The journey begins within the hallowed walls of the Jerónimos Monastery, where inventive monks crafted a recipe that would soon become legendary. Their creation, christened “Pastel de Belém,” is an exclusive offering from the renowned Fábrica dos Pastéis de Belém in Lisbon. The key ingredients include eggs, milk, sugar, a hint of lemon, and a touch of cinnamon, blending together to create this delightful treat.

In 2011, Pastel de Belém received a prestigious accolade, being honored as one of the “7 Wonders of Portuguese Gastronomy.” Fast forward to 2023, and it continues to reign supreme in the world of pastries, leading the charts in the “pastry” category on the TasteAtlas website.

Now, let’s delve into the fascinating history of this culinary gem.

Picture the year 1837, in the enchanting district of Belém, nestled near the Jerónimos Monastery. Facing financial challenges, the monks of the monastery decided to share their custard tarts with the world, hoping to make a living. During this time, Belém and Lisbon were separate entities, connected by steamboat transportation. The allure of the Jerónimos Monastery and the iconic Belém Tower attracted countless tourists, contributing to the fame of these custard tarts.

As history unfolded, the winds of change swept across Portugal. In 1834, following the liberal revolution, the monastery closed its doors. The secret recipe passed into the hands of Domingos Rafael Alves, a Portuguese entrepreneur returning from Brazil. Remarkably, his descendants have safeguarded this culinary legacy ever since.

The humble beginnings of Pastel de Nata saw the custard tarts sold in a sugar refinery near the Jerónimos Monastery. However, in 1837, a new chapter began as facilities were established in an adjacent space, eventually transformed into a charming pastry shop known as “A antiga confeitaria de Belém.” It was there that both the original recipe and the name “Pastéis de Belém” became cherished trademarks, forever etching this delightful treat into history.

Join us in Portugal and learn how to make one of this sweet masterpieces in one of our workshops where family environment is key.

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Portugal is renowned for its diverse and rich wine culture, boasting several distinct wine regions, each with its unique terroir, grape varieties, and winemaking traditions. Here’s an overview of the main wine regions in Portugal:

• Douro Valley (Região Demarcada do Douro):

Located in the north of Portugal, it’s one of the oldest and most famous wine regions globally, known for producing high-quality Port wines.

Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and others.

Types of wine: Port wines (fortified), as well as excellent dry red and white wines.

• Portuguese Vinho Verde:

Located in the northwest, near the Atlantic coast.

Grapes: Alvarinho, Loureiro, Arinto, and Trajadura.

Types of wine: Vinho Verde (translates to “green wine”), typically a young, light, and slightly sparkling white wine.

• Bairrada:

Located in the center of Portugal, near the Atlantic coast, known for its robust red wines and sparkling wines.

Grapes: Baga, Touriga Nacional, and Bical.

Types of wine: Reds, whites, and sparkling wines.

• Dão:

Located in the central region, more inland, and known for producing elegant and aromatic wines.

Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen, and Alfrocheiro Preto.

Types of wine: Reds, whites, and rosés.

• Alentejo:

Located in the south-central part of Portugal, it is the country’s largest wine region.

Grapes: Aragonez (Tempranillo), Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, and others.

Types of wine: Rich reds, refreshing whites, and rosés.

• Lisbon (Lisboa):

Located in the central-western coastal area around the capital city, Lisbon.

Grapes: Castelão, Touriga Nacional, and Arinto.

Types of wine: Reds, whites, and rosés.

• Madeira:

Madeira is an island and an autonomous region of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean.

Grapes: Sercial, Verdelho, Bual, and Malvasia.

Types of wine: Fortified wines (Madeira) are often aged and known for their unique flavors and longevity.

• Setúbal Peninsula (Península de Setúbal):

Located near Lisbon, known for its sweet and fortified wines.

Grapes: Moscatel (Muscat), Castelão, and Fernão Pires.

Types of wine: Fortified wines (Moscatel de Setúbal), as well as dry reds and whites.

• Távora-Varosa:

Located in the northwest, known for its sparkling wines.

Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Malvasia Fina, and Gouveio.

Types of wine: Sparkling wines and still wines.

• Tejo (formerly Ribatejo):

Located in the central region, known for its diverse range of wines.

Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Castelão, and Fernão Pires.

Types of wine: Reds, whites, and rosés.

• Azores

An archipelago located in the North Atlantic Ocean and an autonomous region of Portugal also has a budding wine industry. Wine production in the Azores is relatively small-scale but gaining recognition for its distinct characteristics and unique terroir due to the island’s volcanic soil and maritime climate. The main grape varieties grown in the Azores include Arinto dos Açores, Verdelho, Terrantez, and others.

