We are a small country with a lot of history and many cultures, we have always welcomed the world with its diversity, friendliness, some distrust but open to people who bring us knowledge, understanding and tranquility. I'm 73 years old, I live in Sintra and welcome to my Portugal
Portugal and the UK have the longest unbroken military alliance in the world, Dom Henrique of Portugal his Mother was English the sister of Henry lV. Norm (from the UK), first went to Portugal when he was 15 years old in 1970 and fell in love with the country and people. We also love the Moorish influence and the many positive aspects of that. As you say you are a small country with a proud and important past and we like to visit in wintertime then leave and go home to Canada with wonderful memories and experiences. Thank you for your kind comment Anabel. 🇵🇹🇨🇦
Lucky you living in lovely Sintra! I first went to Portugal in the 1970's as a child, but later myself as an adult in the early 1990's I used to go to the F1 in Estoril near Sintra, and after the F1 finished at Estoril I visited Estoril/ Cascais at least twice each year for a long time. Now I am looking to move full-time to the Algarve for my retirement. I have my Titulo de Residencia, but I have some duties to my mother in England, before I can finally move back to the Algarve permanently. I like the friendly nature of the Portuguese.
I just found your Channel and I so enjoy listening to each of you! You are both so delightful and the “perfect couple”! Much love to both of you from Texas, USA
One shocker for me when I was in Portugal…in the restaurant, the waiter will just put bread on the table, so you start eating bread…at the end…they do charge the bread that you ate…it’s not free.
I am an "old stock Canadian", originally from Nova Scotia, and raised my family in Ontario. We were sick and tired of Canada, sold our home, and moved to Centro Portugal. (we already had my wife's family home here) We just love the weather, the people, and freedom here, dogs and cats everywhere, we raise chickens, get fresh eggs.🍁
I can almost hear the door of your apartment closing and the wheels of your luggage rolling down the hallway. The "contrast and compare" information is exactly what a first time traveler to any country is looking for and I agree safety is very important to make you feel comfortable where you are staying. No one wants to have a lovely new necklace ripped off their neck by some street thief and you can't give chase because the sidewalks are so slippery that you drop your pastries..
Thank you for this post on Portugal. I’m looking forward to a trip sometime in the near future. I love the ocean and from the photos I’ve seen, the beaches look beautiful. I have read that Portugal is one of the safest places in the world to visit. Thanks again for posting! Stay safe! ✌🏻🙂✌🏻
Totally gobsmacked guys. Thank you so much for the kind comments! Love the advice, the humour and the so infectious Joie de vivre . The Algarve is on the bucket list and off to the LCBO to try the JP red with a family prime rib on the big green egg this Sunday . One question . Where did you get the "Doors" t-shirt Norm ? Cheers guys
Thanks Stephen for your kind comment, hope you like JP, all the Portuguese reds at the LCBO are very good, we have tried most of them 😂😂🍷🍷The Doors T-Shirt I have had for a while most of the Rock shirts come from Giant Tiger, having said that they haven’t had any for a couple of months. Enjoy the prime rib!
@@ThisIsOurRetirement 👍💕thanks so much guys ! Will have a look in the local Giant Tiger and sampling many Portuguese wines seems like a plan . Have a wonderful week , all the best
My wife and I are headed to Portugal from Canada this winter. Been watching lots of UA-cam. You channel is a nice IRL (in real life) perspective. Thanks
Portuguese here living in Canada for 40+ years .After doing a lot of homework we choose the Domenican Republic small beach village called Cabarete in Puerto Plata because of the weather and beautiful people .12 months of sunshine warm weather there . Perfect to get a break from our long winters here.
We ❤Portugal! Great vlog Norm and Tina!! We found home and love it all...The food, people, weather, culture, beauty, etc...Of course there are differences and shocks, but it's like that in every country!! We love it here and found our forever 'home'!!
I appreciate your reviews. Don't pay any attention to someone who says you are "nitpicking". A lot of us just want to know. And I love to hear you talking about "shocking" things. Don't stop.
I find that those of us that like to winter somewhere warm, or at least less cold than Canada or the northern US, will generally find a place that is the right combination that suits them. Personally we go to a small mountain village in Mexico (tourist beaches aren't for us) but for others like yourselves it's Algarve or even the Azores in Portugal, a friend of ours likes the Canary Islands (Spain), another Costa Rica, and of course there are the perennial favorites of Florida and Arizona. All are different and all are nice but it's what suits you that's important. Enjoy!
Totally agree find a place that suits you and then make it your Winter stay away from home , we can’t wait to get back to the Algarve this Winter Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦🍷
Thank you Tina and Norm, I love your videos. I got interested in Portugal, I just booked our 1 monrh visit from mid January. The first 2 weeks in Albufeira, then Lisbon and Porto. We may even run into each other. Keep up the great work 😊
We went to Portugal last winter and thanks to your videos they really helped us.We are returning again this January as we really enjoyed it and found pretty well as you said. We also love Portuguese wine as wr found it doesn't give us heartburn lol. and also you can buy Super Bock beer in Fresco here. Love that beer. Love your videos.
GREAT STUFF!!! CHEERS from HERE! P.S. I worked for a Portuguese baker for 3 years.The whole family was involved in the business.There was never a dull moment!
Hi folks, glad to hear you are going back to Portugal. We will be in Albufeira from April 2nd to the 12th. Your "shocked" is all items that were new to us as well. Keep making the travel videos, love them and maybe, maybe our paths will cross in Portugal.
We are pleased our video had something useful for you, unfortunately we will be back home by the time you arrive. We wish you a great time in Portugal 🇵🇹
Everyone who wants to come to Portugal is welcome to come during the low season, prices are much lower and there is no crowding in big cities and in the Algarve, the bathing area.
We do love visiting the Algarve in the Winter months when it’s quieter but prices seem to have gone up a lot this winter on places to rent Cheers 🍷🇵🇹🇨🇦🙂
When my wife and I went to Portugal last March we were shocked at how much we liked it. We liked it so much we are planning another trip this coming March. I was ready to cash out my US holdings and stay. Watching your videos were very helpful by the way. Keep up the good work.
