Weekend Getaways near Vila Nova De Gaia

Famous for its pastel buildings, café culture, and Fado music, Lisbon is a beautiful coastal city. And it's friendly on the pocket with cheap accommodations and attractions costing lesser than other Western European cities. Lisbon very effortlessly combines traditional heritage with modern culture. With great weather all year round, Lisbon serves as a great place to just sit back and relax on the beach with cheap but tasty local wines and gorgeous Atlantic Ocean.Cheapest Month To Fly: October 2017 from New DelhiMust Visit: Palace of Ajuda, Belem Tower, Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira, Rua Augusta Church and Sao Jorge Castle.Must Eat: Pastel De Nata (Egg Custard Tarts), Bacalhau (Cod Fish), Polvo A Lagareiro (Boiled and Roasted Whole Octopus) and Sopa De Cacao (Shark Soup).Must Do: See the sun rise over Almafa from Sao Pedro De Alacantara Miradouro; Shop for antiques and pottery at Fiera Da Ladra; Listen to the traditional Faso at Tasca Bela; Take a sightseeing tour on a tuk tuk; Have a cup of 'Uma Bica', traditional Portuguese espresso; Cruise through the town on the historic Tram 28.Approximate Cost for a day: Attractions – Rs. 500; Food – Rs. 1300; Inter-city travel via public transport – Rs. 200; Accommodation – Average cost for 1 night – Rs. 2000 on double occupancy.

Day 13Nearing the end of a trip of a lifetime, we sulked but Lisbon revived us. This capital city of Portugal was a huge city, with a character of that of a small and silent one. Now, you need to go out of Lisbon to experience the real Portugal.Where?Belem. Sintra. Cabo Da Roca. Lagos.All one day each trips and all oh-so-worth it. Each of them will offer an experience unparalleled.What stood out to for us? Cabo Da Roca. The western most point where Europe ends, and exactly where our Europe trip ended.Must have : Ginja (Cherry Liqueur) in a Chocolate Cup. And bring lots of it back. It tastes divine.

Lisbon, Portugal is so beautiful that it even made me want to leave la mia dolce vita (my sweet life) in Milano to enjoy some farm fresh frango (Chicken) and the best juicy sardines from the Atlantic while not missing out on the luxuries of good wine. From the bustling city center in Lisbon to the rural country side in sunny coastal Faro, I would love every thing about Portugal. Even in the train, I would eat a chicken cutlet sandwich that was not warmed up. I would never do that in Italy, but the Frango in Portugal was spiced just right for the Indian taste bud. Travel tip for Portugal: Two is company Joining me was my beautiful travel companion from Brittany, France. Together as a team, we speak English, French, Hindi, Italian, Spanish, Telugu and Urdu as of now. We would meet up the coolest Lisbon locals who would help us evade the typical tourist traps, taking us directly to eat the best authentic local food, that too at the best price. Drinks in Portugal means Gin time these days with this classy MUST VISIT place called the Gin Lovers. Just look at the pictures and you will thank me later. Childhood in Kochi & Fascination with Vasco Da Gama Vasco Da Gama, the Portuguese explorer was the first European to visit India by sea. Fast forward to 2017, an Indian living in Italy, the land of Christopher Columbus, makes plans to discover Portugal for his very first time. That smile on my face brings back memories of a great trip from New Delhi to Goa during collage. Yes, I am more familiar to Portuguese culture than you think. Not only have I traveled to Goa, a former 500 years old Portuguese colony in India, but have spent good childhood years in Kerala, living in Cochin. Frequent visits to St Francis Church, Kochi in my childhood taught me a lot about the great explorer Vasco Da Gama who was finally buried in this church after he died in 1524 on his third visit to India. Journey to Portugal: Mission Impossible style

LisbonThe moment I stepped out of airport, I know this city will offer me something which no other city did before. The sheer beauty of the city and the balance between commercial and tourist life made it one of the amazing places I ever visited. My host helped me with the place and showed me around the house. She suggested me the places to visit in and around Lisbon. We talked a bit about each other as I introduced myself. To my surprise, she was from Valencia and came to Lisbon for studies. I told her that I visited Valencia before coming here and was really happy to visit it.There was a lot to see in Lisbon and I wanted to cover as much as I could. I started with São Jorge Castle, a Moorish castle occupying a commanding hilltop overlooking the historic center of Lisbon and Tagus River. There was a labyrinth of roads uphill to reach the castle. There was a tram ride near the Rossio Square which goes through the internal parts of Lisbon where one can witness the daily life of old style Lisbon.

-Supermarket shopping

The last stop was Lisbon. I opted for the Sandeman’s walking tour, which takes you through the streets, while narrating about the literature, architecture, destruction of city during the 1755 earthquake and its revival from the ashes.

The first day setting out of the airport in Lisbon, I was scared shitless. I just looked at the highway, foreign cars cutting through visible humidity. Feeling my bike, I also realized this was my first time riding fully loaded down with my panniers. For anyone planning a tour, don't do this, train with the panniers and you will be glad you did. Despite my worried rants of getting a taxi, Keagan controlled the desire to smack some sense into me, calmed me down, and told me to get on my damn bike.

This day was mostly marred with rain, yet under the sheets one could say that this is a very beautiful city!

I arrived in Lisbon just before sunset and was amazed at how beautiful the city is. It actually reminds me a lot of San Francisco (with an oddly similar bridge and even cable cars). My first stop was the Belem Tower. Built in Manueline style during the Age of Discoveries in 1520, the Tower served to defend the Tagus River bank. Once a symbol of King João II’s power, as the new centuries passed, the tower has been given different functions such as a customs control point, a telegraph station, a lighthouse and even a political prison. UNESCO classified it as a World Heritage Site in 1983. Next to the Belem Tower was the Discoveries Monument which was built on the bank of River Tagus in 1960 to honor the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. It was designed in the shape of a caravel, on which Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama, and many relevant heroes of Portuguese history are shown riding.