Category: Travel

We’re Back in the City That Never Lets You Nap (aka NYC, our forever muse)

So… we’re back in New York. Again. Lisbon, you beautiful pastel dream, we loved you. We really did. But life threw us one of those unexpected plot twists (family illness), and we needed to be close to my parents. And by “close,” I mean within a 3 hour flight away.

Some would say we’ve bounced around quite a bit (hello, adventure!)- Santa Monica, Seattle, Funchal (hi, Madeira!), Deerfield Beach, Florida-each place offering its own brand of charm and overpriced coffee. But there’s only one city that feels like it’s wired into our nervous systems: New York.

We left NYC in 2011 to “explore” and “try new things” (read: chase sunshine and cheap rent), but let’s be real, no other place quite does it like this one. Click your ruby red heels, Dorothy, there’s no place like home.

This city breathes. It pulses. It yells at you sometimes- lovingly. The lights crank up my serotonin, the energy keeps my soul caffeinated, the art and architecture breathe new life into my soul and there’s always a pigeon with a side hustle to remind you that ambition is alive and well … and so are you.

And yes, we’re middle-aged and living on the Upper East Side, where bagels are born perfect and the squirrels are unnervingly bold. No cool “below 14th street” mandates for us, baby! We’re free to not be cool anymore….and we’re completely good with that!

Why would we plant roots here (again)? Let me give you five solid, grown-up reasons:

1. Convenience, Darling.

Everything I need is within a five-block radius: my dry cleaner, the post office, my beloved library, the hair salon that understands my multicolored root situation, and yes, dahling… Agata & Valentina, my personal temple of gourmet groceries. Oh, and Central Park is basically my backyard. Take that, suburban hell.

2. I Don’t Drive. I Teleport (via MTA).

Driving gives me hives. Insurance? Gas prices? Parallel parking?! Nope. In NYC, I can hop on a train, bus, or ferry and get just about anywhere without breaking into a rage-sweat (hello, menopause). I get to read, eavesdrop, or contemplate my life choices between stops. A luxury, really.

3. The Food Scene is Deliciously Straight-Up Spiritual.

Yes, we’ve eaten tacos in L.A., fresh seafood in Lisbon, and once had an unforgettable beet salad in Santa Monica (long story). But New York? This city invented culinary variety. Whether it’s Michelin-star magic or $1 dumplings at 2AM, every craving gets answered here. Bad food? I’ve forgotten what that even tastes like.

4. Endless Fun That Doesn’t Drain Your Wallet.

Sure, you can drop $400 on a Broadway ticket… but you can also see Shakespeare in the Park for free, dance to live jazz in Prospect Park, or hit up a museum on a pay-what-you-wish day. NYC is the only place where you can feel fancy on a budget. (NY blog post about free fun in NYC “coming soon”)

5. Creative Hustle Central.

As someone in the creative industries (hello, media/arts/production land), this city is a living, breathing portfolio. There’s work. There’s networking. There’s inspiration in the form of angry taxi drivers and rogue subway performers. If creativity were oxygen, NYC would be 100% pure.

So yes, we’re back. The sirens are singing. The bagels are hot. And despite the noise, the rent, and the occasional whiff of hot garbage, it feels damn good to be home. Reunited and it feels so good, baby!

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Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal: An Expat’s Guide

Portugal serves up epic views, affordable living, and a laid-back lifestyle that feels like a permanent vacation. But it’s not all sunshine and sardines-it’s also language hurdles, a tricky job market, slow-moving bureaucracy, and spotty rural healthcare. Dreamy? Yes. Effortless? Not quite.

Should You Move to Portugal? Let’s Weigh the Pastéis de Nata Against the Paperwork

So, you’re thinking about packing your bags and trading your overpriced oat milk lattes for vinho verde on a sunny terrace in Lisbon? Excellent choice. Portugal has been on everyone’s lips lately-right between “crypto crash” and “should I get bangs?” But before you hit “book now” on that one-way ticket, let’s chat through the pros and cons. Yes, Portugal is a dream. But even dreams come with paperwork, language stumbles, and the occasional slow-moving government agency.

The Pros: Let’s start with why everyone’s Instagram feed is suddenly tiled rooftops and sardines.

1. Scenery That Could Star in Its Own Rom-Com
From the dramatic cliffs of the Algarve to the sleepy vineyards of the Douro Valley, Portugal is basically the garden of eden. Add a climate that leans into long, lazy summers and mild winters, and you’ve got yourself a year-round excuse to be outdoors pretending you’re in a lifestyle shoot.

2. Affordable-ish Living (Depending on Where You’re Coming From)
Look, it’s not 2005-cheap anymore, but compared to Paris, London, or New York, your euros stretch a whole lot further. Rent, groceries, and that daily espresso habit won’t drain your soul…or your savings account.

