Meet the Tugas

by Christopher Jones

Christopher Jones arrived in Portugal as one of hundreds of thousands of expats and stayed to write the book some of them needed. Meet the Tugas is a three-year road trip through the country's history, landscape, and soul - from the fortresses of the Minho built to keep the Spanish out, to the Azorean volcanoes that nearly kept Jones himself from returning. Along the way, he covers thousand of years of invasions, empires, earthquakes, and revolutions with the enthusiasm of a convert and the deadpan timing of someone who once ate two hundred snails and paused to calculate the protein. The humour is constant and disarming - monks improve Roman wine by deciding the blood of Christ tastes better at a lower proof; sandwiches are frantically assembled with frozen butter atop a volcano. But beneath the wit sits serious research and genuine affection. This is travel writing that makes you laugh, then makes you book a flight.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Portugal

328 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2025

Reviews

[Liam Ostermann]

I found this book immensely endearing and likeable. In many ways it reminded me of travel books I read as a teenager back in the 1970s like 'The Golden Honeycomb' by Vincent Cronin (see my footnote *1 below). Back then traveling around the countries of the Mediterranean was exotic and mysterious. Nowadays travel literature seems always to involve ever more obscure, distant and problematic locals that the authors had no real knowledge of. Travel books like 'The Golden Honeycomb' were almost always based on the authors extensive travel in the country written about over many years and the author's deep knowledge of the history, culture, literature of the place he writes about. At its simplest it was a place the author had fallen, and remained, in love with.

'Meet the Tugas' is that sort of travel book and Christopher Jones is that sort of travel writer. His enthusiasm and love for Portugal is infectious. Not that the book is perfect but I believe Mr. Jones will improve and refine and I would hope to read more books by him. I would hope that he might in future books write more about fewer places and bring in more anecdotal history - particularly as he synthesises through his own enthusiasm. The really first rate travel writing is worth reading because it is so freighted in the author's own opinions. There is a reason why some of the greatest travel writing - 'Black Lamb and Grey Falcon' by Rebecca West and 'The Road to Oxiana' by Robert Byron are still read after over eighty years and, most importantly, still worth reading - because the authors through their of country stirred their readers to a similar even if it is second hand.

Conveying excitement and passion for the stories and history of place is more important then simply colating accurate statistical or historical data. A travel book is not a guide - Wikipedia exists for facts - travel books should make you want to learn more. I hope Mr. Jones explores and writes more places he discovers and in future I hope he gives free reign to his own fancies and views. He has an eye and feel for the baroque in life and unleashed that eye should see and report wondrous things and any place he finds himself.

[Laura Hoffman Brauman]

I picked this one up at the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world, in Lisbon. While I wish I had read it before I took the trip, reading it when I got home had me planning out a trip to return to Portugal and see all the things I missed the first time around. Christopher Jones is from New Zealand, but Portugal is his adopted home. In Meet the Tugas, he takes the reader along on his travels through the country providing a good mix of history, culture, and humor - along with a clear love for his adopted homeland. Fun read and one you should absolutely pick up if you've got a trip planned.

[Juliet]

I’m not a history buff, which is why I appreciated the book’s energetic, refreshing and often humorous style. I was able to clearly visualise the author’s experiences, and it showed me how understanding the past can add to your enjoyment of what you’re experiencing today. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Portugal.

[Michael]

Damn when I saw this book as a Kiwi who spent many years in Aus and now moved to Portugal to be with my partner I was like this is perfect....read first few pages and to the authors credit they were entertaining.

Alas this is where the good times end. Whilst the premise of the book is a winner ole mate just struggles to execute. I appreciate what he is trying to do but here are just a few of the issues.

Starting simple, I'm guessing he self published or something and I'm no grammar police but some things are so lazy one page legit looks like he has added a note in the draft to add something later which he never did but left the note in the final text.

Secondly as others mentioned his random political opinions that are often repeated and not applicable at all...we get it covid lockdowns bad.

Thirdly he just seems to at times hate on Portugal it's kind of weird.

Fourth...just the layout of the book any attempt at conveying any kind of narrative is just lost...the travels are sporadic, time is sporadic...no order at all so you cannot really appreciate the history as it is dotted around so much you can't really grasp anything.

Fifth just his average writing like some pages will be "I went for a run scared a lady by mistake and went back to my hotel" or "I wanted a coffee went to cafe but the people there didn't seem friendly so I paid and left"......

Long story short avoid this book.

