Category Archives: Lisbon Portugal
A day in Sintra is not enough – Part 2
Didn’t we say a day in Sintra is not enough? It seems like we really needed Part 2 to continue our visit to this beautiful Portuguese city.
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A day in Sintra is not enough
Confused about the title? A day in Sintra is not enough to admire the general splendor, to visit all the museums, castles and gardens that adorn one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal and in the entire Europe. Let’s discover them in a few lines. We promise not to spoil the surprise, just to accentuate the anticipation:
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A day in Cascais
Although an entire trip there sounds like a brilliant idea, for today we’re going to settle for at least a day in Cascais, one of the richest, oldest and most beautiful cities in Portugal.
Cascais, at the heart of the Estoril Coast, is one of the richest, most popular towns in central Portugal, found just 30 kilometers away from Lisbon. In the past, Cascais was hailed as a prominent cultural, political and economic hub due to its strategic positioning at the mouth of the river Tagus.
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A low-cost trip to Lisbon
Everybody wants to travel and Europe is truly the ultimate destination for so many people. The only issue is money, which is why many of us are deprived of the chance to make their perfect journey. But what if we told you there is the option of a low-cost trip to Lisbon?
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Best March 2016 events in Lisbon
Say “hello” to spring with the best March 2016 events in Lisbon! Today we thought we’d talk about the most exciting events and activities to look forward to this coming month in the capital city of Portugal.
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Christmas traditions in Portugal
The local customs and cultural elements are what make a people different, unique, and the season colorful and merry. The Christmas traditions in Portugal represent a strong identity element, one that defines the country and attests to its uniqueness.
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How Lisbon prepares for the winter season
Rumor of jingle bells and the hooves of Santa’s reindeer in the open are already starting to spread throughout town. There’s a general sense of anticipation of Christmas, so let’s see how Lisbon prepares for the winter season this year!
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5 Lisbon hidden places
Everybody has heard about the Cathedral, about Parque das Nacoes and about the Belem tower, but here are 5 Lisbon hidden places that will help you make the best of your trip to the capital city of Portugal!
There is a life of the city beyond the prying eyes of the public and the commercial facade that is sold to the tourists. The uncovered Lisbon will unfold before your eyes far from the city center.
For those who want to get the real feel of life in Portugal – and we can’t stress this enough – a visit to the old Alfama neighbourhood is a must. One of the oldest parts of Lisbon, Alfama is the place where you will find old winding medieval streets, colorful clothes left to dry hanging from the balconies of the bohemian and somewhat dilapidated houses, mini-markets and street markets galore.
Among others, here you will find the (locally) famous Feira da Ladra or Flea Market (also, sometimes referred to as “The Thieves’ Market”) open on Saturdays and Tuesdays, where you can find vintage clothes and genuine antiques for really cheap prices. This might actually be a better idea than to spend money of magnet souvenirs.
If you want “organic food”, you just might have a chance to procure it at the vegetable markets in the suburbs. The products and healthy, natural and accessible as well. Also, this will make you feel like home.
The last stop we suggest is to take a relaxing walk through the Monsanto Forest Park (in Portuguese, Parque Florestal de Monsanto). This green haven is the largest urban forest in the entire Europe – a sort of Central Park of Lisbon. It is a wonderful place to take pictures, take a breath and enjoy the panorama over the Tagus river and the happy city.
If you rent a car in Lisbon or book a Lisbon tour, you can make the best of your trip!
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Santa Claus will find you in Sintra this Christmas!
For those of you who still have no idea where to spend their winter holidays, we have a few suggestions we would like to discuss. After reading today’s article, we do believe Santa Claus will find you in Sintra this Christmas!
Before you say anything, let us just explain why late-October is a perfect time to book your vacation in Portugal. First of all, if you book in time, you might get plane tickets discounts – if you wait too long, actually, you might not find tickets left at all, which will be an issue… Secondly, the choice of lodgings can be time-sensitive and other services, such as Lisbon airport transfers or Portugal tours can be booked in advance for more advantageous prices.
What we are trying to say is that today is just as good a day as any to book your Portugal trip during Christmas and/ or the New Year’s Eve. Now that we have covered this, let’s visit Sintra for a quick preview of what you are in for, provided you plan your vacation there.
Sintra is the setting for a fairytale. Nested between the Sintra Mountains and the vast natural confines of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, the city is scattered with estates and retreats, medieval castles and tourist attractions.
The most emblematic symbol of Sintra is the UNESCO-recognized 19th-century Romantic royal castle Pena National Palace. Perched on a tall hill, the castle is visible even from Lisbon. Built on the medieval ruins of a chapel, the castle was commissioned by King consort Ferdinand II and the construction lasted from 1842 until 1854. It is one of the greatest worldwide samples of Romantic architecture.
Sintra also offers beautiful plazas, the Old Town and the medieval Castle of the Moors to admire and to spend a truly enchanted Christmas and to welcome the coming of the New Year.
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Spend New Year’s Eve 2016 in Lisbon
You might call us obsessive control freaks, but there is a lot to say about planning in advance. There are lots of people who are already worried about how to Spend New Year’s Eve 2016 in Lisbon or someplace else in Portugal or around the world.
Some people dream of spending a white Christmas and a bright, frosty New Year’s Eve in mountainous regions, in the Alps or in the wild Carpathians. Others, however, crave for a bit of warmth – or at least for an outstanding view over the Ocean; and they can choose Portugal.
The capital city of Portugal hosts some of the most beautiful New Year’s Eve parties. Praca do Comercio is one of the best European locations to spend the night between the years. It is the biggest plaza in the country, hosting amazing firework displays as the clock strikes 12 and featuring a breathtaking view of the lights reflecting in the waters of the River Tagus.
Parque das Nacoes, featuring the modern ensemble, and the historic Belem Tower, symbol of the great age of Portuguese Discoveries, are other places to go out and celebrate New Year’s Eve with a crush of happy enthusiastic people.
As for the many neighborhoods that celebrate the coming of a new year, Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodre are famous for their lively partying, plus there are many bars and clubs and the Lisbon Casino to choose from.
And last but not least, how about spending New Year’s Eve at the beach? Come to Carcavelos beach!
Estoril and Cascais nearby are also excellent choices to spend the first day of the year. A word of caution, though: be sure to book… well, everything in advance. Lodgings and plane tickets come first – start looking for some. Then, don’t forget to book Lisbon airport transfers and Lisbon car rental online as soon as possible as well.
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