Welcome to Lisbon

Lisbon

Iberian Adventure:
Bem-vindo a Lisboa!
(Dispatch #2)
Story and photos by Tom Weber

ust like da Gama, Dias and Magellan, Portuguese explorers who navigated their way into the "great unknown" that was the Age of Discovery, I, too, take a sorta-kinda, but less challenging, leap of faith as I cast off down the gangway from TAP flight #869 weaving my way through the crowd to the far-flung baggage claim area inside Aeroporto de Portela, Lisbon's international airport, and my first port of call on an abbreviated, seven-day Insight Vacations' (Insight) journey through Portugal and Spain christened Iberian Adventure.

As a member of Insight's latest intrepid "band of merry media" – 29 selected journalists and photographers – I've got one week to soak it all in then scribble it back out as we set a course that'll wind its way from continental Europe's western-most point facing the Atlantic Ocean all the way into the epicenter of Old Spain's vast Andalusia. Along the way, I'll be documenting the "art of traveling in style" – with knife, fork, spoon and camera – via one of Insight's comfortable, business-class legroom motor coaches. Did I mention onboard WIFI? Obrigado!

Dom Pedro Palace logo and gold-wrapped chocolate

Greeted with the kind of respect reserved for Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal's revered national soccer team captain), my bags are quickly stored in the boot of a shiny, late model, diplomatic-blue courtesy car and I'm whisked across town to the Dom Pedro Palace (DPP), one of the Great Hotels of the World and Insight's five-star signature address up in the Campolide district of Lisbon.

writer's 18th floor suite including welcome note, Granny Smith apples and Molton Brown toiletries

My 18th floor digs, with an incredible view of the city's skyline, are impeccable. From the Molton Brown toiletries, to the espresso machine, to the turndown service. I'm even gifted an assortment of goodies: gold wrapped chocolates, a bottle of port wine and a plate of Granny Smith apples, all framed by a welcome note from the DPP's resident manager.

Excuse me. The WhatsApp on my iPhone is pinging with a short, four-worded text: IT'S TIME 4 DINNER!

barbecued chicken with spicy-hot chili pepper sauce and Portuguese caramel flan at the A Valenciana

Down the elevator I go and head out with Susan and Michelle, Insight's USA and Canadian reps, respectively, to nearby A Valenciana, a churrasqueria, where the frango de currasco (barbecued chicken) with piri piri (spicy-hot chili pepper sauce) is TO DIE FOR. And, the Portuguese caramel flan isn't too shabby either.

Iberian Adventure brochure from Insight Vacations

For complete information on Insight's premium and luxury-escorted itineraries, including the Iberian Adventure and 112 other journeys throughout Europe, just click HERE, or call toll free 1-888-680-1241, or contact your travel agent.

decorative cobble street at Lisbon's historic center

See you bright and early tomorrow morning as we remove the lens cap and navigate the decorative cobble of picturesque Lisbon.

Boa noite!

Name:	Required
E-mail:	Required
City:	Required
Feedback:

Let Tom know what you think about his traveling adventure.

* * * * *

Feedback for Destination Bosnia: Inside Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope

Spent time in Sarajevo in the fall of 1973…beer was excellent!

--- David

* * * *

Hi Tom,

I must say, you're photographs are always amazing. They are top notch. You bring so much class to Traveling Boy. It's photographs like yours that make me want to go out and do my own traveling. Please don't get tired of sending us your amazing adventures. It's such a delight for the soul.

--- Raoul, Whittier, CA

* * * *

Hi Tom:

I'm also an American living in Italy. I've read with interest your blog and articles. I'd like to speak with you regarding residency and citizenship for Americans in Italy as you do seem to have a great deal of knowledge on all of these subjects. Would it be possible to give you a call on the phone? If so, please let me know how to reach you. If not, I can ask my questions via email.

Thank you!

--- David

* * * *

Hey Tom – Wow! Love those photos – they are so super that they make me A) Want to start eating NOW. B) Go there myself. C) See all that pristine beauty that looks so restful and peaceful. Great story, superb pix!!! Bravo!!

--- John, Los Angeles, CA

* * * *

Feedback for Destination Southwestern France: Saint-Émilion

Good job, Tom, and timely info. St. Émilion is in the list of places Jim Hayes and I will visit in September 2014. If we get the chance, we will exploit your experience to enhance the trip!

--- Bobby Harper, Dameron, MD

* * * *

Feedback for Vicenza Walks – Monte Berico

I lived in Vicenza for 4 years in the U.S. ARMY from 1963 to 1967. A wonderful place to explore. Palladio’s works are amazing. Have been back twice since and find new places to visit. My favorite is MONTE BERICO where I have some wonderful photos of my family.

--- Dr. Albert Pizzi, Hanover, MA

* * * *

I liked the new TB particularly the Vicenza article that took me back as a youth when we lived in Naples and travelled up there for a baseball tourney (U.S. Military Bases dependent schools played each other.)

Took me back to the plaza.

--- Bill

Feedback for A Canterbury Trail (Sutri)

Very interesting note. I have wedroned which route the early pre-Christian and Christian pilgrims travelled to Rome from England. Is it still possible to travel the Francigena trail?

--- Pawel

You can find out more info on walking tours of Via Francigena at this site: http://www.compagniadeicammini.it/en/. Thanks for stopping by and commenting..

Tom

* * * *

Good article, enjoyed reading it. Saved your recommended sights for future use.

--- Dardenne Prairie, MO

* * * *

You're going to be great at this Tom. Congrats.

--- Donna Vissa -Montreal

Ed Boitano's travel blog/review
Three Musical Pilgrimages: Mozart, Grieg and Hendrix

Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791) could read and compose music, plus play the violin and piano, when he was five years old. Born into a musical family in Salzburg, Austria (then the Holy Roman Empire), he had a unique ability for imitating music, which first became evident when he recited a musical piece by simply observing his father conducting a lesson to his older sister. This led to a childhood on the road, where the young prodigy performed before many of the royal courts of Europe.

Greg Aragon's travel blog/review
Relaxing at The Inn at Laguna Beach

There is nothing like sleeping in an ocean-front room and awakening to the sounds of waves crashing against the sand. It is one of the finer things in life. And it is exactly what I experienced recently on a memorable getaway to The Inn at Laguna Beach. The adventure began when a friend I pulled off the 5 Freeway in Orange County and took SR 133 south nine miles through winding lush hills and wilderness areas to the ocean.

Eric Anderson's travel blog/review
Lake Charles’ Family-Size Low-Key Mardi Gras

The Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras in Lake Charles, the second largest in Louisiana, does not need parents there to avert their children’s eyes. This is family entertainment and children are very much part of it. The main office of the Lake Charles CVB has costumes from last year’s Mardi Gras but it also has figures to fascinate little ones from country boys fishing for their dinner to alligators who have already fed and are rubbing their stomachs.

Fyllis Hockman's travel blog/review
Puerto Vallarta: Magic and Mayhem on the Malecon

So I heard that you could spend from dawn to dusk on the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and never get bored and I thought, "Okay, I'm up for that challenge." Well, maybe not the dawn part – I'm not a morning person – so I had no problem leaving those early hours to the joggers and those seeking an early start to catch their red snapper for dinner.