3. A Lifestyle That Belongs in a Slow Living Newsletter
The Portuguese take their time with meals, conversations, life. It’s not about hustle culture here, it’s about “café culture.” That mythical work-life balance Americans keep hearing about? It actually exists. (If you can get a job there…)

4. Culture, History, and Food.
The history is ancient, the architecture is moody and photogenic, and the food? Think seafood, stews, and pastries that can only be described as “dangerously flaky.” There are festivals for everything and no one ever turns down a good reason to celebrate. Plus, with Spain, France, and the rest of Europe next door, weekend getaways are mandatory.

The Cons: AKA, the fine print on your Euro fantasy.

1. Your Mouth Is Not Ready for Portuguese
Sure, in Lisbon and Porto you’ll get by with English and a few hand gestures. But once you’re outside the tourist bubble or trying to call City Hall, you’re going to want more than “bom dia.” The language isn’t impossible, but it’s also not a quick weekend Duolingo fix. Get comfy with awkward grocery store conversations.

2. The Job Market is…Let’s Say “Selective”
Unless you’re bringing a remote job, launching your own thing, or have a very specific in-demand skill and decent Portuguese, work might be tricky. Wages aren’t exactly Netflix-executive level, and competition can be stiff. That said, if you’re a digital nomad or entrepreneur, it’s a vibe.

3. Bureaucracy Moves at the Speed of a Sunday Nap
You will fill out forms. You will stand in lines. You will wait for approvals that seem to have disappeared into the ether. Getting a visa or a driver’s license may require the patience of a saint and the persistence of someone who really loves the beach.

4. Healthcare is Pretty Good-If You’re Near It
Portugal’s public healthcare system is solid, but if you’re out in the countryside, getting specialized care might mean a bit of a hike (literally). Many expats go for private insurance just to cover all bases. Still cheaper than the ER in the U.S., though.

So… Should You Move to Portugal?

If you want a slower pace, gorgeous scenery, a more affordable life, and you’re okay with swapping convenience for charm (and occasionally yelling at a printer in a government office), Portugal might be your place. Just don’t expect it to be a magical European escape free of frustration. It’s real life-with better seafood.

But if you’re ready to trade stress for sunshine, and emails for espresso, you might just find yourself calling this little Atlantic gem home.

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5 Days in Porto: Eat, Drink, See

One of the gorgeous views of the Ribeira side during our Porto Walkers tour.

Porto is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing. You actually need much more than five days to experience all it has to offer, but we’ll give it a go. Bring your camera, an umbrella, a raincoat, and your appetite. This city has it all.

Here’s our suggested itinerary:

HOTEL: One Shot Aliados Goldsmith 12
Fabulous boutique hotel in the middle of everything you want to see, including many restaurants, cafes, tourist sites and more. The beds were amazingly soft (I didn’t want to get out of bed!) and each room has it’s own private wifi connection instead of connecting to the entire hotel. We scored an amazing deal at $90/night during our September trip.

DELICIOUS FOOD

Breakfast: Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker

Get the breakfast meals that include main, coffee of choice, juice, and yogurt with fruit. Perfect way to start the day!


Breakfast: Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker
Think Williamsburg hipster meets Seattle. Gorgeous cappuccinos, delicious options for meat eaters and vegans in a cosy decor. It’s pretty busy from the moment they open but we arrived around noon and found a table quickly.

Lunch/Dinner:

Londrina Taberna: Our hotel recommended this taberna for the infamous Porto francesinha and it didn’t dissapoint. For me, the francesinha is all about the sauce and the sauce here is pretty magical.
My hubrock had the full throttle meat version and I had the vegetarian. BOTH were delicious. We washed them down with a cool Superbock caneca (big beer), though they had a variety of craft beers on tap as well as a variety of yummy looking cocktails.

Taberninha do Manel : great place to eat a real sized steak and typical Portuguese dishes. I had the octopus salad with grilled chouriço and my husband had a giant, thick steak with delicious hand cut fries. Fantastic food and perfect place to watch the sunset over the Douro river.

Brasao Cervejaria Aliados: (lunch/dinner-reservations required)

Truffle empanada starter, filet Portuguesa and onion filet mignon, lemon meringue pie for dessert at Brasao Cervejaria Aliados.


There is always an insane line outside of this place, so you definitely have to make a reservation, whether it’s lunch or dinner. The food and service is above and beyond. People come here for the mythical Francesinha, but we strayed from the norm since there was such a fantastic selection on the menu.

Both my husband and I started with delicious, crunchy empanadas covered in a unique panko crust (truffle for me, cheese for him). I had the steak Portuguesa filet mignon and he had the onion filet mignon; both were top quality and came with fries as well as a delicious salad (good salads are hard to come by in Portugal, FYI).

