears to be one of the best places for migration in Western Europe. The country’s low cost of living and high quality of life are perfectly balanced. Furthermore, locals are hospitable and friendly to foreigners, which makes integration easy and hassle-free.

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The weather is mild, school holidays are over, and the days are still long. A September city break is the perfect short trip to satisfy your travel cravings. These extraordinary European capitals are easy to get to, and full of rich culture to fill a weekend.

Read more: Four of the best destinations for your must-see list

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Just 250 miles from the UK coastline, Amsterdam is one of the most convenient options for a European city break. You can reach Amsterdam via cruises from Southampton and by ferry from the east coast, or flights run frequently from most UK airports.

With a reasonably small centre, Amsterdam is easily explored during a long weekend. Cycling is a popular mode of transport here, or you can sail your way around the city on the iconic canal network. There is a variety of museums and galleries to visit including Anne Frank’s house and the Van Gogh Museum, while just outside of the centre you will find idyllic windmill-dotted countryside. 

Paris, France

Also easily reached is Paris. Flights and ferries are again an option, or Londoners can take advantage of the Eurostar train from St. Pancras which reaches Paris in just 2.5 hours.

France’s capital is utterly magnificent, from the grandiose buildings that lines the wide boulevards, to the exquisite cuisine that is praised the world over. Climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower is a must for your itinerary, as is a trip to the Louvre and the city’s other world-class art galleries. Break up your sightseeing with strolls in the picturesque city parks, and a delicious cake at an authentic patisserie.

Budapest, Hungary

Slightly further afield but well-worth the flight is Budapest, capital of Hungary. This destination has risen in popularity in recent years and has benefitted greatly from the influx of tourists.

The city is divided down the middle by a broad river, with ‘Buda’ on one side and ‘Pest’ on the other. Elaborate bridges connect one to the other, and you can even stand between them by visiting the tranquil Margaret Island. Highlights of a city break in Budapest include the majestic architecture, notably the parliament building and St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the huge Szechenyi thermal baths.

Lisbon, Portugal

Seeking the catch the last of the summer sunshine? Get on a plane to Lisbon which enjoys temperatures up to the mid-twenties all the way into October. 

Portugal’s coastal capital is another destination that has seen a spike in visitors in recent years. Its sheer beauty attracts tourists of all ages, although older travellers may find the hilly terrain tiring. The riverside region of Belém is a favourite spot because of its laidback atmosphere and historic highlights such as the gothic Jerónimos Monastery. Make sure to stop off for a traditional Portuguese custard tart at the popular Pastéis de Belém.

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Until very recently, there was something I had to address as a single woman. Whilst I was happy to go to the cinema solo, take in an exhibition on my own, or eat out at a table for one, I’d never found myself taking a holiday alone.

Since the demise of my long marriage, I have discovered that I quite like the single life. Not having to explain myself, or answer to anyone. Doing exactly what I like, when I like, and with whom I like. I’ve made new friends, taken up new interests and, I suppose you’d say, reinvented myself. Maybe not quite to the heights of a phoenix rising from the ashes. But I’m definitely in the fledgling category. 

I’m happy with all this, but the possibility of time away – a singleton holiday, if you will – remained on my ‘to do’ list. So, I decided it was time to do something about this. 

Where shall I go?!

It was already July but I didn’t want to hang about. I wanted to go soon. But before I did, I made another list of what exactly I was looking for. 

A short break in Europe, I reckoned, was the way to go for this first solo outing. I wanted to go somewhere warm but not too hot. A destination that combined a bit of beach life with a side helping of culture and history. And an aura of old-school glamour would not go amiss, either. Plus, the kind of destination where I might even try something else way out of my comfort zone. A new activity of the sporting kind, perhaps?

A short break in Europe, I reckoned, was the way to go for this first solo outing

While browsing on the internet for the place that would hopefully tick most of my boxes, I happened to chance upon the Portuguese coastal town of Cascais. Only half an hour from the capital, Lisbon, I gleaned that this picturesque former fishing village appeared to retain much of its maritime charm while combined with fabulous beaches. And also a noble, almost aristocratic feel, as befitted the go-to destination of many dethroned European monarchies during the first half of the 20th century. 

Cascais

It sounded right up my ‘rua’. When I read on one site that ‘It is not necessary to bring company to explore the wonders of this unique resort’, I felt myself warming to the idea of a short break in Cascais. And then when I noticed that one of my musical heroes, Van Morrison, just happened to be headlining at the Cool Jazz festival the very same weekend I planned to take off, well, it was pretty much a done deal. A triple-day trip, I reckoned, would be just the ticket. Three days would be just about right, with Van-the-Man playing on my final night. 

