Ten Things To Do in Lisbon

Lisbon and its environs has something for everyone.  A rich culinary and wine tradition for foodies, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, religious sites for many faiths, beaches, fishing villages, and a deep musical heritage to name a few things.  These are but a few options while you are in Lisbon.

Discover Lisbon's Jewish Heritage

The Jewish community has had a significant influence on the history and culture of Lisbon for centuries.  Lisbon has historically been both a place of refuge and a place of persecution.  When Ferdinand & Isabella expelled the Jewish from Spain in 1492, many naturally fled to Lisbon, and they were welcomed for a while.  But drought and plague hit in the early 1500's and the Jewish were a scapegoat, and it culminated in the Easter Massacre of 1506, where as many as 4,000 Jewish settlers were killed.

Spend an Evening at a Fado Restaurant

Fado is a musical genre that grew out of the port districts of Lisbon in the early 19th century.  The lyrics and melodies are usually mournful, not unlike the blues in America, and fado is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.  There are numerous restaurants where one can listen to fado, particularly in the Alfama neighborhood.  

Catch Some Waves

Portugal may not have the reputation of Australia, California, or Oahu's North Shore, but there's some fine surfing to be had off of Lisbon's coast.  Surfing in Portugal dates back to the 1920's and Lisbon has its own distinct surfing culture.  If you are new to surfing, lessons are readily available with guides who can show you the best spots for surfing.  With white sand beaches and relatively small crowds, Lisbon may be the perfect spot to ride the waves.

Do a Wine Tasting Tour

There are many wine regions scattered throughout Portugal, and many are adjacent to Lisbon.  The Tejo region along the Tagus River is a rich fertile region producing many of Portugal's finest wines.  The Setubal region just south of Lisbon is known for the Muscat grape, or Moscatel de Setubal, producing a variety if fortified and sweet wines.  

Spend a Day in Sintra

Sintra is a town 30 kilometers west of Lisbon that historically served as a summer residence for Portugese royalty.  The town center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The town has many royal historical artifacts but the centerpiece is undoubtedly the 19th-century Palácio da Pena.  A mix of different architectural styles, its yellow façade generates strong opinions one way or another.  Sintra is not just a historical site however.  Sintra Natural Park is a protected mountainside sloping into the sea that offers many hiking trails, caves, and bluffs of Roca Cape.  A guided day trip may also feature a venture into the nearby fishing village of Cascais.

Take a Day Trip to Fatima and Batalha

Religious edifices of all faiths abound in Portugal.  Cathedrals, monasteries, mosques, and temples are all abundant.  Fatima, where children were said to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1917, is a major pilgrimage destination.  Nearby is the Batalha Monastery.  Built in 1385 by King John I to thank the Virgin Mary for a military victory over Castile, the monastery is built in the Gothic style and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cruise on the Tagus River

There are many cruises available on the Tagus River and what better way to see the beauty of Lisbon than on a cruise.  Cruises generally feature food and drink so you can sip Portugese wine and enjoy Portugese cheese, fish, and sausages while taking in the sites.

Explore the Alfama District

Sprawling down the southern slopes of Lisbon, Alfama is the capital’s oldest and most picturesque district with steep cobblestone lanes and a sea of terracotta roofs. Head there in the day to take in the sights, browse the flea market, and ride the historic tram, then come back after dark to soak up the atmosphere at the many fado bars.

Visit Belém Tower

Belém Tower is one of Lisbon's most visited landmarks.  A medieval fortress perched on the banks of the Tagus River, Belem Tower, along with nearby Jeronimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jeronimos), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site,.  It’s a lasting symbol of Portugal’s maritime heritage, dating back to the early 16th century.  

Take a Portuguese Cooking Class

Portuguese cuisine has many different influences and what better way to take a piece of Portugal back home with you than with learning how to make Portuguese dishes.  One of the more popular and easy things to make is the pastry, pastel de nata, an egg custard tart usually dusted with cinnamon.  The pastries are ubiquitous throughout Portugal and can also be found in other parts of the globe, particularly former Portuguese colonies. 

