Trip to Lisbon, Portugal June 27-July 7, 2013
Trip to Lisbon, Portugal June 27-July 7, 2013
We are a couple of weeks away from traveling to Portugal and Bruce and I are working on a slate of festivities. We want to give you some basic information to help you plan for the trip.
- Weather in Lisbon should be in the 80’s during the day and low 60's in the evening
- It is a walking city with many hills so bring comfortable shoes. High heels do not work well on the mosaic stone sidewalks.
- Money Exchange-(Currency- Euros) you can exchange money in any Portuguese bank or you can withdraw money from any ATM –Multibanco. Either way there is a service charge but the ATM charge is a bit less
- Gratuity – A service charge or serviço is NOT usually added to restaurant bills in Portugal. However, it is customary to tip an additional 10 % if the service warrants. The bill at the restaurant only charges for what you eat EX butter, cheese, olives); it is customary to leave a tip 10% + (the amount depending on the quality of the service you receive).
- Taxis - drivers can be tipped by any amount you wish, although some people round the fare up to the nearest five euro (i.e. your fare comes to 7 euro, you may wish to pay the driver 10 euro). Some people add 10% of the fare as the round off.
- There is internet and cable in the apartment
- You should contact your phone carrier for an international plan prior to departure
Portuguese Cuisine - There are a number of common ingredients in Portuguese food including olive oil, pork, meats, fish rice, potatoes, salad and pastries.
The main staple food is bread which is always served and always fresh.
Beef is not the same quality as American beef however several of the outdoor cafes serve steak and gravy with an egg which is quite tasty. Fresh fish is always preferred.
The national dish is bacalhau – salted cod cooked 100's of different ways.
Soups are excellent, Caldo Verde (Collard greens and potatoes) is
considered by many to be Portugal’s national dish. It is found everywhere—in the dining rooms of Lisbon’s most luxurious hotels to the humblest of country homes.
10 most popular Portuguese foods
The simplest restaurants for me are most enjoyable. Bonjardin a grilled chicken restaurant is one of my family’s favorites.
Tap water is safe to drink but bottled water is preferred. Available with and without gas (con gas, sin gas)
Accommodations
Avenida Dom Carlos I, 99 (4th floor)
Tel (011) 351 218 252 463. Street map Location near Lapa and Barrio Alto
Everyone will stay here with exception of Bruce and Marie
Sleeping accommodations 3/4 bedrooms - includes 1 master Queen, 2 twins, Sofa bed. Also there is a small office with sofa that converts to a bed. 2 bathrooms,
washer and dryer.
Rua Professor Branco Rodrigues, 26 (1st floor left)
Tel no. (011) 351 213 425 748
Marie and Bruce will stay here. This apartment is a rental and has been in the family since 1915.
The neighborhood is called Praca das Flores
Av D Carlos to Rua Professor Branco Rodrigues is about a 10-minute walk.
Arrive in Lisbon Friday, June 28 at 8:20 am (Flt UA 64)
I have arranged for Van/Taxi service to pick us up at the airport and take us to the apartment. The airport is about 20 minutes to the apartment.
After we arrive and settle in, we can go to the local bodega type stores in the area for immediate needs and later go to the big supermarket Jumbo/Pao de Azucar in the Amoreiras shopping Center a 10 min taxi ride from the apartment.
I highly recommend a visit to the open food market Ribeira Market, which sells everything from fish to flowers. The best time to go is before 8 am, not to be missed.
We can head downtown for lunch to Bonjardim a simple place for rotisserie chicken, spinach, french fries and of course the popular Portuguese Vinho Verde
Following lunch we should try some Ginja and stop for dessert and coffee in one of the oldest cafes in Lisbon National Pasteleria
This will be a great end to our first day in Lisbon
Tuesday July 2, 2012 @ 9:00 am
We are confirmed for the side car tour on Tuesday, July 2, 2013. The sidecars will pick us up about 9 am and bring us back about 6 pm
Mark and Jenny will not be going on this trip however you should decide sooner than later if you both want to go since it is selling out quickly for July. I highly recommend going. We will watch Elias when you go.
We will tour the coast of Estoril and Cascais in route to Sintra and end at the western most point on the continent of Europe called Cabo da Roca
Sintra is a regal town known for its 8th and 9th century royal retreats, estates and palaces. We will have a picnic lunch in one of Sintra's beautiful parks.
