Yep. One major problem: the food! It is, by far, the most delicious, unpretentious and healthy cuisine I ever tasted. It has the light delicacy of a southern French cuisine, and the Italian, Mediterranean flavor - without the overpowering assault of the pastas and tomatoes. The deserts are downright heavenly, but watch your cholesterol, it will kill you. I especially “stuffed my face” with “Ovos Moles” - some kind of recipe which fell from Heaven due to lack of attention from the Angels, it really wasn’t meant for mere mortals. It simply is The Dessert of Angels…and “Pudim Abade de Priscos” as well…

The Portuguese have been eating a dry and salted version of codfish. It is the national food. After being caught, it is dried and conserved in salt. To prepare the fish, you must first keep it in running, very cold water (they use huge chunks of ice to keep the running water at near 32 degrees), for about two to three days. Then you cook it in a thousand ways, ALL of them DELICIOUS. The North of the country has substantial richer food and ingredients than the South, mainly due to the more affluent population and traditions. I have to tell you that I have traveled all over this world - going as far North as Novaya Zemlya (check the map over Siberia!), and as far South as the Malvinas Archipelago in the South Atlantic (the British still think their name is Falklands, but that is another story…) and never was I made to feel safe and welcome - genuine article here…I may move here, period. And the Castles? Have you visited Almourol Castle in the middle of the Tagus River, or Pena Palace in Sintra? To find an Hotel look for Castle Hotels. They are the most senstional places to fell Europe in Europe! Think of Heaven. Best of luck to your travels. You can email me at mixmillano@gmail.com