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Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy the experience and if you would like to receive future updates to my blog, please hit "subscribe"........ Portugal from known to hidden gems at nightTips for coming to Lisbon - Nightlife
1. Docas (Santo Amaro Docks) - If you would like to savour some of the nightlife in Lisbon, put the area Docas (Docks) on your list. It offers a variety of restaurants and different types of music from salsa to jazz. In particular check-out the restaurant “Quero-te nas docas” (http:/en.querote.pt). Here musicians and singers come for jazz “jam” sessions every Tuesday night. You will also see some terrific dancers showing off their Swing moves, especially West Coast Swing and Lindy Hop. Sessions begin from 9pm, so get there early to find a table and enjoy a wonderful view of the impressive 25th of April bridge from the docks. Bring a warm sweater and jacket as it can get quite fresh in the evening.
2. Cascais - an up market coastal town about 30-45 minutes from Lisbon. Readily accessible by train. Visit the Casa da Guia (https://casadaguiacascais.pt). This is a lovely manor house with spectacular views over the Ocean. The house and gardens have an array of very good restaurants and a coffee house where you can sit and hear the ocean while enjoying (inexpensively) good coffee or a glass of wine. It is also a great place at night because it hosts the restaurant “Palaphita Cascais’ (https://www.palaphita.eu) under its trees. Palaphita is a Brasilian restaurant and from Thursday nights on they have music. It is outdoors so it can be a little bit chilly - bring a jacket. Another gem for lovers of Jazz Blues and Bossa Nova is the Cascais Jazz Club (@cascaisjazzclub), a small intimate club. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, make sure to book your table well in advance.
Disclaimer: The material and information contained in this blog and on this website is for general information purposes only. You should not rely upon the material or information in the blog or on the website as a basis for making business, legal or any other decisions. Whilst I endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, I make no representation or warranties of any kind, express or implied about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website/blog or the information, products, services or related graphics contained on the website/blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such material is therefore strictly at your own risk.
Portugal from known to hidden gems (2)Tips for visiting Óbidos
The medieval town of Óbidos is one of the most picturesque and well preserved in Portugal.
To get to Óbidos from Lisbon, you can take a train from the Santa Apolonia station. A bus service is also available and it takes about 1 h 48 m. Driving will take less than 1 hour. Ample parking is available not too far from the town centre. Best parking location is at the Viaduct.
The city is completely walled and it is 1.5 km in length. It is well worth the walk with wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. However caution, the ledges are relatively narrow, without handrails, some of the towers have steep steps.
The streets are cobblestoned so (as always in Portugal) make sure to bring good walking shoes/tennis.
There is a section of the city that stages medieval events/reconstruction. The month of July is usually dedicated to the Medieval Fair & Festival events, so make sure to check out the schedule beforehand.
The local craft shops have quality products and are worth visiting. Do not leave the city before tasting the local chocolate & trying the “Ginjinha”, a sweet, cherry-based liqueur that originated in the region. Maybe even take a bottle home and relive your wonderful memories from Portugal during the long winter evenings!
If you are a bookworm and/or just love wandering around book stores, Óbidos is the place for you. It is renowned as a book lover’s paradise! In fact UNESCO named Óbidos as a “City of Literature” joining other prestigious cities such as Dublin & Barcelona. If time is limited at least visit the Santiago Bookstore.
For restaurants, try to avoid them between 12:30pm and 2:00pm otherwise you are likely to have to wait some time for a table.
Disclaimer: The material and information contained in this blog and on this website is for general information purposes only. You should not rely upon the material or information in the blog or on the website as a basis for making business, legal or any other decisions. Whilst I endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, I make no representation or warranties of any kind, express or implied about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website/blog or the information, products, services or related graphics contained on the website/blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such material is therefore strictly at your own risk.
Portugal from known to hidden gems
Tips for coming to Lisbon
Make sure to bring good walking shoes/tennis. The streets/pedestrian paths are cobblestoned. A light jacket/windbreaker is a must especially for evenings in Cascais & Sintra. English is understood and spoken quite well in most places. For restaurants, always try to make a reservation. Use the website/app: The Fork for restaurant reviews and recommendations. A lot of places do not accept International Credit Cards. Bring Euros! You need coins for Public Transport.
