Secret places blog

I admit that I discovered Sanlúcar de Barrameda by coincidence many years ago and it never left my mind. At the time I was visiting Jerez de la Frontera and heard marvels about the Doñana National Park, one of Europe’s larg... Ler post

Our world today is constantly changing and evolving. Every day, every hour, every minute or even every second, an infinite number of things are happening, adventures are being experienced, memories are being created and new concepts are being deve... Ler post

Taking care of our mind as well as our body has never been as important as now. There has been a change in attitude toward re-discovering nature, reconnecting with ourselves, and realizing the mental health benefits of exposure to the great outdoo... Ler post

  Part 2: From Lisbon to the Algarve Although being on the same western coast, the ocean south of Lisbon is quite different to the one in the north. Big waves can be found here as well, but the water starts getting warmer and the waves... Ler post

Sea so close, you can almost dip your toes in it – from your bedroom! Few things beat waking up in the morning to the soft, melodic sound of water lapping against the shore. Imagine having the ocean right on your doorstep, so close you can... Ler post

Portugal’s best beaches: from Caminha (Minho) down to Lisbon When beautiful landscapes turn into golden sand just before they meet the waves of the Atlantic Ocean you are probably in Portugal. Long stretches of the 667 km of Portug... Ler post

1. Italy - Wild Poppy Fields in Tuscany When thinking of Tuscany, green valleys filled with sunflowers might be one of the first things that come to your mind. This is not the only thing that this beautiful area of Italy is famous for. From the... Ler post

It is a funny feeling when driving along the southern coast of Andalusia near Salobreña. In front of us the bright sunlight is reflected in myriads of small diamonds from the Mediterranean Sea. In the background the majestic snow covered mo... Ler post

  “There is no more sagacious animal than the Icelandic horse. He is stopped by neither snow, nor storm, nor impassable roads, nor rocks, glaciers, or anything. He is courageous, sober, and surefooted. He never makes a false step,... Ler post

Porto You should definitely spend two days in Porto at the beginning or at the end of the round trip through Northern Portugal. This beautiful city, previously forgotten by visitors, has become one of the most popular travel destinations in Portu... Ler post

You know how it is being taken to an Italian restaurant in some far away country wondering why you are not in a restaurant serving local food? Well, sometimes it is worth waiting before judging too soon. The good thing about food is that there are... Ler post

Green, greener, green hotels. Lately a special type of hotels has appeared in searches more and more often, but a lot of people don’t really know what this eco-friendly holiday option is all about. What is special about a green hotel, what i... Ler post

  We all love luxury. Being the pleasure of driving a nice and fancy car or the delight of enjoying a Ladurée macaron on the Champs Élysées, we all like and deserve to treat ourselves sometimes. Well, we thought abou... Ler post

Do you think mass tourism has conquered even the last remaining paradises of Europe? Not really. Those landscapes that make us look in awe at what nature can accomplish still exist. The area between the Sado estuary and the port city of Sines... Ler post

  When the crowds of tourists start leaving the beaches and coastal areas and the weather become more mellow, it starts the best time to relax and enjoy the view across the water from your bedroom or hotel terrace. We have put together a... Ler post

At Secretplaces we are always seeking to add new, exciting and stylish accommodation options. Last year we were able to begin working with some very exciting new partners all over Portugal. In this blog post we present you the best portuguese vill... Ler post

  „Madeira“ – means simply wood. And you can find lots of wood on the island, normally in form of many, many trees. I wanted to dive into the wonderfully natural world of this island, so, took my hiking shoes and searched... Ler post

Wanderlust can be quite persistent. I learned this the hard way at home on my couch. I was totally hungry after my Vietnam-trip this year and so I was longing for spring rolls. Authentic, Vietnamese spring rolls with a good filling. So I pulle... Ler post

Up until a few years ago, you would be forgiven for not knowing much or anything at all about the Azores, a Paradisaical archipelago situated 800 miles from mainland Europe.  Fast forward and these luscious green islands in the middle of t... Ler post