Bieke Switten

A charming little town where time slows down for a moment Intro Óbidos is one of those towns in Portugal that you simply must see at least once. An hour's drive from Lisbon, on the picturesque Costa da Prata , it lies like a small medieval jewel nestled among the hills. Yes, Óbidos is popular with travelers, but that is precisely what ensures it is so beautifully maintained. It exudes that typical Portuguese charm and feels as if you are walking through a timeless setting. I have visited...

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,...

Some places affect you more than you expect. Last year, during my Portugal Preview Trip, I stayed in Silves for 4 days. Silves is a small town where I actually always stop for a bit when I'm in the Algarve, but this time I really wanted to feel it. I stayed on the other side of the bridge, by the water of the Rio Arade. From there, I walked into the city at various times: early in the morning, late at night, but also just during the day. Sometimes in the sun… other times armed with my...