There's no doubt that Lisbon is a great city with much to offer however, there is another side to it. Living on the south bank, we've discovered much beauty and a more relaxed way of life. Yes, we can easily party in Lisbon if we want to but living here is a way of getting away from it all.

The Arrábida Natural Park offers: walking, hiking, cycling, hang-gliding and on the coast, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding to name but a few activities. There's birdwatching on the Sado peninsula reserve and even dolphin watching tours. If you're up to it, the Arrábida coast with its beautiful beaches is only a 20 minute drive from the house. Sesimbra and Setúbal have many seafront fish restaurants and the pretty village of Azeitão is good for a stroll and good food. Or you could just sit by our pool and read a book after you've been to one of the local wine producers!

For those of you with the time and inclination, on our doorstep to the east is the vast wine-growing region of Alentejo. You'll find the university city of Evora with its well preserved Roman temple an hour's drive away. The many picturesque hilltop fortress villages clinging to craggy outcrops are certainly worth a visit. Simple home-cooked food is always available but, should you wish, a growing number of wineries in Alentejo now have fine dining restaurants in addition to their wine tasting tours.