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# Escape the couch: Multicultural family raising a son and in love with design, photography, video and the outdoors

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## Posts
- [Hidden Alentejo: Lesser-Known Villages and Natural Wonders You Shouldn’t Miss](https://escapethecouch.com/en/hidden-alentejo-lesser-known-villages-and-natural-wonders-you-shouldnt-miss/): When most travelers think of Portugal, their minds drift to Lisbon’s cobbled streets, Porto’s iconic bridges, or the golden beaches of the Algarve. But venture east and slightly south, and you’ll discover the Alentejo: a region known for rolling plains, ancient cork oak forests, award-winning wines, and a gentle pace of life that invites you to slow down and soak it all in. While towns like Évora and Monsaraz have begun appearing on travel itineraries, there is still a treasure trove of lesser-known villages and natural wonders. We have lived in Alentejo for all our family life and these are some of the places we love and you might like to visit, specially if you enjoy getting to now the off the beaten track local gems.
- [Avoiding Tourist Traps in Portugal: Essential Tips for Savvy Travelers](https://escapethecouch.com/en/avoiding-tourist-traps-in-portugal-essential-tips-for-savvy-travelers/): Portugal is a beautiful country with rich culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine. However, like many popular tourist destinations, it has its share of tourist traps. Being aware of these pitfalls can help you have a more authentic and budget-friendly experience. Here are some of the common tourist traps to watch out for in Portugal and tips on how to avoid them from locals living in Portugal.
- [You won’t believe what’s hidden underground in Portugal. – Mira de Aire caves](https://escapethecouch.com/en/you-wont-believe-whats-hidden-underground-in-portugal-mira-de-aire-caves/): Join us on this outstanding adventure through the Mira de Aire caves, located in the beautiful Aire and Candeeiros Mountains Natural Park. These caves make one of the must-visit destinations for all nature admirers and adventure lovers due to their colossus formations and huge chambers.
- [Discover the Beauty of Badoca Safari Park in Portugal: A Perfect Family Getaway](https://escapethecouch.com/en/discover-the-beauty-of-badoca-safari-park-in-portugal-a-perfect-family-getaway/): So, I gotta admit, that we have been absent from YouTube and nearly all social media since the pandemic. It's not that we don't travel but rather we have lost the routine of updating and editing videos, photos and content. This, we hope, will slowly change and we can get back to creating memories for the future, and hopefully, you will come along for the ride :)
- [Experience the Magic of Learning at a Forest School – Less screen time,  more green time.](https://escapethecouch.com/en/experience-the-magic-of-learning-at-a-forest-school-less-screen-time-more-green-time/): A forest school is an educational approach that takes place in a natural outdoor setting, typically a wooded area, the one we went to is near Sintra Portugal in a lovely pine forest. It is a type of experiential learning that focuses on the development of personal, social, and technical skills through hands-on activities and exploration in the natural environment. The goal of a forest school is to encourage a love of learning and to help children develop confidence, independence, and a sense of responsibility. Forest schools often operate on a regular schedule, with children attending for a half-day or a full day on a weekly basis. The activities at a forest school might include nature study, outdoor play, art and craft projects, and group games.
- [Serra da Estrela, a place of rare beauty in Portugal](https://escapethecouch.com/en/serra-da-estrela-a-place-of-rare-beauty-in-portugal/): Serra da Estrela was our next stop on the mountaineering course we were taking and boy we were in for quite the bad weather on our first try. The course ended up being postponed due to very bad weather and wind that made it impossible to talk or work on orientation or guidance.
- [Mountain multi-day hikes, our full autonomy experience](https://escapethecouch.com/en/mountain-multi-day-hikes-our-full-autonomy-experience/): For some time we had been researching autonomy multi-day hikes in Portugal but never really did one, lack of experience and knowledge made it seem always a little too hard. So when a friend told us about an introduction course to mountaineering where we would have classes about gear, safety and two weekends of practical mountain autonomy hikes, we went for it.
- [Science Museum in Lisbon – Pavilhão do Conhecimento](https://escapethecouch.com/en/science-museum-in-lisbon-pavilhao-do-conhecimento/): Exploring science museums is always an adventure, and Lisbon's Pavilhão do Conhecimento is no exception. Located in Parque das Nações, this museum is part of Portugal’s Centros de Ciência Viva network and offers a wealth of interactive experiences for both kids and adults. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your visit:
- [Cortegana, recharge and enjoy the views in this Spanish town.](https://escapethecouch.com/en/cortegana-recharge-and-enjoy-the-views-in-this-spanish-town/): So, last weekend we found ourselves with absolutely no plans—something that almost never happens. Naturally, I started looking for nearby spots to explore, and that's when Cortegana caught my eye. Here’s the lowdown on our impromptu trip!
- [A day in Budha Eden the garden of peace](https://escapethecouch.com/en/a-day-in-budha-eden-the-garden-of-peace/): We had seen so many pictures about this place that we had to pay a visit. So we took a trip to Buddha Eden, a serene garden that's part of the Quinta dos Loridos winery. This place is a 35-hectare oasis filled with Buddhas, pagodas, terracotta soldiers, and modern art installations. Here’s our experience during our one day visit and some handy tips if you’re planning a visit.
- [Portuguese tiles – In search of tile history – Convento de São Paulo](https://escapethecouch.com/en/portuguese-tiles-in-search-of-tile-history-convento-de-sao-paulo/): The use of tiles in Portugal gained momentum when in 1948 D. Manuel I visited Spain and was impressed by the beauty of the tile work. He then decided to import them and use them in his residence in Sintra (Palácio Nacional de Sintra) mixing the tiles with the already existing bold architecture.The existing tile style got mixed with the Portuguese aesthetics, it's history and small pottery shops then started to produce them to sell to the nobles and clerics.From Italy, a technique that allowed a glassed tile to be painted would become crucial in the development of the countries style and artistic expression. Its use became part of the decorative style of Portuguese gardens palaces and convents across the country.
- [Top Tips to Visit London: Maximize Your Family Get-Together Experience](https://escapethecouch.com/en/family-get-together-in-london-top-tips/): Planning a family get-together in London can be both exciting and overwhelming. With its rich history, diverse culture, and countless attractions, London offers something for everyone. Whether you're visiting famous landmarks, enjoying world-class dining, or exploring hidden gems, there's no shortage of things to do. In this guide, we'll provide you with top tips to visit London that will help you make the most of your family trip.