For dessert, you MUST have the lemon meringue; it comes in a circular shape with a hard meringue exterior that you have to tap and break with your fork to dive into the deliciousness of the lemon inside.

Raiz: (dinner only-reservations strongly suggested)
I would recommend that you make a reservation for this place, as well. My husband and I lucked out here on a rainy night and they happened to find a table for us. Most people did have reservations. Quaint setting, delicious food and excellent service. I had the roasted octopus over vegetables; my husband had pork cheeks with sweet potatoes… all magnificent.

*Special note: You must close every meal out with dessert and Port wine…because PORTO. It’s what you do.

ACTIVITIES:

There are many wonderful cafes, bars and restaurants on both sides of the Douro river.

Day 1: Wander around to find your bearings and head over to the Douro river.
Walk to the Ribeira side with all it’s cafes, street performers and restaurants and then wander across the lower deck of Ponte D. Luísbridge to the beautiful Vila Nova de Gaia side and settle into a restaurant or bar to watch the sun set and have dinner. If you’ve not had too much wine with dinner, dare to do a wine tasting at one of the many port wineries.

Day 2: Take the Yellow Bus tour. Yes, I said Yellow Bus tour.
Alright you tourist snobs… just give in. This bus takes you all over Porto main sites: the Sé, castles, gorgeous beach areas that I didn’t expect to see, and some tours feature port wine tastings as well as underground art exhibitions. We were thoroughly impressed and because of this tour, had a proper plan of action of where to walk, what to see and do. I highly recommend.

Day 3: Take a port riverboat tour. We took the Oporto Six Bridges Cruise.
You get 3 free wine tastings with it! Not bad for about 15 Euros.

Day 4: Take a free walking tour. We went on the Porto Lifestyle free walking tour with Porto Walkers.
Meet at Praça da Liberdade in front of the D. Pedro IV statue.
Covers: pass by the nightlife area, Lello bookshop (outside), University, Carmo and Carmelitas churches, Piolho cafe, Clérigos tower, Cordoaria garden, the Courthouse and former prison, Vitória view point, Virtudes garden, Miragaia neighborhood, S.Francisco church, Palácio da Bolsa, ending at Praça do Infante.

Discover the city from the point of view of a local and get the inside download on where to eat, what to see and Porto’s history. Maria was our tour guide and was excellent. Finish off with a port tasting at one of the many wineries (many offer 3-5 VERY full glasses per tasting) or take one of Porto Walkers wine tours.

Day 5: Have brunch at Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker and contemplate when you can come back to this fantastic city.

Portugal: Know Before You Go

Portugal’s booming as a travel hotspot-but don’t show up in heels. Use Wise to avoid ATM fees, pick up some Portuguese basics, ask about Airbnb quirks, and brace for chilly, damp winters. With a bit of planning, you’ll fall in love with this charming country.

Image available on https://www.chattergoldstudios.com/Photography/Places/Lisbon-Portugal/i-3mLzGPx/buy

So You’re Visiting Portugal? Here’s What No One Tells You (But I Will)

Portugal’s hot right now-and I don’t just mean the weather. Everyone’s either booking a trip, buying property, or considering a permanent move after watching one too many TikToks featuring golden sunsets and grilled sardines. If you’re planning your first visit, let me be your brutally honest, slightly over-caffeinated travel fairy godmother. Some tidbits of wisdom:

1. Do Not Pack Heels. I Repeat: DO. NOT. PACK. HEELS.

The streets of Lisbon are basically a medieval Slip ’N Slide-cobbled hills, stunning but slippery tiles, and rain that turns everything into an ice rink. Once upon a time, I could speed-walk in heels down Greene Street in SoHo, but in Lisbon? I nearly hydroplaned right into a tuk-tuk.

What to bring instead: Sneakers, boots, or flats with real grip. Think traction, not fashion. Or suffer the consequences (and possibly a bruised tailbone).

2. Get “Wise” About Your Money

You know that moment when the ATM fee pops up and you laugh because it must be a mistake? Yeah, it’s not. Portuguese banks don’t play nice with U.S. banks, and I once paid $75 just to withdraw some euros. I wish I were exaggerating.

Solution: Set up a Wise account (formerly TransferWise) before you travel. It’s the cheapest way to pull money out of Multibanco ATMs. And very important-only use Multibanco. Avoid Euronet like you would a street performer with eye contact and a puppet.

3. Learn a Little Portuguese (Seriously, It’ll Help You So Much)

Yes, English is widely spoken in the touristy spots. But wander into a cozy, local tasca, hop on public transit, or ask someone for directions in Alfama, and you might hit a language wall. Portuguese isn’t Spanish, and it’s not exactly intuitive if you haven’t studied it.

