Posts by Simone Barbosa
5 reasons to move to the Lisbon region without living in Lisbon
After an article on the Algarve here, and on the Silver Coast here, today we’re going to talk about the Lisbon region. When you hear the word “Lisbon region”, you instantly think of Lisbon: the Portuguese capital, the destination where everyone’s going these days, its narrow streets, its pasteis de nata, its fado, its big…
Read MoreWhy live on Portugal’s Silver Coast? 6 reasons.
Today, we’re going to discover a region of Portugal that’s a little less well known than the Algarve(covered in our previous article here), but which is nonetheless very interesting. Today’s featured region is the Costa de Prata (French for Silver Coast), and in this article we’ll look at why you should choose to live on…
Read MoreMoving to Portugal: why choose the Algarve?
I’ve been lucky enough to live in several countries, and I can tell you that one of the keys to a successful expatriation is choosing the right place to settle. Indeed, moving abroad is an important step in your life. We all have different criteria, and it’s essential that the place you choose is suited…
Read MoreRenovation in Portugal: how does it work?
Many of you have the common desire to move to Portugal (and we understand!). This move involves a number of different steps, one of which is very important: finding your new “cosy nest”. While some will opt to rent, as discussed in a recent article, others will choose to buy, either by building or renovating…
Read MorePortuguese life: 30 little things in everyday life in Portugal
When you move to another city, region or country, you obviously discover many things that are different from the habits you might have had in your home town. Every place has its own identity, and that’s one of the reasons why travel is so exciting. Without falling into “clichés” and beyond the sun, pretty beaches,…
Read MorePortuguese gastronomy: a cuisine to discover!
On today’s menu: food, food and more food! Portuguese gastronomy is one of the best I’ve ever tasted, yet it’s little-known outside its borders. When you arrive in a new country, the beginning of your integration is often through the cuisine. It’s your first introduction to the culture, your first conversations with the locals, and…
Read MorePopular festivals in Portugal: 8 must-sees
Portugal is a country where traditions and customs are deeply rooted, and for me, this is one of the things that makes the country so beautiful and interesting. So it’s not surprising that popular festivals in Portugal are an integral part of the culture. The Portuguese love to go out, dance, sing, share convivial moments……
Read MoreFinding a rental in Portugal: difficulties, prices, regulations, searches
Moving to Portugal is what many of you would like to do, and one of the factors influencing your decision to settle in will be whether or not you can find your new home. In the press, on the internet, at the bistro counter… when we talk about real estate in Portugal today, we very…
Read MoreSchooling in Portugal for French-speaking children: system, schools, costs, integration…
Following on from our last blog article on the fears that are holding you back in your plans to move to Portugal, many of you have highlighted the concerns you had about moving with your children because of schooling and integration. Many families are wondering what schooling is like in Portugal for French-speaking children? French-speaking…
Read More5 fears that are holding you back from moving to Portugal. Don’t worry!
Depending on your age, personality, family or professional situation… the fears of moving abroad are different for everyone. For everyone, leaving their environment and comfort zone brings with it a mixture of feelings: excitement and apprehension. Today, I’ve decided to draw up a non-exhaustive list of 5 fears that could prevent you from taking the…
Read MoreWhy do so many foreigners take a one-way ticket to Portugal? 4 seductive assets of this small country with great riches.
Eric Cantona, Madonna, Monica Bellucci, Christian Louboutin, Florent Pagny, Philippe Starck, someone you know, me, maybe you… have all decided to move to Portugal in recent years. Numerous companies are setting up shop here, and some have even recently chosen Portugal as their European headquarters, following in the footsteps of behemoths Amazon and Google. 6…
Read MoreAnd if you’re curious, find out who the newcomers to Villa Feria are!
Once upon a time… the Villa Feria adventure theVilla Feria adventure began a little over a year ago. My husband and I created this company with the aim of sharing our own experience of moving to Portugal and helping foreigners with all the formalities involved in expatriation and buying a house/second home. The creation of…
Read MoreWorking in Portugal with Villa Feria
Opportunity to join the Villa Feria team Since its launch in November 2016, the Villa Feria adventure continues to run its course. We remain faithful to our original idea: to accompany those who dream of moving to Portugal, simplifying their procedures and acting as the trusted local person.We are now expanding our team so that…
Read MoreGuide for expatriates: what to do in Portugal
This is the second part of the “Guide for expatriates” article on the steps to take in Portugal once you’ve settled there. If you haven’t yet read the first part, here is the article in question: Guide for expatriates: preparing your move to Portugal. If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve decided to move…
Read MoreChristmas in Portugal: tradition and culture
1. Christmas traditions in Portugal December means Christmas! The whole of Portugal is gearing up with its illuminations, cultural activities and celebrations… to bring the magic of Christmas to life in Portugal! I was pleasantly surprised to find that here, Christmas lights and decorations are unveiled a month before Santa Claus arrives, rather than in…
Read MoreLove letter from a French woman in Portugal
Letter to Portugal In this article, I’d like to deliver a heartfelt message to the country that welcomes me: Portugal! Here’s a declaration of love from a Frenchwoman to Portugal “Dear Portugal, I met you a few years ago(well, 15 years ago!). I only knew you through the stories of my husband, his family and…
Read MoreDoing business in Portugal: a day at the French Embassy
An “Entreprendre.pt” day 2 weeks ago, I spent two days at the French Embassy for the 2nd Salon de la création d’entreprise et d’emploi organized by Entreprendre.pt. In this article, I take a look back at the “Entreprendre au Portugal” conference. These two days were packed with conferences, and I also had the opportunity to…
Read MoreGuide for expatriates: preparing your move to Portugal
On the Facebook group, I’m receiving more and more messages asking me for advice on preparing to leave for Portugal. I had planned to do an article on the subject, then I put it off again and again, but this morning I finally decided to do the article some of you have been waiting for!…
Read MoreEn route to Portugal: road trip to Lisbon
Aujourd’hui, je vous raconte notre trajet de Strasbourg à Lisbonne! Une route vers le Portugal que de nombreuses personnes font mais que je n’avais encore jamais faite! À mon tour alors de découvrir le fameux trajet France-Portugal en voiture. 1. Première partie: le grand départ Après plus d’un an d’allers-retours entre Strasbourg et Lisbonne, nous…
Read MoreWhy did I decide to live in Portugal?