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The Thermal Baths of Budapest

Hungary is a landlocked nation, so it may be a little surprising that Hungarians call their country the Land of Waters.  While Lake Balaton is a popular vacation spot in Hungary, it is not the reason for the moniker.  It is the approximately 1,500 thermal springs that lie under the Carpathian Plain that gives Hungary the title of Land of Waters.  The springs make a visit to a thermal bath or spa a must on any Hungarian itinerary.  

The Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest is the most famous.  Located right in the City Park, it was built in a Neo-Baroque style in 1913, and it houses 21 pools and 10 saunas.  In addition to the thermal waters, you may also take part in a SPArty, a night-time spa party with lights and music.

If you're looking for a possible celebrity sighting, try the Gellért Thermal Bath, whose past guests include Dmitri Shostakovich, Jane Fonda, Uma Thurman, Ryan Gosling, as well as many heads of state.  Built in the Art Nouveau style behind the Gellért Hotel near the Liberty Bridge, the baths feature many pools and saunas, including the sliding-roofed main pool.  

The Lukács Baths sit on the riverbank just north of the Margaret Bridge.  Once a favorite of the Ottoman pasha Mustafa, the baths feature a wall of commemorative plaques of the healing that has taken place there.  SPArties are a big attraction of the baths, as well as five pools, several smaller Kneipp pools, saunas, and a salt cave.

The historic Rudas Thermal Baths date from the 16th century.  Located at the foot of Gellért Hill, the baths offer great views of the Danube and features a dim central dome and octagonal baths surrounded by four pools of different temperatures.  Days are reserved for male or female only visitors so be sure to plan in advance.  

Another historic bath is the Veli Bej Baths, also dating back to the 16th century.  Fully renovated, the baths feature five Turkish pools, sauna, steam cell, hydroxeur, and tangentor baths, Kneipp pools, and wellness facilities, as well as intricate mosaic ornaments in the style of the former Ottoman Empire.

For a more family-friendly experience, there is Palatinus, an open-air bath on Margaret Island with 14 pools and timed giant slides, and Aquaworld, an indoor, five story high building with 15 pools, 11 slides, and rope bridges.

These are just a few of the many thermal baths located in Budapest and throughout Hungary.  And of course most upscale hotels in Budapest offer a wide range of spa and wellness services as well.  Budapest has a lot to offer visitors, from drinking shots of pálinka in the ruin bars to the Jewish District and the historic attractions from the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires.  But certainly setting aside some time for thermal baths and wellness is a must.

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Tips for the Introverted Traveler

If you're an introvert, you needn't be intimidated by travel, even solo travel.  If you do it the right way, it can be a rewarding experience.  By stepping outside of your comfort zone a little and connecting with strangers from a different culture, you develop better communication skills and you may make a few friends along the way.  Here are some good tips for introvert travelers. 

1. Find the Right Accommodations

Different accommodations have different levels of social interaction, so pick accommodations that are right for you.  Smaller boutique inns or B&B's may have communal breakfast.  Some beach resorts cater to younger party goers.  If you're not ready to socialize first thing in the morning or just want to have a quiet stay, you'll want to plan accordingly.

2. Develop an Itinerary

Make a travel plan and stick to it.  Having a plan for an activity or two during the day relieves stress and anxiety from travel.  But don't make it too busy, give yourself some room to breathe and allow for flexibility.

3. Schedule Some Alone Time

If you're in a destination with a beach or a destination known for its natural beauty, take some time out, go for a hike perhaps, and commune with nature.  Even if you're in a place not known for natural beauty, take some alone time, a walk along a river or in a park maybe.  Alone time is important for an introvert, especially away from home.  Be sure to include some alone time in your itinerary.

4. Write in a Journal

Introverts are thinkers, and what better way to record your thoughts on a trip than by keeping a journal.  You can share the journal online if you like and it will always be a keepsake of your travel experience.

5. Sign Up for Small Group Tours

It is easy to feel lost on a large group tour, crowded on a large bus, being driven around in a strange place, hopping on and hopping off busses, and racing to see as many tourist attractions as possible.  But small group tours are usually readily available and they can be a great way to bond with fellow travelers with similar interests.  If you're an art lover, maybe take a small group tour of a museum.  History lovers can take a small group history tour around a city.  The larger the city the more diverse the type of group tours offered. 