- [Mushroom hunting in Portugal – Silarca (Amanita Ponderosa)](https://escapethecouch.com/en/mushroom-hunting-in-portugal-silarca-amanita-ponderosa/): Unlike northern countries of Europe, the tradition of mushroom hunting is not as rooted in the south but there are some exceptions and you can still find regions with strong traditions of mushrooms hunting in Portugal.We visited one of these places in Alentejo, a village called Cabeça Gorda famous for a mushroom called Amanita Ponderosa or in the local culture Silarca.
- [Top Tips to Explore the Rota Vicentina: Your Ultimate Guide](https://escapethecouch.com/en/rota-vicentina-the-best-trail-of-europe/): The Rota Vicentina is a stunning network of walking trails located in the southwest of Portugal. Stretching along the Atlantic coast and through the picturesque countryside of the Alentejo and Algarve regions, this trail offers breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and a unique cultural experience. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or an avid cyclist, the Rota Vicentina promises an unforgettable adventure. In this guide, we'll provide you with top tips to explore the Rota Vicentina, covering everything from trail information and tips to weather conditions and accommodation options.
- [Amazing secular holm oak tree in Alentejo](https://escapethecouch.com/en/amazing-secular-holm-oak-tree-in-alentejo/): Holm trees are, together with cork trees and olive trees the most common tree in Alentejo and they are responsible for the unique ecosystem in the region. Much of Alentejo'sdelicate balance and biodiversity of fauna and flora are because of these 3 species of trees.Growing up in Alentejo I've grown used to them and I've seen some extraordinary examples of these trees, but honestly nothing quite like this one.This Holm Oak that is believed to have 150 years and with 23 meters of diameter it's massive, I don't even know how the tree doesn't break completely from the weight of the branches. Being under the tree is like entering a very large tent and being under it is the best way to really understand just how special this tree is.
- [A guide to Zafra, Spain. From a big mistake to a pleasant surprise](https://escapethecouch.com/en/a-guide-to-zafra-spain-from-a-big-mistake-to-a-pleasant-surprise/): A Serendipitous Journey
- [A tour of Óbidos, the perfect little medieval town](https://escapethecouch.com/en/a-tour-of-obidos-the-perfect-little-medieval-town/): Óbidos is one of those places that you fall in love with the moment you see it. Small enough that can forget about your car and walk around the romantic medieval centre and enjoy life.Everything you need is there from amazing handmade local crafts to cherry liqueur and chocolate while you read a nice book that you bought in one of the truly amazing bookshops you find. And that's probably why I see more and more people going there every year.
- [Portugal off the beaten path](https://escapethecouch.com/en/portugal-off-the-beaten-path/): In the last 5 years tourism in Portugal has taken off, places that were once wild and mostly unknown are now full of people, and blog's like ours play a big part of it by sharing breathtaking images of places in Portugal.I have heard and talked to tourists coming here ever since I remember and most stories are about how the people are welcoming and how peaceful and unexplored it was. Well, it still is if you avoid large cities Portugal's charm is still there.
- [Do preschoolers still need a nap?](https://escapethecouch.com/en/do-preschoolers-still-need-a-nap/): This is a topic that is very close to our hearts. I imagine that parents have different experiences and all children are different, but ours needs his sleep and, this year in school, naps are no more.This made our usually well-behaved child, start making drama's about every little thing we ask him to do. A bath, going to sleep, eating, leaving the house, going to school and even leaving for our usual weekend travel adventures.
- [Praia da Rocha, Portimão. A true portuguese gem](https://escapethecouch.com/en/praia-da-rocha-portimao-a-true-portuguese-gem/): Portimão is one of the most known places to go out at night, only matched in Algarve by Albufeira, Lagos or Faro. Praia da Rocha is a favourite amongst the youth and you can find bars and disco's near the beach promenade working until late at night.
- [Parque Biológico de Gaia – Best nature place near Porto](https://escapethecouch.com/en/best-nature-place-near-porto-parque-biologico-de-gaia/): When travelling with kids you often feel that you need a rest from the thousands of tourists that flood the city centres, you'll want to just walk in nature and enjoy some fresh air while being able to let your kid run free and play.Look no further...
- [Trampoline park in Lisbon, our son’s favourite spot](https://escapethecouch.com/en/trampoline-park-in-lisbon-our-sons-favourite-spot/): If there is one experience our son just won't forget it's this day. The first time we came here he was 3 years old and we had a blast, but Aiste injured her leg trying to do some flips and we never went back, until now.We were alone in Lisbon and after giving him some options he wanted to start the day with trampolines so we went to Bounce a local trampoline park near Carnaxide.
- [Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum – Cascais, Portugal](https://escapethecouch.com/en/santa-marta-lighthouse-museum-cascais-portugal/): Lukas has been asking to visit a lighthouse for quite some time but although there are plenty of lighthouses in Portugal not many are open to the public. Santa Marta Lighthouse in Cascais is now a museum and one of the few options available where you can climb up the lighthouse tower so we decided to go there. On our first time, we found it closed and discovered that on weekends you can only visit it on the fourth Saturday of the month so we had to plan ahead.Cascais is a perfect place to visit if you are visiting Lisbon so you can easily fit a visit to the lighthouse and to Cascais and I guarantee you'll be glad you did. It's a perfectly sized coastal city full of that Portuguese street charm that many people are looking for. If you are arriving by train you can walk to the marina to find the lighthouse while getting to know the Cascais famous coastline.
- [Pego das Pias | Best river beaches in Portugal |](https://escapethecouch.com/en/pego-das-pias-alentejos-hidden-spot-portugal/): Hidden away in rural Alentejo is a magical place that we had never heard of before. Pego das Pias was recommended by a follower and we are super glad and grateful for it. It's so close to where we live so (it's actually in the same district) so it was even a bigger surprise to find a place like this.You can find Pego das Pias by taking the road that connects Odemira to São Luís and stopping on the bridge over Torgal a small river. From there you can proceed by foot like we did or drive on a dirt road a few more Km while your car can still drive as it's a terrible road. It's about 2Km form the bridge to Pego das Pias.Upon arrival, you will find a place almost untouched by man and a beautiful rocky waterline, the perfect place to relax and run from the crowded beaches and tourists.The name of the place "Pias" is associated with the cavities in the rock formations created by whirlpools when the waterline was higher.
