Austa is a restaurant, coffee shop, and community space located in Almancil, Algarve, Southern Portugal. Founded by Emma and David Campus in August 2023, it focuses on honest, sustainable, and seasonal eating and drinking, inspired by the region's resources. The space, designed by Studio Gameiro, combines modern and minimal aesthetics with local craftsmanship and tradition. Austa prioritizes low-intervention practices and highlights small, independent producers from the Atlantic and Andalusian coasts, celebrating their seasonal products and stories. Led by head chef David Barata, the kitchen offers simple, authentic dishes that emphasize the origin and quality of ingredients. The name "Austa" comes from the Latin word for "south wind," symbolizing change and fresh ideas.

There is a place I’ve been wanting to share with you since July 2023. A place that felt like home (actually it is only 10 minutes away from my parent’s house), a place that embraces the charm of an old small Quinta from Algarve, a place that is our tranquility and yet close to Faro and the airport, a place with owners that become friends immediately - welcome to Âmago!

I was born in Faro, Algarve but my roots were set inland in Bordeira, Santa Barbara de Nexe. However, every time I'm visiting my family I like to go for a walk through Faro, have a café and inhale the unique pastry smell of the Gardy Croissanteria. Faro is slowly coming to life. Until now, it felt like a sleeping beauty. For a city, Faro is actually very calm and you won't feel any hectic. This time, I decided to stay in the city and my decision lead me to The Modernist.

The Estoi Palace, also known as Casa de Estoi, Quinta de Estoi and Quinta do Carvalhal, and originally as Jardim de Estoy, is a historic building and currently a hotel unit, located near the town of Estoi, in the municipality of Faro, in the Algarve region of Portugal. It is considered as one of the main monuments of the Algarve, due to its richness, both architectural and decorative, combining elements of Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical and Romantic styles.

The palace opened its doors the first time in May 1909. Today, it belongs to the Pestana Group and is a hotel. We only visited the Palácio with its gardens and the small museum. But it could be worth staying there too. Estoi is a cute and authentic town from Algarve but rather sleepy and quiet. The Pousada is situated beautifully and offers tranqulity. From there you can easily visit the east and west coast.

Being a mother is a precious gift, but it can also be very exhausting at times. You give everything you have, 24 hours a day, and often forget to take care of yourself. A mother's health is crucial—not only for her own well-being but also for the health of her child. Yet, many mothers struggle to find time to care for their health, to pause, and simply enjoy a moment of silence. The saying "It takes a village to raise a child," originating from an African proverb, holds so much truth. The challenge today is that many parents no longer have a village. We raise our children in isolation from extended family members. In my case, my family lives in Portugal, while I reside in Switzerland. As a result, I have to build my own village, which is not an easy task in a country where the culture is not very open-hearted.

250 m above sea level, surrounded by a huge garden with ancient olive, almond and carob trees, the Monte das Marés guesthouse looks out over dense green hills to the Atlantic. A sun-warmed place for slowing down and where less is more. Structurally as well, because the so-called Monte – a traditional Portuguese farmhouse – dates back to 1904. Inspired by the simplicity of regional architecture and to preserve its original charm, it was renovated to be as minimalist and restrained as possible, using the natural materials of the region, from the whitewashed thick stone walls that stand out clearly against the surrounding green landscape, to the traditional terracotta tiles and local stone used for the kitchen worktops and bathrooms.

In 2019, I went through many changes in my personal and professional life. So, by the end of the year, I felt the strong urge to recharge my batteries but at the same time go somewhere that feels like home, somewhere silent and calm. Mike and I needed some 'us-time' too and we also wanted to enjoy a bit of time with our friends. We chose to stay 3 nights at Serro da Volta, a vacation home by Casas da Serra Tavira. In July 2019 I already had the pleasure to write about their other vacation home Monte do Cansado.

It's not easy to try new restaurants in Algarve when the best cooks are in your family. This time, it was important for us to spend some time with my family and therefore, we did not have that much spare time to try out new restaurants. However, we managed to book a table at Morgado do Quintão. The estate itself is on our wishlist for a stay one day.

We are used to say "the first impression counts". And the one I had at Monte do Cansado was one of the bests from my stay in Portugal this June. Lia and Helge warmly welcomed us like family with a spontaneous late lunch "à portuguesa": bread, choriço, cheese, tomato salad and red wine. I talked with them about their projects at Casas da Serra Tavira and about their life path. I had a very inspiring start into my stay at one of their houses.

We love spending the festive season in Algarve (where my parents live) and in Alentejo. This time of the year, the weather is just amazing in Southern Portugal – lots of sun rays will warm your soul. Here’s an overview of our adventure an our tips for Algarve. The ones for Alentejo you can find here.

I'm so happy to see how Algarve is developing. Once it used to be known for golf resorts and massive tourism in summer. While it still is a great destination for golf and yes it gets really crowded in July, August, it also is a wonderful place in winter. The calmness, empty beaches and green landscapes are simply magical. Slowly some of the smaller rental farmhouses, bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels are trying to stay opened all year round. Some years ago, you had two choices: stay in a big hotel nearby the west coast or rent a more or less old house with no luxury at all in the rural region. Nowadays, you have beautiful farmhouses or rental homes with stylish and yet traditional interiors. You can even in summer enjoy a private and calm vacation far away from tourists.

Casa Modesta is a family house and a real architectural gem nearby Olhão and Ria Formosa. The rooms are very tasteful decorated with Portuguese slow design. Some pieces where designed and produced exclusively for Casa Modesta. The owners intend to preserve Portuguese culture by doing workshops (food). And soon they want to open a creative residency.

The Algarve region is beautifully set by a diverse Atlantic Coast. While you can catch the waves in the West, the East offers you quieter and warmer waters. Experiencing the Algarve means to get connected with nature. This region is far more than just beaches. It has a stunning fauna and flora to offer, and tinny fisher towns have life stories to tell.

I love to share with you projects that share the same vision as we do about toursim and what really means “sustainable”. Therefore, I’m very happy to present to you our newest find from Algarve: Algarve Food Experience. The company focuses on local gastronomy and traditions. Algarve Food Expereinces invites you on an inspirational journey through true flavors and traditions from Algarve.

Monterosa are artisan producers of olive oil in the Eastern Algarve. It all began in 1969 when Detlev von Rosen moved from Sweden to Portugal in order to produce Iceberg Salad, Tomatoes and Dill during the winter months for the northern European markets. The production of olive oil came by chance. The olive tree, which needs little irrigation, substituted an orange grove, as a consequence of several dry years. In 2000 Monterosa challenged themselves, to produce a premium olive oil in Algarve.

Casa Brava is not only a bio vegan soap brand. It's a way of slow living. Julie and Marco are also very kind hosts of a B&B in mid-west Algarve and are passionate about the eco-friendly way of living. The B&B is situated in a calm and peaceful region of Loulé and far away from tourists. And the beaches are only 15 min away by car.