LISBON, PORTUGAL
Lisboa,
the capital of Portugal, is a 5-hour drive from Rota, and definitely worth
visiting. It has a great variety of medieval charm, rich museums, beautiful
architecture, and modern shopping, dining, and nightlife. There is something
for everyone, whether you are looking for a romantic escape to fairy-tale
castles, or a fun trip with children. Yes, they speak Portuguese, which looks
similar to Spanish but has a completely unique sound. However, English is
widely spoken in all tourist areas, so we had no trouble getting around.
The
drive to Lisbon will take you through the rural part of Southern Portugal, where
fields of olive trees, sheep, and cows dominate the landscape. The tolls on the
route are very steep. You present your credit card at a kiosk when you cross
the border, and then small fees are automatically charged every few miles. In
2014, a Category 1 (small car) paid about 20 Euros in tolls each way. But a
minivan is Category 2 and pays twice as much. So remember to plan tolls, gas,
and parking expenses into your vacation budget. Also, note that Lisbon’s time
zone is 1 hour ahead of Madrid’s.
Lisbon
is built on seven hills, each with its own personality. Research to find
lodging on the one that suits you. For example, one has loud nightlife, one has
great shopping, and another has a medieval castle. Try to limit your walking
tours, because it is a VERY hilly city, with steep staircases that climb
several stories at a time just to reach the next block. Children will tire
quickly, and it is NOT stroller friendly, so consider using a baby backpack
instead.
ST. GEORGE’S CASTLE: Perched high on the
Alfama hill, this castle is a well-preserved medieval masterpiece. Children can
play on the ramparts for free, or you can pay the entrance fee to tour the
castle and visit the small archaeological museum inside. Either way, the views
are gorgeous and worth the climb!
CATHEDRAL: The city’s largest
cathedral, called the Sé, is a Romanesque building with arching stone ceilings,
stained glass rosette windows, and huge paintings.
YELLOW TROLLEY CARS: these iconic,
old-fashioned cars are the public transportation on the streets of Lisbon
(there is a metro underground). They are especially popular in the old part of
town, around the cathedral, where you can board certain lines and pay a minimal
fee for a scenic ride.
AQUARIUM: One of the best
aquariums around, the Oceanarium in Lisbon is a huge cube structure with
enormous tanks on each side, representing the different oceans and their
ecosystems. It can be reached by metro, and is located at the edge of the city.
CHRIST STATUE: The enormous statue of
Christ overlooks the city from across the river. It was built in 1959 in
thanksgiving for surviving WWII, and is modeled after the statue in Rio de
Janeiro. You can reach it by ferry, then take a bus ride to the statue and an
elevator several hundred feet to the top. Incredible views!
BRIDGE: The enormous suspension
bridge that crosses the Tagus River is called the 25 de Avril, after Lisbon’s
revolution. Americans will be reminded of the Golden Gate bridge in San
Francisco, which it is modeled after. Lisbon’s bridge currently has the longest
central span in Europe.
ART AND ARCHITECTURE: Whether you visit an
art museum, the beautiful Belem tower, or the Jeronimos monastery, there is
plenty of colorful culture to experience.
SINTRA: a city just outside
Lisbon which is considered “the essential day trip” from the city, because of
its high concentration of gorgeous castles and mansions. It was the summer
retreat area for Lisbon’s royalty. The most famous is the Pena Palace, with
high turrets, beautiful domes, and bright pastel colors. You can drive 40
minutes from the city, or take a metro ride lasting about 30 minutes.
FATIMA: a Catholic pilgrimage
site about 1 hour north of Lisbon. This is where the Blessed Mother appeared to
three children six times in 1917, and demonstrated the miracle of the sun. A
huge church is now built on the site of the apparitions, where Mass and
Confessions are regularly available in multiple languages.
The above is an excerpt from the book, 'Welcome to Rota.' It was published in 2014 by Lizann Lightfoot.