6. Take a Class

In addition to small group tours, a small group class is a good way to bond with some fellow travelers.  A cooking class in the local cuisine is always a popular choice, and the hands on experience may make you a better chef at home as well.  Arts & crafts classes are popular as well.

7. Hire a Greeter

For an even more personal experience than a small group tour, you may want to hire a greeter, a local volunteer who will show a small group, usually no more than six, around town.  Though not as readily available as small group tours or classes, greeters are passionate about where they live and having a greeter show you around town can be a great way to see a city for a few hours.  And because they are volunteers, it can save you a little money too.

8. Travel Slow and Get to Know the Locals

Introverted does not mean anti-social.  Slow travel encourages connection with local people, culture, food, history, and the environment.  Most destinations offer classes, activities, tours, or even dinners with locals.  And depending on the location, you can further immerse yourself in the local culture by staying in an old castle or a buddhist temple.  Travel is the most rewarding when you can take a little piece of your destination home with you.

Top 10 Things to Do in Barbados

Barbados is a melting pot of British, West African, Indian, and Creole cultures.  The beaches and tropical climes are the primary attractions, with many luxury resorts on the island.  The island is pretty small so it is easy to explore the island in a short period of time.  Bridgetown is the capital and largest city, and the logical place to begin for exploring Barbados.

1. Celebrate the Crop Over Festival

Crop Over is Barbados' most well-known festival.  It is held between July and August and marks the end of the sugar cane season.  The festival was actually terminated in the 1940's but was revived in the 1970's and has since become Barbados' biggest annual event, featuring parades, exhibits, and shows.  Calypso competitions are one of the biggest draws of the festival, where musicians compete for several titles.  The finale of the festival is a parade called the Grand Kadooment, where bands dress in elaborate costumes and march through the capital of Bridgetown.

2. Take a walking tour of Bridgetown

Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of Barbados.  In 2012, parts of the old city and garrison were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The garrison was headquarters for the British West India Regiment, and a hub for the sugar and slave trade, and still serves as headquarters for the Barbados Defense Force today.  Nearby is the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, which showcases the natural and human history of the island through exhibits and artifacts.  Downtown are the Parliamentary Buildings.  Next to the National Heroes' Square, the buildings contain a public library and a museum, while the West Wing hosts the National Heroes Gallery and depicts the history of democracy in Barbados.  The story of the Barbados Jewish community can be seen at the nearby Nidhe Israel Synagogue, a restored synagogue with an interactive museum.

3. Do a rum tasting at Mount Gay

Rum is an integral part of Barbados' history and culture.  Mount Gay was established in 1703 and is the world's oldest rum distillery.  There you will learn the techniques in distilling rum and you can mix your own rum cocktails as well.  If you happen to be in Barbados in November, you can also celebrate the Barbados Food & Rum Festival, which attracts top chefs and distillers from around the world.

4. Go on a catamaran snorkeling cruise

Off the coast of Barbados lie coral reefs and remains of shipwrecks, providing shelter and habitat for many sea creatures.  Tropical fish abound in these habitats and you may also swim among the sea turtles.  Food & drinks are provided as well for when you want to take a break and enjoy the ocean.

5. Explore Harrison's Cave

Harrison's Cave is an underground network of caverns, stalactites, and stalagmites in the central highlands of Barbados.  You can tour this the easy way, via a tram that runs through the caves.  Or you can explore  via a more challenging way, the eco-adventure tour, a three and a half hour hike where you sometimes have to get on your hands and knees.

6. Go on a Bajan food tour

Bajan cuisine reflects the island's multi-cultural heritage, a mix of the British Isles, West Africa, and the Caribbean.  On a food tour you will likely try local dishes like puddin' n' souse, a mixture of grated sweet potatoes, pork, and spices; Bajan macaroni pie; Bajan fish cakes;  barbecued pig tails, a local favorite; or what's considered the national dish, cou cou and flying fish.  Whether it's street food or gourmet dining, you will taste plenty of delicious local dishes.

