Wednesday 30 May 2012

From every corner to every block.


One of my 30 Before 30 was to go abroad for a long weekend - shockingly, something I've never done! A couple of months after putting that together was NYE, where my friends and I formulated plans for a minibreak and Lo! Lisbon in May became a thing.

I'd never been to Portugal before and didn't know much about Lisbon at all, but I really liked it. It's got some beautiful architecture (even the battered old buildings are stunning - but there's some amazing modern stuff too, including awesome street art - graffiti doesn't seem like the right word) and the locals are incredibly friendly (and hell, I'm just going to say it: SO many attractive men. Seriously.) and it's really easy to get around. The first day we were incredibly disorientated - it's all little narrow streets - but after a day or so we got to grips with it. That said, if someone had abandoned me on the way home from dinner on the last night, I would have got totally lost, because I have no sense of direction. And had also drunk a lot of wine.

We stayed in a gorgeous apartment next to the cathedral, but definitely weren't there long enough - I'd love to go back. One of my favourite parts were their famous custard tarts - OH MY GOD THEY'RE AWESOME - but even more than that was the chance to catch up with my girls and have some quality time. Lisbon was lovely, but if we'd all holed up in my parents' house for the weekend, I know we'd have had just as much fun.

The only thing with Lisbon was the restaurants - you have to really look for a good one, and if you haven't done research before your trip (as we didn't), you might be disappointed (as we were). But we sought out somewhere awesome for our last night, so if you go, make sure you pay a visit to Santo Antonio De Alfama - SO good. The outside-only Pateo 13 was also really lovely. Although, Lisbon is very fish and red meat focused, and I don't eat seafood, so I ate steak every day. If you're a vegetarian, stick to the pastries (and make sure you stop by Pastéis de Belém. Tell them I sent you. They don't know who I am, but maybe it'll be a conversation starter or something.)

Here are a million photos!


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15 comments

  1. I feel like I might physically need one of those custard tarts.

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  2. Your long weekend sounds like so much fun, I've never gone on a long weekend with a group of friends and I honestly don't know why... I must do something about this. The apartment is so beautiful, I'm surprised by the reasonable price, I'm booking my vacation right now (in my head at least). Custard tarts, yummms. I love all the pictures, Lisbon looks like such a beautiful place.

    <3Honeysuckelle

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  3. Lovely photos :) this is making me want to go to Lisbon!

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  4. It looks so beautiful! I am very jealous of your long weekending and oh so jealous of the custard tarts!

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  5. Oh wow, it looks so beautiful! I'd love to go on a long weekend somewhere abroad, can't believe I never have before! Xo

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  6. I've not been to Lisbon before but this post is making me want to go - great photos! x

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  7. Wow, gorgeous photos! I have been to Portugal but it was 8 years ago, and Lagos not Lisbon. This looks beautiful!
    Glad you had a good time and ticked off one of your goals =)
    xx
    emsipop.blogspot.co.uk

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  8. I don't think I have ever had a long weekend abroad either. Nice goal! And lovely photos, Lisbon looks rad.
    x

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  9. It's when colors turn to laughters, laughters turn to mouth watery dishes and foods turn to wonderful piece of art! :)
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  10. It looks amazing, I want to try and get a few city breaks in. Never really been on any in Europe!
    Sophie
    x

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  11. Your photos make me want to go back. I fell head over heels in love with Lisbon when I went a couple of years ago. I came back much heavier after gorging on the custard tarts and YES, my God the men are beautiful xx

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  12. We're off to Lisbon in July for 5 days, so your post has been very inspiring!! Thank you for all your recommendations x

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  13. I went to Lisbon last June. I loved it. The custard tarts were amazing and I love seafood so it was perfect. Glad you had a great time :) x

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  14. I've never had a long weekend abroad either. I wouldn't have that of Lisbon, but it looks great. You're right about the street art; it's amazing!

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  15. I sounds like you had a fab time. I wouldn't have thought of Lisbon as a weekend destination, but it looks like a great place to visit.
    R xx

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