Pasteis de Belem are a small cream tart found throughout Portugal's pastry shops or cafés, believed it was created before the 18th century by Catholic Sisters at the Jerónimos Monastery. Casa Pastéis de Belém in Lisbon was the first place outside the convent selling this creamy dessert, and since 1837, locals have come here to get them warm out of the oven and sprinkle with the cinnamon and powdered sugar.
The only museum in Lisbon to approach the status of the Gulbenkian is the Ancient Art Museum. In a 17th-century palace, it has a beautifully displayed collection of Portuguese art -- mainly from the 15th through 19th century -- that superbly complements the Gulbenkian's general collection. Indeed, Gulbenkian himself donated several pieces to this museum, which opened in 1883. It's very cheap as well so it's a must for every traveler!
The Monastery and the Tower of Belem are actually two separate sites, within walking distance of each other.
The Monastery is huge, split into the meticulous decorated church where Vasco de Gama's tomb is located, as well as the Cloisters with its peaceful atmosphere.
The Torre de Belem is on the waterfront and a famous landmark. Both of them certanly deserves your visit.
Ericeira is a fishing and seaside resort town, located on the west coast of Portugal. The Ribeira d'Ilhas beach routinely hosts a round of the World Surf Championship and is considered one of the best beaches in Europe for the practice of this sport, it is a popular destination for holidays and amateur surfers for its over 40 beaches with good surf in the area.
Mafra is a city located in the Lisbon region, with interesting touristic activities and a great surfing spot nearby. This town is well know for its Baroque style, with buildings like the Royal Palace, who inspired Portuguese Nobel Prize laureate José Saramago to write his novel Baltasar and Blimunda. You might also want to visit the wildlife and game reserve Tapada Nacional de Mafra.
The Vasco da Gama Tower in Lisbon is 476ft high, built over the Tagus river and named after Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. It was built in 1998 for the Expo 98 World's Fair, by Leonor Janeiro, Nick Jacobs and SOM, with its steel structure resembling a sail of a caravel, there is an observation deck, a luxury panoramic restaurant, an a 3 story building. The tower is the tallest structure in Portugal open to the public, excluding the bridges.
The Lisbon Oceanarium is located in the Park of Nations, and is dedicated to the ocean. It has a large collection of marine species, like birds, mammals, fishes, cnidarian and other marine organisms, being one of the largest aquariums in the world.The exhibition is divided in 5 sectors, each sector displays the fauna and flora of the 4 oceans, Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Antarctic; then the central sector exhibits species from the open ocean, like sharks and groupers.
Alfama is the oldest district of Lisbon, located between Tejo river and the Castle of Lisbon, and boasts numerous important historical attractions, like the Lisbon Cathedral, that dates from the 12th century, the Castle of São Jorge, royal residence until the early 16th century. Alfama is like picturesque labyrinth of narrow streets and small squares, and lately has been invigorated with the renovation of the old houses and new restaurants.
Rossio Square is located in Lisbon, and it's the popular name of the Pedro IV Square. It has been one of its main squares since the Middle Ages, and the setting for popular celebrations as well as revolts, bullfights and executions. In 1755 there was an earthquake in Lisbon, and most buildings around the Square needed reconstruction.
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Nick: The Teacher
Name : Francisco Serrato
Age : 44
Born in: Portugal, living in the states.
Hobbies : teach, learn, play trivia with my sons, eat whatever my wife cooks,
believe
me, that could be quite a journey.
