Portugal
Portugal is a sentiment.
It is the exuberance of its radiant colours: the orange of its terracotta roofs, the intense blues of azulejos tiles, the light gold of the beaches, the glimmering white of the villages.
It is the excitement of vibrant cities such as Lisbon and Porto, where a fervent artistic and culinary scene spills on the narrow old alleyways and attracts crowds from all over the world.
It is the awe of towering rugged Atlantic cliffs, big powerful ocean waves, modern architectural marvels.
And it is the nostalgia, a sort of longing for the good times gone, the country's glorious past, and a simpler life. The so-called saudade that defines so deeply the Portuguese national character.
And despite not having been spared their fair share of curve balls from history, Portuguese people won't hesitate to dispense their generosity and warmth to those who show love for their country.
And to be the receiver of those is a joy.
Follow me on this journey through the history of azulejos and then on a discovery of the best tiles in Porto. You have probably seen images of the astonishing blue-and-white panels decorating some of the country’s most distinguished buildings, but the reality is that tiles are practically everywhere in Portugal. In fact, tiles are one of the defining ingredients of Portuguese aesthetics.