Posts

Exploring Lisbon: How to spend a day in the Alfama

Image
Are you looking for the ultimate city-break destination this year? Want somewhere with timeless charm, captivating culture, and a thriving culinary scene - look no further than Lisbon. The Portuguese capital seamlessly blends the past and present, with this being no more evident than at the ancient hill-top Alfama district. Journey through charming labyrinthine streets, past colourful tiled buildings, to some of the most iconic viewpoints on the continent. Here are my top tips for visiting the Alfama district for you to use this summer: Prebook for the Sao Jorge Castle The iconic Sao Jorge Castle sits crowing the Alfama hill, and is visible from the whole city centre, lit beautifully at night and standing as a monolith to the 3000 year history of Lisbon during the day. It’s a vast complex detailing Lisbon’s history from pre-Roman, through the Moorish kingdoms, and to today, so is understandably popular with Tourists.  As you finish climbing to the top of the hill, you’re likely to ...

Summer in Porto: 6 Best Bars in Porto

Image
Are you looking for a summer escape that fuses Lisbon’s heritage with Barcelona’s lively bar scene? Porto could be your ideal city break! Wander its charming old town, drink in views of the Douro River, and relish iconic Port wine cellars, without having to avoid Lisbon’s crowds or Barcelona’s well-trodden paths.  Indulge your senses in Porto’s summer charm at these top bars. From classic taverns to cutting-edge cocktail bars, discover where to sip, socialise, and create lasting memories this Summer. Cozinha das Flores, Ribeira Cozinha das Flores is absolutely my favourite bar in Porto, if not Europe. It’s the kind of place you dream of finding when you land in a new city. The bar is located in a well trafficked square at the bottom of the Rua das Flores, a people-watching hub, and always filled with music. The cocktails are at the cutting edge, using local and off-the-wall ingredients to create memorable drinking experiences, even adding amazing theatre to your favourite cocktails...

UK Staycation: A journey through time around Avebury

Image
I've always had a fascination with the idea of World Heritage Sites. The idea of there being a group of monuments, natural environments, and cities all across the world so unique and intrinsic to the understanding of the Earth and human culture that they have been picked by the UN to be understood as such, is a beacon to someone as world-curious as myself. In fact, I think it’s beautiful. I think of it as if an alien landed on planet Earth tomorrow and wanted to know everything about all of history, human culture, and nature, the UN has already hand-picked all of the best places to start. Growing up in the heart of Ancient Wessex, in the South West of England, I’ve been fortunate to be within arms reach of a number of these amazing places. But the one I come back to time and time again is Avebury World Heritage Site. This charming village in the heart of Wiltshire might not be as famous as the nearby Stonehenge, but is steeped in ancient history and surrounded entirely by the large...

Exploring Lisbon: 72 Hours in Lisbon

Image
Discover the beauty and charm of Lisbon as we explore its historic districts, indulge in delicious cuisine, and soak in breath-taking views from its iconic viewpoints. Follow our travel guide to make the most of your visit to this vibrant city. Lisbon came highly recommended and I'd always wanted to go. Explore the highlights of Lisbon, from its stunning landmarks and vibrant neighborhoods to its delectable cuisine and captivating history. Join us on a journey through this charming city and get inspired to plan your own adventure. Arrival and Hotel Experience Arriving at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, we embarked on our Lisbon adventure. We chose to stay at the Lumen Hotel in the Marques de Pombal area, renowned for its modern design and mid-century aesthetic. The hotel's stunning courtyard views and the unique Lisbon Light Show were among the highlights of our stay. Exploring Lisbon To fully experience Lisbon, we took advantage of the convenient Lisbon Metro system, which of...