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THE first taste of oyster is like diving headfirst into an oncoming tidal wave.

And I am immediately struck by how fresh my meal is as I sit outside the Marisqueira Azul restaurant on Lisbon’s bustling Praca do Comercio square.

Despite it being the middle of winter, I feel the pleasant warmth of the sun tickling my neck as I take a sip of white wine.

Just two and a half hours from the UK, the Portuguese capital feels like a world away from the icy London I’ve left behind.

After a plate of oysters, our travelling party is met with dishes of octopus, shrimp and cod galore.

For a pescatarian like me, Portugal is a dream — with the locals very proud of their seafood.

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To press home this point, we are next whisked off to the Codfish History Interpretation Centre, where we learn about Lisbon’s long history with the fish.

The city is full of brilliant museums and galleries — some famous, others a little more off the beaten track, but no less interesting.

Next, we take a private tram tour of the city, which can be booked by groups.

And after passing boutique hotel the Palacio Ramalhete, where Madonna lived during her move to Portugal in 2018, we find ourselves at the Royal Treasure Museum.

This little gem allows you to set foot inside the spectacular Ajuda National Palace, formerly home of the Portuguese royal family.

Portugal has been a republic for more than 100 years, but what remains from the former monarchy is plenty of bling now on display to the public.

After going through a security check, we are escorted in to one of the largest vaults in the world, where we can check out everything from jewels, gold and diamonds to gifts from other countries and the silver tableware that would be used for royal banquets.

As someone who enjoys history and shiny things, this museum is a smash hit. After a pit stop for a pastel de nata (Portugal’s iconic egg custard tart pastry), we head to our hotel.

The MACAM Hotel is an 18th-century palace that now houses 64 luxurious rooms and a contemporary art museum.

Come the spring, the place to be for guests will be the rooftop pool and bar.

For art connoisseurs heading to Lisbon, Gulbenkian’s Centre of Modern Art is a must-see attraction.

Preserved head

The stunning gallery, originally designed by Brit Sir Leslie Martin, was recently renovated by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and is a sight to behold.

We also visit the Aguas Livres Aqueduct, which was built in the 1700s to transport water into Lisbon.

Crossing the Alcantara Valley, the stunning, 3,087ft stone construction features 18 arches reaching up to 215ft high.

The Roman-inspired aqueduct survived Lisbon’s huge earthquake of 1755, despite the disaster having devastated much of the city, with tremors felt as far away as Seville.

After it stopped being used as an aqueduct, the imposing structure became a public path until a 19th- century serial killer caused its closure.

Diogo Alves went on to be named the “Aqueduct Murderer” — and Portuguese folklore has him guilty of throwing as many as 70 people off it after ambushing and robbing them.

Following his execution, Alves’ head was severed and preserved in a glass jar that was donated to the University of Lisbon.

It remains on display in the university’s Anatomical Theatre.

The aqueduct now provides a sprawling view of the city.

Ahead of dinner, we also visit the Church of St Anthony in Lisbon’s Misericordia district to take in a fado concert.

Fado music is as traditional as it gets in Portugal, and its tales of heartbreak and sorrow are even more special to witness in such a poignant setting.

After the brilliant one-hour concert, we head to Pica-Pau, a restaurant that celebrates traditional Portuguese food and more excellent seafood, of course.

In the mood for beer rather than wine that evening, I ask about whether to get a Super Bock or Sagres.

“Super Bock for the north, Sagres for the south,” I’m told.

The good folk of Lisbon are fiercely proud of their favoured beer Sagres, while those from Porto in the north prefer Super Bock.

When in Lisbon . . . so I dutifully order the Sagres. Perfect.

Shelley Quijada, 35, bought a two-bedroom sea view apartment with a rooftop pool and a gym for just £54,000 in Egypt, where the family has been loving the ‘slower pace of life’

A family has waved goodbye to “miserable” Britain and relocated to Egypt in pursuit of “365 days of sunshine” securing a two-bedroom apartment with sea views and a pool for a mere £54,000. Shelley Quijada, 35, made the leap alongside her husband, Luis, 39, and their 14-year-old daughter to Sharm El Sheikh last October, drawn by bargain prices and a laid-back lifestyle.