More and more people are contacting me, sharing their dream of moving to Portugal and asking me lots of questions: What’s life like in Portugal? How do you takethe plunge and overcome your fears? What jobs can they do? How do I feel and why did I decide to live in Portugal? (Various articles on…
Read MoreDiscovering Portugal: a walking tour of Coimbra
Dans la série “À la découverte du Portugal”, je vous propose aujourd’hui de découvrir la ville historique de Coimbra. C’est une ville qui nous touche tout particulièrement car Marilou, la tante de mon mari y a fait ses études. D’autre part,  cet article m’a été proposé par Pierre-Marie, historien et guide de Coimbra. Quand il…
Read MorePortugal and golf: a happy marriage!
Today, I’m going to talk about Portugal and golf! I’m not a great golfer, so you’re probably going to ask me why? Well, for 3 reasons: we live 500m from a golf course we stayed in a hotel on the sublime Sintra golf course (my husband’s wedding present) many of the people we know and…
Read MoreRelive our “Living and investing in Portugal” conference
Today, I’m sharing with you a memorable moment in my life, our conference on living and investing in Portugal, which took place on May 20, 2017 in Strasbourg 1. Preparing for the event In January 2017, my husband and I decided to organize a conference on living and investing in Portugal, integrating 3 important aspects…
Read MoreDiscovering Portugal: the Sintra region
Since our stay in Portugal in April, time has flown between our participation in various events(including a meeting with a secretary of state of the Portuguese government and the 30th anniversary celebration of the Portuguese Cultural Association of Strasbourg), the organization of our conference on real estate investment in Portugal, and finally taking the time…
Read MoreDiscovering the Algarve: Lagos and Albufeira
As planned, I’m starting to discover some regions and cities in Portugal that I don’t know yet. Today, I’m going to tell you about my two days in the Algarve in Portugal with my husband. We decided to go to Lagos and Alfufeira, where we planned to meet real estate partners. Might as well combine…
Read MoreWhat to do in Portugal in April
In this article, I’ve decided to talk about the best-known festivals in Portugal in April. Whether religious, historical, cultural or sporting, the Portuguese never miss an opportunity to get together and celebrate. If you’d like to find out more about Portugal’s most popular festivals throughout the year, check out this article: Popular festivals in Portugal.…
Read MoreSteps to building a home in Portugal
Following numerous requests from our readers, I’ve decided to write this article in order to respond in a slightly more structured way to the subject of building a house in Portugal. It’s a subject very close to my heart, as my husband and I have studied the subject in depth, right up to the point…
Read MoreHealth care in Portugal
Today, I’m sharing Isabelle’s experience of moving to Portugal. Isabelle contacted me via Facebook to ask for advice on the healthcare system in Portugal. In fact, this is a recurring topic among my readers and many French people who decide to move to Portugal. I invite you to read these two articles which may help…
Read MoreTestimonial: a French family moving to Portugal
Today, I’m sharing Isabelle’s experience of moving to Portugal. Isabelle contacted me via Facebook to ask for advice on the healthcare system in Portugal. In fact, this is a recurring topic among my readers and many French people who decide to move to Portugal. I invite you to read these two articles which may help…
Read MoreThe advantages of living in Portugal are little known to the French
My last article on ” the disadvantages of living in Portugal ” sparked off a lot of debate, sharing of experiences, controversy… It aroused the sensitivities of some and the curiosity of others. In any case, it’s an article that got people talking! Thank you all: those who liked it and those who disagreed. Freedom…
Read More5 disadvantages of living in Portugal
This year, we’re going to Portugal every month to prepare ourselves little by little to live there permanently from September 2017. When I think about it, two feelings come to mind: the excitement of living our dream life and the fear of this change that will turn our lives upside down. It may sound contradictory,…
Read MoreCooking a Portuguese menu
There’s nothing like learning to cook a Portuguese menu to learn even more about the country you live in. Today, I’ve learned how to cook a complete Portuguese menu to warm up those cold days in Portugal, even though there aren’t many of them (Portugal is said to have 300 days of sunshine a year).…
Read MoreMy history with Portugal (Part 3/3)
This article is long overdue… To be honest with you, I’ve been very busy with our professional project in Portugal. This is the third and final part of a series of articles I’ve started about life in Portugal As I said in my previous article, after several vacations spent in Portugal from 2011 to 2015,…
Read MoreMy story with Portugal (Part 2/3)
It wasn’t until 2011 that I discovered Portugal for myself after hearing about it for 10 years! The opportunity hadn’t presented itself before, surprising isn’t it? Even I’m wondering how it’s possible! In any case, it was that year that I discovered my husband’s vacation spots when he was younger and met the family from…
Read MoreMy story with Portugal (Part 1/3)
With an in-laws half French (my husband’s mother), half Portuguese (my husband’s father), I’ve heard everything about Portugal…some good and some not so good ;p And yes, opinions are divided according to experience. My father-in-law adores his country of origin, and even though he’s lived most of his life in France, he’s been brought up…
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