1.Take a hop on-hop off bus tour especially the one that goes to Belem. Once in Belem, go to the former convent (Pastéis de Belem, https://pasteisdebelem.pt) where they have the best Pastel de Nata (Portuguese egg custard tart pastry = a local speciality) and good coffee. 2. Time Out Market (https://www.timeoutmarket.com/lisboa/en/) great atmosphere and a wide variety of restaurants including local cuisine. This is also close to the train station (Cais do Sodré) which goes to Estoril & Cascais. 3. Organi Restaurant (https://organi.pt/en/) - really good vegan restaurant which is also a favourite with non-vegans. Seriously good food. Be sure to make a reservation.
4. Nicolau Cafe (https://www.ilovenicolau.com/en/) - this is particularly good for breakfast/brunch. Again a reservation is recommended.
5. Scoop ‘n Dough (https://www.scoopndough.pt) - a must for the sweet tooth! Good coffee and seriously spectacular doughnuts. Get there before lunch. They sell out fast. But they are open until very late (23h) 6. O Melhor Bolo de Chocolate do Mundo (Lisbon City)+351 919 299 242 https://goo.gl/maps/JEjXTRwyGY7mpwPG6 It is on Av. Liberdade, a beautiful tree lined avenue. The avenue has a number of Kiosks (very continental style) with coffee/beer etc. I believe on Sundays there is music and people dance etc. (I have not been there yet but a friend has and recommended it.) 7. Take the train to Cascais but get off at Estoril. Visit the Estoril Casino and park. Afterwards walk towards the beach & along the promenade all the way to Cascais (about 2kms). In Cascais, have lunch at Masala (https://restaurantemasala.pt), a terrific Indian restaurant in the center. Great value (often 20% off for lunch). Afterwards walk along the quays/port on the coastline in the the direction of Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth). Spectacular cliffs at the Ocean. A little further on is the Casa da Guia (https://casadaguiacascais.pt). This is a lovely manor house with spectacular views over the Ocean. The house and gardens have an array of very good restaurants and a coffee house where you can sit and hear the ocean while enjoying (inexpensively) good coffee or a glass of wine.
It is also a great place at night because it hosts the restaurant “Palaphita Cascais’ (https://www.palaphita.eu) under its trees. Palaphita is a Brasilian restaurant and from Thursday nights on they have music. It is outdoors so it can be a little bit chilly - bring a jacket.
8. Sintra - Definitely need to put it on the visitor list. Sintra is a historic city with many world famous Palaces (last King of Portugal) and a Moorish Castle. If you only have time to visit one castle I recommend choosing “Quinta da Regaleira” (https://www.regaleira.pt/pt/) and buy your tickets beforehand online.
The most visited castle is “Palacio da Pena” (https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-national-palace-of-pena/) and it gets very crowded. “Palacio de Monserrate” and its park and gardens (https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-palace-of-monserrate/) are well worth a visit too.
It is easy to get to from Lisbon - take the train from Rossio direct to the last stop in Sintra and from there a "Tuc Tuc" car up to either Palace. If you drive to Sintra, parking is a challenge and the traffic wardens are very keen to administer parking tickets. An option is to park your car at the Portela de Sintra (2nd last stop) train station (on the Forum side) for free. It will take about 15-20 minutes to walk to the old city and the “Tuc Tucs” for further transportation . 9. If you are looking for another day trip, then the city/town called Óbidos is a must. A complete medieval walled city.
10. Alternatively the city/town of Ericeira offers nice beaches and opportunities for surfing.
Disclaimer: The material and information contained in this blog and on this website is for general information purposes only. You should not rely upon the material or information in the blog or on the website as a basis for making business, legal or any other decisions. Whilst I endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, I make no representation or warranties of any kind, express or implied about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website/blog or the information, products, services or related graphics contained on the website/blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such material is therefore strictly at your own risk.
The Cyclists' excusesHi cycling fans and family! Ever since I started road cycling last year after having admired different groups taking over Old Cutler Road (mostly at the weekends) I have met a lot of people, form different backgrounds and nationalities and all ages. An extremely nice, helpful and enthusiastic bunch of people. It's all about miles, where to have coffee and where to load up with carbs. But that's not what this blog (eventually becoming a book) should be about. I would like to collect and quote here all the different excuses people used when not showing up for a ride (after confirming that they will) or excuses they used for not bringing their reusable coffee cup, which our group introduced to help save the environment. Note: this idea has meanwhile spread over to other groups and even businesses. So proud of it! It's not a criticism but should make you laugh the same way me and my friends laughed when we first heard it. For some excuses the author or friend even provided a picture. Have fun, enjoy and if you have heard or seen some legitimate excuses in your group, don't be shy, share them with me and let's all laugh together.
