LISBON, PORTO, FATIMA – THREE BIG CITIES IN DIFFERENT WAY
Our roadtrip in Portugal unveiled many hidden beauties and diversities thanks to the time of the year. I invite you to three cities that we have experienced from totally different point of view.
Fatima – Holy place just for us two
Imagine a place full of pilgrims from every corner of the world. Flooded square with thousands of people praying or thanking for miracles. Crowded hotels and restaurants. Full parking and blocked streets because of tour busses.
But we have experienced this place in totally different way. Empty and silent. Just the two of us alone on the places of apparitions. Attending an evening rosary and a morning mass in a small group of local people. Quiet night and deserted square.
In empty Fatima we could peacefully feel the mystery of this place and reenergize ourselves.
IMG_9320_2.jpg
IMG_9346_3.jpg
IMG_9354_3.jpg
IMG_9362_3.jpg
IMG_9367_2.jpg
Porto – City back in time
While walking down to the old town, we had the feeling that we returned in time. About two hundred years back.
Historical buildings surrounded us since we left the hotel. And the more we have come to the heart of town, the more we were moving in the past. When we noticed an old barbershop, we had to come in. The old barber was more cool than all hipsters anywhere in the world and Jarko just had to get a shave!
Freshly shaved we have continued exploring the city. We read some books in an ancient bookstore that looked like from Harry Potter movie (it was actually featured in one). Than we took a walk along the sunlit riverbank, tried local speciality – francescina and enjoyed the slow passing of time. In the evening we visited historical cellars on the other side of river with delicious wine brought in casks from Douro Valley on the boats.
And then we just tasted porto wine in a bar while listening to the traditional live music, Fado as if we were living two hundred years ago.
IMG_0105_22.jpg
IMG_0206_2.jpg
IMG_0208_2.jpg
IMG_0215_2.jpg
IMG_0254_2.jpg
IMG_0266_2.jpg
IMG_0273_2.jpg
IMG_0119_2.jpg
IMG_0168_22.jpg
IMG_0184_2.jpg
IMG_0011_2.jpg
IMG_0294_2.jpg
IMG_0296_2.jpg
IMG_0305_2.jpg
IMG_0334_2.jpg
IMG_0357_2.jpg
IMG_0374_2.jpg
IMG_0395_2.jpg
IMG_0096_2.jpg
Lisbon – City of many different faces
We felt lost and confused during our first hours spent in Lisbon. Chaos, rush, impersonality. We really wanted to go back to small and friendly places like the ones we have visited before. But we gave it a chance. And the city opened to us.
Already during the first day we were enchanted by city night life. Many musicians on the streets, great bands in bars, we enjoyed it always with a glass of wine in our hands. And the fun began. The real city life starts after dark. Families meeting for dinner, elder people chatting in the streets and a friendly welcoming atmosphere. The following days we woke up quite late and spent the days walking in the quiet corners of the old town. We have found amazing places with beautiful views and visited interesting monuments. We’ve used the city logical subway quit a lot but we haven’t cracked the trams. Somehow we couldn’t find the place to buy tickets. So we explored the old town on foot and took pictures of the famous uphill tram.
After three days we were totally in love with Lisbon and it was the best place to end our trip to Portugal. We have relaxed in the south, enjoyed the wine in Douro, seen the real life in the cities.
And of course, we couldn’t resist eating chestnuts everywhere in Portugal! Abrigado!
IMG_0675_2.jpg
IMG_0888_2.jpg
IMG_0604_2.jpg
IMG_0623_2.jpg
IMG_0658_2.jpg
IMG_0734_22.jpg
IMG_0719_2.jpg
IMG_0472_2.jpg
IMG_0489_22.jpg
IMG_0493_2.jpg
IMG_0545_2.jpg
IMG_0462_2.jpg
IMG_0816_22.jpg
IMG_0841_22.jpg
IMG_0520_2.jpg
IMG_0739_2.jpg
IMG_0755_2.jpg
IMG_0758_2.jpg
ngfb content-buttons begin Twitter Button
Facebook Share Button .ngfb-buttons .ngfb-content-buttons ngfb content-buttons end