During our visit to Portugal, the Lisbon hills gave us a workout, but the reward (besides burning up all the calories from the wine and custard tarts) were the scenic Lisbon viewpoints showing us the brightly colored city from different angles.… Read the rest
As budget-conscious travelers, we inherently seek out bargains in the destinations we visit around the world. Our goal while traveling is not to spend as little money as possible, but rather to find money-saving activities that will not hamper, but increase, our overall experience of a place.… Read the rest
We pulled ourselves from the beaches of Mauritius and mountains of Cape Town and purposely headed back to the northern hemisphere – yes, into winter – to take in the sights and sounds of the holiday season by celebrating Christmas in Europe.… Read the rest
During our two week stay in Lisbon, we’ve been in more churches than we can count. As we wander the streets, if we come across a church with open doors, we take a peek inside. Churches of every size and style have elicited gawking from us as we take in the beauty and history of the churches in Lisbon, Portugal.… Read the rest
On the south bank of the Tagus River near the 25 de Abril Bridge is Lisbon’s Cristo Rei. The 92 foot tall statue of Christ (which stands on a 269 foot base) looks out over all of Lisbon. Both the statue and the bridge are smaller versions of their more famous inspiration: Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, but are both clearly defined in Lisbon’s history and skyline.… Read the rest
Part Four in a series: Out our front door: The streets of Alfama. Every time we book accommodations in a new city we are taking a leap of faith. We rely on reviews and attempt to seek out places with local flavor that are still within walking (or public transportation) distance to sights.… Read the rest
Just four miles from Lisbon’s city center is Belem, a serene riverside town packed with charm and a ton of history. During the Age of Discovery, ships departed from the banks of the river to explore trade routes. A monastery, watch tower and palace (where the President of Portugal now resides) were all built in the 1500s at a time when Portugal controlled the Spice Trade and the Indian Ocean.… Read the rest
Part Three of a series: Out our front door: Sao Vicente de Fora. Every time we book accommodations in a new city we are taking a leap of faith. We rely on reviews and attempt to seek out places with local flavor that are still within walking (or public transportation) distance to sights.… Read the rest
Part Two of a series, Out Our Front Door: Lisbon’s National Pantheon. Every time we book accommodations in a new city we are taking a leap of faith. We rely on reviews and attempt to seek out places with local flavor that are still within walking (or public transportation) distance to sights.… Read the rest
Part One of a series, Out Our Front Door: Feira da Ladra. Every time we book accommodations in a new city we are taking a leap of faith. We rely on reviews and attempt to seek out places with local flavor that are still within walking (or public transportation) distance to sights.… Read the rest