OMG a Leon Russell hat! We got to see him in concert in this really cool basement venue in Charlottesville VA. He played for a solid 3 hours nonstop and would NOT stop! In fact the drummer was upset because he needed a break and Leon just kept playing. His two daughters were there as well and they were fantastic! Oh, also.... We LOVE Portugal!
Great video and thanks for warning on the horrible smoke that follows me around too! Can you get non smoker areas in resort hotels so you can enjoy your balcony?
Hi! I was surprised to hear you say that you couldn 't find cream for your coffee in Portugal. So I looked up on the Continente site and there are at least 20 different brands of regular Cream and two specific for coffee: the little ones you found and one of 250gr for 2.09€ from the brand "Turm". Ask for "Natas para café". In portuguese "Cream" is "Natas". Enjoy Portugal my home country!
Love you guys. Especially on this PT video your spot on! We go to PT alot but in the north and not as warm or dry as the south, but everything you discussed we have experienced ❤ in Porto we find the Portuguese people to be very friendly and helpful, even when we struggle with our attempts to speak the language 😔
We were there18 years ago lucky husband drove standard in Scotland coming from canada we use auto Spain is the same my sister has small porch of kitchen washer out there noon big balcony heading again meeting up with other Canadian friends snow birds enjoy it as can travel other European countrys
Your information was fascinating. The smoking and dogs might do my husband in! Not sure he could handle it. LOL Love the idea of spending time in another country for a season and Portugal sounds lovely.
Best six weeks of my life was spent in Portimao. I tell everyone I meet that they need to winter there. Hopefully I can go back soon, and yes the wine is not just cheap but good. My first time in large grocery store the entrance was stacks of wine for €2.99 I wanted to take a case😅. Cheers guys!
So glad you had a great time Matt we can’t wait to be back this Winter we are going for longer so it will be great to leave the snow behind Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦🍷
Thank you so much for helpful advice! We are currently in Portugal as well and we wanted to spend the winter in Porto or Lisbon, but find it rather cold, so in December we are traveling from Porto to Algarve instead of Lisbon. Your videos helped us so much getting the confidence that Algarve is the right choice where we wouldn't freeze during colder months and it would be welcoming for tourists even outside the main tourist season. Thank you and have nice travels!
Wishing you a great time away from the cold. Can’t wait to see your videos on the winter break. Always enjoy watching all about your info ! Small town USA 🇺🇸
Oh my those little custard tarts are to die for . I bought in Old Town and paid 2 euros per one but in the Brisa Sol hotel in the coffee shop I paid 1:35 euro and then in the Lisboa airport for a Box of 6 I paid 10:95 euros so it was not that bad. But they are worth every penny .
We were in Azores and Portugal earlier this year and had a great time. Manual shift is not a problem for me although I have been driving automatic for decades here. I love the coffee there, wish the cup is a bit bigger😀 yes, ordering beer with a sandwich at McDonald’s is great. We took the toll highways a number of times, always paid when we exited the highway, once we took the electronic toll from Albufeira to Seville. We were told to go to local post office to pay the toll charges. We went there a number of times but they told us nothing in their system. When we returned the car at Lisbon airport we again told them about the toll charge we couldn’t pay. They told us we would receive an email from Expedia to pay for the single trip, to this date, we received nothing. Enjoy your upcoming winter trip to Portugal.
You right JP wine is really a good one . I like that brand and Borba . I am very pleased you like my country . I am living in United States 🇺🇸 for a lot years .. but iam going to retired in a few years and I am thinking to go back 🇵🇹 l am from the middle .. Coimbrã ❤️ enjoy Portugal and the great food and wine .
Left side of JP you have an amazing wine made in Palmela: Palmelão!!! It is from the same region and it is my favorite.❤ Try the red, white and Rose and
Hello Tina & Norm, very true and correct observations. We, being from Europe, are used to stick-shift and prefer to rent these because, as you said, these are cheaper than the automatic cars. Diesel is cheaper in Europe than gasoline, so we tend to rent diesel cars. Very true that the coffee taste excellent everywhere, even on the gas stations and rest places on the high way. One shocker we got is the absence of Wipers on the Gas stations to clean your car's windshield. What they have is a hose with water pressure almost non-existing and paper towels. I am not sure if you found wipers anywhere?? Half & Half is really hard to find, we found it in Batista grocery shop in Praia da Luz- German brand called 'Cafe Sahne', else they have condensed milk.
Hey guys, we are over in Barcelona now and will be going to Portugal in 2 weeks and will be staying at the same hotel you did on your first trip. We will be there for 4 weeks before we cruise back to Florida. So sorry we will miss you. Safe travels.
Too funny about the laundry machines 😂😂 I have read a lot about Portugal through website called international living and it consistently gets high ratings for being a wonderful place to be an expat. Partly because of the low cost of living but also as you said that it's very safe and wonderful climate. It's pretty scary about the walkways though! Here in Michigan where I live if someone fell on a Surface like that they would probably sue the city or the company that installed it so most places try to keep things extremely safe for pedestrians. You did a wonderful overview and I really really want to go there after seeing this!
I just had to check. J&P $10.95 at LCBO. I use a clothes rack all the time here in Canada. I never use a dryer unless super pressed for time. Cheap and environmentally friendly. Makes me feel so virtuous.
I’m in Ireland and we have the outdoor washing machines too, usually at petrol/gas stations or supermarkets. We dry our clothes on the line here too despite more inclement weather than Portugal. It’s more environmentally friendly as dryers use up so much electricity. I’ve read that in some parts of USA some homeowners associations have banned line drying for aesthetic reasons. I hate being in a smoky area too. I didn’t notice the dogs barking in my rented apartment in Albuferia but there were way less cats than other places in Europe that I have visited like Cyprus or in the Canaries which I was glad about as I’m not a big fan.
