One big theme and source of pride in Portugal is the Age of Discoveries. The people who set out to find the way to new lands, new cultures and let's not forget, new riches.
It has made me think about modern travel and how millions of us are criss-crossing the globe every day. Are we discovering? Or following in the footsteps of the TripAdvisor/Yelp explorers who went before us?
I know I am guilty of the frantic internet search for good coffee. But I also resist the "you must try francesinhas in Porto" because every tourist is doing it (& because soggy bread will never do it for me). The best discoveries are made by wandering and stumbling across sardines grilling on an alleyway BBQ or amazing empadas da galinha (little chicken pies) in an unlikely looking cafe. Or even just some random playground or exercise equipment in an unlocked park. Probably because they feel like personal discoveries, not a well worn trail.
It seems the kids are getting a sense of this too. After several failed attempts at ordering hamburgers they have gone for more exotic choices, and felt proud of themselves for at least trying. Not exactly discovery, but a willingness to step away from the familiar is a good start!