What a better way to discover a country and its culture than being introduced to them by a native guide? Moreover, when this guide is a caring friend, who invites you in their home and shows you their favourite spots, travelling to a foreign country not only becomes an immersive experience, but also a wonderful holiday.

I have been very fortunate to have such friends in America, England, Scotland, and more recently, in Portugal.

Thanks to Filo, my Portuguese friend, I have discovered two facets of a country that I did not know (apart from a short weekend in Lisbon ten years ago) in perfect conditions. Last year, in September, Filo hosted me in her house in Espinho and showed me many natural and cultural treasures in Northern Portugal. And this year, in October, she welcomed me in Lisbon and together we explored the glorious past of Portugal through emblematic historic places, monuments, and museums, in and around Lisbon.

So, in this first photo-album, I invite you to follow our steps in Northern Portugal, from Espinho’s beautiful beaches and Porto’s architectural treasures to the steep hills of Coimbra!

Photo on top of this post: Dom Luis I bridge over the Douro River, linking Gaia (on the right) to Porto (on the left). Own photo.