I'm in Dublin. Living in an apartment and the rules absolutely forbid drying clothes anywhere outside! My neighbour was reported the other day! 😮 So I have no choice but to use the tumble dryer if the clothes horse in the hallway doesn't do the trick. Expensive!!!
@@MrGearoid65 Definitely expensive especially with our current electricity prices. It’s clothes horse/airer city a lot in my house over the colder winter months. Everyone living near me had all their washing outside last week though, due to that freaky 20+degree (c) weather. Have a lovely day and thanks for sharing your perspective.
When you say Hydro do you mean dehumidifier which might be useful for all the dampness to be taken away from indoor drying and tumble drying?? @@ThisIsOurRetirement
My Dear I hear Portugal news everyday I know the smoking changing starting November couldn’t not smoke on the beaches and other places too they will give you a fine ❤
Thank you for all your information. Coffee is better everywhere compared to Canada. People here think a drive thru Is a good place to get coffee. We didn’t notice the dog barking nuisance when we were there, Good to know. By the way, i live in Canada and have been hang drying my laundry for decades. Dryers ruin your clothes!
We are going to so the same. Hate winter and middle summer where we are. So from mid june to late august, we are going to stay in places like Ireland, Scotland, Amsterdam, Iceland and from Jan to late March in Panama, Costa Rica, New Zealand.
Portugal has the best coffees and my favourite is meia de leite (half espresso and half milk)!!! My husband and I are recently retired. We did 6 weeks of travelling in Portugal last fall and would like to try staying longer. My worry is leaving our home empty. Have you done a video with tips for leaving your home or apt empty for months at a time?
That coffee sounds great ☕️ that was the main reason we sold our house and now rent an apartment JoAnne . Our home insurance needed the home checked every 24-48 hours and it’s way to much to ask someone to do that for us . We don’t worry at all at leaving our apartment you just shut the door 🚪 and go , we have a superintendent couple living in the building should anything need attention . Welcome to being retired Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦
Standards are great for those of us who grew up in Ireland. No automatics there back in the day. Most are still stick shifts today. It is so easy to adjust. Thinking about it in advance however is a tad stressful. The prices since Covid have been crazy for rentals though. I have also seen outdoor washing facilities at gas stations in Ireland. Lots using them. Very weird to see the first time. Wish we had Aldi and Lidl here! They are great.
You can buy beer at McDonald's in Austria too. I remember the first time I saw that - 40 years ago on my first visit to Salzburg! Yes, I was surprised. But now I live in Austria, and I know that beer is a typical refreshment to have along with a meal here. But then I discovered that you can also get beer from vending machines here. Now that surprised me! You can get inexpensive wine in supermarkets here too - I'm lucky to live in a country that produces both beer and wine! Actually, I don't know how expensive beer and wine are in Canada.
I think the two of you need to start wearing rubber soled shoes to avoid being shocked so much LOL. Seriously great videos and keep up the great content!
Regarding crime, the most reported crimes in Portugal in 2022 were: 1 - Domestic violence against spouse or similar; 2 - Driving a vehicle with an alcohol content greater than 1.2g l; 3 - Simple voluntary physical integrity offense (assault?). There were 97 murders in 2022, more than in 2021 (85), and 14 bank robberies (21 in 2021). I guess it's still safe enough...
Another great video, thanks . Perhaps by the time we watch all of your Portugal videos, we might be classed as semi-pro...Manual transmission cars are prdominately throughout Europe , the far east & Asia. noticed the smoking in Paris last year plus in the towns & cities we stopped in enroute to Barcelona vis riverboat cruise. One thing I found obvious that you rarely saw cigarette butts on the ground as opposed to Canada.
I love your shocking video series. I too would be shocked to drive a standard transmission. It's more than 40 years since I've driven that way. Thanks for the heads up.
Barking dogs! I rented an Air bnb below someones house Puetro Vallarta, Mexico. The owner lived upstairs and had a balcony over my bedroom underneath. Her 3 dogs stood on it and barked . all. night. long. then the neighbourhood dogs would come and have a barking and howling contest. As soon as a crack of daylight the roosters set off. I must say it ruined it for the 5 nights I stayed there.
What a shame Dave such simple things can absolutely ruin your vacation, the dogs really got to us on our first stay in the Algarve drove us nuts Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦🥂
Hi Norm and Tina! Thanks for another well done informative video. So what are the best shoes to wear on the cobblestone? When it is sunny? When it is raining?
Loved your suggestions. Reminded me of 2$ Chuck wines at Trader Joe’s introduced in 2002. I tried several varieties, loved the Merlot, did blind taste testing with neighbors, who could not tell it from $10 wines. Now it is $3.49 a bottle, but still tastes great ! If you buy wine to impress your neighbors, go ahead and pay $20 or $30 a bottle, they will be impressed! But if you buy wine that tastes good, 2$ Chuck is still available , but at $3.49!
Love my $3.49 buckchuck. Had friends bring an expensive bottle for dinner last week and I liked the Chuck better! I don’t eat or drink anything that tastes bad to me so Ive saved a ton of money this way
Very amusing. Stick shift is OK with me, but shifting with the left hand, and driving with all that car to the left of you, is a shock in UK, Ireland, Australia, etc. Loved Portugal, but the 0.0001L turbo engine took some getting used to, especially starting uphill. Also, got a window smash burglary (nothing taken, but still a claim) in Porto.
Aside from the US, I have never gone into a McDonald's when travelling. It would be the last place I'd think to go. Smoking really bothers me when travelling. I have been thinking of going to the Algarve so maybe this will be the year. Aren't you used to hanging clothes to dry as Brits? I had thought that was fairly common in the UK.
I would feel quite at home hanging my clothes out to dry as I live in an Australian climate and I am shocked every time I go to North America and everything goes in the dryer even when you have cellars with heating that would air dry clothes in a jiffy.
Hello there. I think the SAQ in Quebec and the LCBO in Ontario would have conniption fits if McDonalds ever started selling beer with their burgers. That's just what Montreal needs, another venue to buy beer, for those who should not drink beer at all.