- [Kayak family river adventures – Verknė Lithuania](https://escapethecouch.com/en/kayak-family-river-adventures-verkne-lithuania/): We are active people and we enjoy being around water so kayaking seemed to be the perfect way to spend a birthday. We set out to spend the day kayaking and prepared some food for a picnic midway, as it was our son's first time on such a long kayak trip (he's 3 years old) we also started getting him excited about it a couple of days before.It's something that worked well for us in the past on these adventures, we start explaining what we will do and what to expect on the trip, what he can do to help and so, by the time we go he knows exactly what to do and how the day will play out.
- [Kauno marios – Sailing and visiting the regional park](https://escapethecouch.com/en/kauno-marios-sailing-and-visiting-the-regional-park/): We have been dreaming of a sailboat cruisers life for some time, we follow cruisers channels and we consider taking the necessary exams to be able to one day make that move. Of course, that because neither of us actually owns a boat or even tried solo sailing we don't even know if we would enjoy sailing. But we will jump at a chance to try sailing, so of course, when we learned of sailing close to where we were staying we had to go.
- [Anykščiai, Lithuania’s best kept secret](https://escapethecouch.com/en/anyksciai-lithuanias-best-kept-secret/): A popular destination for Lithuanians, Anykščiai is relaxed, picturesque and surprisingly fun. From large pine forests, a narrow-gauge railway, amusement park, ski tracks to spa's and nature walks it seems that this small town is Lithuania's best-kept secret.With a population of about 12 000 Anykščiai is about 32 Km west of Utena and 112Km from Vilnius, Lithuania's capital city. Most tourists in Lithuania tend to stay in Vilnius and Trakai and the rest of the country is often overlooked but I find that the best of Lithuania is it's nature and to truly enjoy it you need to travel by car. Places like Anykščiai, Birštonas or Druskininkai are a perfect way to escape the city life and enjoy the outdoors, so go on start packing already.
- [Glider aerobatics experience – Pociūnai, Lithuania](https://escapethecouch.com/en/glider-aerobatics-experience-pociunai-lithuania/): 
- [Tour of the Hill of crosses (Kryžių kalnas) Lithuania, UNESCO](https://escapethecouch.com/en/tour-of-the-hill-of-crosses-kryziu-kalnas-lithuania-unesco/): This is a place of legends and peaceful revolt it carries a powerful testament of devotion mourning and freedom. Kryžių kalnas, first mentioned in writing in 1850 this was a place of mourning used by relatives of the victims of the Russian regime. The tsar forbids families to honour their dead refusing proper burials in cemeteries trying to suppress national identity and religious expression, the result was this Hill where crosses would appear by night only to be later removed by the tsar and again reappear. During the Soviet era planting, a cross was an arrestable offence. The place was bulldozed several times all the paths leading to this hill covered and ditches dug at its base yet somehow more crosses would appear overnight!Other stories are that the Virgin Mary asked believers to cover the holy place with crosses in the late 19th century, or that this was a place of pagan traditions and sacred fires were lit here and tended by celestial virgins but most locals told me the first legend.
- [The largest swamp in Lithuania – Čepkelių raistas](https://escapethecouch.com/en/the-largest-swamp-in-lithuania-cepkeliu-raistas/): We stayed in Marcinkonis for a couple of days with friends and in the last day, they told us about "Čepkelių raistas" in Dzūkija National Park, after a quick search we all decided to pay a visit and check out the natural park.
- [Malbork Castle in Poland- A tour of the Worlds Largest Castle](https://escapethecouch.com/en/malbork-castle-in-poland-a-tour-of-the-worlds-largest-castle/): Who wants to go to the largest castle in the world? That was the start of the week and I admit I had never heard of Malbork before and it was a shock to hear that the largest castle in the World was so close to where we were and I was clueless. Of we went and upon arrival, you will be impressed by the extension of the walls but also by its location right next to the river Nogat, a beautiful location indeed.
- [Leba, Poland Home of the Shifting Dunes- Słowiński National Park](https://escapethecouch.com/en/leba-poland-home-of-the-shifting-dunes-slowinski-national-park/): Leba is a Polish city in the Gdansk region and most people probably know of it for the dunes. That was also the reason for our visit, often called the Polish Sahara this is truly a unique place. Just small research on google will reveal photos of massive dunes surrounded by sea, lakes and forest, it really is quite the site.
- [Gdansk, Poland Old Town City tour](https://escapethecouch.com/en/gdansk-poland-old-town-city-tour/): Certainly, one of Poland's most beautiful cities Gdansk sits majestically by the Baltic sea and due to its location it played a big role in World War II and suffered extensive damage due to the bombing.Surprisingly you can barely notice this as the city rebuild it's historic centre very well.
- [Unwind and Relax at the Stunning Sopot Beach in Style](https://escapethecouch.com/en/what-is-there-to-do-in-sopot-beach/): 
- [Wolf’s lair Hitler’s Bunker in Poland – Wolfsschanze](https://escapethecouch.com/en/wolfs-lair-hitlers-bunker-in-poland-wolfsschanze/): It was already lunch hour when we arrived at Wolfsschanze (Wolf's Lair), and we were greeted with a long line of cars and buses leading into the entrance, not the best start.We stopped and used one of the small outside tables to eat something, before starting our visit.This was Adolf Hitler's headquarters in East Prussia, and the place where he spent nearly half of WWII, and although we expected some visitor's given the history behind this place, the truth is we didn't anticipate these many. Things changed once we were inside the compound, it feels much like a park with lots of space and unless you are with a guided tour you can feel like you are all alone, just use a map and information leaflet to choose your own path.Because we had our son we decided to go our own way and avoid the crowds as much as possible and this turned out to be great.
- [Kayaking with kids, an afternoon learning to kayak with our son](https://escapethecouch.com/en/things-to-do-in-algarve-other-than-going-to-the-beach/): I'll tell you a secret I'm not a fan of going to the beach, sure I'll stay there for a couple of hours but I became restless, so every time we go for a weekend in the coast I look for things to do other than just going to the beach. I'll look for festivals, markets, towns to visit or activities, and this time we went kayaking!We were going to the southwest coast of Portugal so I looked for a large lake and decided on Odeleite, a fantastic looking lake in the shape of a dragon, really look.