Let’s not forget to try the typical dessert of Sintra called Queijadas, a mini cinnamon cheese tart.
Half a Day Trip
A good way to learn about Lisbon (past and present) is to take the 2-3 hr. walking tour Old Lisbon Walking tour. This would be best to do the first full day
Downtown Lisbon
Lisbon sits atop seven hills and is simple to navigate. The streets are laid out on a simple grid and transportation includes buses, trams, as well as an underground train.
Baixa -downtown, the heart of the city
There are 2 main squares in the center of Lisbon Rossio and Restauradores
Rossio is one of the main squares in Lisbon. Its official name is "Praca Dom Pedro IV". Long ago it was used as a cattle market, public execution place, bullfight arena and carnival ground. In the middle of this square there is a tall column with a statue of King Pedro IV. The Dona Maria II National Theatre, various cafes, shops and some restaurants, surrounds it.
Restauradores -Lisbon's main boulevard Avenida da Liberdade begins at a rectangular square known as the Praça dos Restauradores. At the center stands a large obelisk, the Monumentos dos Restauradores.
The obelisk was erected here in 1886 and commemorates the restoration of Portuguese Independence from Spain in 1640
The Praça do Comércio (commerce square) was the centerpiece of the reconstruction after the earthquake of 1755. Its main attraction is a monumental equestrian statue of king José I.
Santa Justa Elevator–An n Eiffel tower like landmark overlooking the city built in 1902. The elevator takes 20 passengers from Baixa (lower) to Bairro Alto.
Once off the lift you will see CARMO CONVENT founded in 1389.
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Near Av. Dom Carlos
Portugal's Parliament - The original building of São Bento Palace was erected as a
Convent in 1598, but was later renovated as an enormous white neoclassical building to become today's Portuguese Parliament.
Jardim da Estrela –A beautiful 11 acre park with beautiful gardens, a playground, restaurant, and a café. It was laid out in the 19th century in a romantic landscaped style, with plenty of exotic plants and a central pond.
Museum of Ancient Art -The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga is considered the most important museum in Lisbon. It has a large collection of Portuguese art complemented with a fine selection of foreign masterpieces.
FULL DAY TRIP
Tower of Belem - Undoubtedly Portugal's most iconic monument. The tower was built in the 16th century in the Tagus River to control the entrance to the city from the sea
Jeronimos Monastery –It took 50 yrs. of construction to complete the monastery that was originally intended to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s roundtrip voyage to India.
Monument of Discoveries - It represents a three-sailed ship ready to depart, with sculptures of important historical figures
Pasteis de BelemThe best traditional custard dessert - Pasteis de Nata - must try!
Coach Museum - The world's most important collections of historic coaches and carriages. The museum first opened in 1905 in a former horse riding school in Belém.
Berardo museum The Berardo Museum has one of the world's most acclaimed modern art collections, with works by Warhol, Picasso, Dali, Duchamp, Magritte, Miró, Bacon, Jackson Pollock, Jeff Koons, among others representing dozens of modern movements.
Maritime museum - Lisbon's Museu de Marinha highlights Portugal's rich maritime history with a display of ship models, navigational instruments and historic vessels.
Floresta de Belem- Great seafood restaurant in Belem
HALF DAY TRIP
Alfama the oldest residential neighborhood in the heart of Lisbon with its medieval alleys survived the 1755 earthquake and is now a step back in time. It is a village within a city made up of narrow streets, tiny squares, churches and whitewashed houses with balconies adorned with flower pots and laundry. Take the trolley Tram 28 and let the attached Alfama walking tour be your guide
Castle of Saint George - A medieval castle overlooking Alfama, the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon. For centuries, the castle was the main residence of Portugal's monarchs
Fado museum The Fado Museum explains the evolution and the passion behind Portugal's famous musical expression with audiovisual presentations, multilingual information panels, and musical archives.
