Wednesday, April 2nd and Thursday, April 3, 2025 - Lisbon, Portugal

FINALLY, we have arrived in one of my very favorite countries in the world!!! Portugal is a fabulous country, with spectacular beaches, temperate weather, lovely beach communities, great restaurants and cafes.  They also have excellent services, so good health care is readily available.  If I didn't have so many grandchildren (13) in the U.S., I would be tempted to move to the southern part of this fabulous country.  

OK, now that I have disclosed my bias, I'll tell you about Lisbon and Portugal and our time there.  Warning, this is a long post since I absolutely adore this place.  Portugal is a breathtakingly beautiful country, rich in history and wonderfully vibrant. It has stunning landscapes, from golden beaches to lush green hills, and it is an impressively diverse country.  As we sailed into the city we had a lovely view of two important bridges.  The Vasco da Gama Bridge, which spans the Tagus River. It is the second longest bridge in Europe and the longest one in the European Union.  It was built to alleviate the congestion of Lisbon's 25 of April Bridge, and eliminate the need for traffic between the country's northern and southern regions to pass through the capital city.  Construction began in 1995 and was completed in 1998. The other important bridge in Lisbon is the 25 of April Bridge, which is a suspension bridge which crosses the Tagus River.  It is the 48th longest suspension bridge in the world and was inaugurated in 1966.  

Portuguese cities are charmingly picturesque, with cobblestone streets and brightly colorful architecture.  The cuisine is delightfully flavorful, and the people are warmly hospitable making it an unforgettable place to visit. Although I wish our visit was longer so we could travel further inland, I'll settle for a delightful two days in fabulous Lisbon.

Lisbon is a breathtakingly historic and vibrant city, dazzlingly perched along the shimmering Tagus River. About 3 million people live in the metropolitan area, and 500,000 reside in the city of Lisbon.  

Lisbon's picturesque streets are adorned with colorful tiled facades and elegantly wrought-iron balconies.  The tiles were initially made by the Arabs in the 8th century and have been famous since the 9th century. The charming Alfama district exudes timeless allure with its narrow, winding alleys and traditional music.  Lisbon's striking architecture blends seamlessly with its modern infrastructure.  

 

The city pulses with lively energy, with neighborhoods where nightlife thrives amidst eclectic bars and music venues.  Traditional Fado melodies, deeply emotional and hauntingly beautiful, echo through its atmospheric restaurants.  Trams, modeled after the ones in San Francisco, California USA glide softly over the city streets since 1920 and are filled with locals and tourists alike who are avoiding driving in this elegant but quite congested city.  Lisbon's bustling markets brim with fresh produce and aromatic spices, adding to its dynamic character.  

The bullfights, which once were one of the cultural mainstays of the country, have lost some of their allure in recent times.  Historically they were held once a month in the Lisbon Bullring, but now are held only two to three times a year.  Also, today bulls are not killed in the ring, but they continue to be injured with a sharp-pointed object.  After their fighting days are over, the bulls are either butchered or returned to the fields to breed.  Despite its modernization and the revision of some traditions, Lisbon retains a nostalgic air of saudade, a melancholic yet captivating essence that makes this enchanting city uniquely unforgettable. 

Lisbon's history is profoundly rich and diverse.  Founded by the Phoenicians, its strategic location made it a crucially vibrant trading hub.  Roman rule brought prosperity, while Moorish occupation added deeply cultural influences.  The city flourished magnificently during Portugal's Age of Discovery. By the 13th century, Lisbon had grown into a dynamic capital.  Its bustling port became the heart of Portugal's maritime expansion.  Bold explorers departed from Lisbon's shores to chart new worlds, bringing immense wealth to the city. Tragedy struck in 1755 when a catastrophic 9.0 earthquake devastated Lisbon, followed by fires and a tsunami.  There was an ambitious rebuilding effort, transforming the city into an elegant urban masterpiece with grand boulevards and squares. An aqueduct was built in the 1700's which solved the problems of moving water from the suburbs into the city. The aqueduct was 30 miles long and was utilized until the 1850's. 