São Paulo lädt ein (3) - Let's visit São Paulo (3)Parque do Povo - Peoples' Park Av. Henrique Chamma, 590 - Itaim, Bibi, São Paulo, CEP 04533-130 täglich 7 - 22h
Noch ein kleiner Park inmitten der Stadt São Paulo. Ideal für Sportler, die eine flache Laufbahn suchen oder Eltern, die ihren Kindern das Fahrradfahren beibringen wollen. Es gibt dort auch einen sehr netten, schattigen Spielplatz. Der “Volkspark” ist eine 133.000m2 grosse Grünflache mit einigen Bäumen, Kakteen und Orchideen, zwischen der Marginal Pinheiros und dem neuen Luxuscomplex “Shopping JK”, mit einer 1,6km in der Runde angelegten Fahrrad- und Laufbahn. Sehr sicher, gut bewacht und mit Parkplätzen entlang der Eingänge (mit Parkverbotsschildern, die am Wochenende nicht gelten - sagen die Einheimischen!). Es gibt allerdings keine Kioske - Picknick und Getränke mitbringen! WCs vorhanden.
Daily 7 - 22hrs Another small park in the middle of São Paulo. Ideal for athletes who prefer to run on an even surface and parents who want to teach their kids cycling. You will also find a very nice, shady playground there. The “Peoples’ Park” is a green 133.000m2 lot, with some trees, cactus and orchids, situated between the Marginal Pinheiros and the newly developed luxury Shopping complex “JK”. The park offers a 1,6 km circular running and cycling path, is well patrolled by police and considered quite safe. You will find parking alongside the 2 entrances - although it has “parking prohibited” signs: Locals will tell you that they are not valid at the weekends! (Remember: you are in Brazil!) Unfortunately the park has no stands with drinks or food - bring your own, DIY! There are toilets.
MAC USP Ibirapuera Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Universidade de São Paulo Museum of Contemporary Art of the University of São Paulo (Ibirapuera)
Av. Pedro Álvares Cabral, 1301 CEP 04094-050 São Paulo Di 10 - 21hs, Mi - So 10 - 18hs Eintritt frei. Parken gratis.
Noch ein absolut “gratis” Museumstipp mit dem Pünktchen auf dem i - oder besser gesagt mit einer atemberaubenden Aussichtsterrasse im 8. Stock. Der Weitblick richtet sich über den gesamten Ibirapuera Park mit Morumbi- und Marginal Pinheiros Skyline. Das Gebäude selbst, von Oscar Niemeyer ausgedacht, beeindruckt sicherlich Architekturfans. Auf 6 Stockwerken findet man Ausstellungen von über 10.000 Kunstwerken, unter anderem von Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky, Tarsila do Amaral, Volpi, Jay Maisel und vielen anderen. Auch Fotografien befinden sich unter den ausgestellten Werken. Leider: kein Café oder Sitzecke zum Sich-Treffen. Für die Gartengestaltung blieb nach der teuren Renovierung (R$ 76 Mio.) in 2012 leider kein Geld mehr. Über eine Fussgängerbrücke kann man das Museum auch vom Park aus zu Fuss sehr schnell erreichen.
Tue 10 - 21hrs, Wed - Sun 10 - 18hrs Entrance & parking: free
Another absolute FREE and amazing museum (just opposite Ibirapuera Park) with a breathtaking terrace view on the 8th floor: you will be taken by surprise by the extensive view of the park and the skyline in the back (showing Morumbi and the skyscrapers on the Marginal Pinheiros). The building itself was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and will definitely please architectural fans. More than 10.000 pieces of art spread over 6 floors - amongst them you will find names like Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky, Tarsila do Amaral, Volpi and Jay Maisel. There are photographs on exhibition too. What did I miss? A place to have a coffee or drinks, a corner to sit and meet friends. What I noticed: After the costly R$ 76mio. renovation in 2012 there was no money left for the landscaping around the building - what a pity! You can also easily access the museum over a foot bridge from Ibirapuera Park.
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