Posts tagged Portugal
Porto, Portugal: Sweet, Vibrant, and Full of Flavor
Porto, Portugal: Sweet, Vibrant, and Full of Flavor

I was taken aback at how quickly our month in Portugal was coming to a close. We had one week left, and with all the other planning we had done on the country, we sort of left Porto to the wayside. We were going in unprepared and clueless, and honestly, I think that was the perfect way to go about it. Porto began to excite us from the moment we hopped in our Uber, and the driver mentioned we were staying in one of the best areas in Old Town. As a long-time resident of Porto, he threw grenades of information on the city at us, and as the minutes ticked, I began growing more and more impatient to see what the hype was all about. Eventually we entered the Medieval Old City (or Porto Ribeira) and I now understood our driver’s enthusiasm. From cobblestone streets winding their way through vibrant neighborhoods, to the pastel-colored buildings adorning with intricate azulejos (or Portuguese tiles) reflecting the golden sun, to the numerous scenic viewpoints overlooking the Douro River. This city was bursting with charm. Quite possibly the most charming city I’ve ever laid eyes on.

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Portugal, Europe, European CitiesLindsay KellerPorto, PortugalEurope, Portugal, Beaches, PortoComment
This is Ericeira, Portugal
This is Ericeira, Portugal

Reid posed an interesting statement the other day. He said ‘I never know what to tell people when they ask how our vacation was. Like, how can I tell them about all the things that are hard to explain in words. All the feelings I felt in a moment.’ I cannot agree more with his sentiment. There truly is no way to describe a trip in a few sentences or even over drinks. I often giggle to myself when someone asks how a trip was and I answer with “it was amazing.” Then the conversation quickly shifts to something else. As if the word “amazing” encapsulates all that a trip is about. All the things we did, saw, felt. All the emotions. All the silly, funny, goofy memories that were built in a trip. I have come to peace with this interaction. It used leave me wondering - how could one not want to know MORE. Isn’t that was life is about? The knowing, the dissecting of ones’ thoughts, inner joys, life experiences? But now I know. No one needs to know the ins and outs, the gratitude or extreme happiness or even sadness I felt in one moment or experience or trip. I realize all these special moments are meant just for me and the people I made them with.

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Beaches, Europe, PortugalLindsay KellerEriceira, Portugal Portugal, Europe, VacationComment
On your mark…One Day In Lisbon
On your mark…One Day In Lisbon

Oh, Lisbon. You were a pleasant surprise! I had no idea we would discover so many gems in such a short amount of time while wandering around Portugal's capital city for the day. Usually our list of must-see things is long and our planning, extensive. However, this time, we just picked our drop off point on the map and explored from there, letting our feet and stomachs do the talking as we made our way through the city. Our starting point: Belém Tower!

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Europe, European Cities, PortugalLindsay KellerLisbon, PortugalPortugal, EuropeComment
Sintra, Portugal: Castles, & Palaces, & Villas, Oh My!
Sintra, Portugal: Castles, & Palaces, & Villas, Oh My!

Holy smokes, Sintra. Where have you been all my life? The travel blogs I had researched and the recollections from friends back home did not prepare me for this vibrant & magical city at the foothills of the densely forested Sintra Mountains of Portugal. The historic city center with its narrow, steep streets, mustard-colored buildings, and inviting cafes would be enough to draw crowds. But if you gaze up into the forested terrain, you’ll see there are even more jewels to explore. Palaces, villas, & castles fit for kings and queens await exploring. Prepare to be whisked away to this whimsical place called Sintra.

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Europe, Portugal, UNESCOLindsay KellerSintra, Portugal Europe, Portugal, Sintra Comments