Please subscribe to our channel it's free! 👍
We are a small country with a lot of history and many cultures, we have always welcomed the world with its diversity, friendliness, some distrust but open to people who bring us knowledge, understanding and tranquility. I'm 73 years old, I live in Sintra and welcome to my Portugal
Portugal and the UK have the longest unbroken military alliance in the world, Dom Henrique of Portugal his Mother was English the sister of Henry lV. Norm (from the UK), first went to Portugal when he was 15 years old in 1970 and fell in love with the country and people.
We also love the Moorish influence and the many positive aspects of that. As you say you are a small country with a proud and important past and we like to visit in wintertime then leave and go home to Canada with wonderful memories and experiences. Thank you for your kind comment Anabel. 🇵🇹🇨🇦
Thank's cuple
Lucky you living in lovely Sintra! I first went to Portugal in the 1970's as a child, but later myself as an adult in the early 1990's I used to go to the F1 in Estoril near Sintra, and after the F1 finished at Estoril I visited Estoril/ Cascais at least twice each year for a long time. Now I am looking to move full-time to the Algarve for my retirement. I have my Titulo de Residencia, but I have some duties to my mother in England, before I can finally move back to the Algarve permanently. I like the friendly nature of the Portuguese.
I just found your Channel and I so enjoy listening to each of you! You are both so delightful and the “perfect couple”! Much love to both of you from Texas, USA
beautiful
One shocker for me when I was in Portugal…in the restaurant, the waiter will just put bread on the table, so you start eating bread…at the end…they do charge the bread that you ate…it’s not free.
That is true but some restaurants like I’ll Cappuccino in Albufeira didn’t charge for bread.
Portugal is Canadians safe winter heaven. ☀️ 🏖️ 🌊
Yes it is Billy🎼🎸
Thank you so much for all of the hints! I have booked 3 weeks in Albufeira in mid February. So excited!
Hope you enjoy it Maureen
I am an "old stock Canadian", originally from Nova Scotia, and raised my family in Ontario.
We were sick and tired of Canada, sold our home, and moved to Centro Portugal. (we already had my wife's family home here)
We just love the weather, the people, and freedom here, dogs and cats everywhere, we raise chickens, get fresh eggs.🍁
I can almost hear the door of your apartment closing and the wheels of your luggage rolling down the hallway. The "contrast and compare" information is exactly what a first time traveler to any country is looking for and I agree safety is very important to make you feel comfortable where you are staying. No one wants to have a lovely new necklace ripped off their neck by some street thief and you can't give chase because the sidewalks are so slippery that you drop your pastries..
What a wonderful comment Mark you are too funny , totally agree we hope anyone going on their first visit might learn a few tips Cheers 🇵🇹🍷🇨🇦😎
Thank you for this post on Portugal. I’m looking forward to a trip sometime in the near future. I love the ocean and from the photos I’ve seen, the beaches look beautiful. I have read that Portugal is one of the safest places in the world to visit. Thanks again for posting! Stay safe!
✌🏻🙂✌🏻
Our pleasure! 🇵🇹☕️🍻🇨🇦
Totally gobsmacked guys. Thank you so much for the kind comments! Love the advice, the humour and the so infectious Joie de vivre . The Algarve is on the bucket list and off to the LCBO to try the JP red with a family prime rib on the big green egg this Sunday . One question . Where did you get the "Doors" t-shirt Norm ? Cheers guys
Thanks Stephen for your kind comment, hope you like JP, all the Portuguese reds at the LCBO are very good, we have tried most of them 😂😂🍷🍷The Doors T-Shirt I have had for a while most of the Rock shirts come from Giant Tiger, having said that they haven’t had any for a couple of months. Enjoy the prime rib!
@@ThisIsOurRetirement 👍💕thanks so much guys ! Will have a look in the local Giant Tiger and sampling many Portuguese wines seems like a plan . Have a wonderful week , all the best
Que vídeo divertido e que casal adorável 😍 Aproveitem Portugal!
Obrigado! 😃😃
My wife and I are headed to Portugal from Canada this winter. Been watching lots of UA-cam. You channel is a nice IRL (in real life) perspective. Thanks
That's very kind Tom, thank you! 🇵🇹
Portuguese here living in Canada for 40+ years .After doing a lot of homework we choose the Domenican Republic small beach village called Cabarete in Puerto Plata because of the weather and beautiful people .12 months of sunshine warm weather there . Perfect to get a break from our long winters here.
That's great!
We ❤Portugal! Great vlog Norm and Tina!! We found home and love it all...The food, people, weather, culture, beauty, etc...Of course there are differences and shocks, but it's like that in every country!! We love it here and found our forever 'home'!!
That’s wonderful thanks for watching Cheers 🇵🇹😎🇨🇦🥂
What you like is the tax benefits and cheap houses ( if they are any left )
@doncoder13 Coming from France we love lots of things and it is more than that, but of course affordability is a plus! We ❤ Portugal 🇵🇹
Very interesting facts on Portugal. Wish I could go this winter. Enjoy your trip.
Thanks so much we hope you could too Brigitte Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦🥂
We enjoyed hearing about all the quirks you will find in Portugal!
Glad you enjoyed it Darlene Cheers 🇵🇹🍷🍁🇨🇦
Portugal is on my next vacation list! Wonderful video guys!
Awesome! Thank you! we hope you get there Paul it’s wonderful Cheers 🇵🇹🥂🍁🇨🇦
I appreciate your reviews. Don't pay any attention to someone who says you are "nitpicking". A lot of us just want to know. And I love to hear you talking about "shocking" things. Don't stop.
Thanks so much Jo
This was a comparison for North Americans tongue in cheek
I agree. Don’t listen to nitpicking. We learn from you and want all opinions you have. ❤
Thank you Rose 🍁🙂
Wow - Dawn sent you a beautiful necklace Tina. And it looks great on you too! Nice choice Dawn- well done! And thanks for the tip on the wine.
