Christmas shopping with that little bit extra

Mini travelogue – Travel with Bieke

My gut feeling is right.

December 10, 2025, the time has come. Today marks the start of my first women's group trip. This is the moment I have been working towards for a year now. It feels good. For the first time in my life, I have no stress about something new, something unknown. Is it because of the thorough preparation, is it because I finally went for a dream, or because I will soon be picking up a sweet and very positive lady at the airport? In short, the whole picture fits; my gut feeling is right.

Nevertheless, I wake up before my alarm. I get ready in peace. Showering, blow-drying and styling my hair. Just a little more time to put on my makeup. Packing my suitcase. Then the heaviest task of the trip: lugging my suitcase.

By now it is 7:00 AM and I am driving down the guesthouse driveway in search of a padaria. The weather is going to be fantastic today and a picnic is planned on the beach.

On the way, without haste

Lucky again here: it has turned out to be a small pastry shop where, besides delicious freshly baked pastries and authentic breads, they also sell local jams, honey, cured meats, and, of course, canned fish. I have to restrain myself from buying only what we need, although the bottles of wine, olive oil, and salt are very tempting.

Arrived at the airport, I looked for a parking spot and waited. It was still wonderfully quiet in the arrivals hall. I ordered a latte and a chocolate pastry and settled down in a corner somewhere in the back. Meanwhile, the sun was already shining through the windows of the airport terminal.

Around ten o'clock, we drive together towards Costa da Caparica. We make our way through the busy roundabouts of Lisbon towards the 25 April Bridge. It rained heavily in Portugal yesterday. During our drive, we see a few streets flooded with mud, and we also have to brave some large puddles because parts of the road are underwater.

Beach, sun and simplicity

After an hour, we arrive at the destination. Just a little more sunscreen and then off for a lovely walk on the beach. We marvel at the large shells on the beach. We take a short break at a beautiful beach bar with palm trees and thatched parasols; there is a relaxed vibe.

We drink a refreshing smoothie, chat, and enjoy the sun and the peace.

We decide to walk back towards the car, dipping our feet in the water one last time. Before driving to the B&B, we are going for a picnic. We take a seat at a picnic table. We feast on all the delicious food and are joined by a beautiful black cat and a very shy dog.

Costa da Caparica: sea and breathing space.

Coming home to Casa Simplicity

Now it is time to go to our B&B. After a smooth drive, we are warmly welcomed by Christel and Thomas from Casa Simplicity.

We take our time to relax for a moment at the Casa and scroll through the first photos of our fun afternoon.

We wrap up the first day at a small local restaurant in Óbidos and crawl into bed.

Casa Simplicity: simple enjoyment, slowing down, and feeling space.

Wine tasting, dining together

After a hearty breakfast, we get ready for the day's activity. Today we will be picked up and visit Quinta Olival da Murta, a winery that produces organic wines.

After Patricia gave us an interesting tour and explanation of the estate, we were treated to a delicious three-course lunch with paired wines.

It is chilly today, so we are welcomed in the dining room with a large open fireplace. The delicious wines are served with traditional delicacies, and Patricia is the perfect hostess.

The small-scale, authentic, and personal approach creates an extra wow factor. This was a real treat. After this fascinating and educational wine tasting, there was the opportunity to purchase wine and salt. The ideal souvenir for under the Christmas tree.

Wine tasting and delicious food at Quinta Olival da Murta, warm, intimate, and full of charm.

Óbidos in Christmas spirit

After a quick freshening up at the Casa, we pay a visit to Óbidos Vila Natal. Or simply: the medieval town of Óbidos, completely in the Christmas spirit.

We stroll through the small streets, admire the decorated houses, and occasionally step into an authentic little shop to browse around.

We end the day at Ja!món Ja!món. We are warmly welcomed and given a table by the fireplace. We order a few petiscos (Portuguese tapas), each and every one of which is finger-licking good.

We have to pass on dessert.

Today was a day that revolved around food, to some extent. So unfortunately, dessert is for another time.

Óbidos Vila Natal: Christmas scent and atmosphere

Warming up together with hot chocolate in Caldas da Rainha

On Friday, the sky turns grey and the rain pours down. In the afternoon, a fun cooking workshop is on the program at the Casa. But after our delicious breakfast, we first drive to Caldas da Rainha.

We are visiting the Praça da Fruta. This is a colorful market with vegetables, fruit, nuts… that takes place daily. An ideal place to do our shopping for the cooking workshop. Due to the rain, perhaps just a tad less romantic.

Packed and ready, we take a short walk towards Parque Dom Carlos I. The old hospital with its thermal pavilions immediately catches the eye. We agree: a facelift would be a welcome addition. This would be a significant upgrade for the beautiful park by the water.

We decide to go for a hot chocolate at Citrus. The best hot chocolate we have ever drunk. You know the feeling: a hot, steaming cup of dark chocolate milk. As you stir, you feel the resistance of the milk and smell the aroma of chocolate. My mouth starts watering instantly.

Lots of color on a gray day, a cheerful accent in a quiet city.

Cooking together, enjoying together

At the Casa, we retreat for a moment to do some reading, and at 3:30 PM, we head towards the cooking workshop. Christel and Susan welcome us and tell us what delicious dishes we are going to prepare. Thomas, the man of the house, takes off.

We start with the preparations: first cutting the vegetables for the starter, and then preparing the main course and dessert. Meanwhile, the breakfast room is transformed into a cozy dining room.

Our tummies are starting to rumble. Before we start eating, we first have to look for Thomas, and then we take our seats and enjoy all the delicious food together and drink lovely wines.

We have a pleasant chat and are treated to a glass of Licor Beirão by Cindy, my travel companion.

It was a successful evening: with new recipes we can conjure up, pleasant conversations, and beautiful memories in a warm setting.

Cozy dining at the Casa, gentle moments of eating together, laughing, and connecting.

Lisbon at dusk

The past few days have been all about enjoying, relaxing, and slowing down a bit thanks to the tranquility of the surroundings. Today we are heading to Lisbon, which perhaps exudes less tranquility than the past few days, but is no less interesting for it.

After parking our car, we take the metro. The green line towards Cais do Sodré. We have arranged to meet Renate from Just Lisbon at Rossio. She takes us on a tour of Lisbon, tells us more about the city and some traditional businesses, and lets us sample delicious treats. We watch, fascinated, from the front row as they make pastel de natas.

And of course, it doesn't stop at just looking. They are delicious.

Before we know it, the tour is over, which only emphasizes how much fun it was.

Now we are adjusting the program a little. Shopping isn't our thing, so we decide to walk towards the Tagus. We find a table in the sun and enjoy a drink and some petiscos. We chat, take photos, look around a bit, quietly relaxing in a different way.

Before we go admire the Christmas lights at the Praça do Comércio, we take a few photos of the sunset.

By now it is dark, and we make our way through the crowd. We are not the only ones who want to admire the Christmas lights. We walk along Rua Augusta and decide to follow a side street to watch the light spectacle. It is busy there too, but still with a bit more breathing room.

Out and about in Lisbon with Renate: sunshine, a cocktail in hand, and Christmas lights rounding off the evening.

Going home feeling good

Upon arriving at the Casa, it is time to pack our suitcases and head to bed, because tomorrow at 6:00 AM we are driving back to the airport.

It was a successful trip. Would you like to join Travel with Bieke next time too?