My time in Portugal...

[Christian Gollnick]

Since 1988 I visited Portugal every single year... and I like it more and more.
Living in Portugal is not easy - the salaries are low, and even if some things are cheap compared with other countries, in the end the cost of living is pretty high.
However, for tourists I can't imagine a nicer destination. Great restaurants, very reasonably priced, often so cheap that I'm ashamed when the bill comes; old and very well remodeled romantic hotels, also very affordable; the landscape and the climate; the wine... and of course and most importantly: the people. So friendly, so nice.
I took a few of my 6,700 photos from this trip and put them in a little video... you can follow my footsteps through my journey into the world of Port Wine. I know that many of the forum-members have been in Portugal and will recognize many of the places... but then there might be people that have never been to Portugal. I hope this video can show them somehow what they have been missing... and who knows, maybe it triggers somebody's interest to visit Portugal during the next vacation. It's worth it!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... 8Cpj-GvOek

In the second half of September I will be again in Portugal - if somebody from the Forum is there, too, at that time, just let me know - I'm always more than happy to meet other Port Wine fanatics!

[John F. Newman]

Very nice pics, and love the song: Ana Moura, Desfado.

[Roy Hersh]

Loved watching this, thank you Christian. Great job of editing and choice of songs.

[Miguel Simoes]

Thank you Christian for the wonderful video.
And for the v candid description of how you find Portugal and the Portuguese...

[Moses Botbol]

Great job.

[Luc Gauthier]

Great photos Christian , makes me want to go back and tread more grapes

[Alan McDonald]

Only one disagreement with the OP. The cost of living is low.

My wife and I have been here a little less than 11 years. Admittedly we have a great deal of experience of how to "enjoy a rich rural life" on limited income and a quinta that helps defray some costs, but even so, we have an exceptionally good standard of living. Again, I admit that the income we have is substantially more than the minimum wage (currently €475 a month, say $640) but so many things are cheaper here that the cost of living is a long, long way less than Scotland, which in turn is cheaper than England. Basics like food and drink are remarkably cheap, hence the low cost of restaurant meals - many working people lunch in restaurants every day. A three course meal, 250ml wine and a coffee costs €6, say $8 in Castelo Branco and surrounding area. Cut that back to two courses and no wine and the cost is much reduced. My car insurance this year, full comprehensive international cover and any driver was under $US200. Winters are short and mild so heating costs are nowhere near colder areas.

Come on over and check it out for yourselves.