You are so welcome hope you enjoy drinking it Cheers 🍷🇵🇹🇨🇦
I find that those of us that like to winter somewhere warm, or at least less cold than Canada or the northern US, will generally find a place that is the right combination that suits them. Personally we go to a small mountain village in Mexico (tourist beaches aren't for us) but for others like yourselves it's Algarve or even the Azores in Portugal, a friend of ours likes the Canary Islands (Spain), another Costa Rica, and of course there are the perennial favorites of Florida and Arizona. All are different and all are nice but it's what suits you that's important. Enjoy!
Totally agree find a place that suits you and then make it your Winter stay away from home , we can’t wait to get back to the Algarve this Winter Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦🍷
What a sweet and delightful couple! Headed to Portugal soon and appreciate the good advice!
Have fun!
Hi Tina & Norm good to see you both again very helpful video I bet you can’t wait to get back to Portugal.
Christopher Barker
We are looking forward to it Christopher!
most interesting to hear your views about Portugal
*😎Au💯full watching👀thumbs up👍👍*
Thanks for visiting Billy we love ❤️ visiting Portugal Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦
Portugal a must to visit, I agree. Thanks for your insights.
It really is! a lovely place to visit Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦
Thank you Tina and Norm, I love your videos. I got interested in Portugal, I just booked our 1 monrh visit from mid January. The first 2 weeks in Albufeira, then Lisbon and Porto. We may even run into each other. Keep up the great work 😊
Thank you Elisabeth, we hope you have a great time in Portugal 🇵🇹
Hi Norm and Tina, thank you for great video. Wishing you a wonderful time in Portugal this winter!
Our pleasure! thank you Cheers 🇵🇹🍷🇨🇦🍁
We went to Portugal last winter and thanks to your videos they really helped us.We are returning again this January as we really enjoyed it and found pretty well as you said. We also love Portuguese wine as wr found it doesn't give us heartburn lol. and also you can buy Super Bock beer in Fresco here. Love that beer. Love your videos.
Great to hear! we are glad you enjoy our videos Denis and that you are going back this Winter Cheers 🇵🇹🥂🇨🇦🍁
Visiting Portugal right now from Canada. All of your comments are spot on.
Thanks so much! 🇨🇦🇵🇹
GREAT STUFF!!! CHEERS from HERE! P.S. I worked for a Portuguese baker for 3 years.The whole family was involved in the business.There was never a dull moment!
Thanks for sharing! we would of put on lots of weight Darryl take care 🇵🇹🍁🥂🇨🇦
Hi folks, glad to hear you are going back to Portugal. We will be in Albufeira from April 2nd to the 12th. Your "shocked" is all items that were new to us as well. Keep making the travel videos, love them and maybe, maybe our paths will cross in Portugal.
We are pleased our video had something useful for you, unfortunately we will be back home by the time you arrive. We wish you a great time in Portugal 🇵🇹
Everyone who wants to come to Portugal is welcome to come during the low season, prices are much lower and there is no crowding in big cities and in the Algarve, the bathing area.
We do love visiting the Algarve in the Winter months when it’s quieter but prices seem to have gone up a lot this winter on places to rent Cheers 🍷🇵🇹🇨🇦🙂
When my wife and I went to Portugal last March we were shocked at how much we liked it. We liked it so much we are planning another trip this coming March. I was ready to cash out my US holdings and stay. Watching your videos were very helpful by the way. Keep up the good work.
Great to hear! we liked it so much we are going back this Winter too Cheers 🇺🇸🥂🇵🇹🇨🇦🙂
OMG a Leon Russell hat! We got to see him in concert in this really cool basement venue in Charlottesville VA. He played for a solid 3 hours nonstop and would NOT stop! In fact the drummer was upset because he needed a break and Leon just kept playing. His two daughters were there as well and they were fantastic! Oh, also.... We LOVE Portugal!
Norm loves his new Leon Russell hat 🧢 must have been awesome to see him in concert Sue Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦
Great video and thanks for warning on the horrible smoke that follows me around too! Can you get non smoker areas in resort hotels so you can enjoy your balcony?
It hasn’t been a problem on our own balcony which is nice glad you enjoyed our video Cheers 🇵🇹🍁☕️🇨🇦
Tip - find out your nearest Nomad group - lots of events on and useful info on the local area. Many different ages and nationalities.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi! I was surprised to hear you say that you couldn 't find cream for your coffee in Portugal. So I looked up on the Continente site and there are at least 20 different brands of regular Cream and two specific for coffee: the little ones you found and one of 250gr for 2.09€ from the brand "Turm". Ask for "Natas para café". In portuguese "Cream" is "Natas". Enjoy Portugal my home country!
Listing cream is not the problem but where do they hide it in the store 😂😂 and does each store stock it. Thanks for the info.
Such a fun video! I really enjoyed hearing about Portugal!!!
Thank you for sharing your experiences and surprises you encountered. I loved this video.
Glad you enjoyed it! your very welcome Barb cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦🥂
Another entertaining and informative video. Hopefully we'll get the opportunity to share a café this winter in the Algarve. 🙏
That would be nice Peter Cheers 🇵🇹☕️🇨🇦🍁
Love you guys. Especially on this PT video your spot on! We go to PT alot but in the north and not as warm or dry as the south, but everything you discussed we have experienced ❤ in Porto we find the Portuguese people to be very friendly and helpful, even when we struggle with our attempts to speak the language 😔
We were there18 years ago lucky husband drove standard in Scotland coming from canada we use auto Spain is the same my sister has small porch of kitchen washer out there noon big balcony heading again meeting up with other Canadian friends snow birds enjoy it as can travel other European countrys
Your information was fascinating. The smoking and dogs might do my husband in! Not sure he could handle it. LOL Love the idea of spending time in another country for a season and Portugal sounds lovely.
Glad you enjoyed it Patsy we are looking forward to our visit Cheers 🇵🇹🍷🇨🇦🍁
Hi, thank you both for the nice comments about Portugal.
Next time tray cinnamon no top the pastel de nata 😊🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤
Interesting 💕
Best six weeks of my life was spent in Portimao. I tell everyone I meet that they need to winter there. Hopefully I can go back soon, and yes the wine is not just cheap but good. My first time in large grocery store the entrance was stacks of wine for €2.99 I wanted to take a case😅. Cheers guys!