The Derby-based business coach and social media agency boss is now pocketing an incredible £887 monthly on household bills and slashing £260 off her grocery expenses. The pair have purchased a two-bedroom flat boasting ocean vistas, plus access to a rooftop pool and on-site gym, all for just £54,000.

After stumping up a £27,000 deposit, they’ll fork out £1,125 monthly over the next two years before becoming completely mortgage-free. On top of that, the couple snapped up a studio flat for £24,000 cash, which they intend to let out.

Shelley explained: “We always knew we wanted to move abroad, my husband’s from South America, and I’ve always preferred the sun. After going on holiday to Egypt a few times, we fell in love with the peaceful feel of it.”

She added: “As soon as I got off the plane I would immediately feel relaxed. I prefer the slower pace of life.

“There are 365 days of sunshine, you can’t go wrong. It’s so much cheaper as well. We can live a very nice life here for a quarter of what people normally spend in the UK.

“We bought a studio apartment for £24,000. People immediately think it’s going to be horrible because of the price, but it’s beautiful.

“The most expensive meal out we’ve had was £17 for the three of us and our food shop is now £65 cheaper per week. All we did in England was go to Primark or the cinema and now we can go quad biking, boat trips and snorkelling.

“I can’t see myself moving anywhere else now. Egypt has got everything you could possibly want, the heat, the cheaper prices, the more relaxed way of life.”

Shelley and Luis, who’s in property, had harboured ambitions of relocating overseas for some time, given Luis hails from sun-drenched Venezuela and isn’t keen on Britain’s dreary climate. Spain was their initial consideration, but after several Egyptian getaways, they were captivated by the perpetual warmth and unhurried lifestyle.

Back in Britain, the pair brought in a combined £2,600 monthly and regularly spent every penny, forking out £550 on rent and £917 covering household expenses. Come October 2025, the family departed their Derby residence for Sharm El Sheikh, where Shelley reckons they settled in “straight away”.

Their daughter currently learns at home, though there’s a possibility she’ll attend a British institution in the area from next year. While bidding farewell to loved ones proved difficult, Shelley noted her relatives were thrilled to have a compelling reason to venture abroad more frequently.

Since Shelley operates remotely, she has the flexibility to work from any location, and the pair also leverage their social media presence to arrange local excursions for clients. The couple snapped up a “beautiful” studio flat for a mere £24,000, which they intend to let out, and have secured a two-bedroom apartment with sea views, complete with a rooftop pool and gym facilities, for only £54,000.

Whilst the family are thoroughly enjoying their Egyptian lifestyle, they’ve encountered several cultural adjustments, including poor road safety standards and locals inflating prices at markets, mistaking them for holidaymakers.

“It does take a bit of being used to, but it’s all a fun experience,” she remarked. Back in Britain, Shelley revealed that she and her loved ones were “never out past 6pm” and would typically spend evenings watching Netflix.

These days, blessed with Egypt’s magnificent climate, the family now pass their afternoons by the seaside and their evenings browsing shops and visiting juice bars until 10pm. “Our lives have completely changed for the better,” she declared.

In Britain, the household would fork out £100 weekly on food shopping, but their current grocery bill amounts to merely £35. Their Egyptian utility costs total just £30 monthly and they’ll own their property outright within two years.

“It’s all fresh produce from the market,” Shelley said. “The potatoes have literally just been harvested.”

The family also enjoys dining out at “healthy” restaurants once weekly, with their priciest meal costing just £17 for all three of them. This represents a massive saving compared to the £100-plus bills they regularly faced back home.

In Egypt, their monthly expenditure sits at around £800, which covers weekly restaurant visits and twice-monthly activities such as snorkelling in the Red Sea. The family intends to remain in Egypt permanently, with no plans to return to the UK.

She documents her journey on @movingourlifetoeg.

Shelley’s bills in the UK and Egypt

Weekly food shop in UK: £100

Weekly food shop in Egypt: £35

Utility bills in UK: £917

Utility bills in Egypt: £30

Rent in UK: £550

Rent in Egypt: £0

Mortgage: £1,125 for two years and then mortgage-free

A young family decided to make a significant lifestyle change and move to Thailand, selling almost everything they owned to make the big move – and they have no regrets

Faced with Britain’s dreary weather and struggling to carve out precious family moments, one couple took radical steps, flogging all their possessions on Vinted to fund a dramatic relocation overseas.