- [Dark Sky Alqueva –  Perfect conditions to watch the starts in Alentejo, Portugal](https://escapethecouch.com/en/dark-sky-alqueva-perfect-conditions-to-watch-the-starts-in-alentejo-portugal/): Who doesn't like to see the stars? Everyone looks at amazing pictures taken by professional photographers of the milky way and dreams of one day being able to see something like this. What if I told you it's possible to see the milky way with your own eyes. In this place it really is, it takes some time for your eyes to adjust about 30m but then you will be able to see something unique.
- [Monsaraz – The best place for a relaxed family holiday in Portugal](https://escapethecouch.com/en/the-best-place-for-a-relaxed-family-holiday-in-portugal-monsaraz/): We usually prefer to travel to places that have lots of active things to do, even with our three-year-old son, from hiking to surfing, skiing to parachuting we love to try new things.This weekend though we found ourselves tired and in need of a peaceful slow-paced vibe, and what better place to unwind than Alentejo.This big region - one-third of the country by area - is known for its relaxing environment, wine and exquisite food.Not far from Évora is Monsaraz our chosen location this weekend.
- [São Domingos Mine beach, kayak with kids](https://escapethecouch.com/en/sao-domingos-mine-beach-our-kayak-experience/): São Domingos Mine is a village and mine in the south of Portugal, very close to the Guadiana valley natural reserve.We had been there a couple of times to visit both the village and the mine but this weekend what made us go there was the beach. We got a small kayak and we decided the best place to test it out would be this quiet lake.The kayak is a portable air two-seater from decathlon, (link here) that we got loaned by Lukas grandfather and we really wanted to know how good it was and if it was worth the money.
- [Visiting a Prehistoric rock-art site – Escoural cave, Portugal](https://escapethecouch.com/en/visiting-a-prehistoric-rock-art-site-escoural-cave-portugal/): Escoural Cave has been on our wish list for months now and we finally got a chance to visit a unique place with vestiges of human occupation dating back to 50,000 years B.C.
- [Alqueva, what to do in the Great Lake?](https://escapethecouch.com/en/alqueva-what-to-do-in-the-great-lake/): It was not our first time visiting Alqueva but until today we had only scratched the surface. We had no idea about the potential of this place for water sports something we really love, so when Francisco from Alentejo Break reached out and invited us we didn't think twice. Alqueva is one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe with a reservoir of 250km2 that covers five Alentejo municipalities, but the number that impressed us the most was learning that it has 1100Km's of coastline! Unreal!The conditions for outdoor activities are excellent with many trails and bike paths or water sports like SUP, sailing, wakeboard or kayak for weeks without ever going through the same place twice.
- [Back mounted child bicycle seat, our son hates it](https://escapethecouch.com/en/back-mounted-child-bicycle-seat-our-son-hates-it/): It has been a long time since we went on a bicycle ride, and the reason is that our son hates his bike seat, and I really do mean hates. He will cry, shout and complain the entire duration of the ride. Last time we had to take turns taking him because we were going crazy.This weekend our plan was to go camping and we had our tent and all our gear ready and then the weather changed and it started raining so we had to stay home.
- [The Ultimate Guide to Porto’s World of Discoveries: A Cultural Expedition](https://escapethecouch.com/en/fun-activity-for-kids-in-porto-world-of-discoveries/): We went to Porto, actually to Vila Nova de Gaia visiting family. And of course, as we wake up super early we had to research activities for families with kids in Porto and the choice was to go to the world of discoveries.As we were in Vila Nova de Gaia we decided to take the metro and the funicular and enjoy a little of downtown Porto. It was the hottest day Porto has ever seen, at least that's what it felt like so walking to the museum was a lot harder than we tough and it meant we had to carry our son for the last part of the walk.
- [Vila Nova de Milfontes, good food, beaches and a huge waterfall](https://escapethecouch.com/en/vila-nova-de-milfontes-good-food-beaches-and-a-huge-waterfall/): Vila Nova de Milfontes is a coastal town not far from where we live, it was actually the first place we went together when we met.
- [One of the top hikes in Portugal – Alamal](https://escapethecouch.com/en/one-of-the-top-hikes-in-portugal-alamal/): 
- [Abandoned village in portugal – Safira](https://escapethecouch.com/en/abandoned-village-in-portugal-safira/): The abandoned village of Safira is located near Montemor-o-Novo, in the Alentejo. The village is composed of a few ruined houses, a church and, on the South bank of the Safira Creek, a cemetery.The Church was built on the 15th century when Cardinal Prince D. Afonso was the bishop and it was enlarged in the 16th century. It was damaged by the 1755 earthquake and restored in 1874 and 1903. It brings tears to the eyes to see places as beautiful as these abandoned and nearly destroyed.
- [The Cromlech of the Almendres – Évora, Portugal](https://escapethecouch.com/en/the-cromlech-of-the-almendres-evora-portugal/): The summer was taking too long to arrive and so we decided to spend our day enjoying the nature and learning something new. The choice of this weekend was the Cromlech of the Almendres. It's located near the village of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe and we'll warn you already that the road to get there is very bad. Surprisingly there were more people than we thought but still, it was quite enjoyable. The Cromlech is the largest existing group of structured menhirs in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the largest in Europe with 95 granite monoliths placed in small clusters in an area of ​​approximately 70 x 40 m. Some of these granite monoliths have decorations like lines and circles but no one knows what they mean. The Almendres Menhir is also possible to visit even though it's on private property, there is a small fenced access to it.
- [Arouca Geopark, Frecha da Mizarela](https://escapethecouch.com/en/arouca-geopark-frecha-da-mizarela/): 
- [Praia da Ursa, Portugal: The Most Scenic Beach You’ve Never Heard Of](https://escapethecouch.com/en/praia-da-ursa-not-for-the-faint-hearted-portugal/): Sintra, a charming town situated in the hills of Portugal, is well-known for its picturesque castles, stunning palaces, and lush greenery. However, many people are not aware that Sintra also boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. One such beach is Praia da Ursa, located at the westernmost point of mainland Europe.
- [Dino Parque Lourinhã – Family fun](https://escapethecouch.com/en/dino-parque-lourinha-family-fun/): After postponing this visit for almost a month due to bad weather we finally went to the Dinosaur Park in Lourinhã.
