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Happy Easter Sunday, expat family 😎
Spring is in full swing today accross Portugal. Blue skies, blossoms everywhere, and an invitation to start again.
If you’ve been feeling the pull to get out and explore, this is your sign. In today’s feature, Marga from Discover Portugal takes us into the heart of Alentejo with links to her online guides built with her signature depth and detail, uncovering two destinations that are perfect for a spring escape. Think history, wide-open landscapes, and breathtaking beauty that makes you slow down without even trying.
On the home front, we’ve also got an exciting update on the Documentos App. We’re closing in on our full app store launch faster than expected (which is both thrilling and slightly terrifying), and we can’t wait to share what’s coming next with you.
Let’s dive in, shall we? 🌸
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📷 Pic of the week
Hidden in Portugal’s Alentejo region, Lake Alqueva is Europe’s largest artificial lake — a serene expanse where golden plains meet endless blue water. By day, it’s a playground for kayaking, vineyard picnics, and quiet lakeside villages; by night, it transforms into one of the clearest stargazing spots in the world. Whether you’re chasing adventure or stillness, Alqueva feels like Portugal’s best-kept secret — vast, peaceful, and unforgettable.
⏸ Quote Of The Week
"All you will have is the present. Waste no energy crying over yesterday or dreaming of tomorrow. Nostalgia is fatiguing and destructive — it is the vice of the expatriate. You must put down roots as if they were forever, you must have a sense of permanence."
💬 Coming Up This Month
If you’re a digital nomad in Portugal (or planning to be), this upcoming webinar by Fresh Portugal is one you don’t want to miss. It breaks down the new IFICI / NHR 2.0 tax regime in plain English—what it is, why simply having a “high-value activity” is no longer enough, and how many expats are unknowingly disqualifying themselves permanently. Whether you’re already here or considering the move, this session is designed for freelancers, remote workers, and entrepreneurs who want to stay compliant, optimise their tax position, and avoid costly mistakes.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: DISCOVER PORTUGAL
🌴Lifestyle: Local Travel Tips 🧳
Today’s local travel tip is brought to you by Marga from Discover Portugal. Last time, she took us to Óbidos in March, where medieval streets and the chocolate festival gave us the perfect excuse to slow down and indulge a little.
This week, she’s inviting us to slow things down even more. We’re heading into the heart of Alentejo, where spring brings blooming fields, quiet villages, and the kind of views that make you forget your to-do list. Évora and Monsaraz are waiting.
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Spring is a great time to visit Alentejo! Temperatures are rising, it’s quieter (and not so hot) than summer, and on top of that, the fields are blooming in April! It’s an easy day trip from Lisbon, or turn it into an easy escape if you want to stretch the vibe a little longer!
Below are two of my favourite stops for a spring getaway: Évora for culture and history, and Monsaraz for views, wine, and that “how is this place still so quiet?” feeling.
Start with Évora for an easy culture fix
Évora is one of the best day trips from Lisbon if you want history without the big-city rush. It’s a UNESCO-listed city, compact enough to explore on foot, and packed with memorable sights.
A few highlights to build your day around:
Climb up to the rooftop of Évora Cathedral for panoramic views.
Pop by the Roman Temple, right in the heart of the old town.
If you’re curious (and not too squeamish), visit the Chapel of Bones, one of Évora’s most talked-about spots!
Wander the cobbled streets and stop for a long lunch. Alentejo food and wine just hit differently out here.
I’ve put together a full guide with my favourite places, plus practical tips for getting there from Lisbon by car, bus, train, or tour!
Add Monsaraz for the views (and a slower pace)
If you’ve got the time, pair Évora with Monsaraz, one of the prettiest hilltop villages in Portugal. It sits high above the plains, with wide-open views over Alqueva Lake. Spring is especially lovely, with flowers in the lanes and comfortable temperatures for walking the castle walls.
What I love doing in Monsaraz:
Stroll the whitewashed streets inside the medieval walls and browse the small local shops.
Visit Monsaraz Castle for those incredible Alentejo views.
Detour to nearby megaliths, like Cromeleque do Xerez, for a quick hit of ancient history.
Star gazing! On our next trip, we want to visit the observatory 100%!
If it’s warm enough, stop at Praia Fluvial de Monsaraz for a lakeside break.
Here’s my complete Monsaraz guide with what to see, where to eat, where to stay, and how to get there.
Day trip or overnight?
You can absolutely do Alentejo as a day trip from Lisbon, especially if you stick to Évora or combine Évora + Monsaraz with an early start.
But if you can spare a night (or two!), it’s worth it. Alentejo is the kind of place that feels best when you’re not checking the clock. Stay overnight, book a relaxed dinner, add a wine tasting, and enjoy the quiet after the day-trippers leave.
If you’re craving a spring escape with history, wine, and wide-open landscapes, Alentejo delivers every time.
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With thanks to our collaborator for today’s travel article. Marga is a Dutch travel writer, photographer, and Portugal expert who founded Discover Portugal after falling in love with the country during a 2019 visit and relocating to Lisbon permanently in 2021. With over 25 years of travel experience and a background in tourism, aviation, and tech—including nearly eight years as an international flight attendant—Marga combines her storytelling skills, local insights, and photography expertise to help travelers discover both Portugal's famous sights and hidden gems. Through her website and personalized services, she offers travel planning assistance, Lisbon photography sessions, and authentic stories from her ongoing exploration of every corner of Portugal, helping curious travelers experience the country like a local rather than a tourist.
📱 Documentos-App Update
Quick Documentos update — and a big one is coming.
If you're new here: Documentos is a life admin companion for expats in Portugal. Scan your documents, track expiry dates, store important files, and get reminders before deadlines sneak up on you. Less than a coffee and a pastel de nata a month.
What's new in the app
We've been heads-down fixing, polishing, and making the app better based on real feedback from real users. Here's what's changed:
Edit and delete buttons are now visible on every document and vault card on mobile. No more guessing how to manage your documents.
When you scan a document, the app now clearly explains the difference between My Renewals and My Vault — so you always know where your document belongs.
My Vault now has search and category filters — find any stored document in seconds instead of scrolling.
You can add an appointment directly from a document card — one tap and it's linked automatically.
And when you save a document with reminders, the app now confirms your reminders are set — so you know it's actually working.
The trial is changing
If you're currently on a 30-day free trial, nothing changes, your trial runs as planned.
Going forward, all new users get a 7-day free trial. Why? Because Documentos shows its value the moment you scan your first document. You don't need 30 days to feel it — you need one good session. And if you subscribe and change your mind, there's a 7-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.
The big news 🎊
Documentos is about one week away from launching on the Google Play Store. This has been months of building, testing, fixing, and rebuilding, and it's nearly ready.
If you know an expat in Portugal who's drowning in paperwork, renewals, and deadlines they didn't know existed, tell them. This is what we built it for.
…And That’s All Folks
A common hazzard in Portugal…
Thanks for reading! 💌
Hustle on!
Angelique🧞♀️
Need someone on the ground to ask? 🤙 📞
I'm offering 30-minute calls where you can ask me specific questions about navigating life in Portugal — schools, healthcare, freelancing, or the daily logistics no one tells you about until you're here. €40 for 30 minutes.
Not a lawyer, not a visa consultant — just a working expat who's been figuring this out for 4 years. Book a call here.
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