Lisbon was reigned for many years by the dictator, Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, but the country received its independence in 1974, and in 1910 it became a republic. Red carnations have become the symbol of Portuguese democracy, since the Carnation Revolution finally overthrew the dictator.  During the revolution almost no shots were fired.   At its conclusion, a local woman offered carnations to soldiers as the people took to the streets to celebrate the end of the dictatorship.  Other demonstrators followed suit and placed carnations in the muzzles of guns and on soldier's uniforms. It became known as the Carnation Revolution. The republic  now has elections every five years, with a leader only allowed to serve two terms. 

Since Lisbon is the end of one segment and the beginning of a new segment, a majority of passengers will be changing.  Therefore, we will remain docked here overnight and have the opportunity to tour this exciting town for two days.  So, I'll divide the tours into each day.

Day 1:

Today, Bob and I took a tour of the nearby town of Cascais, a town which started out as a small fishing village.  It has now developed into a lovely seaside tourist town.  We also toured Sintra, located in the mountainous region of Portugal. 

As we began our tour, we drove into the mountains to visit the town of Sintra, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It is a breathtakingly beautiful town which is nestled majestically within the lush mountains just outside the city.  Sintra is famous for its picturesque landscape, featuring jagged hills and dense forests, which provide a serene backdrop for its historic sites.  There was stunning natural scenery with wondrous views as we drove through the mountains.  There were examples of original European Romantic architecture blended with spectacular botanical gardens. 

As we drove through the beautifully forested, winding roads we passed opulent palaces vividly painted with intricate details.  We caught glimpses of original European romantic architecture blended with spectacular botanical gardens. We marveled at the Moorish Castle which stood imposingly on top of a craggy peak.  Our guide shared information with us about the mystical Quinta da Regaleira Castle, with its concealed secret passages.  

As we made our way through the forest, the roads were lined with a variety of lovely, very green trees, including cork trees which are regularly stripped to make products for export, including shoes, bags, floors, etc.  Our guide explained that cork trees can live up to 250 years, and when the bark is stripped it will grow back every 9 years.  Workers who strip the trees mark each one with a number so that everyone knows the last time the bark was stripped.

As we made our way back down the mountain the spectacular coastline came into view.  On our way to the laid back beach town of Cascais, we stopped to admire the location where one of the first James Bond movies was filmed.  Our guide told us that since Portugal remained neutral during World War II, this area became a hideout for spies.  The local hotels were filled with spies.  This is also the location where the famous author, Ian Fleming, lived for a few years.  According to local folklore, while living there, Fleming met a gentleman who was living a glamorous lifestyle of wealth, surrounded by beautiful women and fast cars.  Our guide told us that Fleming modeled the character of James Bond after this gentleman!

We continued our drive along the wild and beautiful coastline until we arrived at Cascais, which is a stunning and sophisticated coastal town, often referred to as the "Portuguese Riviera." Locals include wealthy residents such as Cristiano Rinaldo, the Portuguese soccer legend, who is building a mansion just outside the city   Cascais boasts beautiful sandy beaches with a Mediterranean atmosphere and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. It is a mecca for surfers, some of whom may also have thoughts of surfing the waves at Nazare, Portugal, where waves have reached a height of 115 feet!  We passed the town's historic center which is filled with elegant 19th-century mansions and imposing architectural landmarks.  The town is vibrantly alive and has a buzzing atmosphere. The scenery surrounding Cascais is quite dramatic, with spectacular views of the coastline, with towering cliffs and wild surfing beaches.  

Once we arrived in this delightful town we had the opportunity to spend some free time wandering through the cobblestone streets which gently meander their way up and down the hills.  The lanes are built on small cobblestones and lined with small, locally owned shops with charming window displays.  We were particularly looking for the Pastel Bagcalhau shop/restaurant we visited last time we were there.  The bakery was decorated with whimsical decor, such as a bright red circus train car and carousel. We were also able to watch the chefs preparing the pastries through a large picture window.  During our last visit we had sufficient time to sit, relax and enjoy one of the local specialties of cod fish cakes and port wine.  It sounded terrible but it was actually quite delicious.  This visit we were very short on time so we decided to get a couple of fish cakes to go and take it back to the ship with us.  It's currently in our fridge and waiting for us!