Getting there

Taking the early afternoon TAP Airways flight from Heathrow to Lisbon, I was excited yet apprehensive. I had never done anything like this before. What if I hated being on my own when everyone else seemed coupled (and loved) up? What if I felt like the ultimate Billie No-Mates? What if I felt unsafe at any point? What if my voice-box seized up due to lack of use? What if? What if? What if? 

I told the mad voice in my head to shut the f**k up. It. Was. Three. Days. That’s all. Three days was nothing. If the worst came to the worst, I could treat the break as a silent retreat. Or plot out the novel I’d always promised myself I would write. Or even read all the novels I’d downloaded onto my kindle.

I told the mad voice in my head to shut the f**k up. It. Was. Three. Days. That’s all.

Plus, I had my own bespoke tour guide. I had written myself a fairly detailed itinerary before setting off. I reasoned it would be good to have a set schedule so that I wouldn’t, at any time, find my mind wandering as I people watched, causing me to think, ‘Look at all those couples and happy families seemingly having the best time’ (even if they’re really not). 

I was picked up at the airport, having already arranged a transfer with my hotel, the almost-on-the beach Vila Gale. Something of a last-minute booking, the four-star hotel was a good choice being just a matter of seconds from the marina, just 10 minutes-walk from the historic centre of Cascais and also close to the Marechal Carmona Park where the Cool Jazz festival was taking place. I was delighted with my spacious third floor room and balcony. 

Exploring the locale

Cascais Marina

Strolling into town for dinner was a feast for the eyes as I passed the marina with its resident fleet of swish-looking yachts, the imposing 16th century citadel, and the literally-on-the-beach, fairy tale castle-like Condes de Castro Guimaraes Palace.

Never once did I feel unsafe as a lone woman. I had pre-booked to eat at the Lota da Esquina, a restaurant housed in the former fish auction house. 

Read more: are retreats calling you?

Condes de Castro Guimaraes Palace

The setting was stunning – as was the repast. The tomato and strawberry gazpacho, tuna ceviche, and sauteed fresher-than-fresh fish will remain in my memory food bank for a long time. 

…never once did I feel unsafe as a lone woman

As for the dining solo thing; or ‘comendo sozinho’ as they say in Portugal? Well, I’ll admit to feeling quite self-conscious when my fellow diners were made up of mostly two, three, and foursomes but I found that a couple of stiff G&Ts pre-dinner made this dissipate in a rather dreamy kind of way. Besides, the waiting staff were lovely and chatty, and didn’t once look at me with pity! 

And I had company. Not my ubiquitous smartphone – I purposely left that in my bag – but a book. 28 Portuguese Poets: A Bilingual Anthology, which I’d ordered online before travelling. A tad pretentious? Perhaps, but just the thought of that made me laugh. The poems were generally absorbing, and turning the pages between forkfuls of delicious food made me feel like the lead in a moody foreign movie.

Day two – heading out

Day two of my solo short break was spent in Sintra, a historic, Unesco World Heritage site about 45 minutes-drive from Cascais. As per my bespoke itinerary, I had pre-booked an organised tour of this magical kingdom – think fairy tale, pastel-coloured-palaces set amongst lush, undulating emerald forests in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains, with Shortcuts Tourism. 

Did I arrange to meet up any with my lunch companions again? Er, no. While I’d had fun in their company, when you know, you know

A good choice, even if I do say so myself. We were a group of six in all and our guide Andre was everything you could wish for in a tour guide. Full of information, very funny, and his English was probably better than mine. The fantastical Monserrate Palace was a particular highlight. Beloved by romantic poet Lord Byron and featured in his poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, this Taj Mahal-like edifice in miniature, combines gothic, Indian, and Moorish influences. While the gardens are spectacular, and home to species of trees and plants from all over the world. 

Sintra, Cascais – Pena Palace Turismo

We ended up in the very picturesque if rather touristy town of Sintra itself. Where we, as a group, sat down for a light lunch at a café by the main town square. It was nice to chat to the other members of the group – although it was the hugely entertaining guide Andre who did most of the talking. Did I arrange to meet up any with my lunch companions again? Er, no. While I’d had fun in their company, when you know, you know. And I felt extremely OK about dining solo again that evening.

