Estou de Volta, Lisboa

Categories: Accommodations · Art · Lisbon · Portugal · TravelTags: · · · ·

“I am back, Lisbon” – albeit for only two days to meet good friends who also happen to be in town. I finally got the chance to visit the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum and its art collection that was amassed by Armenian oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian. The collection contains some 6,000 pieces that stretch from 2500BC to the 20th century, from Egyptian and Greek antiquities, to French furniture and European paintings. At the other end of the museum’s gardens is the Centro de Arte Moderna (CAM), which opened in 1983. The building was recently renovated by Kengo Kuma to feature an…

Tchau, Açores

Categories: Azores · Portugal · TravelTags: · · · · ·

The Azores comprise of nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic half-way between North America and continental Portugal. The Portuguese discovered this remote archipelago, scattered 1,400 kms west of their mainland in the early1500s. The islands are mythical land of volcanoes, bubbling thermal waters, geysers of rising steam, turquoise-toned lagoons, and bottle-green lakes. Lagoa des Furnas is a volcanic crater lake in Furnas Valley. Fed by the valley’s geothermal activity, a number of alfresco pools provides the perfect rejuvenation, courtesy of Mother Nature. This volcanic caldera has lain dormant since 1630, and it’s one of São Miguel’s most intriguing…

São Miguel

Categories: Azores · Portugal · TravelTags: · · · · 1 Comment

São Miguel is the largest island of the Azores archipelago, with an enviable landscape of forest-wrapped volcanic peaks, azure lakes and improbably perfect calderas. Its charming capital, Ponta Delgada, exudes history, but the true reason to visit São Miguel is the call of the verdant terrain that gives it the nickname ‘Ilha Verde’ (Green Island), and its dramatic coastline battered by the wild Atlantic Ocean. The most iconic crater lake and instagram-worthy photo opportunity in all of the Azores is of Sete Cidades – beautiful twin lakes Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul (or Green Lake and Blue Lake blue) situated…

Ponta Delgada

Categories: Architecture · Azores · Portugal · TravelTags: · · · ·

The largest island of the Azores archipelago is São Miguel. It is well worth spending a day in its comely capital Ponta Delgada. Characterized by striking black basalt and whitewashed Portuguese architecture, this compact coastal city serves a walkable urban base and starting point for exploring the island’s dramatic natural interior. Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião, the town’s landmark building. It’s built in a curious mixture of styles: originally 16th-century late Gothic, with a Portuguese Manueline facade and baroque features added in the 18th century. Forte de São Brás, which once protected the island from attacks by pirates. These days…

Óbidos & Nazaré

Categories: Architecture · Portugal · TravelTags: · ·

The medieval town of Óbidos is one of the most picturesque and well preserved in Portugal with a well preserved castle within the walls, and a maze of streets and white houses. Nazaré is one of the most popular seaside resorts in the Costa de Prata. It is famous for its huge waves and surfing competitions. As of 2025, the record for the tallest wave ever ridden was at Nazaré, a wave measured at 26.2 m (86 ft) in 2020. The Nazaré Canyon submarine geomorphological phenomenon allows the formation of the giant waves.

Fatima & Batalha

Categories: Portugal · TravelTags: · ·

Fátima is a central Portuguese town that’s home to the Sanctuary of Fátima, a Catholic pilgrimage site. The Capelinha das Aparições marks the spot where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1917. Other sacred sites include the Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário, with its golden angels, and the modern church of Igreja da Santíssima Trindade.  The Monastery of Batalha is a Dominican convent erected in commemoration of the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota and would serve as the burial church of the 15th-century Aviz dynasty of Portuguese royalty. It is one of the best and original examples of Late Gothic architecture in Portugal, intermingled…

Obrigado

Categories: Accommodations · Douro Valley · Food · Lisbon · Porto · PortugalTags: · · · ·

Within the first few hours of my arrival, I was reminded of the friendliness and hospitality of the Portugese people. And this would be the case for my whole 10-day visit. Obrigado – Thank you! Upon arrival in Lisbon, I went straight to the Oriente train station to catch the high speed three hour Alfa Pendular train to Porto Campanha station. I only had one night to spend in Porto and I stayed at the Intercontinental Porto – Palacio das Cardosas. The hotel is well located (beside the famous São Bento Station) and service was very friendly and professional. An…

Lisbon 2.0

Categories: Art · Lisbon · Portugal · TravelTags: · · · ·

Almost to the date four years later, I am back in Lisbon. The beauty of not getting to see all sights on the first visit is that there are more new things to see upon one’s return. Convento do Cormo (or the Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel) was built between 1389 and 1423 in the Gothic style. Considered by many to be Lisbon’s loveliest church, this convent has not had a roof since it fell in during the 1755 earthquake. A lawn now covers what was once the main nave.  Mannerist and baroque architecture dominate the São Roque Church,…

Douro Valley

Categories: Douro Valley · Portugal · TravelTags: · ·

Located in North Portugal, Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site approximately 100 kms east of Porto. The Douro Wine Region Valley is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world known for producing its cultural treasure – the strong and sweet Port wine. The region has been attracting international wine aficionados since the 18th century and the terraced fields on either side of the Douro River is a wonder to look at. The Douro River is the highest-flow river of the Iberian Peninsula. It rises in Soria Province, central Spain, meanders south briefly then flows generally west through the…

Comendo e Dormindo

Categories: Accommodations · Food · Lisbon · Porto · Portugal · SintraTags: · · · ·

  Plenty of good food options in Portugal, particularly for fish and shellfish. Menus in top restaurants are on par with other major European cities, where one will encounter Portuguese cooking mixed with continental classics. Moreover, prices are quite reasonable compared to other major cities. In Porto, the first restaurant I tried, which was simply delicious, was Terreiro. Excellent seafood and friendly service.   Also in Porto, the charming Belle Epoque Majestic Cafe is considered the oldest cafe in the city (circa 1921).  Lots of tourists come to take photos of the place. I would not recommend dining here though, as…