Download these before you go: DeepL, Memrise (European Portuguese version), Drops. And yes, Google Translate’s conversation mode is Brazilian Portuguese, but in a pinch, it works. Just smile a lot and try. The locals will appreciate the effort, even if you butcher the pronunciation of “pão.”

4. Ask Questions Before You Book That Quaint AirBnB

Portugal is full of charming old buildings that are full of… quirks. That historic Airbnb in Alfama might be stunning, but will your taxi be able to drop you at the door? Will you have to haul your luggage up 73 uneven steps? Is there heat? AC? A normal-sized shower?

Ask about:

  • Accessibility (physical and taxi/Uber access)
  • Heating and cooling (important year-round)
  • Shower size (especially if you’re over 6’ or claustrophobic)
  • Noise levels (those charming cobblestone streets echo like a drumline)

5. December & January? Bundle Up, Baby-cakes

Before we moved here from Santa Monica, people told us Lisbon’s weather was “just like Southern California.” Lies. December and January are cold, wet, and damp in a way that seeps into your bones and your bedding. Many buildings were designed to stay cool in summer, not warm in winter.

Bring layers. And if your hotel or Airbnb doesn’t offer a heater and a dehumidifier, reconsider or prepare to cozy up to some serious mold.

Portugal is magical, beautiful, soulful, and full of charm, but it’s also full of steep hills, slick streets, and quirks you might not expect if you’re just basing your trip on dreamy Instagram reels. But with a little prep (and sensible shoes), you’ll fall head over heels just like the rest of us (but then, I’m partial- it’s the land of my ancestry).

Got questions? Drop them in the comments or shoot me a message. And if you’re thinking of moving to Portugal, read this post. 😉

Thanks for reading-and don’t forget to subscribe if you want more honest, practical, and occasionally sassy Portugal travel advice.

We’re in Portugal

photo available on http://www.chattergoldstudios.com

I know, I know. It’s been a minute since I’ve last posted and boy, oh boy, has life changed! We have all been going through a pandemic for just over a year.

Aaaaaaannnnnd, the hubby and I somehow managed to move to Lisbon last October!

And it’s beautiful.

And it’s quiet.

And we love it.

Stay tuned for more photos and stories to come.

Promise.

The Holy Grail is in Valencia, Spain

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Happy Sunday!

I’m editing the photos from Valencia Cathedral, taken during my Spain trip, and thought I’d share a photo of what is said to be the Holy Grail. For those of you who don’t know what the Holy Grail is (or who have never watched “Indiana Jones”), the Holy Grail is said to be the cup that Jesus used during the last supper. This Cup is made of agate stone – a popular material for drink vessels in his time. It is cut out entirely from a large chunk of agate, 9 cm in diameter and completely plain. The decorations of gold and pearls were added to the supporting structure over the centuries. I have to say, it was quite a soul quieting experience to be in the chapel that holds it. You could hear a pin drop. Pretty awesome (literally the definition of awesome).

The Holy Grail is believed to had been left in the house where the Last Supper took place – a house belonging to the family of St Mark the Evangelist, who later took it to Rome when he went to serve as an interpreter for St Peter. Passed on within the church and used as Papal Chalice, the relic was shipped out of Rome in 3rd century by St Lawrence, in anticipation of a persecution. It was taken out of Rome in the hands of a Spanish soldier to Huesca, Spain. During the Muslim occupation of the Iberic peninsula, the Grail went into hiding and later re-emerged in various Spanish monasteries and cathedrals. The Kings of Spain looked after it, on occasions taking it into their treasuries or palaces, until it was finally presented to the Valencia Cathedral in XV century, where it remained ever since. It briefly left the Cathedral only twice, both times during the 1930s Civil War, for fears of plunder. #Sundayfeels #thegrail #Valencia

(info credit given to http://www.valenciavalencia.com/sig…/holy-grail-valencia.htm)

And yes, this photo is available for purchase in any size. Click to order.,

Sunday Monday Funday Travel Photography

Could your home use an art update for 2018?

Today and tomorrow ONLY, I’m offering 40% off of all prints, metal prints, canvas and photo products in my photography on  www.chattergoldstudios.com

when you use the code: SundayMondayFunday at checkout

on images like… angels and saints in the Cathedral of Barcelona… (click on images to order)

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and Madrid…

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and Venice, Italy

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Visit Chattergold Studios for more wonderful places and feel free to use the search bar in the upper right corner to find any subject matter you fancy.

Thank you for visiting.

#MotivationMonday Travel to Italy Again

It’s Monday…and I daydream about traveling to Italy again …

Walking the streets of Venice in technicolor. Prints & Canvas for sale.

Click images to support my travel habit by purchasong these prints or canvas.