Azores wines, typically white or sparkling, are known for their freshness, minerality, and vibrant acidity. The volcanic soil contributes to the wine’s unique flavors and aromas, making it a distinctive part of Portugal’s diverse wine landscape.

These wine regions showcase the diversity and richness of Portuguese winemaking, each contributing unique characteristics to Portugal’s renowned wine portfolio.

Bear in mind that this information is just for beginners. But who knows if you fall in love and decide to experience Portugal’s world-renowned wine regions and learn about the rich history of winemaking traditions that have shaped the industry?

If you decide to discover what makes Portugal’s wine unique and a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts, we will be here to assist you with our knowledge, and friendship and of course, help you to drink!

One last important question:

Do you know what is a Magnum bottle?

The perfect size for a couple, when only one drinks!

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I will do the same thing but from the Portugal/Portuguese perspective.

Having more than 900 kilometers of coastal line, Portugal has so much to offer. For those who enjoy the water, there is no limit to what you will find. So, I will just tell you a bit about it and then you can ask and learn about the rest.

Variety is everything. Imagine stunning cliffs, beaches that stretch for kilometers, secret tucked-away coves, and charming fishing villages. It’s like something out of a dream.

Let’s start by looking at the ocean. From the mountains or the cliffs, you can immerse yourself visually with vast ocean views. There is no shortage of places where you can just sit on the ground or a bench and contemplate the serenity of a sunset. In the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia in Viana do Castelo, on the edge of Cabo the Roca (the westernmost point of continental Europe), or even the cliffs in the Natural Park of Costa Vicentina. You have several options from the city to nature to purely enjoy.

Now let´s “step into the liquid”. If you are looking for calm waters surrounded by rocks for the kids to enjoy and go for a swim, you can have both in very different locations. For example, on the south coast of Portugal, in Algarve, you can enjoy calm, warm waters and in the north, in Mindelo, the rocks give natural protection and provide puddles where the kids can enjoy the water safely.

Of course, when it comes to the ocean, surfing is a natural mental connection. Therefore, there is no lack of options. If you want to start this “lifestyle”, Matosinhos in Porto, or Carcavelos in Lisboa are great places to do so. These protected areas and city closeness are great for beginners but then there are places like Peniche “Super Tubos”. This location receives one of the stages of the World Surfing Championship so the best surfers in the world come here to experience these waves. To finish, of course, I must mention the famous Nazaré Big Wave which has the biggest surfed wave record. These are just a few of the spots in Portugal.

Again, with more than 900 kilometers of coast, where do you want to “step into the liquid”?

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Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of organizing many successful Fam Trips, where we’ve met and connected with a wide range of professionals. These experiences have not only strengthened our trust in each other but have also led to lasting friendships. Most of our adventures take place in mainland Portugal, but we’ve also explored the beautiful island of Madeira. Recently, we went on a trip to several cities in the north and center of the country, focusing on promoting Jewish Heritage. It was a fantastic journey with ten incredible professionals who got to witness the warmth and hospitality of the Portuguese people. They opened their hearts and doors to show off our welcoming nature to everyone who seeks us out.

Each Fam Trip holds a special place in our hearts, and we cherish the memories we create with our guests. Our natural beauty, delicious food, amazing wines, and fascinating history always leave a lasting impression. But what truly matters to us is the affectionate mark we leave on others. We feel honored to share our love for Portugal and make a positive impact on those who join us on our adventures.

Right now, we’re getting ready for our next big escapade in the Azores. It’ll be our first time exploring this mesmerizing archipelago, and we’re absolutely thrilled. We know it’s going to be an unforgettable experience, and we can’t wait to discover the wonders of the island together.

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This year, at Wild Douro, São João took on a unique flavor. We had a group of Americans, Canadians, and Australians guests with us and we were lucky to be able to celebrate this evening in one of the hearts of the party, the privileged and historic location of Miragaia.

The night was exceptionally warm, defying São João’s usual rainy weather. We were treated to a delightful outdoor dinner under the charming stone arches of Miragaia. Traditional grilled sardines, meat, and peppers were served, accompanied by an abundance of cold beer, sangria, and wine to keep us refreshed throughout the long night.

Throughout the week, we had done our best to explain the significance of this celebration to our guests. However, one can only truly grasp its magnitude and importance by experiencing it firsthand. So, despite some expectations, our guests were in for a surprise.

