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Pining for Portugal, a perfect weekend in Porto
The Algarve has the beaches and coastal charm, Lisbon has the culture and city living, but Porto has history and for me much of the heart of Portugal. You could spend enough time walking through the city just exploring but here are some recommendations of some of my favorite things I stumbled on while in this UNESCO World Heritage city during my weekend in Porto. Get Lost A small old city, Porto winds through narrow alleyways towards the Duoro River. The Ribeira is the soul and historic center of the city, the best place to see beauty by the river, colorful tiles and crumbling old buildings. By night it’s a…
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Urban Art: Portuguese Street Art In Lisbon
There is no doubt that although it is a city known for it’s hills, Lisbon is for walkers. There are far too many small neighborhoods with winding streets to not go and explore by foot. The architecture is unique, the people watching unprecedented and to top it off, there is phenomenal street art around every corner. Lisbon is a serious triple threat. The city is a virtual open gallery, but to find a lot of the larger and more famous pieces be prepared to cover a lot of ground. I met a Portuguese guy who was working for a tour company and he offered to give me a private street…
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Snapshot Sunday: Streets of Lisbon Portugal
I love people watching, it is my main hobby when in a city and Lisbon, Portugal is a wonderful place for it. There is nothing better than being in town, sitting at a cafe, enjoying a drink or a meal and watching passersby. I often craft stories in my mind about where people are going, what they are doing or thoughts of who these fictional characters might be. I spotted this sweet little old man buying flowers at a shop next to where I was having breakfast and I envisioned him heading home, bringing the bouquet as a surprise for his wife who was cooking them a Sunday dinner. I…
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Storybook Sintra, a Palace in Portugal
The palace that was a creation of King Ferdinand II is like a fairytale upon a hill which is fitting because Sinta, the small town below, is like that out of a storybook. I decided to walk up through the park but the climb was much steeper than I had anticipated. Note: wearing a dress and sandals may not be appropriate attire for hiking about in the forest. My strenuous work in improper clothing paid off however, because as I ascended, this bright, fanciful building popped through the tree line. I was alone in the wilderness and it was as if I had just stepped into a fable and uncovered…