Download - Our experience in Portugal
OUR EXPERIENCE
INPORTUGAL
September 2014
Portugal is a place that we'd never thought of visiting, because people are usually attracted by other famous destinations. Anyway we'd like to say that this place is full of things to see and do. It's lively and vibrant at night and welcoming and relaxing in the morning.
Lisbon The first city we visited and where we spent three days was Lisbon.It's the
capital of Portugal and it is absolutely huge.When we took the bus from the airport to the hostel what we first saw were the skyscrapers and the large streets, especially "Avenida da Liberdade" well known for its tree-lined avenue that leads to the historical centre and for its elegant shops like Gucci, Chanel and many others.
Two of the main squares in Lisbon:
“ Rossio” square is the popular name of the Pedro VI square. It has been the setting of popular revolts and celebrations and a meeting place for people of Lisbon for centuries.
Nowadays it’s constantly populated by Lisboners and tourists alike.
Praça do Comercio (Trade Square)• Situated near the Tagus river the
square is still commonly known as Terreiro do Praço because it was the location of the Paços da Ribeira.The square was named Praça do Comércio, the Square of Trade, to indicate its new function in the economy of Lisbon
St. George's Castle.
The latter is amazing, it has big thick walls and the exciting thing is that you can walk on them.From there you can admire a wonderful landscape, you can see the whole city of Lisbon.
In this building, there is also a special room instituted in 1998, where there is an observatory in one of the castle’s towers.In this sort of pan, visitors can admire the whole city of Lisbon, because the images captured by the top of the tower are projected on it. It’s called “Camera Oscura”.
After quite a long trip by bus, we arrived in Belem, a district of Lisbon, where we found exciting things… Firstly the monastery of Jeronimos, protected by the UNESCO, whose church hosts the remains of Vasco da Gama.
Secondly the Tower of Belem, used to defend the mouth of the river Tago
Here a sweet surprise!A typical Portuguese sweet,Pasteis de Nata, made with sugar, eggs, puff pastry and flour
Oporto One of the most beautiful cities we’ve ever seen. We really enjoyed the “World of Discoveries”, an
interactive museum that recreates the odyssey of portugues navigators
Praça da Liberdade
This square is lined by white Victorian buildings, one of them is hosting the municipality
Estaçao Sao BentoInaugurated in 1916, the historical station is known for its tile (azulejo) panels that depict scenes from the History of Portugal
Port wine is famous for his sweet taste, the most famous productor is Sandeman, established in 1790 in London by George Sandeman. So we visited the cellars and we tasted the wine.
discovering port wine