São João is a feeling that resonates within our hearts, a sense of unity with all the people who fill the streets alongside us. During this night, everyone becomes a friend and family. We playfully wield plastic hammers, joyfully bopping even strangers on the head. We release small hot air paper balloons, filling the sky with a magical display of shimmering lights. And at midnight, the breathtaking firework show takes center stage, captivating us all. Regardless of age, fireworks never fail to inspire awe. We dance throughout the night with old and new friends until our feet can no longer keep up.

The dinner began with nostalgic conversations about the wonderful experiences we had shared during the past week in Portugal. As drinks flowed and energy built up, the atmosphere transformed. By dessert, no one remained seated; we were all dancing and laughing with sheer delight! It was then that everyone truly grasped the essence of this party and why we were so thrilled to share it with our guests.

Everyone danced, ate, drank, and created lasting memories through photographs and videos. We connected with strangers who quickly became friends and had the time of our lives. One person approached us, their eyes gleaming with joy, and exclaimed, “Oh my God, this is EPIC!”

Indeed, we knew it would be.

As a few guests began to retreat to their accommodations for some well-deserved rest, we gathered the remaining members of the group to witness a breathtaking fireworks display. It served as a magnificent conclusion to an unforgettable week spent with incredible new friends.

The following morning, despite having had only a few hours of rest, everyone was still brimming with energy. There was an overarching sense of happiness from having experienced such a remarkable celebration. We shared our cherished (and perhaps not-so-flattering) photos from the night before and bid each other farewell.

This São João created an unbreakable bond with our guests—a memory we will forever cherish.

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Wild Douro is not just your typical destination management company or tourist agency. We are passionate about bringing cultures together and forging lasting friendships. Our mission is to create unforgettable experiences that showcase the rich traditions, captivating stories, and vibrant people of Portugal.

From the moment you reach out to us, our dedicated team will meticulously craft a personalized itinerary tailored to your preferences. We will fine-tune every detail until it aligns perfectly with your desires. Throughout your journey, we’ll provide unwavering support and guidance, ensuring a seamless travel experience. Whether you’re traveling solo, with family, or as part of a group, we add our special touch to create an exceptional tour.

Portugal offers a diverse range of activities and attractions, and we carefully curate each experience to match your interests. However, what truly sets us apart is our commitment to connecting you with the locals. As you explore, a friendly companion from Wild Douro will accompany you, sharing captivating stories and introducing you to extraordinary individuals who possess insider knowledge of hidden gems. These encounters will make your adventure truly unique, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local culture and feel like a true resident.

If you’re a food enthusiast, we can arrange cooking classes with Inês or delightful workshops on Portuguese sweets. For water sports enthusiasts, Carlos will be your expert guide. And if you crave a deeper understanding of Portugal’s history, João will share his extensive knowledge with you. Our offerings go far beyond these examples, but to conclude your journey on a high note, we invite you to join Marta and the Wild Douro family at her own home for a special homemade meal.

Ultimately, the most treasured aspects of your travel experience will be the cherished memories you create and the bonds you form with us and our circle of friends, which will undoubtedly include you by the time you bid farewell.

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First of all, a clarification. This is a playlist that does not obey any chronology or criteria, apart from the very obvious one which is being Portuguese. It does reflect a purely personal choice and my feeling for Portuguese music. The one I think it makes sense to share with you. I will certainly leave out great themes and great performers. It is a representative selection of various styles, various eras and various voices. There is a common link, they all contain a very Lusitanian DNA, very authentic, very much ours.

Music is emotion, feeling, connection. I lived a few (quite) years outside of Portugal, in a context where many days went by without speaking or writing a single word in Portuguese (the long and frequent phone calls, at that time, still meant exorbitant bills at the end of the month and were that reason more contained) and in that period, I found myself feeling a greater need to listen to Portuguese music, to relate through its melody and its words with the soul of my country. And music gave me just that: the feeling of belonging, the comfort of feeling at home, even from a distance.

Sometimes music is also the bittersweet taste of nostalgia.

Forcibly, the music keeps pace with time. From traditional songs to popular music, from classical to light, from rock to pop, from jazz to rap, from fado to intervention music – each song, each style, in its own way, marks in us an era, a period of life, a milestone or even a revolution.

I’m not going to present the history of each of these songs here or explain why I chose them. That would be too long and cumbersome an exercise for the task I set myself. The aim is that through these creations, each of you can feel a little of the soul of Portuguese culture. It is interesting to feel the depth, joy, melancholy, strength, sadness, hope, life or love that each of these songs carries within itself. And I’m sure that, even if we don’t understand the meaning of the words, we manage to be touched by the strength and beauty of each of these choices.

