Loving Lisbon
Jan 4th, 2009, 01:05 PM
#21
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks so much for this report. I feel the same way about Lisbon - felt very comfortable there on first visit and even more so on second, while like you, I couldn't wait to get out of Barcelona and Madrid!
Anyway, you've given me a whole bunch of ideas of new places to visit on my next trip to Lisbon.
Many thanks again.
M.
Anyway, you've given me a whole bunch of ideas of new places to visit on my next trip to Lisbon.
Many thanks again.
M.
Jan 5th, 2009, 05:04 AM
#23
Original Poster
P_M - everyone I talked with on this trip (Lisbon, Morocco, Paris and London) seemed very happy that Obama had won!
Mahya2 and TDudette - have a great time on your trips. I'm not sure when I'll see Lisbon again - I'm hoping to get back to Asia on my next trip.
Mahya2 and TDudette - have a great time on your trips. I'm not sure when I'll see Lisbon again - I'm hoping to get back to Asia on my next trip.
Jan 5th, 2009, 06:18 AM
#24
Original Poster
<b>Nov. 5th - More Museums</b>
On my way to a very late breakfast (really brunch) I bought a copy of the Herald Tribune from a street vendor. He wanted to know if I was happy with the election results, and confided that over the years his U.S. customers had been apologizing for Bush. He certainly seemed happy.
I headed back by tram to the Alfama and the castle, but I’ve visited a lot of castles, and instead of going inside I walked over to the Museu de Artes Decorativas. This was definitely my kind of museum, with several formal rooms, bedrooms, a music room, and a dining room. Rooms with interesting wall decoration - tiles, paint, fabric or paneling - lots of inlaid wood (some from Brazil), Chinese export porcelain, carpets, and embroidery.
After a stroll past the shops in the Chiado district I went back to Café Cha and finally tried a pasteis with my coffee. This is a custard tart, and I thought it not at all bad for something sweet - I don’t have a sweet tooth, and usually skip dessert. Then I wound up needing a taxi to find the Costume Museum - the Museu Nacional do Traje e da Moda - off my Streetwise map to the north. This museum doesn’t really compete with the costume section of London’s Victoria and Albert, but I enjoyed myself. I even managed a reasonable job of decoding the Portuguese-only labels.
I spent the rest of the afternoon on chores. Shopping for deodorant and toothpaste and nuts at the El Cortes Ingles department store. Catching up on email. Checking on tomorrow’s flight to Casablanca. Making sure I had enough euros for my “local payment” for the Morocco tour.
I had decided to splurge a little for dinner, and after consulting Fodors I picked Sinal Vermelho, finding it a bit big and touristy. The first course, shrimp in garlic and white wine, was excellent, but my sole was a shade overcooked and accompanied by carrots and cabbage! I meant to head home and pack after dinner, but the Port Institute was just up the street, and it occurred to me that alcohol might be hard to come by in Muslim Morocco. The port was very good...
On my way to a very late breakfast (really brunch) I bought a copy of the Herald Tribune from a street vendor. He wanted to know if I was happy with the election results, and confided that over the years his U.S. customers had been apologizing for Bush. He certainly seemed happy.
I headed back by tram to the Alfama and the castle, but I’ve visited a lot of castles, and instead of going inside I walked over to the Museu de Artes Decorativas. This was definitely my kind of museum, with several formal rooms, bedrooms, a music room, and a dining room. Rooms with interesting wall decoration - tiles, paint, fabric or paneling - lots of inlaid wood (some from Brazil), Chinese export porcelain, carpets, and embroidery.
After a stroll past the shops in the Chiado district I went back to Café Cha and finally tried a pasteis with my coffee. This is a custard tart, and I thought it not at all bad for something sweet - I don’t have a sweet tooth, and usually skip dessert. Then I wound up needing a taxi to find the Costume Museum - the Museu Nacional do Traje e da Moda - off my Streetwise map to the north. This museum doesn’t really compete with the costume section of London’s Victoria and Albert, but I enjoyed myself. I even managed a reasonable job of decoding the Portuguese-only labels.
I spent the rest of the afternoon on chores. Shopping for deodorant and toothpaste and nuts at the El Cortes Ingles department store. Catching up on email. Checking on tomorrow’s flight to Casablanca. Making sure I had enough euros for my “local payment” for the Morocco tour.