So glad you had a great time Matt we can’t wait to be back this Winter we are going for longer so it will be great to leave the snow behind Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦🍷
Thank you so much for helpful advice! We are currently in Portugal as well and we wanted to spend the winter in Porto or Lisbon, but find it rather cold, so in December we are traveling from Porto to Algarve instead of Lisbon. Your videos helped us so much getting the confidence that Algarve is the right choice where we wouldn't freeze during colder months and it would be welcoming for tourists even outside the main tourist season. Thank you and have nice travels!
Wishing you a great time away from the cold. Can’t wait to see your videos on the winter break. Always enjoy watching all about your info ! Small town USA 🇺🇸
Thanks so much! we can’t wait to be there Cinde have a great week Cheers 🇺🇸🇵🇹🇨🇦🥂
Thanks for the great video! I can’t wait to go and visit Portugal, it’s on my list!
Your welcome Karen we hope you get there Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦🥂
We are going to Portugal in early May 2024. Thanks for all the useful information!
Have a great time!
Oh my those little custard tarts are to die for . I bought in Old Town and paid 2 euros per one but in the Brisa Sol hotel in the coffee shop I paid 1:35 euro and then in the Lisboa airport for a Box of 6 I paid 10:95 euros so it was not that bad. But they are worth every penny .
Totally agree they are delicious 😋 Cheers 🇵🇹🍷🇨🇦🍁
We were in Azores and Portugal earlier this year and had a great time. Manual shift is not a problem for me although I have been driving automatic for decades here. I love the coffee there, wish the cup is a bit bigger😀 yes, ordering beer with a sandwich at McDonald’s is great.
We took the toll highways a number of times, always paid when we exited the highway, once we took the electronic toll from Albufeira to Seville. We were told to go to local post office to pay the toll charges. We went there a number of times but they told us nothing in their system. When we returned the car at Lisbon airport we again told them about the toll charge we couldn’t pay. They told us we would receive an email from Expedia to pay for the single trip, to this date, we received nothing.
Enjoy your upcoming winter trip to Portugal.
So glad you had a great trip we can’t wait to get back there ,Paying the tolls is a strange thing we try and avoid the toll roads Cheers 🇵🇹🚗🍁🇨🇦
Ask for "cafe duplo"
Basicle it's 2
We'll be in Lisbon and the Azores in about 6 weeks on a cruise...looking forward to it as our first time in Portugal.
Have a great time 🇵🇹🚢🇨🇦🍁🥂
You right JP wine is really a good one . I like that brand and Borba . I am very pleased you like my country . I am living in United States 🇺🇸 for a lot years .. but iam going to retired in a few years and I am thinking to go back 🇵🇹 l am from the middle .. Coimbrã ❤️ enjoy Portugal and the great food and wine .
Thanks for watching yes it’s a lovely wine Isabel Cheers 🍷🇵🇹
I’d love to go there thanks for the honest review .
You’re welcome 😊 we hope you get to visit Cheers 🇵🇹🍷🇨🇦
You can definitely rent an automatic- it’s not a problem … also not more expensive then it is in the US.
An automatic car in Portugal is much more expensive than a stick shift
Left side of JP you have an amazing wine made in Palmela: Palmelão!!! It is from the same region and it is my favorite.❤
Try the red, white and Rose and
Thanks
Hi Tina and Norm, y'all got your flight booked and accommodations in Portugal secured yet?
We are busy working on this at the moment Mike very excited Cheers 🇵🇹🍷🇨🇦🍁☕️
Hello Tina & Norm, very true and correct observations. We, being from Europe, are used to stick-shift and prefer to rent these because, as you said, these are cheaper than the automatic cars. Diesel is cheaper in Europe than gasoline, so we tend to rent diesel cars. Very true that the coffee taste excellent everywhere, even on the gas stations and rest places on the high way. One shocker we got is the absence of Wipers on the Gas stations to clean your car's windshield. What they have is a hose with water pressure almost non-existing and paper towels. I am not sure if you found wipers anywhere?? Half & Half is really hard to find, we found it in Batista grocery shop in Praia da Luz- German brand called 'Cafe Sahne', else they have condensed milk.
Guess we forgot about the lack of wipers Suleman at gas station ⛽️ and no blue stuff just water have a great weekend Cheers 🇵🇹🙂🇨🇦🍁
Lol I live in Florida and I dry my clothes on a rack, inside my house. Only use the dryer for sheets and towels, etc. 😊
Great tip! at home we hang t-shirt etc over the bath to dry naturally Cheers 🇺🇸🇵🇹🇨🇦🍁🥂
Hey guys, we are over in Barcelona now and will be going to Portugal in 2 weeks and will be staying at the same hotel you did on your first trip. We will be there for 4 weeks before we cruise back to Florida. So sorry we will miss you. Safe travels.
Have a great time! 🚢
Fun video!
Thanks Katie!
Ohhh good so glad you mentioned their slippery side walks and no pooper scooper laws!!
Too funny about the laundry machines 😂😂 I have read a lot about Portugal through website called international living and it consistently gets high ratings for being a wonderful place to be an expat. Partly because of the low cost of living but also as you said that it's very safe and wonderful climate. It's pretty scary about the walkways though! Here in Michigan where I live if someone fell on a Surface like that they would probably sue the city or the company that installed it so most places try to keep things extremely safe for pedestrians. You did a wonderful overview and I really really want to go there after seeing this!
Aren’t they awesome wash and shop LOL 😂😂🇵🇹🇨🇦
Agree, the dog barking is infuriating in Pt. You do get used to it , sort of.. but the good things make up for local quirks. X:)
The laundry machines absolutely EVERYWHERE here in Ireland, too.
Amazing, never knew that
@@ThisIsOurRetirementYes, only in the last few years. Tesco carparks and petrol stations. Local Sports teams use them a lot!