This is a playlist with which I imagine myself traveling through Portugal, listening to it loud and clear while crossing mountains, while contemplating valleys, crossing plains under a golden sun or while gliding beside the infinite blue of the Atlantic coast. My choices, as felt as they are subjective. My list, which is now yours too.

*Written by Alexandra Santos

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A piece of land, lost in an Atlantic sea…

Sun, rain, wind, sounds, aromas,

Awakened senses…

Every Man would like to be an Island,

Where everything is perfect,

Warm, quiet, vibrant, cozy,

Something that is the sum of all the good things in life.

If I could, I’d be part of the Island,

Views where the sea gets lost with the horizon,

Boilers with ponds that mirror the skies,

Surrounded by a verdant pulse like no other.

The Island frees the Island we live on,

Because it takes us to a higher dimension,

Where the food of the Gods connects us to the local and to the tradition,

Where wines connect us to people, laughs and stories,

Where friends get together and the fun doesn’t stop,

And where the peace that the serenity of the Island gives us

Is equivalent to the vibrancy of the people living there…

I live the Island and return there constantly,

In memories, in flavors, in travel…

The Island is São Miguel, my Island. And I’d live on the Island, forever!

São Miguel – Azores

Text by “The wild unknown traveler”

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The splendid Costa Vicentina contemplates about 400kms of land, from Santiago do Cacém to Lagos, with relaxing landscapes that plague us with their grandeur. Ideal to free our mind from everyday evils, this paradise in the West of Portugal leaves us surrendered to the strong presence of wild nature.

In this report of my trip, I come to share with the reader an experience of 5 days spent in the Portuguese Southwest. A trip that translated, above all, into a rediscovery of the passion for my homeland, a trip to the memories of a young girl and an evocation of the possibility of absorbing unique and different experiences traveling through Portugal.

First of all, let us clarify that this is not a guide for people in a hurry, since I covered about 100kms of the length of the coast and ¾ were left to be done. Let’s say it was not possible for me to discover the formula for visiting its completeness in 5 days, since to do so, I would either feel indifferent and insensitive to what my eyes saw, or I would have to recover quickly from the shock effect caused by the views.

For me, part of an authentic and sustainable tourism is in the planning of the route – without overexploiting the places on the internet, in order to prevent the surprise effect from fading in situ -, in the preference for a reception with open arms at the people’s home. , and, finally, in the choice of typical taverns and snack bars in the region. But let us start this journey north – south.

I see myself leaving the city of Porto through the mirror of my old car, offered by grandfather Nani. I embark early in the morning, on an adventure in search of the unknown, Atlantic serenity and emptying my mind with a suitcase full of snacks and half a dozen fresh clothes from June. After 3h45m of travel, we make (p.: I came with my better half!) A pit stop at the most western point of Continental Europe, Cabo da Roca. From here, we can see the Serra de Sintra over the coast, while holding our hats against the wind. The munchies and the desire to drink a “blonde” invade us, that is, it is time to open hostilities inside the car, facing the sea – Oh! How beautiful it is to enjoy a simple sandwich and a beer in this place)!

He secretly tells me that we have a spectacular “trail” of adventure to do next door, at Praia da Ursa. I knew that this route, which each one has to do in their own way, would not be for everyone (a fact that I confirmed when I landed there). The path is steep and is made between rocks, boulders and nettles, but we know it pays off as soon as we get down there, and we feel small in front of those rocks shaped by coastal erosion. The most beautiful natural stone sculpture is Ursa, a rock shaped like this animal.

Resuming the road to Alcácer do Sal, we stayed in one of the largest estates in the country, which belonged to the State at the time of Oliveira Salazar. With infinite hectares, we stayed at the home of the caretakers, who told us stories of their lives while they cooked us dinner. We then went for a night walk along the bank of the Sado River and came across a popular party, where we drank for the first time a renowned gin of Alentejo origin – the Black Pig.

We wake up with a wonderful breakfast at the table and Mr. João asks us for permission to take a picture in front of the house. A photograph that he insisted on sending us later, in the hope that we would never forget them and return one day.

We then proceeded to Sines, more precisely, Praia de São Torpes, where the waters were, at the time, heated by the Power Station located in front of the beach (meanwhile disabled), which made us stay longer “soaking”. We had some snacks from the sea: squids and prawns with a beer to accompany. It’s time to head further south.

“There was a peach tree on the island

Planted by a Vizier of Odemira

Who say for love killed himself again

Here, instead of… ”

Do you know where we are? Porto Côvo, of course. Fishermen’s place with a predominance of whites and blues, where the old doors turn red. We appreciate those imposing cliffs that bring us the feeling of wanting to stay forever in that calm, and we end the day with a handmade ice cream. We installed ourselves in a large house with nine rooms, which we shared with other travelers to whom we said “hello” from the leaning balconies.