[Hugh Rennie]

Christopher Jones tackles several tasks in this book, and achieves all of them. Originally from New Zealand and also Australia, he seeks to explain how and why he has become a passionate permanent resident in Portugal. He aims to provide also an account of the country which goes well beyond the boundaries that a typical visitor might reach. Within this, he weaves a history of Portugal over the centuries. The invaders. The invaded. The kings and other nobles. The Moors, the Christians, the English, Spanish and others who passed through, sometimes settled, and had many influences on Portugal which are seen today.
He has spent three years developing a narrative in which history is infused in his travel reports. He travelled sometimes alone, sometimes with his wife. He writes in a light yet precise way, focuses on the important but does not miss amusing asides. His love for his new home bursts through every chapter, in a convincing way. The result is easily readable, entertaining and informative. Its audience is everyone who knows and loves Portugal (including the Portuguese, for whom there is an edition in that language), and everyone who should know this delightful country.

[Emily Hilton]

What I appreciated most about this book was the author’s genuine curiosity and deep engagement with Portugal. Rather than skimming the surface, he immerses himself in the country’s history and culture, and manages to write about it in a way that’s both accessible and absorbing. His personal exploration never feels performative, it adds depth to the historical narrative without overshadowing it.
If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, or just want to understand the country beyond the clichés, this is a brilliant place to start. I’d highly recommend it.

[Simon Blake]

I think I’d like Chris Jones if I ever met him, he has that clean Antipodean turn of thought, uncluttered by old world baggage. His writing is clear and ever so slightly revisionist as he frames history as he sees it. (As the sensible contemporary person as no doubt he so obviously is) The result is a refreshing perspective on the backwash of world historical events. This approach was readily apparent in his first book ‘Meet the Stans’ as he joyfully bounces through some rather gruesome details of Middle Asia and the Silk Road from Alexander the Great to Ghengis Khan and the Soviet Union and the modern reality of those countries. The first chapter of that book is one of the best history essays Ive ever read.

His latest book ‘Meet the Tugas has all the irreverent hallmarks of the first: Entertaining history, Strange travel arrangements and a great turn of phrase. It differs though, in his absolute passion for his chosen subject Portugal. Not everybody’s first choice for a European holiday but reading his book you’ll soon be persuaded differently. In this case its a young mans love story for a beloved country steeped in history, wine and food. Which the author relishes with every step of his travels. You can’t help but be swept away by his enthusiasm for the place: with every drive up some dreamy sunlit valley, brooding ancient city or visit to a castle, palace or beguiling watering hole, his love and passion for the place is bare for all to see. He quaffs eloquent beverages or tastes mouthwatering morsels and gives his refreshing perspective of the goings on of the history around him. It does makes you want to get on the next available plane to Lisbon or Porto and it readjusts how you see European History from the traditional Anglo/French narrative.

Well researched and ever entertaining it is a marvellous read, either as a whole book or dipping into it chapter by chapter. Meet the Tugas makes travel and history of Portugal and its place in the world wonderfully readable.

[Stacy DeLano]

The author has managed to toggle centuries of fascinating Portuguese history, re-enacting the waves of invaders with his own carefully planned travels starting in the north of the country where it all began. He brings alive all the drama of the past: royal alliances and betrayals, military battles, waves of domination by clashing (and sometimes, collaborating) cultures. Simultaneously, he weaves in his own journeys following the same footprint through mountains/villages/cities and entertains the reader with his observations of contemporary life. It's a lot to take in but worth the effort for anyone wanting to untangle the complexities of the country's past and gain insight into how they continue to influence the present.

He has a passion for his subject along with a humorous and self-deprecating way to educate. Chris is also respectful of the country he now calls home, which will certainly win him native fans. I came across a few editing shortfalls which I assume will be cleaned up in the next printing. And I look forward to reading the next history/travel book Chris Jones publishes.

[C Swayze]

I'm a recent (two years) immigrant to Portugal and am astounded by the amount of rich history stuffed into such a beautiful yet tiny country. (It is the size of Indiana.) Meet the Tugas is an almost perfect read for me because:
1) I love road trips and it makes me want to rent a car and explore the hidden gems of Portugal - I can now do it without having to do a lot of research ahead of time. (Chris already did that for me!)
2) I can refer to it when I have a question about Portuguese history without having to delve through heavy tomes.
3) I took care of my Christmas list in one visit to the bookstore - though I keep thinking of more people who would enjoy the book as much as I am.
4) I love books that make me laugh and Chris' ascerbic wit really appeals to me.

Why it's not completely perfect: A couple of editorial bloopers. I was a language teacher and am sensitive to such, though the combination of retirement and living here has really helped me to chill, not worry about such things, and accentuate the positive.

As for his political asides - I don't care.

[Ministério dos Livros]

"Conheça os Tugas" de Christopher L. Jones. Este livro pode ser encontrado na categoria de “Literatura de Viagem”, mas, na minha opinião, poderia estar na categoria de “Nós aos olhos dos outros”.

Acho tremendamente interessante ler o que alguém pensa sobre nós portugueses, como nos vê, nos nossos defeitos e qualidades, nas nossas cateterísticas. É uma espécie de visão imparcial, não necessariamente certa, porque pode não ser, mas uma visão de quem não tem grandes preconceitos ou ideias feitas.

