It’s that time of year again—not Christmas, but my annual birthday trip. After months of exploring Central and South America, I set my sights back on Europe—where my love for travel first took root.
This year, I chose to travel in Portugal, a country that had been sitting patiently on my list for years. After Spain and Italy, it felt like the natural next step: another language to learn, another culture to experience, and another chance to try traveling smarter.
Spoiler alert: I didn’t. But I did travel differently—and that made all the difference.
Preparing for Portugal: The Illusion of Readiness
If you’ve read my earlier posts in the (mis)adventures series, you know I never show up to a new country without trying to learn the local language. So of course, I studied Portuguese.
I’ll be honest: it was a beast. Similar words to Spanish and Italian, sure—but the pronunciation? Much closer to French. It’s more nasal, and I even had to borrow pronunciation techniques from my native Tagalog just to get the sounds right. Still, by the time I arrived, I wasn’t fluent. I could understand directions, read train delay notices, and order a coffee or a pastel de nata—but conversation? Not quite there. (Seafood lasagna, however, was successfully acquired. Sorry to my Italian teacher’s ancestors. Haha!)
Outside the language barrier, I made some classic mistakes: fashion misfires, overpacking optimism, and trusting that my gastritis wouldn’t act up in a country where I barely spoke the language and had zero knowledge of the healthcare system.
How does that saying go again? An ounce of prevention is… bullcrap?
Because preparation doesn’t always prevent (mis)adventures.
So come along, dear wonderers, for my (mis)adventures in beautiful Portugal!
(Mis)Adventure #1: Packing With Hope Instead of Logic
Packing is its own art form. What you pack for a city differs wildly from what you’d bring to the coast. I know this. I still got it wrong.
Europeans dress better than Americans—fact. In the U.S., pajamas at the grocery store? Totally fine. But in Portugal? I wanted to step it up.
Did I nail the perfect wardrobe? Nope.
Did I pack clothes I never wore and donated at the hostel? Yup.
Did I buy a few pieces there and wear them more than my original outfits? Absolutely.
Packing remains an ongoing lesson, and I’m realizing my personal style is evolving. I used to love dresses; now I reach more for comfy sweaters and cotton pants.
I used to stress about looking like a tourist. But you know what? I am a tourist. Locals can tell, no matter what I wear. And that’s not a bad thing. What matters more is being respectful of local customs and laws.
And being ready for sudden downpours. It rained hard in the morning when I went to Sintra. Good thing I bought a light, waterproof jacket with a hood that saved me from being drenched!
Lesson learned: Packing is still a work in progress—and that’s okay.
(Mis)Adventure #2: Semi-Wrong Footwear—Once Again
At this point in my traveler journey, I know the value of good shoes. I thought I was ready for Portugal’s cobblestones and tiled streets. I was not.
I had read all about the slippery tiles and steep slopes. I packed my trusty Converse, confident they’d have enough traction.
Then it rained.
One morning in Lisbon, a drizzle turned the sidewalks into slip-and-slides. I had to walk like a cartoon character avoiding banana peels just to stay upright. Thankfully, the sun came out and dried the streets before noon.
To this day, I don’t understand how the locals do it. Some wore the same Chucks I did—and yet, no problem. Do they come with secret cleats?
Will I wear my Converse again in Portugal? Yes. I have them in different colors. But next time, I’ll bring a pair with extra grip.
Lesson learned: Comfort over style, always. And if you still get it wrong? That’s okay. It’s a science of its own.
(Mis)Adventure #3: Trains, Again—A European Classic
Ah, European trains. Beautiful. Scenic. Unpredictable.
What’s a trip without a nationwide transport strike?
Just like in Spain and Italy, I had a train adventure in Portugal too. I planned a day trip to Guimarães, only to find out—surprise!—trains were canceled due to a transport workers’ strike. While I support the cause, it definitely threw off my schedule.
Did I check timetables? Of course.
Did I check the local news? Nope.
It ended up being a blessing in disguise. That same day, my gastritis flared up. If I had gone, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed a minute of it.
Lesson learned: Always check transport updates, even if you think you know better.
(Mis)Adventure #4: Not Taking Up Hiking as a Hobby
Portugal, like Cusco and Cuenca, is a hilly country. And with my sea-lion-level fitness, I struggled.
Every walk felt like a hike. My lungs were constantly challenged. But hey, maybe that’s why I always lose weight on vacation—breathing alone is a workout!
The silver lining? Pastries. So many glorious pastries! While pastel de nata stole my heart, I also loved pão de deus, ovos moles de Aveiro, queijada, and travesseiro.
Also: the seafood. Oh. My. Lord. Grilled sardines, steamed shrimp, langoustine drenched in garlic butter, seafood lasagna… I could go on. Portugal is a seafood lover’s paradise.
And don’t get me started on Francesinha– it ruined burgers for me forever!
Lesson learned: Be gracious in your defeat against hills. Your reward? Heavenly food.
(Mis)Adventure #5: The Trip That Was Too Short
I made the mistake of thinking 12 days would be enough for Portugal. It wasn’t.
I had just 2.5 weeks to split between the UK and Portugal, and I regret not giving Portugal more time. Between the food, the history, the art—I barely scratched the surface.
I constantly had to choose: Should I visit this city or stay here another day? The limited time created a subtle stress, and even small delays annoyed me more than usual.
And when my trip was coming to an end, there was the lingering feeling of “unfinished business”, the bitter sting of having to face reality too soon.
Still, I made the most of it. I visited Porto and Lisbon, took day trips to Sintra and Fatima, and soaked in as much architecture, art, and culture as I could. I tried to speak with locals, snapped all the photos, and yes, even bought medicine in Portuguese when my gastritis hit.
Lesson learned: Some places deserve more than a stopover.
(Mis)Adventure #6: Learning Portuguese Beyond Survival
Despite having just a month to study, learning Portuguese before my trip turned out to be one of the most rewarding decisions I made.
I can’t forget the look of relief from one of the waitresses in a local cafe when I put my order in Portuguese, and even managed to ask if they do non-dairy milk.
Another proud moment was navigating the pharmacy. In Porto, my gastritis struck. Unfortunately, the medication brands I’m familiar with are unavailable in Portugal, so I had to resort to my very basic Portuguese to buy the correct one. Fortunately, the pharmacist was patient enough, and we even had a short chat.
Turns out, ‘um café e um pastel de nata, por favor’ tastes better when you earn it.
From ordering coffee with non-dairy milk to chatting with a pharmacist about medication, my limited vocabulary went a long way. I even managed laundry and a little haggling!
Knowing the language—even imperfectly—made everything richer. I got to glimpse local life beyond the tourist lens.
And I’ll say it again: learning a language opens doors. Always.
Lesson learned: Language changes the way you experience a place.
A Place I’ll Return To
I’ve already spoken it into existence: I’ll return to Portugal.
My trip was short. Some of my plans were flawed. But every (mis)adventure was part of something bigger. Growth. Curiosity. Continuity.
Is there such a thing as a perfect trip? Probably not. But I’m learning more about myself—and the world—every time I travel. Some places plant seeds in your soul.
Portugal is one of those places. It’s not a conclusion. It’s a promise.
Snapshots of My Trip To Portugal
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