LISBON
I recruited a friend and her sister to join me on this adventure and made the layovers in Paris work to our adventure-seeking advantage. An ideal trip to Lisbon would be at least five days to ensure maximum sightseeing and leaving the city for a day-trip, if possible. Also, tiles for your door would be a perfect yet inexpensive souvenir.
Due to its coastal location, Lisbon's palm trees and picturesque views make it a great vacation spot for sightseeing and sunbathing. This would even be an ideal city to see after Madrid or Barcelona and compare. Please do not make the mistake of thinking that the Spanish and the Portuguese share a common language and culture. They do not and the Portugueses have no qualms making you cognizant of that fact. Give this county the credit it deserves!
Main attractions and gastronomic enterprises (of course!):
Castelo de Sao Jorge-Alfama neighborhood
This castle looks like a daunting walk from the Restauradores area; however, a cable car can do the work for you and drop you off at one of the best places to take in the view of this magnificent city. Prepare your camera battery. The castle used to be the residence for Portuguese kings and the cobblestone streets outside the castle remind you of old Europe.
Cafe Brasileira-Chiado neighborhood
Known as one of Lisbon's grande cafes, Brasileira is the ideal lunch spot after taking in the shops in this district. From the tiled floor to the ornamented walls, it is at least worth a picture.
Sintra
If you have enough time, Gray Line Tours offers a full-day excursion outside the city cinter to another famous coastal location. Sintra is known as a vacation spot for affluent Portguese and is recognized for its multi-chromatic castle After taking in the city and its accoutrements, Gray Line takes its travelers to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Western Europe. You can greet the Atlantic Ocean before heading back to Lisbon.
Belem and Pasteis de Belem
Like most of Europe, Lisbon can connect you to many areas with its mass transit. Therefore, Belem is considered a suburb of Lisbon; however, one can take a train and arrive there in about twenty minutes. Visit this area for the Ermida de Sao Jeronimo (monastery) and Museo Nacional dos Coches (Coach museum) before tasting one of the best custard treats ever made.
While walking around a gift shop one day, my friend noticed a post card that showcased Pasteis de Belem and we knew that it must be good to have its own post card. Of couse, the veracity of the sentiment rang true as we fought for a table as this amazing cafe. Due to a slight language barrier, the waiter somehow new to bring the "pasteis" to us. This pastry does not pale in comparison to any other custard I have tasted. It could have been the combination of its warmth and cinnamon and powered sugar; however, we each ate our share of two each and then waited in line to take more back to the hotel. Hence, this pastry should be added to Portugal's flag. I tasted others from bakeries once back in the city, but my taste buds wanted nothing to do with those.
Praca de Comercio-Lisbon's Triumphal Arch
PARIS
Ah, Paris! In the winter, this city can be just as magical as New York. I've never been to this city during the Christmas holidays, and I was immediately reminded of the Home Alone scene that spans the Champs d'Elysee while walking towards this city's famous arch.
Besides visiting Tour Eiffel and Louvre, one must make its away to Laduree, the famous shop for macaroons. I promise that no matter what the length of the line or the celsius degree of temperature, this iconic shop will soon rid you of any annoyance. You can eat your macaroons and walk around the city while waiting for the Tour Eiffel to dazzle with its lights every hour!
Two Tickets to a Winter Paradise?
Will Work for Macaroons
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