Our time for walking through this delightful town was up way too soon, but we needed to make our way back to the bus and return to the ship.  We have enjoyed a lovely day visiting some of the areas outside of the city of Lisbon.  Tomorrow, we will have the opportunity to tour the city of Lisbon, both on land and on the river.  It should be another interesting day.

Day 2:

Our time in Lisbon continues today with a peaceful, relaxing tour which gave us a unique perspective of this picturesque city with a tour on both a river boat and a bus.

Today, Lisbon stands as a charming blend of ancient and modern influences.  Its layered history, marked by conquest, exploration, and resilience has shaped it into one of Europe's most captivating cities.  From its picturesque hills to its vibrant waterfront, Lisbon continues to enchant visitors with its timeless beauty and storied past. It is a city built on seven hills, although our guide confided in us that there is really 28 hills in Lisbon!!!

Lisbon is the vibrant capital of Portugal and is a breathtakingly beautiful city.  Situated on the picturesque Tagus River, it boasts stunning vistas and historic architecture.  The city's winding streets are often filled with lively music and eclectic nightlife which attracts visitors from all parts of the world.  Lisbon's charming plazas and laid-back cafes invite tourists to linger, while its inexpensive cost of living makes it an appealing destination for expats.  The city's modernization is evident, yet it retains a quaint, 19-century charm, with traditional trams and colorful markets adding to its allure.  Liberty Avenue, the main avenue in the city is a wide promenade lined with upscale stores selling exclusive luxury brands.  It's a lovely tree-lined street, filled with pedestrians, both locals and tourists. With all of it's charm, it's easy for visitors, like us, to fall in love with Lisbon's unique blend of old and new.

Housing is quite expensive in the city, and a majority of workers downtown are forced to live in suburbs and commute into the city via train and/or bus. Apartments with 2-3 bedrooms in the downtown area can cost more than $2,000,000 whereas apartments in less desirable areas away from the ocean can be purchased for less than $1,000,000.  Houses in the city can cost between eight and twenty million U.S. dollars.  

Once we finished our leisurely drive through downtown Lisbon we drove to the pier and boarded a lovely river boat for a sail down the Tagus River.  The cruise offered us a breathtakingly beautiful experience, and allowed us to witness Lisbon's stunning landmarks from a unique perspective.  As our riverboat sailed smoothly along the river, we saw iconic sites like the Monument to the Discoveries and the 25th of April Bridge.  The picturesque Estrela Basilica and the historic Castle of Sao Jorge were visible in all their majesty.  We were also able to view the vibrant neighborhoods of Alfama and the Baixa unfold as we sailed slowly by them.  The Alfama is Lisbon's oldest, most colorful neighborhood.  It is renowned for its narrow, cobblestone streets and traditional houses, and offers a glimpse into Lisbon's rich past. Our guide provided live commentary as we sailed which provided a fascinating and informative journey and it allowed us to appreciate the city's rich history and culture from another perspective.  

After two incredibly interesting, informative and fun-filled days, our time in the lovely city of Lisbon, Portugal has come to an end. I have thoroughly enjoyed our time here and I wish we could have stayed longer, but hopefully I will return in the future. 

Lisbon welcomed us with it's unique charm and lively spirit.  Even though we had an overnight in this fabulous city, I wish we would have had a little more time there.  I never get tired of visiting this delightful city and someday I want to have time to explore more of the countryside, maybe on a land tour.  Until then, it's time for us to move on to our next port, Bilbao, Spain, which is another charming and lively city with fabulous architecture. From this point on in the cruise, we will be visiting extremely exciting places until we complete our cruise in New York City the last of May. I'll write again after Bilbao.