While certainly addressing important cultural sites and travel information relevant to Lisbon as a travel hub, the aim of the talk is to encourage travellers to look further afield and engage with the values of sustainable, slow and off-the-beaten-path tourism. The talk engages frequently on the subject of history, culture and food within the context of what is to explore in places such as Porto, Braga, Coimbra, and smaller locations home to UNESCO and national heritage sites.

We also consider the travel options for those wanting to approach Portugal from the perspective of green and nature tourism, as the country has incredible beaches like the seascapes of Nazare, and the many extensive mountain ranges and woodlands across the north and western territories of the country. The talk will discuss festivities that may be of interest to travellers such as the literary trails of Obidos and fayres of Santa Maria da Feira. Finally the speaker will include personal anecdotes to help travellers engage with the area as well as travel advice regarding locations, transport, places to stay and things to look out for while exploring Portugal throughout.

Dr Lillian Cespedes Gonzalez is a PhD historian and tour guide in the south of England, who has been engaged in the tourism industry since the 2010s. An avid traveller herself Lillian has worked her way through many European countries both as a traveller going solo, with family, friends, and in her capacity as a tour guide and travel planner. Due to her cultural heritage in Iberia and close to the Portuguese/Spanish border, her knowledge of the country takes advantage of insider culture while appreciating the travel experience from an outsider perspective.