Wonderful pics Governator, we were in Lisbon in November and loved how unpretentious it felt.

We caught the fado show at Fado in Chiado, just the show in a theatre like setting. No dinner and no photos or video-taking allowed, so it's just wonderful music and singing for 45 minutes. The musicians and vocalists were amazing (17 Euros and it starts around 7, other places start much later). And it's just around the corner from the place that sells wonderful pastei de nata, Manteigaria. The area stays up late.

The street art is also wonderful in Lisbon, if that's your thing, take the tour.

Hi all, yes, I know the Portugese Synagogue in Amsterdam. I suspect though that my ancestors converted to Catholicism back in Portugal. Later on these converts where also persecuted and thus left Portugal, travelled through hostile Spain and landed in the Lowlands, now Belgium and the Netherlands.

They arrived in Amsterdam, converted back to Judaism and became active in the same synagogue you mentioned in Amsterdam. Holland was not as liberal as its reputation made believe. Jews were not allowed to practice the vocation of their choice and were severely limited in their freedom.

Around 1630 the Dutch occupied part of Northern Brazil, near Recife. For purely practical reasons they were more liberal regarding freedom of worship so many Jews and Catholics immigrated to that area. However, as I read, Dutch occupation ended around 1654. Some travelled a little further north and settled at Jodensavanne, in the (now former) Dutch colony of Suriname. That is where my maternal roots lie. Some stayed and some re-settled in Amsterdam and in New York (New Amsterdam at the time)
I find it a fascinating story of which I have only recently become aware.

Thanks for viewing my photos Esperanza77.

Thanks for sharing your story Elizabeth54.

One more tip I wanted to give, when you go to the Jeronimos Monastery at Belem if you pay to see the Archeolgical Museum in the same building, different entrance, it includes admission to the Monastery and you won't have to wait on the long line with those who just want to see the Monastery.

Lastly, eat lots of pasteis de nata. Everywhere I bought them they were delicious.

>> Archeolgical Museum in the same building, different entrance, it includes admission to the Monastery and you won't have to wait on the long line

Good tip.

Again, obrigada to all. I will most definitely post a trip report upon our return.

<i> Holland was not as liberal as its reputation made believe. </i>

The Protestant parts of the Netherlands were not very accepting of Catholics, either.

I lived in the Netherlands in 1986, and found quite a sizable minority of Dutch people to be downright racist, although a lot of other Dutch people insisted that tolerance was universal. Even a lot of the liberals were rather patronizing or condescending. I've decided that no nation is really innocent of racism and anti-Semitism.

The weather looks pleasant save one in a cable car where it was raining - thinking about going next January so weather is of interest.

Great pictures!

DebitNM,

We lucked out first week of Jan 2017, it rained only one day. That wouldn't have been the case had we gone in 2016 or 2014.

The temperature always seems to be in the 50's that time of year, looking at weather history. Mild compared to NYC where I come from.

https://www.wunderground.com/history...eqdb.wmo=08535


Thanks for the compliment, re the pictures

Thank you for all your wonderful info. Looking forward to my first trip to Lisbon this May.

tdk320n,

You're welcome. Enjoy!

Governator,
Did you think your hotel room at the Lisboa Tejo Hotel looked dated? That's how my guidebook describes it. Otherwise, the price and location is what we are looking for.

Just saw your question. On the contrary the rooms are newly renovated. The front of the hotel was shrouded as it was still undergoing renovations. I didn't find that to be a problem.

Glad to see this pop up; we are going in May/June to Porto, Lisbon and then Amsterdam! Perfect post to re-read.