Monserrate Palace

Returning to by mid-afternoon, I spent a couple of hours on the beach, braving a dip in the bracing but not overly rough Atlantic, before eating that evening at sublime seafood restaurant Marisco na Praca at Cascais Marina. 

Meeting new friends

It was here that I happened to get chatting to a group of uber-friendly women on the table next to me who were in the area on a golfing trip. I don’t know if it was because I’d already chatted to strangers earlier in the day – or because the Sangria I was drinking gave me a bit of Dutch courage – but I had no qualms about starting the conversation off. 

Tiger Woods I most definitely wasn’t but I did enjoy the experience

The woman sat nearest to me was wearing a lovely necklace which I complimented her on. Within minutes, they’d asked me to join them for a nightcap. My meeting with this group of girls led me in turn to decide on just what my aforementioned sporting activity would be – a category left blank on my itinerary. Why not take a shot at the game my late father had been obsessed with? 

The next morning saw me on the driving range of the nearby Quinta da Marinha Golf Resort, taking an hour-long ’taster’ lesson, alongside another single lady. Tiger Woods I most definitely wasn’t but I did enjoy the experience. Especially when our teaching pro informed us that golf was as beneficial to the body as Pilates.

Time for Van Morrison

After an afternoon people-watching and sunning myself by the hotel pool, it was time for Van the Man at the Cool Jazz festival in the park. I’ve done some festivals in my time, but I can honestly say I have never attended a gig in such a stunning setting. We’re talking palm trees, grassy knolls, evening sunshine and an altogether languid vibe. This was cool with a capital C. 

Van Morrison playing at Cascais – photo: Alison James

I’d spoiled myself with a VIP ticket which included wine and delicious canapes – such a treat but I am worth it, I’d decided. As was Van himself. At an amazing 77-years-old, he sounded as good as ever – even if he hardly said a word between numbers and didn’t perform any of his hits! Not that I’d really expected him to. He is, by all accounts, famous for this. 

I was happy just to watch him perform but I found myself chatting to a group of Portuguese fans, who looked a good decade younger than me. No matter about, that, though. Experience and a growing confidence that maybe only comes with age – in addition to surviving a ruined marriage – has taught me that if you are open and interested in people, it’s not hard to get talking to them. My night ended at the festival’s 80s disco with me and the Portuguese 40-somethings getting into the groove. 

So how do I look back on this foray of stepping out on foreign soil for the first time on my own? 

I can honestly say it was one of the best short breaks I’d ever had. In a relatively short time, I’d done so much. I travelled solo, but I never felt lonely; I also felt a massive sense of achievement. 

Taking a break after a break-up? Intrigued by the idea of a solo trip? Just do it. Pack an open mind and a spirit of adventure in addition to a micro-holiday wardrobe. You have nothing to fear, and only exciting new experiences to look forward to. 

Alison James

The post My first time taking a holiday alone appeared first on Silver Magazine.

“This is the small one,” says the man with the New Jersey drawl. He’s called Kevin and is talking about the enormous lens fixed to the front of his fancy camera. “The big one’s at home,” he chuckles.

We’re in Portugal, just outside Lisbon, peering – through cameras, telescopes and binoculars – over the mudflats and salt marshes of Hortas, at curlews, egrets and dunlins. A white wagtail builds a nest in an abandoned fishing boat. A peregrine falcon soars overhead.

Kevin tells me he’s written a book: The Birds of New Jersey. “Guess what the twitchers call it?” he asks. Without leaving space for an answer, he says: “The bible!”

The proud author – with his beaky-peaked baseball cap and squinty Clinty eyes – is one of a group of 13 birdwatchers. They drew up in a small coach just minutes after my companion and I arrived at this peaceful location with our Portuguese guide Bernardo Barretto.

With a pair of €2,000 binoculars hanging from his neck, Bernardo sets up his £4,000 Swarovski telescope. I have borrowed a pair of Pentax 8 x 36 binoculars. It’s several hours later that I realise they’re not malfunctioning – the barrels just hadn’t been set as close as my eyes are. I was embarrassed about being such an obvious beginner, but Bernardo was courteous and patient and didn’t laugh at me once. (Not to my face anyway.)

Bernardo didn’t appear to be irritated by my endless random but bird-related questions: do birds see in colour? Are all birds’ eggs edible? Is it true that some birds can live hundreds of years? Does he ever dream of flying? (Yes, think so, no and no.) He tells me how, during his honeymoon 12 years ago, he had to leave his new wife alone in order to seek out a grey wagtail. I asked whether she’d minded, to which he replied: “Well, she’s still with me.”

