Portugal Food Travel Stories

Food and travel. Does it exist a better match?

500 years back, my homeland Galicia and Portugal were just one. Same language and history, similar traditions. Being so close, I was eager to experience this country in a number of ways since I was very very young.

My first memories as a kid involve playing an instrument through Loures and Lisbon’s Baixa streets along with Ribadeo’s orchestra. And eating insane amounts of codfish.

Later, I had the opportunity of being an Architecture intern for an eco-sustainable firm in Lisbon. And I got addicted to Taberna da Casa do Alentejo’s petiscos and pratinhos, pastéis de nata, ginginha, rissóis de camarão, Alfama’s sardinhas assadas and vinho verde.

Also in my mid-twenties, I traveled several times to Portugal to visit friends and explore the coastline as well as little towns all over the country. Caldeiradas, bifes, bacalhao com natas, molluscs, shellfish, espetadas and feijoadas completed my diet back then and kept me happy on the road for weeks and months.

Lately, as you might already notice, I fell for the Paredes de Coura music festival so badly. Three editions in a row hooked me up with Portuguese deli and comfort food this time: bifanas, cachorros, francesinhas, and cervejas of Portugal.

Last time I was in Portugal shooting a video guide of Lisbon, I could ultimately indulge myself in the finest cuisine the country offers.

So, what should be next on this list?

Well, thanks for asking.

Next could be Aptece’s Portugal Food Travel Stories Tour!

In a couple of months, when the weather will be as ideal it gets in this area of the world, 6 lucky storytellers will be able to travel around Portugal to uncover the best stories and traditions behind some well-known Portuguese dishes and many other local secret delicacies.

I want to be one of them!

And, therefore, being able to bring you the coolest behind-the-scenes stories and show you what you’ll eat when you visit Portugal from the very beginning where the products grow till they get to the table. I want to wake up early and go to the local markets, be with the fishermen, talk to the little business owners, and check all the food events while I am there.

I want to discover for once and all what keeps me coming back to my neighbor country. Will it be the unique Portuguese food?

Short answer is probably. But I’ll need to check it out on my own. Like I did, for instance, in Italy. Where I witnessed and took part in one of the most amazing out-of-the blue kitchen scenes I’ve ever lived in my life. An Abruzzo nonna, the Italian art of pasta making, a local folk band and a busy kitchen. Enjoy!

Obrigada e ate ja!