Wow thanks for sharing our first visit was 2018 it was very new to us Cheers 🇵🇹 🥂🇮🇪🇨🇦
Good video Norm and Tina! My sister and brother in law are on vacation in Portugal right now!
Sounds great! we hope they are having a great time Cheers 🇵🇹🥂🍁🇨🇦
I just had to check. J&P $10.95 at LCBO.
I use a clothes rack all the time here in Canada. I never use a dryer unless super pressed for time. Cheap and environmentally friendly. Makes me feel so virtuous.
And it’s on sale a dollar 💵 off at the minute, we are drinking it right now Murray Cheers 🍷
I’m in Ireland and we have the outdoor washing machines too, usually at petrol/gas stations or supermarkets. We dry our clothes on the line here too despite more inclement weather than Portugal. It’s more environmentally friendly as dryers use up so much electricity. I’ve read that in some parts of USA some homeowners associations have banned line drying for aesthetic reasons. I hate being in a smoky area too. I didn’t notice the dogs barking in my rented apartment in Albuferia but there were way less cats than other places in Europe that I have visited like Cyprus or in the Canaries which I was glad about as I’m not a big fan.
I'm in Dublin. Living in an apartment and the rules absolutely forbid drying clothes anywhere outside! My neighbour was reported the other day! 😮 So I have no choice but to use the tumble dryer if the clothes horse in the hallway doesn't do the trick. Expensive!!!
We are the same not allowed hence Tinas best friend is the Tumble dryer 😂
We can’t do line drying in our building, really glad our Hydro is included in our rent LOL 😂😂Cheers 🇮🇪🇵🇹🇨🇦🥂
@@MrGearoid65 Definitely expensive especially with our current electricity prices. It’s clothes horse/airer city a lot in my house over the colder winter months. Everyone living near me had all their washing outside last week though, due to that freaky 20+degree (c) weather. Have a lovely day and thanks for sharing your perspective.
When you say Hydro do you mean dehumidifier which might be useful for all the dampness to be taken away from indoor drying and tumble drying?? @@ThisIsOurRetirement
Yes I can feel the pain of -22 Fahrenheit here in Minneapolis.
Yes Rose that’s why we go Cheers 🇺🇸🇵🇹🇨🇦😎
My Dear I hear Portugal news everyday I know the smoking changing starting November couldn’t not smoke on the beaches and other places too they will give you a fine ❤
Thanks for sharing 🇵🇹🍷🍁🇨🇦
Dogs barking okay with me (I 💓🐕).
The 🚬 is a deal-breaker ... I am not a smoker and don't want to be poisoned by 2nd-hand smoke!
We are not a fan of cigarette smoke
Thank you for all your information. Coffee is better everywhere compared to Canada. People here think a drive thru Is a good place to get coffee. We didn’t notice the dog barking nuisance when we were there, Good to know. By the way, i live in Canada and have been hang drying my laundry for decades. Dryers ruin your clothes!
Yes it does Laura but we can’t use outside dryers in our appartment so Tumble dryer wins Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🥂🇨🇦
We are going to so the same. Hate winter and middle summer where we are. So from mid june to late august, we are going to stay in places like Ireland, Scotland, Amsterdam, Iceland and from Jan to late March in Panama, Costa Rica, New Zealand.
Sounds great Bob Cheers 🇨🇦🍁🍷🇵🇹
I noticed the necklace right away ❤ very nice gift 💝 😊
Thank you it was a lovely gift Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🍷🇨🇦
Portugal has the best coffees and my favourite is meia de leite (half espresso and half milk)!!! My husband and I are recently retired. We did 6 weeks of travelling in Portugal last fall and would like to try staying longer. My worry is leaving our home empty. Have you done a video with tips for leaving your home or apt empty for months at a time?
That coffee sounds great ☕️ that was the main reason we sold our house and now rent an apartment JoAnne . Our home insurance needed the home checked every 24-48 hours and it’s way to much to ask someone to do that for us .
We don’t worry at all at leaving our apartment you just shut the door 🚪 and go , we have a superintendent couple living in the building should anything need attention . Welcome to being retired Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦
Thanks so much @@ThisIsOurRetirement
You can rent automatic in Portugal, it cost more. 😊. Most people hang their laundry because electricity is very expensive.
Thanks for your comment 🇵🇹😀😀
Standards are great for those of us who grew up in Ireland. No automatics there back in the day. Most are still stick shifts today. It is so easy to adjust. Thinking about it in advance however is a tad stressful. The prices since Covid have been crazy for rentals though.
I have also seen outdoor washing facilities at gas stations in Ireland. Lots using them. Very weird to see the first time. Wish we had Aldi and Lidl here! They are great.
Beer still doesn’t make those burgers taste any better I’m sure?!?
Wish we had Aldi in Canada 🇨🇦 too Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦
LOVe your vlogs! Am hoping we get to the Algarve this winter but so far, am thinking we left it too late to book.
Never to late Heather we are in planning and booking mode for this Winter 🥶 lots of options out there Cheers 🇵🇹🥂🍁🇨🇦
Yes, driving with a standard! But at least on the same side of the road. Loved the Algarve following your lead.
Good to hear! Cheers Linda 🇵🇹🥂🇨🇦
You can buy beer at McDonald's in Austria too. I remember the first time I saw that - 40 years ago on my first visit to Salzburg! Yes, I was surprised. But now I live in Austria, and I know that beer is a typical refreshment to have along with a meal here. But then I discovered that you can also get beer from vending machines here. Now that surprised me!
You can get inexpensive wine in supermarkets here too - I'm lucky to live in a country that produces both beer and wine! Actually, I don't know how expensive beer and wine are in Canada.
It was unusual for North Americans to see alcohol in McDonalds
I think the two of you need to start wearing rubber soled shoes to avoid being shocked so much LOL. Seriously great videos and keep up the great content!
Well at least we are electric! Should contact Elon Musk 😂😂
Regarding crime, the most reported crimes in Portugal in 2022 were: 1 - Domestic violence against spouse or similar; 2 - Driving a vehicle with an alcohol content greater than 1.2g l; 3 - Simple voluntary physical integrity offense (assault?). There were 97 murders in 2022, more than in 2021 (85), and 14 bank robberies (21 in 2021). I guess it's still safe enough...