- [Belver, Portugal – Stunning views and a soap museum](https://escapethecouch.com/en/belver-portugal-stunning-views-and-a-soap-museum/): We go often to this region of Portugal as we have family very close to Belver in Ortiga a village close by. However as we are visiting family it's not often that we venture and visit the area as much as we would like. But this time we asked everyone to join us on a day trip to Belver to visit the castle, the museum and maybe check out Alamal trail as we are very curious about it given that it's surely one of Portugal's best trails. The trail unfortunately was in bad shape due to the fires of the
- [Alcoutim, Portugal – Nature and history in Algarve](https://escapethecouch.com/en/alcoutim-portugal-nature-and-history-in-algarve/): Alcoutim is a small town in the Algarve, with only 3000 inhabitants, it's actually the town with the lowest population density in Portugal. To make up for it this town seems to have a festival every other week and this time it was to celebrate the smugglers - the smugglers festival. Historically smugglers would cross the border to bring supplies and because of this there was a strong exchange of culture and crafts between Portugal and Spain. We loved getting to know the different artisans and we enjoyed walking up to the castle and having a tea while enjoying a
- [Évora Monte and the castle that looks like a fort](https://escapethecouch.com/en/evora-monte-and-the-castle-that-looks-like-a-fort/): For this Sunday and after checking the weather, we decided to visit Évora Monte ( Évoramonte ) a village just 26 Km from Évora, in hopes of finding more about it's history and maybe even finding Dipo the 2300 year old hidden city that some believe to be located here. Even though the lost city remained lost we enjoyed the magnificent views over Serra d'Ossa and the very cosy feeling of the village. Be advised that it's really small, so finding a restaurant or a coffee may prove difficult.
- [Exploring with no one in sight – São Cucufate, Portugal](https://escapethecouch.com/en/exploring-with-no-one-in-sight-sao-cucufate-portugal/): This weekend we decided to explore the Roman ruins of São Cucufate, close to Vidigueira in the Alentejo region of Portugal, being one of the best preserved Roman villas of Portugal. The convent, which dates back to Middle Ages, was dedicated to the martyred saint Cucuphas. We had a wonderful time there specially because considering the importance of this archaeological site we were impressed by the lack of people visiting, we spent an entire morning alone, having the complex all for ourselves.
- [First time hiking with our 3 year old – 3.5 mile in Pulo do Lobo](https://escapethecouch.com/en/first-time-hiking-with-our-3-year-old-3-5-mile-in-pulo-do-lobo/): We have been planing and dreaming of family trails, since Aiste was pregnant, so after we got an invitation from some of our friends we decided this was the time to introduce Lukas to hiking. The trail is in Pulo do Lobo, close to Mértola is about 6 Km and it was considered difficult, but after some pro's and cons we decided that if things got really hard we would go back and take him in turns if needed, and so we went.Things turned out a lot better than what we expected and most of that we think is because
- [Tv and the imagination of a child](https://escapethecouch.com/en/tv-and-the-imagination-of-a-child/): (English captions)
- [A tour of Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal](https://escapethecouch.com/en/a-tour-of-quinta-da-regaleira-in-sintra-portugal/): Quinta da Regaleira is a 20th century residence located in Sintra, and if you don't research or know anything about it, this doesn't sound like something extraordinary or worth a visit, but you should really trust us on this one. If beautiful residence architecture and romantic palaces are not really your cup of tea, fear not, for us the true gem is the garden of the residence. A luxurious park of four hectares that features lakes, grottoes, wells, benches, fountains, and a vast array of exquisite constructions.The Initiation Wells are two wells on the property that better resemble underground towers
- [Portel, Portugal – Fun times and superb views](https://escapethecouch.com/en/portel-portugal-fun-times-and-superb-views/): In the region of Alentejo this town took us by surprise, superb weather for winter and magnificent views allowed us to really enjoy our time here. The hermitage of Saint Pedro is a must see place with commanding views of Portel and it's surroundings . We then went to the town to explore the tiny streets and the castle, and if one thing stood out apart from the small white one floor houses, it would be the lack of tourists, there is almost a feeling of discovery because you are alone, with no tourists in sight, quite unique for Portugal.
- [Convent of Christ – Tomar, Portugal](https://escapethecouch.com/en/convent-of-christ-tomar-portugal/): We had previously visited Tomar and the convent one of the top tourist attractions in Portugal, but this time it was Lukas turn to get to know a remarkable feet of architecture, listed as Unesco World Heritage since 1983. The convent and castle complex is quite large and it takes a while to visit everything but it's well worth it, it's an amazing site filled with Templars history. We do recommend spending more than one day or else you might feel overwhelmed with the size of the convent and have no time left to visit the city or to just
- [Dornes, Portugal – The land of the templars in Zêzere](https://escapethecouch.com/en/dornes-portugal-the-land-of-the-templars-in-zezere/): Since watching the Portuguese movie "dot.com" we have been keeping Dornes on our short list, mostly because of the views and atmosphere of this small town that occupies a small peninsula of the Zêzere river. We were very disappointed to get a rainy cloudy day for this visit and even thought we tried to keep our spirits up, we were certainly bothered not to be able to explore a lot more, we barely got a chance to see half of the things we wanted before the rain really made us stop the day short. I guess you can see
- [Constância’s astronomy park in Portugal](https://escapethecouch.com/en/constancias-astronomy-park-in-portugal/): We love visiting Portugal´s science centre's and this one in Constância was a delight, just because well, because we are a science fiction family and love everything that is space related. We though the park was ok to visit in rainy weather so we were lucky the rain stopped and we could enjoy the outdoor equipments that we didn't know about. There is certainly a lot to do and experiment here and oh my how we wish we lived close by to be able to join the workshop's they have and the astronomy courses. But I bet we will be
- [Belmonte, Portugal – Home of the Portuguese Crypto Jews and Pedro Álvares Cabral](https://escapethecouch.com/en/belmonte-portugal-home-of-the-portuguese-crypto-jews-and-pedro-alvares-cabral/): A unique case of Jews living in the Iberian Peninsula this Jewish community decided to carry on living among Christians risking persecution and even death, from the Portuguese and Spanish inquisitions in the late 15th century. The Marranos led a clandestine existence for centuries, with prayers and traditions being practised at home under secrecy behind doors and windows.This city is also the birthplace of Pedro Alvares Cabral the famous navigator who discovered Brasil, and you can see reminders of that across the many monuments referencing the great navigator.The city provides astonishing views of the Serra da Estrela and of the