The next day, I only thought about seeing the Ilha do Pessegueiro, we spent all morning sunbathing and contemplating the view to the Island. We had lunch at the A Ilha Restaurant, mouth-watering snails, with roasted Alentejo bread for the delicacy sauce.

We left the island and left for Vila Nova de Milfontes, the memories here are a lot of fun and happy stomach. At Tasca do Celso we had a few clams in the tavern, some black pork plumes and a pepper steak. When we leave the restaurant, we are attracted by the sound of Rock that hovers in the square, full of people jumping and applauding a talented garage band.

A new day dawns and we pass by Praia do Carvalhal to appreciate the cliffs from the highest point and we could see from the side of a road a farm with an impressive variety of animals, including ostriches, horses, llamas, and a specimen similar to wildebeest. We then arrived, to another trail on the private beach of Amália, which is at the back of your Herdade. And, heading to Azenha do Mar just for a snack at Bar do Palhinhas.

After settling in a typical house in the area, very authentic, in Odeceixe, we went to the center for dinner at the Chaparro Restaurant, some black pork rojões with sweet potatoes, a fish pasta with prawns and, to go with it, a bottle of house red.

To end the night, we took a nice walk to the famous Moinho de Odeceixe. And here, for the farewell, I just let myself be carried away by the silence of the heights and the starry sky that I observe, already longing for it, lying on a stone bench older than I am.

*Written by Catarina Campos

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Traveling to Morocco starts long before the trip, it starts on the day we decide to go to Morocco on all-terrain vehicles! And preparations can even take months, all to make sure nothing goes wrong. And the truth is that nothing fails, it’s much better than what we had imagined. It’s a trip for those who like adventure and, of course, driving. Without counting what we drive in Portugal, we can count on about 3,000km in 8 days. Of course I don’t drive any bit of it, I’m part of the group that enjoys seating next to the driver, appreciating the views, reading my book and, of course, getting my feet tanned out on the window!

The last time we went to Morocco was in July, but the next time it will be a cooler month, October or April. What do we need? A 4×4 car, with complete servicing and full tank. We meet in Porto and as we travel south, we pick up friends on the way, heading towards Algeciras, where we spend the first night; the next day we catch the boat that takes us to Morocco and BUM! It’s adventure time!

I had never been to Morocco before, I didn’t know what to expect, but I decided to accept the invitation and book the accommodation in each of the places where we were going to stay overnight. We were 9, in 5 cars, we could have had one car more or one car less, but this is pretty close to the perfect number. We did an average of 250km a day, with some stops to discover the local people, unknown paths, unstuck one of the cars, talking and drinking a Super Bock – we always had the fridge on full power.

There was no better or worse in our day, but stopping to prepare our lunch was certainly a highlight, pure fun, amusement and companionship. Our lunch was a real meal, always Portuguese food from the pot, prepared outdoors; for dinner we used to try the local delicacies, we always did very well!

We traveled through Chefchaouen, Ifrane, Midelt, Merzouga, Ouarzazate, Marrakesh and Tangier, and we have a good memory of each of these places. Places we will never forget: Cedar Forest, Todra Gorges or Erg Chebbi Dunes. But it was the people who left an impression on us, the ones who went with us and the ones we met there.

We met people who did everything to welcome us in their homes, hotels or restaurants, we met people who guided us through cities to show us the most inaccessible places and we met an entire family who showed us that we should not have prejudices or preconceived ideas. Near the desert, where there were few shades to cook our lunch, we found a land with some olive trees that seemed to be a good spot; however, there was a donkey attached to one of the trees, which suggested that the land had owners. We set up our “kitchen”, but when the beans rice was cooking, the sound of the gas scared the donkey, which made him bray. Two children soon arrived, I thought it would be wise to pack our bags, things could go wrong. Well, I couldn’t be more mistaken!! We had cookies with us, pens, hats that we gave them, while they hugged and kissed us to show their gratitude. The parents and the grandmother arrived, and even without speaking the same language, they welcomed us with tea, seeds and bread. We were intruders on their land, it was Ramadan, and yet they offered us food. We felt closer to someone than ever, no matter the language, culture or religion barriers, and regardless of the ladies wearing miniskirts or having a scarf covering our heads.

This trip to Morocco took placed long before we dreamed of creating Wild Douro, but today, looking back, it almost could have been our kick-off (even because we were in Marrakesh when we were European Champions!).

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