Visitors Incoming: Managing Real Life and Playing Tour Guide in Portugal

Spring and summer are just around the corner, and with them comes a wave of family visits that we’re genuinely excited for — and, if we’re honest, laughing nervously about as we look at the calendar. Over the next few months, our little corner of paradise in Estoril is about to become a revolving door of hugs, sightseeing, shared meals, and maybe a few frantic loads of laundry. First, Elise’s mum arrives in April, followed by her dad in May, and then Mike’s parents in June. Toss in a few friends visiting in between, and we’re preparing for what might be the busiest — and most heartwarming — season yet.

Lisbon at Night

Juggling Real Life with Hosting Duties

Don’t get us wrong — we’re absolutely thrilled to have everyone visiting! It means the world to us that our family and friends want to come all this way to see what our new life in Portugal is all about. But real life doesn’t pause for paella, and while we’d love to be on permanent vacation with everyone, we’re also still in the thick of football, work, and daily routines.

Carson’s football training rolls on full steam, Elise is busy balancing her work with Bailey Nelson and her consulting contracts, and Mike is hopping back and forth between London and Estoril, all while trying to keep his inbox from exploding. So, yes — we’ll be tour guides, but the kind who might show up in running shoes with a laptop in one hand and a coffee in the other.

Managing Expectations (Lovingly!)

We know our visitors are coming with visions of sun-drenched days, beach walks, fresh seafood, and castle tours — and honestly, so are we! But with all that’s going on, we’ve learned it’s best to keep things honest and flexible: “We’d love to take you to Sintra’s palaces, but we might need to zip back for football by 3,” or “We can totally do dinner — as long as you don’t mind that we’re arriving straight from work and maybe slightly sweaty.”

We want everyone to have an amazing experience, and we’re doing our best to strike the balance between showing off Portugal and not dropping the ball on our regular life. Think of it as the deluxe behind-the-scenes tour of our real life — one that includes a few scenic detours and maybe the occasional pit stop at the grocery store.

Making Time for What Matters Most

What we’re really excited for is sharing the little moments — the things that have become part of our everyday life here. Morning walks along the seawall with Scarlett, sunset views from Cascais, a casual lunch at our favorite local café. We’ll absolutely fit in the big sights, but we’re most looking forward to connecting over the smaller, sweeter stuff.

Having our families and friends here, walking the same cobblestone streets we do and seeing where our days unfold, is something we’ll never take for granted. These visits mean a lot to us, and we can’t wait to make some amazing memories together.

Embracing the Beautiful Chaos

We know it’s going to be a bit chaotic — there will be busy schedules, lots of moving pieces, and a whole lot of coordinating. But it’s the kind of chaos we’re lucky to have. Life here has already been a bit of an adventure, and this next chapter is just adding more fun to the story.

So yes, the next few months will be a little wild, a lot wonderful, and full of love. We’re stocking up on sunscreen, vinho verde, and patience — and getting ready for one unforgettable family-filled spring and summer.

Let the fun begin!