- [Castelo Novo, Portugal – Historical village](https://escapethecouch.com/en/castelo-novo-portugal-historical-village/): This weekend we went to the heart of "Serra da Gardunha" to visit one village that is part of the historical villages of Portugal tour. From the very typical two-storey houses, built in granite (Aiste´s favourite), to the Fountains and the Castle we had more then what we had hoped for, and the day was not enough to take it all in. We really like when the tourism centre are good and the people in them are friendly and helpful, and that was the case here, if you are planning a visit be sure to call them or just
- [Monsanto, Portugal – The troll village](https://escapethecouch.com/en/monsanto-portugal-the-troll-village/): Monsanto, or as an Instagrammer's daughter curiously named "the troll village" (@bmtq), was bestowed back in 1938 the title of the most “Portuguese town in Portugal.” The village stands on a mountain top with what we can only imagine are superb views of the surroundings, because when we visited the fog didn't really let us see anything. Tiny streets, mossy boulders that are sometimes even part of the the houses structures, caves, castle and surprising views, are just some of the things you can expect from a visit. I'm not sure as to why this town is considered the
- [Our toddler wakes up way too early, life at morning hours](https://escapethecouch.com/en/our-toddler-wakes-up-way-too-early-life-at-morning-hours/): Our son definitely wakes up earlier than what we would like, plus he is extremely active during these early hours, so we try to keep up and figure out where we can take him and what experiences are available at those hours so we can make the most of it. He does go to bed quite early so it's only natural that he also wakes up quite soon and given that we want him to have as much rest as possible we don't want to change his bed time so there only one thing to do - get used to
- [Quinta do Quetzal, wine, art, a garden and some ruins](https://escapethecouch.com/en/quinta-do-quetzal-wine-art-a-garden-and-ruins/): Mixing the traditions of wine making and modern art and architecture is not always easy, but in Quetzal there is a nice balance between the two. Located near Vila de Frades, not far from where we live the winery is somewhat isolated but absolutely beautiful, and what can we say about having a contemporary art exhibition space in the middle of Alentejo, we would have never though of it but it works.Even though the restaurant has raving reviews online we didn't have a chance to eat there so we don't know about the quality of the food, but who knows
- [Cabo da Roca, stunning views, great location and surf time](https://escapethecouch.com/en/cabo-da-roca-stunning-views-great-location-and-surf-time/): In days past, this is where the world ended, the westernmost point of mainland Europe is an important coordinate for those sailing along the coast and a must visit for travellers that want to enjoy the marvellous views over the Serra de Sintra and the coast. For Aiste it was the sentimental journey as this was the first place she visited when she arrived in Portugal on her Erasmus days. One thing that really angers us is tourists throwing trash everywhere and not respecting nature, so the amount of tourism here really hurts the nature. Other than looking out and enjoying the view there was not much else to do, so we decided to meet up with some friends on a close by beach,
- [Vila Viçosa – The princess of Alentejo](https://escapethecouch.com/en/vila-vicosa-the-princess-of-alentejo/): Vila Viçosa, a town full of surprises, who would have guessed that this small town was once home of the Bragança Dynasty, whose Kings ruled Portugal. There is plenty to see and you can do it without being surrounded by tourists. Paço ducal, museum, castle and churches, when walking around this town it felt like going back in time.We really enjoyed our time here, as a family traveling with a young toddler we love to be able to visit historical sites without being surrounded by tourists, so this was quite special, plenty of space for our son to explore without
- [Picking olives for our cold press olive oil](https://escapethecouch.com/en/picking-olives-for-our-cold-press-olive-oil/): We have the privilege of using only cold press organic olive oil from our own olives in Ortiga, Portugal. Every year we need to pick the olives and prune the trees, so all the family gets together to help. It's hard work but also rewarding because there is no olive oil you can buy that even resembles the quality of this one. In case you are wondering I think it's possible to buy it, but given the very limited amount you would have to be very lucky to get one.
- [Praia do barril, a day around trains and anchors](https://escapethecouch.com/en/praia-do-barril-a-day-around-trains-and-anchors/): One of the best beaches of the eastern Algarve, praia do barril in Pedras d'el Rei, Tavira, mixes the best of a beach with golden sands and clear waters and the history and heritage of this region. Part of the island of Tavira which extends for 10Km, from Tavira to the town of Fuseta, this beach is perfect if you want to escape the larger crowd of the main beaches. Being part of the Ria Formosa nature park means this is a protected area and a small haven for small saltwater aquatic life and migratory birds, while ensuring that the
- [Web Summit 2017 – The largest tech conference in the world](https://escapethecouch.com/en/web-summit-2017-the-largest-tech-conference-in-the-world/): Our second time on this technology conference said to be the largest tech conference in the world. Last year we enjoyed hearing what the top people in our field had to say and teach us so naturally this year we were excited to attend. We decided to also let you guys in on this and have a little peek at Web Summit, who knows maybe next year we will meet there?
- [Lisbon marathon, supporting a friend](https://escapethecouch.com/en/lisbon-marathon-supporting-a-friend/): This weekend we went to Lisbon to support a friend that was participating in the marathon. It was the first time we were watching a marathon and we were surprised by how exciting it is. We were prepared to run a couple of Km next to her for support, but only Aiste managed to run with her because the traffic was worst than we expected and so we decided to go straight to the finish line. It was an exciting day for all the family and the marathon even left quite an impression on Lukas.
- [Zambujeira do Mar the gem of the western coast](https://escapethecouch.com/en/zambujeira-do-mar-the-gem-of-the-western-coast/): A gem located on the western coast of Portugal Zambujeira do Mar is a beautiful small coastal town that is very unique. Not very touristic until the arrival of what is now one of the largest summer festivals in Portugal, Zambujeira do Mar left the festivals attendee's dreaming about the town way after the festival was over and as a result this town is almost completely booked for most of the summer months. We like to go when it's off season and enjoy the nature without the hundreds of tourists, that although good for the local business make
- [Stand up paddle in a river – Birštonas SUP](https://escapethecouch.com/en/stand-up-paddle-in-a-river-birstonas-sup/): While we were in Birštonas, we checked another item off our bucket list and that's stand up paddle in a river. We were super happy to discover that someone was renting SUP's not far from where we were and so we decided to go and explore Nemunas. It was a super fun activity and one that left our son crying as he really wanted to join us, maybe soon we will be able to take him on this adventure, for now he had to stay on land.
