This interview is part of a Soi 55 series called ‘My Perfect Day in Portugal’ which features local people and businesses in Portugal. Read more about it here.
I met António through Instagram in 2020 and we’ve been online friends ever since. When I need help with Português pronunciation he is my go-to guy! Sadly we have only managed to meet in real life once, I actually moved to Lisbon about the same time he moved to Algarve so we crossed path. When we did meet he took me to his favourite mousse de chocolate place, and no mousse de chocolate has ever been the same since!
How do you know Candy/ How did we meet?
Through Online Platforms (not Tinder!!!). Just some random Instagram interaction sharing places we’ve visited and liked. Lots of food and places were shared during these 2 years. Unfortunately, I only met Candy live once .
Where are you from and where do you live now?
Originally a Margem Sul Guy (Lisbon south side), I moved to Ferragudo, Algarve, approximately one year ago and i’m loving it.
What do you love most about where you live?
How easy you can get from a traditional village to a calm beach just by walking. Also, having the right amount of people living here .
Can you tell us more about your business?
I work as a country Product Manager for one big IT company for retail products. Can’t say the company but it ends with “enovo”.
What is your favourite region in Portugal and why?
Very hard since Portugal is special and different from north to south and also including the islands. I would have to say though that I found the most peace in Alentejo and small hidden Algarve villages (Ferragudo,Carvoeiro, Praia Verde).
Portugal’s best kept secret is how quick and heartwarming you can have a very tasteful meal on Wine, bread, cheese and traditional sausages.
A Portuguese phrase you think would be helpful for anyone visiting Portugal?
A esperança é a ultima a morrer (hope is the last one to die). Very meaningful as it resembles our battling aura, challenging the odds when shorthanded and passing obstacles based on belief and soul power.
If you could only eat one Portuguese dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Feijoada de Choco or Polvo à lagareiro
If you could only drink one Portuguese wine for the rest of your life what would it be?
Planalto on the whites, Herdade dos Coteis on the Reds, Mateus on the Rosé 🙂
Team Sagres or Superbock?
Team glass full
And finally…describe your perfect day in Portugal…
Start the day doing stand up paddle in Rio Arade and visiting one of the nearby beaches (Caneiros as example). You can even rent them at Waterflow, a Ferragudo based company.
Having lunch in Petiscos Capela (you can try 3 or 4 traditional dishes at an average price of 5€ per dish). Then, go to Serra de Monchique and appreciate the view, go jumping on some waterfalls, go hiking on the shore or simply enjoy a nap under a tree.
In the afternoon, go to one sunset party in Club Nau where you can also enjoy a good meal and drink their wonderful Passion Fruit Mojitos. A good selection of wine and matured meat is also available with a live band playing in the back and a magnificent sunset displaying in front of you. As an alternative, barbecue with friends on a terrace with a sunset view is also an option.
At night, you can enjoy long walks through the village or try Caniço, a hidden gem in Portimao where you can access a private beach bar through an elevator craved inside the rocks. Its incredible and the atmosphere is really private. No Solo Agua is also famous for their parties if you want to go nuts (with class).
On a personal note, I would like to say I really liked meeting Candy. We’ve been speaking since July 2020 (forgot it was so long ago) and sharing not only restaurants, foods (lots of octopus and Carne de porco a Alentejana), places Portuguese sayings, but also intimate meaningful things with each other. I consider Candy a trustworthy friend, with excellent taste and a warrior for everything she has been through.
Thank you for this opportunity to share my experience and who knows, motivate other people to come and enjoy this place.
This made me smile a lot! Mutio obrigada pela ajuda António!
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