Jasmine Riam and her partner made the courageous choice to abandon their UK existence with their two youngsters for a completely new beginning in Thailand. The pair relocated to Southeast Asia within just six months, though the decision wasn’t taken lightly, and they had compelling reasons for such a transformative leap.

“My husband and I had been talking for a long time about moving away to create a better life for ourselves and our young children – he works incredibly hard, yet by the end of each month, we were often left with little to nothing, and even less time to truly enjoy life together as a family,” Jasmine revealed to travel experts at Omio, the online booking platform.

“We had a nice life in the UK, but the weather, rising costs, and a growing sense that we wanted more began to weigh on us. The moment everything became clear was after praying and watching things align. My husband’s work began to slow down in the UK, and we both felt a deep sense of peace that this was the right next step for our family.”

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Jasmine went on: “Being half Thai made the idea of moving feel more achievable, and slowly, the possibility turned into a real plan. I’ve always wanted to explore this side of my culture more deeply. Growing up in the UK, I had only ever experienced Thailand through holidays, so living here felt like something that had always been calling me. My husband also loves Thailand, which made the decision even easier.”

To turn their aspirations into reality, the pair took dramatic steps to raise additional funds and flogged nearly everything they owned. The mother-of-two revealed: “The relocation happened quickly – within six months, we had booked our flights and were actively moving forward.

“We already had some savings, but we also decided to fully commit by selling almost everything we owned – our car, many personal belongings and even our son’s quad bike. I sold clothes on Vinted, and we cleared out anything no longer needed. We also filled bags and bags for charity. After this, we had roughly between £5,000-£10,000 in savings.

“We truly sold everything, and surprisingly, it felt incredibly freeing. I had been holding onto things for years without realising how much they were weighing me down. Decluttering and moving toward a more minimal lifestyle felt so good – lighter, clearer, and more intentional.”

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Having relocated at the end of this year, she noted: “There haven’t been any unexpected expenses so far, but when you first arrive, it’s easy to spend more than planned. Rent is usually the biggest cost, and day-to-day expenses can slowly add up if you’re not careful.”

Jasmine and her spouse have been adapting to their new lifestyle, with their daily routine undergoing significant changes. “Our wellness routine is amazing. We take turns to go to the gym each morning, go on long walks along the beach with the children, and make time for relaxing massages. We’ve had so much more quality time together as a family, and it’s been such a gift,” Jasmine revealed.

“It’s been really nice to slow down to wake up early, read the Bible, and pray together. We’re feeling refreshed, grounded, and grateful, and we’re really looking forward to connecting with a new church here as well.

“A slower-paced life and more time to spend with each other has been exactly what we needed. We’re no longer constantly in a rush, and instead feel more relaxed, present, and at ease. The mental load is finally starting to lift, and the sunshine is making us all happier too!”.

She further stated: “The people are incredibly friendly, life is far more affordable, the weather is beautiful, and there is so much for us to do and experience together as a family.”

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However, they do miss their extended family back in the UK, but are eagerly anticipating their visit. Jasmine confessed: “The hardest part was leaving our family. We’re incredibly close to both sides, and saying goodbye was heartbreaking. We miss them more than we ever imagined, but we’re grateful that we can FaceTime regularly and stay connected. Their love and support has meant everything to us, and we already look forward to them coming to visit us.”

For those considering a similar move, Jasmine encouraged: “Go for it. Sometimes it takes actually moving away to realise that change really is possible. Change is the catalyst, and at times, you simply have to take that leap of faith. If it doesn’t work out, what’s the worst that can happen?”.

“Be wise and prepared, make sure you have enough savings and budget realistically. While Thailand is more affordable, costs can add up quickly if you’re not mindful. Stay humble, stay grounded, and enjoy the process. It’s also important to have the correct paperwork and visas in place.

“Respecting the culture and the Thai people is also vital – Thailand is a beautiful, calm place to live, and you’ll be welcomed with open arms.”

Got a travel tale to tell? Drop an email to webtravel@reachplc.com