- [Kaunas Ninth Fort, do not forget history](https://escapethecouch.com/en/kaunas-ninth-fort-do-not-forget-history/): An important stronghold in Kaunas it is part of the Kaunas fortress, which was constructed in the late 19th century. During the occupation of Kaunas by the Soviet Union it was used as a prison and way station for prisoners, then during the Nazi occupation the fort was used as a place of execution for Jews. It's easy to see why this place is full of history, even it it is a dark part of history it's certainly worth a visit even it it's to remind us of what we as humans are capable of doing. If you are in
- [Birštonas, not only a spa town](https://escapethecouch.com/en/birstonas-not-only-a-spa-town/): We love spending time in Birštonas, and often we get asked what we do in a small spa town that is more known for being a a balneological resort. This year we decided to film a short film to show what it is we do in Birštonas, what the city has to offer has to offer to people like us that enjoy an active lifestyle.From cycling to wakeboard, from Stand up paddle to skates this city might very well surprise you. Oh, and did we mention the good food?We wish we could also show you a little more of
- [Aiste, let’s go to the wakeboard park](https://escapethecouch.com/en/aiste-lets-go-to-the-wakeboard-park/): Wakeboarding was on our short list for this summer so of course we were thrilled to learn that a wakeboard cable park park opened up in Birštonas. After the initial mental block and fear of falling we were in love with the sport, it's the perfect activity for you if you love fun, exciting and challenging water sports.It's always amazing to learn something new but this really surprised us, we are gonna continue this activity in the future for sure!
- [Palanga – Lithuania’s most famous seaside resort](https://escapethecouch.com/en/palanga-lithuanias-most-famous-seaside-resort/): Located on the shore of the Baltic coast, Palanga is probably the most famous seaside resort in Lithuania with it's wonderful long sandy beaches, scented pines, quiet parks and perfect seaside bike roads. But don't think that's all the town has to offer, we really liked the quite typical architecture of it's wooden houses or of it's pier. From Palanga's top picks the only place we don't really recommend is Basanavicius street, the most famous street in Palanga is crowed and full of souvenir shop's and arcades. We recommend the many parks and smaller streets of the city or renting a bike
- [Dunika swamp in Latvia – Behold the national geographic journalists](https://escapethecouch.com/en/dunika-swamp-in-latvia-behold-the-national-geographic-journalists/): Behold the "national geographic journalists" as we explain all you need to know about a swamp. This week we decided to give you a glimpse at Baltic nature, and we did it in the best National Geographic type clip you will ever see. :)It was a place we always wanted to visit but it just kept being postponed, this time we decided it was time and we chose to go to Dunika Nature Reserve. This pathway is quite long, goes across the swamp, not in a circle so be prepared for a 12 km walk if you want to walk
- [Behind the scenes – Fashion photo shoot](https://escapethecouch.com/en/behind-the-scenes-fashion-photoshoot/): We got invited to see a professional photo shoot for Ugne's fashion brand, so of course we were thrilled. We love photography so it really was a unique opportunity to see a professional set up close. Hair, make-up, models, light's, camera, shoot, it was so cool. We decided Lukas was old enough and that he would also enjoy all the action, and that we would watch over him in turns so that he wouldn't be on anyone's way. It was a great day.
- [Blooderstock’as 2017, awesomely cool & authentically fun](https://escapethecouch.com/en/blooderstockas-2017-awesomely-cool-authentically-fun/): Blooderstock'as is a yearly festival held in Skuodas Lithuania and one that we cannot recommend enough. Expect lots of music, fun activities for kids and adults during the day, singing by the bonfire but most importantly lots of good friendly people. Be prepared to stay up until the morning and to count the days until next year's festival. We were very sorry that this year we didn't make it for the day activities as we were driving from another part of Lithuania and arrived late at night. So unfortunately we can´t show you all the cool stuff that happened during
- [Sesimbra – a busy summer resort.](https://escapethecouch.com/en/sesimbra-a-busy-summer-resort/): Sesimbra was for long on our list, and only this year we finally visited it. Very known for it's excellent cuisine, Sesimbra does not disappoint, we had a superb lunch even if we had to wait quite a bit to get a table. The main beach called California is quite nice although super crowded, but if you decide to visit there are many less busy beaches around.
- [Motoball – Like football but on motorcycles](https://escapethecouch.com/en/motoball-like-football-but-on-motorcycles/): We heard about a match of motoball (motobolas in Lithuanian) and of course we decided to check it out. The game was between the Kreting team and a Belorussia team, and it was very entertaining. The rules are similar to football and the game itself is almost exactly like a football game only the players are riding a motorcycle. The locals seem to really enjoy the game and the stadium was full of fans.
- [Cryotherapy -120 °C – Extreme cold therapy](https://escapethecouch.com/en/cryotherapy-120-c-extreme-cold-therapy/): We are spending our holidays in Birstonas, a city known for the many spa's and different therapy's available in the many hotels. We decided to try the cold chamber, a cryotherapy treatment available in Egle sanatorium. We had to get a doctor consultation and some protective clothing, before going to the -60 and -120°C chambers
- [Cabo Espichel, a cliff, a church and a lighthouse](https://escapethecouch.com/en/cabo-espichel-a-cliff-a-church-and-a-lighthouse/): Everything you dream off when you are a child can be found in this wonderfully magical place. A paradise for nature lovers you can be sure to fall in love with the stunning views from the many cliffs over the Atlantic. During our visit we were fortunate to see a beautiful fog that made everything even more dramatic. It's certainly worth a visit, if you are near Sesimbra region be sure to stop here, cabo Espichel and the Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel will surely win you over.
- [Galapinhos beach in Portugal – Best beach in Europe 2017](https://escapethecouch.com/en/galapinhos-beach-in-portugal-best-beach-in-europe-2017/): Chosen as the best beach in Europe by the European Best beach Destinations, Galapinhos is small beach in Arrábida Natural Park -Portugal. To get there you need to find a small trail that leads down from the main road. It's a beautiful and relaxing place with unbelievable landscapes, white sand and clear waters, only problem is that being considered the best European beach really brought a lot of people to a otherwise well kept secret.
