Leaving for Lisbon

Earlier this week, I was leaving Las Vegas. Now, we’re leaving for Lisbon. We’re looking forward to immersing ourselves in Portuguese culture, art, sun, and port during our stay.

Our apartment, complete with water view, is in the Sao Vicente neighborhood, 50 meters from Alfama — the oldest area of Lisbon, being one of the few areas not destroyed by the earthquake in 1755. The owner of the apartment grew up in the neighborhood and owns a shop just down the street, so we’ll have a great local guide ready to show us the best places to eat, drink, shop, and mingle with the locals.

Castelo de Sao Jorge and Se Cathedral are in our neighborhood, and many other sights are just a short walk or tram ride away: Torre de Belem, National Art Museum, Portuguese Tile Museum, Tower of Belem, Gulbenkian Museum, the Elevator, and the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. A bit further off, but easily accessible by train or bus, are the wonderland of Sintra, and the National Palace.

But I suspect the most fun will be sitting at cafes, sampling local foods and wine, getting to know the people and the culture. That’s what makes travel fun.

When the time comes, I suspect we won’t want to be leaving Lisbon.