We started our day in Lagos, to register for surf school, then explored the streets winding down from the main wall of the city to the marina.
A short car trip took us to another beach near Sagres.
Praia da Mareta: cliched slice of heaven 
Home to relax and get ready for surf school tomorrow. 
Grilling again for dinner and the low point of the night….sleeping with the mosquitos.
After a poolside morning, we went for a morning run. Poor @buttonsmcleod got swarmed by biting flies, or bees, and caught it all on the Go Pro. It was funny, after it stopped being a panic; no one likes being chased by insects along a cliff edge.
Made ourselves a simple lunch. Turns out that Buttons just had a really wonderful article written about her by Fortnight lingerie, a bespoke lingerie line that makes amazingly beautiful underclothes and does a series of profiles on “leading ladies”. It was such a nice surprise to see it published. You can follow her (@buttonsmcleod) and @fortnightlabel on Instagram.
We were beach ready and headed into Sagres, stopping to see what was available at Deluxe Surfshop, to check out amazing cliffs and to pick up two girls struggling with their camping gear in the heat at the side of the highway. They came with us to Cape Vincente and then we dropped them at their campground as we headed for the Praia de Belige.
At Praia de Belige we were so psyched to see a cove (cut straight from heaven) lined with cliffs, caves and turquoise water.
We found our own little spot under an umbrella and read books, played in the waves and lazed the afternoon away. 
At night we ventured into the town of Luz, to the open air market, with Fado being sung and food, drink and sweets being sold left and right.
He told me about the 54 years he had been in the Algarves, working different jobs in a factory, fishing, playing in a band and now playing every day along the beach in Luz. #cleodcar #stylesavie #algarves #luz
This is home sweet for the next four nights. A villa in Burgau, just outside of Luz, just outside of Lagos. 
Quinta da Liberdade
Five minutes away, we picked up groceries to prep our own meals. 
En route to the south of Portugal, we took a scenic (more scenic) detour, into the hills, to Monchique. Fire fighters helicoptered in, likely from assisting in other parts of the country. 
Monchique …may be worth the time out of your way if it’s your goal to mountain bike or go to the town’s hot springs.
Most mesmerising were the views from just outside of our villa.
Hypnotizing water views from he cliffs are just steps from our garden. 
This view was so special. We nearly had to pinch ourselves.
We brought wine to share, olive so, cheese and good company. 
Despite eating and drinking constantly, with lots of good hydration, we are balancing that indulgence with lots of walking. I could definitely get used to this breeze and beautiful sights at every turn. 
And a great fire to grill some steak from the butcher, with a fresh medley of tomato and zucchini. 
Sweet dreams! See you tomorrow.
We slept in because it was Saturday. Then had a great big breakfast at the hotel and headed over to the other side of the Douro River to pick up some basics at the shopping centre.
Mishaps galore. From parking stubs getting mixed up, to blood-red burgers .. But gourmet burgers with bacon, cheese … And an egg for good measure. We asked to get it cooked to more of a ‘medium’ and really enjoyed it once it stopped mooing. There is also the fact that I’ve written this entry three times, had it deleted, and …Wordpress for mobile is a disaster.
At the sky scraper of a shopping mall, we had a clever flirt, in the makeup department, ask us if we “have vertigo?” The pickup line doesn’t work as well when the subjects are struggling to make the linguistic connection between their height and his doe-eyed lash-batting. Sweet though.
Hours into the day, it was clear we needed a drink; we were en route to our first real destination: Taylor’s to taste Port.
As my wife, @buttonsmcleod, put it: The highlight of today was – while at a port winery, Taylor’s, sitting in their beautiful garden sampling three ports, we watched …as one of the workers chased a rooster around, trying to get it to stop attacking the peacocks. She yelled “chicken, CHICKEN..!” as she ran.
Taylor’s opens its doors for those looking to sample generous tastings of those various port styles, while enjoying incredible views and the estate. 
Buttons has been the absolute best, a dreamy (though sassy) travel companion. She kept me from losing my mind while a number of mishaps occurred this morning; bless the woman who can keep me in line,…and smiling. 
From Taylor’s Port, to the whimsical town of Aveiro. 
Aveiro is full of glazed tile and pays homage at every turn to its fishing village vibe and canals; it is the Venice of Portugal, just a short drive from the city of Porto. 
Aveiro had unexpected treasures and though we went on a hunch, it was so picturesque and idyllic that we are happy we didn’t miss it.
Fortunately for us, dinner was also exactly right. A great end to our time in Porto. We just happened to find Mizu – sushi and anti-sushi.
When you travel, sometimes it’s hit or miss when it comes to restaurants. You leave it to fate (or recommendations from friends, scanning tripadvisor.com/strolling the neighbourhood to see what looks popular). Tonight was a total hit; a slam dunk if you are using mixed metaphors. Inconspicuous from the street, Mizu sushi restaurant was just what we needed. My wife is very picky about her sushi and Toronto (home) has great Japanese food, so we were thrilled to experience the combination of Portugal’s fresh seafood with a sushi treatment in the expert hands of Mizu’s Sushiman, Anibal.
The staff was attentive and charming, the portions weren’t large, but they were delicious. Presentation was creative, but tasteful. We had such a great evening, with table wine and whisky that could please the spoiled (but not snooty) palates of two people who have been hitting up wineries on the regular for almost a decade.
The entire night was lovely and getting to chat with Anibal made it clear how much he loves his art; if you have the chance to taste it for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
Though it is tucked away somewhat, finding it was quite a treat! Thanks for a perfect end to our stay in Porto and Maia.
Our journey to the Douro valley started out simply enough. Until we came to a dead stop on a vertiginous cliff side road, just wide enough for two cars to scrape past each other, because there was road work going on.
After a terrifying six point turn, when the road crew told us there was no way around and our GPS provided no alternate routes, … This is us following two of the men who hopped into their car and led us to where we needed to be. That’s just how it is here… Human kindness.
We arrived for a tour and four course lunch at Quinta Nova winery and the rest of the day was beautiful and breathtaking.
We spent the whole day in Douro Valley and then night time was all about Porto and the waterfront. And pizza. And the most flavourful caprese salad.
Best travel tip so far: pack enough shoes that you can change it up and give your feet a break from wearing one pair too long.
See you tomorrow!
StyleSaVie 