I had decided to splurge a little for dinner, and after consulting Fodors I picked Sinal Vermelho, finding it a bit big and touristy. The first course, shrimp in garlic and white wine, was excellent, but my sole was a shade overcooked and accompanied by carrots and cabbage! I meant to head home and pack after dinner, but the Port Institute was just up the street, and it occurred to me that alcohol might be hard to come by in Muslim Morocco. The port was very good...
Jan 5th, 2009, 07:41 AM
#25
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Enjoyed it all, Thursdaysd. I've never been to that Port place up across from that lovely miradouro (plaza looking out over the city), but I think it's time to go. I'm not much of a port connoisseur, but it sounds like one of those not to be missed places.
With regard to the elections, I too found that the Portuguese people, irrespective of their political stripes, were uniformly pro-Obama. In the days after the election, all my Portuguese friends actually "congratulated" me on the results.
With regard to the elections, I too found that the Portuguese people, irrespective of their political stripes, were uniformly pro-Obama. In the days after the election, all my Portuguese friends actually "congratulated" me on the results.
Jan 5th, 2009, 07:48 AM
#26
Original Poster
Thanks lreynold1 - definitely give the port place a try. They have all sorts, and info on how the different kinds are made. You can start cheap and work up, lol! They also have nibbles to go with.
Jan 5th, 2009, 01:47 PM
#29
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ooooohh Thursdaysd! I just came back from Portugal and the memories of the people, food and port are swimming in my head. I fell in love. I hope to be able to write a trip report soon because I must savor the magical moments I had, everyday was perfect and everyone I met truly special and kind. I feel so blessed to be able to spend a short time in such a wonderful country. I am happy you felt the same.
Jan 7th, 2009, 12:20 AM
#32
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Loved your pictures! By the way, did you have to make a reservation ahead of time at the Marques de Fronteira palace? We were unable to get in once and have never gone back, but your pictures have motivated me to go! Thanks, Laurie
Jan 7th, 2009, 04:58 AM
#33
Original Poster
Thanks sher and lreynolds1.
I didn't have a reservation for the Palácio de Fronteira, I just showed up at the time my guidebook said the first tour started. You can only get in just before the tour starts, though. Probably safest to check times with the TI - or call the palace, as the TI didn't seem too reliable to me. The inside is really nice, too, do try again!
I didn't have a reservation for the Palácio de Fronteira, I just showed up at the time my guidebook said the first tour started. You can only get in just before the tour starts, though. Probably safest to check times with the TI - or call the palace, as the TI didn't seem too reliable to me. The inside is really nice, too, do try again!
Jan 21st, 2009, 06:53 AM
#35
Original Poster
I'm finally getting around to posting a report on Morocco. For those who were interested, here is the link: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35178037
Jul 16th, 2009, 12:44 PM
#36
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting report! We will be in Lisbon for one night only before embarking on a cruise and I'm wondering about weather in the region. You seemed to be out and about a lot on your Trip Report visit, with only some comments about wind, so I'm assuming it was fairly pleasant?
We enjoyed Lisbon, like so many other posters here, two years ago when we spent a slightly longer time. Love that tram through the Alfama and the castle.
Thanks for any weather ideas!
We enjoyed Lisbon, like so many other posters here, two years ago when we spent a slightly longer time. Love that tram through the Alfama and the castle.
Thanks for any weather ideas!
Jul 16th, 2009, 01:54 PM
#37
Original Poster
Hi tuckerdc - as best I remember the weather was about what I expected for early November - certainly not hot (but I live in North Carolina, so my standard for "hot" may be different), but not noticeably cold either. I'd say dress in layers, and take an umbrella just in case.
Enjoy lovely Lisbon!
Enjoy lovely Lisbon!
Jul 17th, 2009, 05:53 PM
#40
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thursdaysd,
I enjoyed your report sooo much -- brought back so many memories. Add my name to the list of those who love Lisbon! Your pictures of the cloister at Mosterio dos Jeronimos are incredible. I have a weakness for cloisters and this one may just be my all-time favorite.
Thanks so much for posting!
I enjoyed your report sooo much -- brought back so many memories. Add my name to the list of those who love Lisbon! Your pictures of the cloister at Mosterio dos Jeronimos are incredible. I have a weakness for cloisters and this one may just be my all-time favorite.
Thanks so much for posting!
