Portugal

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this guide to what to do on a week-end in Lisbon. I’ve lightly updated this Lisbon guide in 2026 as part of my evolving City Guides collection, keeping it fresh, practical, and easy to follow. A week-end in Lisbon Lisbon is a beautifully atmospheric city, known for its …

When we think of visiting Portugal, our thoughts automatically go to Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, so today I want to share with you the magical area of Alentejo. There are lots of reasons to visit Alentejo, including its breathtaking coastline, rich culture and mouthwatering cuisine. It is set in the South of Portugal, between …

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this post about The Algarve Revisited. I visited the Algarve this time last year and fell in love with it, so much so, that I went back this year. The coastline is spectacular, the beaches are breathtaking, the weather is beautiful and there’s plenty to see and do. What’s …

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this article about ten things to do in the Algarve.  Ten things to do in the Algarve  Visit Silves Visit the old Moorish capital of the Algarve, Silves, with its 13th century cathedral (Largo da Sé) and beautiful red sandstone castle (Castelo de Silves), as well as the …