Two Weeks in Portugal and Sunday Morning Coffee

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What an incredible two weeks it has been! After finishing our Backroads bike trip through Portugal’s Alentejo and Algarve regions, we hopped on the train in Lisbon and headed north for our second week to visit Porto.

And oh my goodness … what a city. Porto is gorgeous, romantic, and filled with history and charm at every turn. I fell utterly in love with it.

A woman in a floral dress and a man in a gray shirt and light pants stand together, smiling, in front of an ancient stone structure with tall columns.
Season 5 Volume 38

Thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun.

Collage with a cozy interior featuring a dining area, kitchen, and coffee-themed text: "Sunday Morning Coffee.

Two Weeks in Portugal

Luxury hotel with multiple terraces and balconies, illuminated at dusk, featuring a large outdoor swimming pool in the foreground with poolside lounge chairs and umbrellas.

We stayed at The Yeatman, a stunning luxury hotel perched on the hillside in Vila Nova de Gaia. The hotel itself felt like a destination, with its infinity pool, beautiful gardens, and wine-inspired décor. Every corner seemed to remind us that Porto is the capital of port wine, and the service was as wonderful as the view.

From our room’s private deck, we had a view that honestly took my breath away—overlooking the Douro River and the colorful rooftops of Porto.

Terrace with lounge chairs and table overlooking a cityscape across a river under a clear blue sky.

On our first full day, we kept the biking theme going with a ride through the city of Porto. Biking the cobblestone streets and weaving through traffic might sound intimidating, but it was so much fun.

A row of blue and black bicycles is parked along a concrete wall on a paved surface under sunlight.

We stopped at many of the city’s highlights and got a true sense of Porto’s energy and character.

Stone bell tower with a dome overlooks a cityscape with red-roofed buildings, modern apartments, and people walking along a stone pathway under a clear blue sky.
View of a river with boats and buildings along the shore, seen under a steel bridge structure on a sunny day.
Outdoor café with green chairs and tables, each set with green glass cups and woven placemats, shaded by a large green umbrella beside a stone building with flower boxes.

The next day was one of my favorites—a wine excursion to the Douro Valley. The drive was stunning, with terraced vineyards climbing up the hillsides. We took a boat ride along the river, toured a private winery with a wine tasting, and had a long, leisurely lunch at a Portuguese home that felt straight out of a storybook. We tasted plenty of port, and I surprised myself by actually loving it!

Vineyard-covered hillside with terraced rows above a river under a clear blue sky; a "Sandeman" sign is visible on the slope.
A grapevine with clusters of dark grapes, green leaves, and a few red leaves growing in sunlit soil.
A selection of wine and liquor bottles displayed on a wooden counter with two empty wine glasses and tasting notes in front.

That evening, we dined at Divino, and it was easily one of the best meals of the entire trip.

Large illuminated globe display in a modern exhibition space with several people observing and walking around.

Day three was all about exploring Vila Nova de Gaia. We spent hours at the Porto Wine Experience Museum at WOW, which I now consider the best wine museum I’ve ever visited. It was interactive, educational, and incredibly fun—from videos to “nose of wine” scent stations and creative visual displays.

Three dioramas display different vineyard landscapes and corresponding soil cross-sections under glass floors, labeled Douro, Dão, and Alentejo in a museum or exhibit setting.
A framed map showing major wine-producing regions around the world, highlighted in dark areas between the latitudes of 30° and 50° in both hemispheres.
A group of people walk through a brightly lit art gallery hallway with framed paintings displayed on both walls and a long wooden bench in the center.

After lunch overlooking the city, we made our way to Taylor’s for more port tasting.

That evening we headed to Graham’s Winery (in honor of our sweet grandson, Graham!).

A large building with "GRAHAM'S" written on the roof sits on a hillside, surrounded by other buildings and greenery in an urban area.

The dinner was spectacular, and yes, I may have brought home a few souvenirs with his name on them.

A woman sits at a table in a restaurant, smiling, with a large bottle of Graham’s 30 Year Tawny Port in the foreground, partially obscuring her.

Our last day was blissfully low-key. We lounged by the pool at The Yeatman, soaked in the views one last time, and then took the train back to Lisbon. A hotel near the airport made for an easy departure, and thankfully, our flights home were smooth with only minimal delays.

We are home, and I’m tackling jet lag and feeling grateful for such an incredible adventure. Two weeks in Portugal gave me memories I’ll cherish forever—from bike rides in the heat to sipping port along the Douro, and everything in between. Of course, now that we’re back, I can’t wait to dive into creating, crafting, and, of course, sharing it all with you here.

A set of three cream-colored travel bags, including a hard-shell suitcase with wheels, a large duffel bag, and a small toiletry pouch, all featuring brown handles and accents.

Suitcase Set 3 Piece

European Travel Plug Adapter

A black Amazon Kindle e-reader displays an excerpt from Kenneth Slessor’s poem "Five Visions of Captain Cook"; another Kindle shows its back.

Amazon Kindle 16 GB

A smartphone displays 90% battery charged and hovers above a Porto wireless power bank, indicating wireless charging in progress.
MagSafe Battery Pack Fast Wireless Charging Power Bank
Woman in Portugal wearing a tan hooded raincoat over a striped shirt and blue jeans, holding a black handbag, photographed from mid-thigh up.

