Lisbon

Earlier in the summer we had planned a trip up to Lisbon for Labor Day weekend, so we invited Lyndsee to extend her stay so she could shove one more destination into her trip!  I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Lisbon.  I thought it would be just another big city, but it was so much more.  The city itself was an eclectic mix of different architectural styles with a literal buffet of colorful exteriors.  The streets were wide and full of people, cars, taxis, buses, scooters and cable cars!  The city is also full of hills, it reminded us a bit of San Fransisco.

kids messing around on the bus

Tower of Belem:  This beautiful, 16th century, tower is set at the mouth of the Tagus River that flows past Lisbon.  It was an important military defense and prison for the city as well as a beacon to men and soldiers, welcoming them home.

Monument to the Discoveries

"american ruffians"

Jeronimos Monastery

Pastéis de Belém:  has been in business since 1837, making Portugal's special little egg pastries (that description doesn't do them justice, but I don't know how else to describe them) from a secret, guarded, recipe since that very first year.  A few “master confectioners” are the only ones who know the art, and they concoct batches of the confection within the confines of a “secret” room in the shop. It is the most-frequented pastry shop in the whole of Portugal, but it is not just tourists who bring the volume of traffic. Locals also know it as the best spot for their most beloved pastries.

Praca de Figueira

Taking the trolley through the Alfama neighborhood was a definite highlight during our time in Lisbon.  Everyone enjoyed the ride and views.  The streets were narrow and I was surprised we made it through a few, but we did and lived to tell the tale!  At times it felt a bit like a Disneyland ride...keep your heads, arms and hands inside at all times and enjoy the ride!

Sammy & Luke

Andy & Judy

Emma

I loved the beautiful buildings around town.  The colors were wonderful and some looked like the had wall paper on them because of the intricate designs.  Very unique.

By the end of the day the girls' feet were filthy dirty!  We were all laughing about it, but secretly hoping no one would notice!

Santa Justa Elevator:  One of the city's best-loved landmarks and also known as the "Elevator of Carmo," this extraordinary structure was built at the turn of the century by the Portugal-born French architect Raoul de Mesnier du Ponsard (an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel, explaining the structure's similarities to Paris' Eiffel Tower), to connect downtown to Bairro Alto (the lowest and highest points of the city).

Rua Agusta:  is Lisbon's main shopping street that is pedestrian only.  It was full of people, street performers and fun shops to look at.  Lots of bakeries and ice cream shops too.  We ate THE BEST ice cream I've ever had here.  It was delicious!  In fact, I'd go back to Lisbon, just to get more.

 

I loved this archway.  Beautiful!

 

racing up the hill because they were exhausted and wanted to get to the hotel to swim.

So European.  I love these little cars, if you can even call the that.  This kids thought it was cool that I took a few pictures of him.  Dumb tourists!