Pois bem, para quem tenha o mesmo interesse, este livro oferece precisamente o que referi acima, e o autor fá-lo muito bem e de forma muito interessante. Gostei, revi-me, não concordei com tudo (não tinha de), mas acima de tudo apreciei, e muito, o exercício. E por isso mesmo, recomendo.

[Reader]

Meet the Tugas is a witty and enlightening tour through the heart of Portugal. With equal parts humor, history, insight, and eloquent description, written in a strong and an authentic voice. Jones balances engaging anecdotes with sharp cultural observations, making the nation's past feel immediate, alive, and deeply human . Reading it, you genuinely sense a love for Portugal and it's people. Whether you’re familiar with Portugal or just curious, Jones' invites you in with a grin and keeps you turning pages. A great read!

[Narls]

Picked up this book in Portugal and was so impressed by the author’s efforts to experience and learn through pure immersion throughout the country. The travel aspects of the book were definitely it’s highlights, but the regular reflections on the author’s political/philosophical views, whether you agree with them or not, often digresses from the context of the story, whilst equally detracting from the flow and enjoyment of the reading. Would still recommend picking this up.

[Maureen Clifford]

I truly enjoyed this book and felt I ‘was along for the ride’ with the Author, not only did I hear of incredible history of Portugal, but learnt of culture, food and sights not to be missed if visiting. Also enjoyed Author’s antidotes and characters he met on his journeys, added a lightness and passion for his adopted country. I visited Lisbon many years ago and always felt would return one day…. this book has done that for me.
Maureen from Australia.

[april melo]

Although I enjoyed the author’s travel throughout Portugal, this book needs to be edited. There are many sentences that make no sense, there are extra spaces, as well as misspelled words. The history is also very confusing as the author is zigzagging around the country; we get lots of repetitive history along with a jumble of dates and kings. I will need to read a book now that explains Portuguese history chronologically.

[Court Pennock]

For someone who has very recently been privileged and blessed to visit the beautiful country of Portugal, this is a great keepsake and expansion of knowledge. While the grammar and quality of writing can be tuned, the admiration and exploration of Portugal that this author shares with you is wonderful. I love Portugal and I will return one day.

[Reader]

Recently traveled to Portugal, absolutely incredible. A thoughtful and understated take on travel in Portugal. The writing is subtle and reflective, focusing more on atmosphere and experience than specifics. It’s not a practical guide, but it offers a calm, intelligent perspective that lingers after reading.

[Marni Crutchley]

Cracking read! Fabulous undulation between history and anecdote. Picked it up spontaneously at a Lisbon bookshop and barely put it down til it was done. Highly recommended for anyone visiting, residing in, or vaguely interested in Lisboa or indeed European history in general. 5 stars.

[Yesmein Downer]

I loved the journey that the author took me on. It's given me much excitement to follow in his footsteps and explore the real Portugal. A great read with humour, wit and a lovely honest appraisal of travelling through the differing regions of Portugal.

[Frances]

I really enjoyed the Tugas. It was a great ride through Portugal's rich, cultural past as seen through the eyes of a present day traveller. There is a lot of historical information which I found fascinating and surprising and on the back of it, I have booked a trip to Portugal next year.

[Anajacintonunes]

Que bom que foi ler pedaços da nossa história , escritos e vistos por um estrangeiro que decidiu por cá ficar. leitura curiosa, solta, engraçada onde se relembra episódios da nossa história, e se aprende sempre alguma coisa!

[Bridget Feyen]

An enjoyable and easy read that captures the beauty, culture, and charm of Portugal. It gave a great sense of the country’s history, food, and landscapes without feeling overwhelming. Perfect for anyone planning a trip or simply wanting to experience Portugal from home.

[Anthony]

This captivating book offers a vivid exploration of Portugal through the eyes of a thoughtful traveler. Arriving as an expat among many, the author’s perspective evolves from initial misconceptions to a deep appreciation for the country’s thousand-year history and rich cultural tapestry. Over three years, the narrative traverses Portugal’s diverse landscapes, from sun-drenched coastlines and volcanic islands to bustling cities and tranquil vineyards.
The author masterfully uncovers the grandeur, pride, and resilience that define Portugal, while also reflecting on the modern challenges and global allure that have drawn people from around the world. The writing beautifully balances the nation’s triumphs and tragedies, revealing the hidden stories etched into its land, architecture, and people.
This book is perfect for anyone seeking to understand the country’s unique spirit and enduring appeal.

[João Morisson]

As a tuga, I approve this book!

[Thomas Eduard]

Great book-Exciting & interesting. Very informative on Portugal amazing history.

Looking forward to more from this author.

[Be]

I fully back this previous review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...