- [The most beautiful beach in Portugal? Ribeiro do Cavalo](https://escapethecouch.com/en/the-most-beautiful-beach-in-portugal-ribeiro-do-cavalo/): After hearing about it for some time we finnaly decided to try and find it, after a quick research on internet we found some directions and we went for it. Close to Sesimbra we went on some dirt roads for about 15 minutes and we found a bunch of parked cars, we parked and got ready for what the descriptions said to be a hard hike. We wouldn't say it's super difficult but it depends of course, it certainly is better to take some good shoes, not flip flops, and water has there are no facilities at all on the beach. When you get close to the beach it will all be worth it because it trully is a beautiful beach, if only it was a secret...
- [Madrid – sightseeing, tapas & friends](https://escapethecouch.com/en/madrid-sightseeing-tapas-friends/): Lukas spent the weekend with his grandmother while we took a long overdue visit to a friend in Madrid. We were very lucky to get superb weather, none of the usual high temperatures that are usual for this time of year. Madrid is a city that surprised us and makes for a good 4 day trip, or more if you plan on visiting Prado, we decided to skip it this time.
- [Dad vs Mom – Going to the beach](https://escapethecouch.com/en/dad-vs-mom-going-to-the-beach/): Every time we go to the beach we have small disagreements about what to take with us. Aiste likes to take everything we can carry and then some, while I prefer to go with as little as possible. This weekend we decided to try both approaches and see witch is best. The video was a lot of fun to make and even though we edited it to enhance some man/women stereotypes, the truth is that to our surprise Lukas had fun regardless. And your family? Are you a light traveller, or do you take everything your can carry?
- [5 Tips for camping with kids](https://escapethecouch.com/en/5-tips-for-camping-with-kids/): Our top 5 tips for camping with kids. We hope to help you enjoy the outdoors and take your kids on what can be a wonderfull experience.
- [First family camping – Odeceixe](https://escapethecouch.com/en/first-family-camping-odeceixe/): It was our first time camping with our son, we decided to go to Odeceixe a place we know very well as it was in Odeceixe that we learn how to surf before Lukas was born. It was always on our bucket list and last year we didn't manage to go because we were not in Portugal so this year we went as soon as the weather allowed it. Has you can see both the beach and the camping were almost empty it was begining of July 2017 so we had everything to ourselves. The camping is called "São Miguel"
- [Learning how to juggle with our son – Almarte](https://escapethecouch.com/en/learning-how-to-juggle-with-our-son-almarte/): We went to Almodovar hoping to spend the day learning new things in a festival they hold showing different street performances. We specially enjoyed juggling both poi and plate spinning, it's was surely one of our favorites, but also the different music in every street and the vibe of the festival. Learning how to juggle is something we will want to revisit soon as it's something we both enjoy and our son seems to aso like it. If your are in Almodôvar during the Almarte festival pay a visit because it's certainly a well spent day with a young child.
- [International Comic Book Festival – Beja](https://escapethecouch.com/en/international-comic-book-festival-beja/): This weekend we visited Beja's International Comic Book Festival. Even though our son is too young to appreciate the art of comic books he actually really enjoyed it. The organization prepared an outdoor kids activities space so I think if he could he would move there to play with his new friends.If you like comic books and discovering new artists you will be in heaven, with about 10 countries represented, 18 exposition rooms spread around the old town you will get a chance to both see comic books and visited Beja's main historical site's. If you prefer there are a
- [Mertola’s islamic festival](https://escapethecouch.com/en/mertolas-islamic-festival/): This weekend we went to Mértola again to visit the islamic festival. The festival happens every two years and is one of our favorite events close to were we live, but this year with a two year old we found it very hard to stay in a very crowded event. A child easily becames resstless in a place with litle room and nothing to touch and play. Lesson learned, next time we will remember this and visit the festival on a weekday insted of the weekend.
- [Juromenha fortress, a little hidden gem](https://escapethecouch.com/en/juromenha-fortress-a-little-hidden-gem/): An excellent afternoon spent on a little known place, an old fortress in Juromenha. The first references to the site of Juromenha date from the second half of the ninth century. For more than two hundred years this place was considered the stronghold of defense of the zone of Badajoz, belonging from century X to Caliphate of Cordova.Lukas was not that into the history part of our visit but he definitely loved running around and he was very impressed with all the ruins. We really recommend a visit for anyone with kids because there are not many people around and
- [A week-end by the sea – Vila Real de Santo António, Monte Gordo, Tavira, Cacela Velha Algarve](https://escapethecouch.com/en/a-week-end-by-the-sea-vila-real-de-santo-antonio-monte-gordo-tavira-cacela-velha-algarve/): With the weather improving we decided to say hello to the summer and head on to the souteastern portuguese coast. We stayed in Monte Gordo on the Alba Hotel and from there we visited Vila Real de Santo António, Tavira and Cacela Velha. It's a wonderfull time to go to this coast because it's not yet full of tourists.
- [Time flies in a freshwater aquarium](https://escapethecouch.com/en/time-flies-in-a-freshwater-aquarium/): This weekend we decided to go to a freshwater aquarium. It took forever to get out of the house, so we had to stop in Arraiolos to have something to eat, but that was fine because Arraiolos has a beutifull castle that we really enjoyed seeing. Our visit to the freshwater water aquarium was one of the quickest we had, our son was running around pointing and asking "what's this" at all the tanks, so we went forward and backwards all the time, trying to see the different fishes but at the same time giving him space to explore without
- [Lukas learns about ships – Tall Ships Regatta](https://escapethecouch.com/en/lukas-learns-about-ships-tall-ships-regatta/): This weekend we went to Sines to see the Tall Ship Festival, the ships were amazing and the only thing that wasn't perfect was the weather (quite cold and windy).Still we got to see the inside of some very pretty ships, concerts, fireworks, a visit to Porto Covo and of course the beach. All in all a super weekend.
- [First train ride, our kid’s dream comes true](https://escapethecouch.com/en/first-train-ride-our-kids-dream-comes-true/): Lukas dreams come true as we took him on his first real train ride. If you plan on doing something like this with your child do your research in advance because we ran into some problems.The plan was to go to a town in the south of Portugal called Alvito and back home, just enough for our toddler to enjoy his first train ride.
- [Pottery, a lost art – Beringel festival](https://escapethecouch.com/en/pottery-a-lost-art-beringel-festival/): We went to a pottery festival to see how this art form is kept alive. We were very surprise to see that the festival also had live music and a few local artison's showing their work. In the end we also got to enjoy a fantastic sunset near Beringel in Mombeja.

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