SaphiRose Women’s Waterproof Rain Jacket

Rechargeable Travel Makeup Vanity Mirror

My Latest Project

My Latest Project

My Favorite Outdoor Dining Area

Now that we are home, I need to get ready for the dinner we are hosting on Friday night. My nephew is getting married on Saturday, and all of my siblings are in town with their families.

I think we will have 18 for dinner, and I am still undecided about what to make.

My choices are grilled steak and salmon, a fajita buffet, or Italian. I am leaning towards the fajita buffet because I have a new corn appetizer and salad recipe I would like to try. Additionally, it’s easy and plentiful for my sons and nephews, and it accommodates any dietary restrictions.

What do you think?

I may occasionally use affiliate links on this blog, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

Sophie Conran Salad Bowl

Two gold-colored Porto metal candlesticks with geometric, textured designs and varying heights, placed on a white background.
Set of 2 Brass Candlestick Holders

Sweese Porcelain White Platters, Set of 3

A rectangular table with a yellow floral tablecloth, set for a dinner party with a white candle, glass, stacked bowls, and a flower arrangement; only part of the table is visible.

Citrine Yellow CPC Tablecloth 100% Cotton 60×90

Cream Melamine 11″ Dinner Plates

A clear vase filled with a bouquet of bright pink peonies and green leaves, perfect as a centerpiece for your next dinner party.

Dark Pink Silk Peony Bouquet

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My Biggest Challenge This Week

A craft room features shelves of organized supplies, a desk with craft materials, a computer monitor, and a chair covered with a floral-patterned cloth.

I know you aren’t surprised, but my craft room is packed!

There are pottery projects that need to be started, finished, and glazed.

And I have Christmas crafts for A Handmade Christmas everywhere.

I’m unsure whether I should set one of these projects aside and focus solely on one type of craft at a time.

That sounds good on paper, but when it comes to crafty people, we like to have a lot going on and we also like to have it out in the open to see.

Many years ago, I read a book titled Organizing for the Creative Person: Right-Brain Styles for Conquering Clutter, Mastering Time, and Reaching Your Goals.

This book changed my life. It helped me understand why I felt the need to have all of my projects out in front of me, as if I feared that if I put them away, I would forget them. This book understands the creative brain and how we can best stay organized.

Book cover titled "Organizing for the Creative Person" with a clock, colored file folders, and author names Dorothy Lehmkuhl & Dolores Cotter Lamping, C.S.W.
SHOP HERE

It also explains why I love this organization system in my craft room. The Dreambox has brought me more joy than I can even describe.

The Dream Box 2 which is the perfect storage solution for all of your craft supplies.

Singer Sewing Machine

A stack of white plastic paint palettes, each with ten small wells surrounding a larger central well.

15 Pack Paint Tray Palettes

Paint Brushes

Twenty bottles of FolkArt acrylic paint in various colors are arranged in two rows, perfect for crafting vibrant projects like painted pumpkins. The set includes shades from yellow, orange, red, and pink to green, blue, and purple.

18 Assorted Acrylic Paint Colors, 2oz each

A Cricut cutting machine with assorted vinyl sheets, transfer sheets, a blue cutting mat, crafting tools, and a tablet displaying design software—perfect for crafting custom decor when you host a dinner party.

Cricut Explore 4 – Smart Cutting Machine (Seashell)

Cricut Poster Board, Metallic

This week's to do list.
  • Finish glazing ceramic pumpkins and get them to the kiln.
  • Finalize the dinner party on Friday night.
  • Finish three more A Handmade Christmas projects.
A glass bowl of sliced green apples sprinkled with cinnamon sits next to a jar of ground cinnamon and a partially cut green apple on a marble surface.

You can use this recipe for Apple Pie Spice for so many things!

Modern bathroom with a marble double vanity, light wood cabinetry, two mirrors with vertical lights, and a vase with greenery on the countertop.

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Four dishes of Thanksgiving food: mashed potatoes with butter and herbs, glazed carrots, pumpkin pie with leaf-shaped crust, and a casserole with a crumb topping.

Happy Happy Nester shared My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes.

A close-up of a cinnamon-flavored mug cake with icing, with a spoon lifting a bite from the mug.

The 10-Minute “Coffee Cake Mug Cake” I Make for Dessert AND Breakfast — It’s Perfectly Moist

Four round glazed donuts with a waffle pattern rest on a white scalloped cake stand, with a yellow napkin and measuring spoon nearby.

I love these Mini Waffle Donuts Recipe.

A round ceramic pie dish with a fluted edge, white interior, and vibrant Porto orange exterior.
Emile Henry Red Pie Dish
Beige ceramic mug with a large handle and a grid pattern in orange, yellow, and green lines on the exterior surface, inspired by Porto’s vibrant design aesthetic.
Creative Co-Op 12 Oz. Stoneware Mug
A small mint green waffle maker with a waffle inside sits open next to a plate stacked with four Porto-style waffles.
4” Waffle Iron

And what a week it was!

