I took a trip to Lisbon right after the 10th Champions of Real Madrid of Spain, and its Portuguese stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, and Coentrao. It was a short trip but full of souvenirs and good company. This is a re post from May 2014.
Lisbon deserves more visits, and getting to know it, it is an exciting city full of life and happy friendly folks always willing to help ,directions, food choices, and just have a good time there
My trip took me first to Nantes airport, then Paris CDG and finally Lisbon on AF; same return flight taken. The airports of Nantes and Paris CDG are very familiar to me after so many trips thru them. Lisbon was easy two terminals, came in and on terminal 1. Coming in took a taxi as was very late, has to haggle with the taxi driver who wanted 20€, told him my maximum was 15€ and he finally accepted. Figure the ride was for about 10-12 euros, so ok for 15 late at night almost midnight. You have to be sure the meter is on or don’t get in the car, otherwise be prepare to haggle easy for me as I speak Portuguese. The airport of LIsbon site is https://www.aeroportolisboa.pt/en
On the way back ,I took the metro at Picoas line amarela(yellow) to Saldanha, here took the line Vermelho (red) to the airport all in about 40 minutes. all for a machine ticket of 1,90€ (including charge of rechargeable card of 0,50c). A great bargain indeed. The metro, also, has the azul or blue line and the verde or green line, and its easy in English here http://www.metrolisboa.pt/eng/
While in the city I stayed at the wonderful modern, clean and perfect location Hotel Exe Parque Lisboa , at Largo Andaluz 13, near metro stops Picoas , Marques de Pompal or Parque. webpage here http://exelisboaparque.selectionofhotels.com/
The rooms were spacious, bath too, the views on the 2fl a bit obstructed by the nearby buildings but for the location, services can be beaten. right off the marque de Pompal monument and the superb avenida da Libertade. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. I will no doubt have no problems staying there again.
From the hotel I took my walks in the evenings all over the vast avenida da libertade from the monument at plaça marques de pompal all the way to plaça Dom Pedro IV, where I even past a branch of the famous Parisien resto Brasserie FLO. Beautiful fountains stores and the great plaça restauradores with beautiful buildings all around it.
Before long it was time to eat,and I was told about a restaurant there at plaça de restauradores call Pinoquio (like the famous character Pinocchio), this is seafood of Portugal at its best. The service was impeccable friendly,and the food sublime. it started to rain but no bother I was in heaven. I order my usual beers and then the dish was Feijoada de marisco. This is magnificent casserole of shrimp, lobsters,clams, and white beans stew, just fab and of course enough for one person ,really it could be ordered for two. Its a great dish I will try to imitate at home; here is the recipe in Portuguese: Petiscos Portuguese recipe for Feijoada de Mariscos
Like, I said, it was raining light, and I decided to face it and walk back seeing all the sights and smells of avenida da Libertade. During the daytime went to the Tivoli forum shopping a deluxe shopping center right on the avenida da libertade, and had lunch in the food court there, where a vast cafeteria serves different kinds of fast food, we try the beef people counter with a goat cheese hamburger with limonade. More info here: https://www.lisbonlux.com/lisbon-shops/tivoli-forum.html
And I came home not before setting my sights on returning either in October with me or in summer with the family; will see, it is tempting Lisbon is catchy, maybe I have the city at heart by now.
The tourist office of Lisbon is at https://www.visitlisboa.com/?lang=en-GB
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 