Thanks for watching 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦
Another great video, thanks . Perhaps by the time we watch all of your Portugal videos, we might be classed as semi-pro...Manual transmission cars are prdominately throughout Europe , the far east & Asia. noticed the smoking in Paris last year plus in the towns & cities we stopped in enroute to Barcelona vis riverboat cruise. One thing I found obvious that you rarely saw cigarette butts on the ground as opposed to Canada.
You will notice a lot of smoking in Albufeira compared to Canada 🇨🇦
You will notice a lot of smoking 🚬 in Albufeira compared to Canada 🇨🇦🍻🌺🇵🇹
Is that coffee called Cafe Con Leche? Coffee plus lots of milk served in a glass. So good.
Sounds delicious ☕️also called a Galao Rosie Cheers 🇵🇹☕️🇨🇦🍁
This year we decided to spend a year in Spain - I can work remotely for the most part - Alicante, here I come!
Sounds great good luck Laura 🇪🇸 🥂🇨🇦🍁
Very nice. Enjoy.
Thank you we can’t wait to be back there have a wonderful Friday Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦
Thanks for the interesting video, planning to visit there, any suggestions for self catering flats
We are also looking for places to stay , pick the town you fancy and Google apartments and they should come up Racheal Cheers 🇵🇹🍷🍁🇨🇦
BTW, the laundry machines are no longer outside the Continente in Albufeira. At least they weren't there in April 2023. :(
That photo was taken from outside an Intermache store but thanks for sharing Cheers 🇵🇹😎🇨🇦
I love your shocking video series. I too would be shocked to drive a standard transmission. It's more than 40 years since I've driven that way. Thanks for the heads up.
It is a big thing! Thanks for your comment!
Barking dogs! I rented an Air bnb below someones house Puetro Vallarta, Mexico. The owner lived upstairs and had a balcony over my bedroom underneath. Her 3 dogs stood on it and barked . all. night. long. then the neighbourhood dogs would come and have a barking and howling contest. As soon as a crack of daylight the roosters set off. I must say it ruined it for the 5 nights I stayed there.
What a shame Dave such simple things can absolutely ruin your vacation, the dogs really got to us on our first stay in the Algarve drove us nuts Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦🥂
Hi Norm and Tina! Thanks for another well done informative video. So what are the best shoes to wear on the cobblestone? When it is sunny? When it is raining?
Tina wears Skechers either the trainers or Sandals all the time rain or shine Dianne Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦😎🥂
thanks. I really enjoy your channel.@@ThisIsOurRetirement
Been a Leon Russell fan since the 70's.
That’s awesome Norm loves his hat 🧢 Cheers 🇺🇸🍁🇨🇦
We are planning to do the Portuguese Camino.
Good luck Anne!
Loved your suggestions. Reminded me of 2$ Chuck wines at Trader Joe’s introduced in 2002. I tried several varieties, loved the Merlot, did blind taste testing with neighbors, who could not tell it from $10 wines. Now it is $3.49 a bottle, but still tastes great !
If you buy wine to impress your neighbors, go ahead and pay $20 or $30 a bottle, they will be impressed! But if you buy wine that tastes good, 2$ Chuck is still available , but at $3.49!
Love that Bob great story thanks for sharing Cheers 🇨🇦🇺🇸🍁🥂🇵🇹
Love my $3.49 buckchuck. Had friends bring an expensive bottle for dinner last week and I liked the Chuck better! I don’t eat or drink anything that tastes bad to me so Ive saved a ton of money this way
Very amusing. Stick shift is OK with me, but shifting with the left hand, and driving with all that car to the left of you, is a shock in UK, Ireland, Australia, etc. Loved Portugal, but the 0.0001L turbo engine took some getting used to, especially starting uphill. Also, got a window smash burglary (nothing taken, but still a claim) in Porto.
It’s driving on the same side as Canada and U.S. stick shift on your right hand side
@@ThisIsOurRetirement Of course. I was alluding to the fact that stick shift experience on the left side is not exactly the same as right side.
Aside from the US, I have never gone into a McDonald's when travelling. It would be the last place I'd think to go. Smoking really bothers me when travelling. I have been thinking of going to the Algarve so maybe this will be the year. Aren't you used to hanging clothes to dry as Brits? I had thought that was fairly common in the UK.
We haven’t lived in the UK for 31 years but we had a tumble dryer there too ! Cheers ☕️
For a old europian it is funny what kind of "problems" you found😀
Thanks for watching Cheers 🇵🇹🙂🇨🇦
normal coffee, big is a abatenado. I hope I write it good.
Thanks Martin Cheers 🇵🇹☕️🇨🇦
Welcome always
Obrigado
I would feel quite at home hanging my clothes out to dry as I live in an Australian climate and I am shocked every time I go to North America and everything goes in the dryer even when you have cellars with heating that would air dry clothes in a jiffy.
Thanks for sharing Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🍷🇨🇦
It shouldn't be hard to remember driving a manual car? Washing machines outside supermarket seems excellent.
Hello there. I think the SAQ in Quebec and the LCBO in Ontario would have conniption fits if McDonalds ever started selling beer with their burgers. That's just what Montreal needs, another venue to buy beer, for those who should not drink beer at all.
Totally agree Jeremy it would never happen in Canada 🇨🇦 🍺
Your video makes us so excited to spend 10 weeks this winter in Tavira.
Awesome us too!
That’s awesome Dawn we are looking to spend part of our time in Tavira this winter too can’t wait Cheers 🇵🇹😎🇨🇦
Where do you stay in Tavira. I'm having trouble finding accommodation in town for winter.
@@tetavictoria4201 we booked two airbnbs. One for four weeks, the other for six. We couldn’t get one place for the entire time.
Do you find the pricing of airbnbs expensive Dawn when they add all the extra fees on 🤔 or do they compare to hotel pricing Cheers 🇵🇹🍁🇨🇦