  • A woman wearing a light green apron stands in a kitchen with bags of bread rolls on the counter; a window with a holiday wreath is in the background.
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    The holidays are the season of giving. With so many amazing gifts under $25, you might find something for everyone on your list! The good news is the season of giving does not have to break the bank. There are so…
  • A large, detailed gingerbread house with white icing decorations sits on a wooden table, surrounded by small, silver holiday trees.
    How to Make a Cardboard Gingerbread House of Your Home – A Handmade Christmas
    It’s week fifteen of my A Handmade Christmas series, and I decided to take on a project I’ve dreamed about for ages: replicating our actual house in a cardboard gingerbread house. Every year, I try to create at least one handmade Christmas project…
  • Two wrapped gifts with red and gold paper, decorated with large bows and handmade gift tags featuring wax seals and handwritten names from Mom to Matt and Andrew.
    Handmade Christmas Gift Tags – A Thoughtful Touch for the Holidays
    Every year, as the holidays approach, I find myself returning to one of my favorite creative traditions: making handmade Christmas gift tags. There’s something so special about those final details … the thoughtful touches that make a wrapped gift feel personal…
  • A dining room with a wooden table set for a meal, decorated chairs, a frosted Christmas tree with ornaments, and a wreath on the window in the background.
    Christmas Decor in the Dining Room
    There is always that funny in-between moment in early December when the house is decorated with Christmas decor, yet one room is still clinging to fall. This year, that room was the dining room. I decorated the rest of our home…
  • Handmade clay ornaments featuring pink floral and swirling patterns are scattered on a light wooden surface.
    Christmas Clay Ornaments DIY
    The holiday season is the perfect time to embrace creativity and make something special for your home or loved ones. I made Christmas clay ornaments with napkins and resin. I crafted Christmas clay ornaments using napkin transfers, a fun and simple…
Five round, white Christmas ornaments with red floral patterns are placed on a cream-colored textured surface, four strung on gold thread and one lying separately.

Creative Co-Op Etched Mercury Glass Ball Ornament

A spice rack with labeled jars, sheets of spice labels, and a couple of spice jars at the bottom.

White Wood Spice Rack, Includes 60 4oz Jars

Lenox Butterfly Meadow Cottage Accent Plates

Three bottles of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day multi-surface everyday cleaner in lavender scent with black spray tops.

MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN DAY Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner

Bamboo Cutting Board

A gray tape dispenser with a roll of clear tape, perfect for gift wrapping, featuring a serrated cutting edge.

Wrap Buddies

A family wearing festive sweaters and Santa hats sits on a couch facing a lit Christmas tree and TV, surrounded by holiday lights.

Martha shared Hallmark’s 2025 Christmas Movie Lineup Is Here and It Starts Sooner Than You Think!

It’s taking me a bit to get back into the swing of things after our trip, but a fun week is planned on the blog! And is it really almost October???

  • The Best Fall Pumpkins DIY
  • My Favorite Halloween Sugar Cookies
  • DIY Halloween Wreath Ideas
  • Decorate Your Home with a Serena and Lily Style Without Breaking the Budget
  • Tabletop Trees – A Handmade Christmas
  • Pumpkin Craft with Decoupage Napkins

You Might Also Need…

Two ceramic shakers shaped like a pumpkin and a gourd sit on a small wooden tray.

Creative Co-Op Stoneware Pumpkin Shaped Salt and Pepper Shakers

40 Piece Gold Silverware Set

Autumn Yellow Eucalyptus

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12-Piece Metal Napkin Ring – Antique Gold

A wooden cutting board shaped like a pumpkin with visible wood grain patterns, perfect for adding a touch of fall home decor to your kitchen.

Halloween Pumpkin Shaped Wood Cutting Board

A rounded, three-tiered ceramic vase with a matte, speckled gold finish.

Creative Co-Op Round Curved Glass Vase

Woven basket with a handle, perfect for serving Christmas morning breakfast, accompanied by six circular woven placemats.

6 Pack, Round Woven Placemats

A stack of six beige ceramic bowls, slightly speckled, arranged on a white surface—perfect for serving a fresh harvest salad.

Sweese 30 Oz Salad Serving Bowls Set of 6

A folded, multicolored striped cloth bundle tied with a white ribbon and two wooden beads—perfect for storing kitchen essentials or adding a touch of charm to your pantry cabinet ideas.

Creative Co-Op 28″ L x 18″ W Cotton Printed Tea Towels

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PB Inspired Holiday Decor

We are loving these PB inspired holiday decor finds!

A collage of holiday decor items, inspired by Porto, including tree and star ornaments, greenery, mugs, pillows, candles, a framed tree print, bells, a doormat, and napkins with festive Christmas designs.
SHOP HERE
A collage of fall-themed home decor items with a neutral, rustic style, inspired by cozy Porto interiors—featuring pumpkins, candles, wreaths, pillows, a blanket, candlestick, and a "GIVE THANKS" wooden sign.
SHOP HERE

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A smiling couple stands in front of ancient stone ruins wearing casual summer clothes. Text at the bottom reads: "Two Weeks in Portugal and Sunday Morning Coffee.

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