Cathedral Se - One of the oldest buildings in the city, originally constructed in the 12th century shortly after the reconquest of the city. The church, with its sturdy Romanesque towers, is one of the Lisbon's most iconic landmarks
Children’s Attractions
- Aquarium Represents the eco systems of Antarctica, Indian ocean and Atlantic and Pacific
- Science and Technology Museum
- Puppet museum
- Zoo -2000 animals, 364 specifies, rare white lion; dolphin and sea lion show, pelican feeding session
Day Trip to the Beach
Portugal has beautiful beaches, Costa Da Caparica, Guincho, Algarve however the closest beach is in Estoril and is a 30 min train ride from Lisbon. The fact that it is so close to Lisbon and right behind Europe's biggest Casino doesn’t make it the most desirable. Walking west past the bars you’ll eventually find plenty of sand and calmer waters all for yourself and just may end up following the pleasant boardwalk all the way to Cascais
Estoril international craft fair -visitors can admire the work of around 300 rotating artists from every region in Portugal, showing their ancestral folk art traditions and techniques live.
Restaurants
There are excellent choices of restaurants in Lisbon
NY Times Reviews
To name a few...
BonJardin - One of my family’s favorites, a simple and most enjoyable restaurant
notable for the typical Portuguese piri-piri chicken
Cervejaria Ramiro A great restaurant in Chiado. An alehouse with Portuguese Cuisine Recommended by Ruth's friend
Fidalgo- traditional Portuguese dishes in Bairro Alto
Antigo-1-de-maio Time out Lisbon says if you go to one restaurant go here. It is a small restaurant in Bairro Alto- great whole fish
Origami - Sushi
XL - everyone enjoys its superb soufflés
Floresta de Belem- Great seafood in Belem
Frade dos Mares –near apt av d Carlos seafood
Alfaia – oldest restaurant in Bairro Alto Travessa da Queimada 24, Lisbon, Portugal (+315213461232)
Ti Natercia - R. das Escolas Gerais 54, +351 218 862 133 (Alfama) great seafood one woman show (Reservations required)
Alpendre-Rua Augusto Rosa, 32-34, Lisbon 1100-059, Portugal great seafood, cataplana 218 862 42 (reservations required)
Santini- Best ice cream
Restaurant Farol - If you want to have a magnificent view of the whole city of Lisbon plus the 25th April bridge and the Cristo Rei all in one, just head to the Cais do Sodré ferry terminal and take the ferry to Cacilhas.
For less than 2 euros you can go back and forth with stunning views. Cacilhas terminal is an old place somehow spoiled, but the walk west toward the bridge is really great (you can't get to the bridge by the sea, though).At the eastern point, very close to the station, there's also a red lighthouse with great views on the east part of the city
Shopping and Nightlife
Chiado – Great shopping area
Barrio Alto –Always full of surprises. Lisbon’s irreverent bohemian quarter is known for its offbeat collection of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and hip stores
Vista Allegra - (Chiado) Vista Alegre has been one of the world's most famous names for fine porcelain since the company was founded in 1824. In addition to the porcelain, this shop also sells crystal with traditional and modern designs.
Cork Store - (Bairro Alto) Sophisticated and distinctive design pieces (furniture and fashion accessories) made with Portugal's most-exported product: cork.
Glove Store (Chiado) probable record holder for “world’s smallest shop”, enter one at a time for a trip to the 1920s and exclusive perfectly fitted hand-made gloves.
Hat Store(Rossio) great hat store opened in 1886
CN MUSIC -in the Chiado and is the oldest music store in the country. It is a meeting place for music lovers, musicians and intellectuals, and also a daily visit spot for tourists who seek the authenticity of Portuguese culture
Museums
Gulbenkien Museum – One of the world's greatest museums and one of Europe's unsung treasures.
Berardo Museum- One of the world's most acclaimed modern art collections, with works by Warhol, Picasso, Dali, Duchamp, Magritte, Miró, Bacon, Jackson Pollock, Jeff Koons, among others.
Fado museum- Explains the evolution and the passion behind
Portugal's famous music with audiovisual presentations, multilingual information panels, and musical archives.
Decorative-arts-museum -This brilliant museum gives a picture of aristocratic life in the 18th and 19th centuries
Puppet museumLovely collection of puppets from around the world (near apt)
Tile museum - An ancient art form in a lavish old convent.
Maritime museum - Lisbon's Museu de Marinha highlights Portugal's rich maritime history with a display of ship models, navigational instruments and historic vessels.
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