While in Portugal

We had two weeks in Portugal. So many things to do, see, and eat! So, we did just that, we did everything! We started our adventure in Lisbon. We stayed in the upscale shopping area (Avenida da Liberdade), in fact a block behind Louis Vuitton, and I was not sorry. Cute little restaurants and cafes surrounded us. And also, all the major shops. We found that in Lisbon, we needed an Uber or Bolt to get around the city. It wasn't nearly as walkable as we thought it would be. So, while in our little neighborhood, we walked, and when we wanted to visit others, we Ubered. 

My favorite thing to do in Lisbon was the tuk-tuk ride. For two hours, we were hauled all over the city center, up and down curvy, tiny streets, and into neighborhoods that we would not have known existed. I loved the old part of Alfama. We stopped and took many photos. Additionally, we made note of the places we wanted to revisit and explore. We looked at pottery and tiles, visited some open-air markets, and enjoyed the small custard tarts. We got espressos, shopped, and had a blast. We heard about a place called the FX Factory, which was incredibly fun, featuring local artisans and fun eateries. I highly recommend it. 

One day, we took an 8-hour tour to the little mountain town of Sintra and visited several castles. All of which were amazing. We had lunch at a charming local spot. On our own, we might not have chosen it, but because of our tour guide, we liked it very much. I wish we had carved out more time for Sintra, though; it was adorable. 

And then, of course, as a big tourist, I had to ride tram 28. Was it worth it? Yes, it was. I never wanted to get off. It was awesome, and navigating the tight little streets was a lot of fun. We actually decided to take a few more tram rides on different trams after that. 

Lisbon offers excellent food, impressive trams, and beautiful tile.

Now on to Porto. I liked Porto better. I liked the vibe, the walkability, and the people. It was just different. 

In Porto, we rented a little apartment in the Bolhao neighborhood. It came with daily cleaning, which we appreciated, and also included a unique feature. It came with a basket breakfast! Each morning, we received a basket full of coffee, juice, protein, bread, and fruit. It was a true highlight for me. I loved it. Like opening a gift each day! What a way to start each morning. 

Porto was a great little city to walk in—lots of shops, cafes, and coffee, as well as tuk-tuks and trams. We took a river boat ride and even a gondola. For me, Porto fits my personality. With the fantastic Livraria Lello bookstore, the chandeliers in McDonald's, the Time Out Market, and everything else, we kept very busy. 

I've had many friends ask me if I'd go again. I would like to see some of the coastal towns. Who knows, maybe one day!

Portugal is a lovely, casual country. They have slippery tile, so wear sneakers! Both Lisbon and Porto have Time-out markets or food halls. Such excellent food! Both have trams, tuk-tuks, great food, and coffee. Also, I have to tell you — look for cork products. Portugal is the world's largest producer of cork. Just make sure that what you buy is made in Portugal. And don't forget actually to touch a cork tree! 

Make sure to be a tourist. After all, you are one! Own it. Ask the questions, do the things, eat the food. It's safe, and the people are super friendly. They love to talk and share their culture and worldviews. We had a wonderful time there and I'm so glad that I took as many pictures as I did. I love reliving those wonderful memories.