Flamingos are the only known lesbian birds: one of many discoveries that stayed with me.

Although I was a birdwatching newbie, this wasn’t my first foray into the world of our feathered friends. Ten years ago, I made a start on a novel, tentatively titled All About Birds. Requiring some research, I studied with great interest a book called Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity. Flamingos are the only known lesbian birds: one of many discoveries that stayed with me after reading that book.

Kevin continues to wax lyrical about being the gull guru, despite Bernardo’s squawks of delight as he spots a Caspian tern. I took Kev’s card and said I’d let him know when his name was in print.

A half-day tour, which is what I took on that misty midweek morning, might be enough for a birdwatching beginner, but a more seasoned bird-lover may prefer a longer session. The following day, Bernardo took my companion and I on a ten-hour tour. During that time, around the cork oak woodlands of Pancas and in the Barroca d’Alva rice-fields and pastures, we took in not just birds, but flowers, trees and insects too.

Bernardo – patently passionate about all aspects of nature – walked us through a forest of cork trees, explaining how the cork is harvested and proudly telling us that Portugal is the biggest producer of cork worldwide.

A twitcher, apparently, is a mildly derogatory term for a birdwatcher more obsessed with the listing than the looking

Wearing a khaki bushwhacker hat to keep the sun out of my binoculars, my joy at excitedly ticking off every species I identified made me, according to Bernardo, a bona fide twitcher. A twitcher, apparently, is a mildly derogatory term for a birdwatcher more obsessed with the listing than the looking. By the end of day two, I had seen 68 species of bird. Not a high score, Bernardo tells me – other tourists have seen around 100 in a day. I scoured the list of 160 bird-types again, just in case I’ve missed one.

On the third day – grey and drizzly – a still enthusiastic Bernardo drives us to the EVOA Center (the Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve), located in the heart of the most important wetland in Portugal, about 50 kilometres outside Lisbon. In this ark of a building, built in 2015, we learn, via colourful information boards, about birds of the region. In the EVOA café, we enjoy some thick and tasty homemade fish soup. (I am kind of glad it isn’t chicken).

After lunch, we check out a few ‘hides’ – shed-like man-caves dotted over the grasslands. In one hide, we find birdwatching ‘god’ Frederico Morais, posted since the crack of dawn, hoping to espy some rare species. He’s disappointed. The fact that he holds the record for spotting the most (309) species of birds in a one-year period perhaps makes up for the lack of sightings on rainy days.

As we drive away from the site, Bernardo screeches to a halt in the mud. “Look, look! A purple heron!” A large-winged, rather ungainly creature flapped across the piece of sky directly in front of the car. “You can tick that off your list now,” he laughs. But, newly-hatched twitcher that I am, I tell him smugly that the ticking has already been done.

Book a tour (from a few hours to 12 days) through Birds & Nature
Check out the EVOA Center
I stayed at the Tivoli Oriente Hotel in Lisbon
Walking boots by Berghaus

TWITCH FACTS

* Fancy falling in love over the binoculars? Bird Watcher Buddy is a sort of dating-come-mates site for like-minded birders to ruffle a few feathers

* Globally, there are between 9,000 and 10,000 species of birds. The avifauna of mainland Portugal itself includes a total of 465 species recorded in the wild according to Sociedade Portuguesa pars o Estudo das Aves (SPEA), Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds.

* In 2017, research by academics at the University Of Exeter, the British Trust for Ornithology and the University of Queensland found a strong link between birdwatching and improved mental health.

* In a recent article in Condé Nast Traveller, urban birdwatching was picked as a top trend, with the likes of Damon Albarn and Bill Bailey cited as fans.

* It’s not just us lot keeping our eyes out; the under-24s in the UK are keen too. New research from Mintel reveals that 23% of young Brits have been birdwatching in their spare time

Jacqui Deevoy

Jacqui Deevoy has been a freelance journalist for over three decades, starting out on teenage magazines, then later working for women’s magazines worldwide, and national newspapers including the Daily Mail, the Mirror, Express and Telegraph. These days, as well as writing for magazines, papers and websites, she produces documentaries and hosts a Monday night talk show for Unprecedented TV.

The post Twitching in Lisbon – why birdwatching is the Next Big Thing appeared first on Silver Magazine.