• Europe

    Train Ride out of Lisbon, Anyone?

    You already know that Portugal is a sunny paradise. Warm temperatures, friendly locals, and cheap spirits. However, Lisbon, Portugal, also offers train routes that can literally take you anywhere! Well maybe not anywhere, Mars is a pretty long ways off. So, after a few days in central Lisbon, I wondered what else I could see. I found my answer in three different destinations, each only a short train ride away. As the saying goes, “When in Portugal..” Carcavelos: The Local Residents’ Beach of Choice This was perhaps the most tricky destination to get to because it involved taking TWO trains. We missed our connection train by 30 seconds. In case you…

  • Europe

    Lisbon, Portugal: Castles to My Left & Castles to my Right

    A Surplus of Steps that Will Make You Sweat Unlike Lagos, Lisbon is not a beach lover’s dream destination, although you can take a train to one. Instead, Lisbon offers the chance to explore castles. In fact, if you looked to your left you would see a castle. Turn to your right and there it is, ANOTHER CASTLE. However, they also offer cheap spirits and an excellent sangria. If you combine castles, sangrias, and all the steps you’ll walk up  and down, it is a perfect day. Day 1: My first few hours in Portugal were not as glorious as one might imagine. Suffering crippling jet lag and need of…