7. Visit St. Nicholas Abbey

St. Nicholas Abbey was built in 1660 as a sugar plantation and is one of only three Jacobean buildings in the Western Hemisphere.  It is been converted into a rum distillery but there is a museum depicting life on a sugar plantation in the 18th century.  An easy way to explore the grounds is by the St. Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway.  

8. Surf the Soup Bowl

Bathsheba Beach is named for the biblical wife of King David.  The white, frothy waters resemble the milk in which Bathsheba bathed to keep her skin smooth and soft.  Its rocks, cliffs, and strong currents are not ideal for swimming but it does make for some excellent surfing.  The Soup Bowl is one of the beaches at Bathsheba and its waves are ideal for beginner and expert surfers alike.  Famed surfer Kelly Slater said the waves at the Soup Bowl are some of his favorite.  Lessons and rentals are available for the beginner surfer.

9. Tour the George Washington House

Located within the Bridgetown UNESCO World Heritage Site is the house where George Washington stayed while he visited Barbados for two months in 1751.  In addition to being furnished in a manner befitting 1751, there is an exhibit on the painful reality of 1751 Barbados, slavery, that grapples with the moral dilemma Washington faced with being both a freedom fighter and a slaveowner.

10. Visit Barbados Wildlife Reserve

Located in a four acre mahogany forest on the northern coast of Barbados, you can walk among parrots, peacocks, flamingos, armadillos, agouti, iguanas, green monkeys, and other native non-dangerous animals in their natural environment.  The more dangerous ones such as pythons are kept enclosed.  Be sure to be there for at 2 p.m., which is feeding time for the parrots and other colorful birds.

Ten Things to Do in Singapore

 

Singapore, perhaps more than any other city in the world, embodies a fusion of a modern urban city with lush, green, eco-conscious spaces.  It is a multi-cultural financial center that has grown rapidly in the last few decades.  The best way to see Singapore is to start by purchasing a Singapore Explorer Pass.

1. Explore the Gardens by the Bay

Singapore prides itself as being a city that balances urban sophistication with natural beauty, and nothing epitomizes that more than the Gardens by the Bay.  Gardens by the Bay is a spectacular park in the Marina South area of Singapore.  Supertree Grove features gigantic "supertrees" that house 158,000 plants and light up at night.  The Cloud Forest is home to an indoor waterfall, and the Flower Dome is a botanic garden with floral species from all over the globe.

2. Spend a day on Sentosa

Sentosa is a resort island off the coast of Singapore, and it has something for everyone.  Families will enjoy Universal Studios, Sentosa 4D Adventureland, Skyline Luge, water parks, marine life parks, and iFly Singapore, a simulated skydiving experience.   For a little more laid back day, you can play a round of golf at the Serapong or Sentosa golf courses, or you can simply spend the day chilling at the beach.  You can cap off the day at the casino or watch a laser show at Wings of Time.

3. Drink a Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel

The Singapore Sling was invented at the historic Raffles Hotel in 1915.  The hotel was founded in 1887 and has hosted many celebrities throughout the years.  Afternoon tea is also a popular tradition at the hotel.  For a more hands-on experience, try a class at the Raffles Culinary Academy.  

4. View Singapore from the Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck

If you’re staying at the Marina Bay Sands you can get a once-in-a-lifetime view of the skyline from the famous infinity pool.  If you're not a guest of the hotel, you may still view the skyline from the observation deck, and perhaps grab a drink at the rooftop bar.

5. Attend the Singapore Grand Prix

The Singapore Grand Prix was Formula 1's first night race back in 2008 and has since become a late September tradition on the Grand Prix calendar.  The Formula 1 cars under the lights are spectacular and the circuit is not as tight as the more established Monaco circuit, which provides more opportunities for passing and racing.

6. Visit the National Museum of Singapore

Singapore has grown rapidly since Stamford Raffles established a trading post on Singapore in 1819.  The National Museum is housed in a beautiful neo-classical building, and the museum tells the story of Singapore with extensive exhibits such as the Singapore Gallery and Life in Singapore: The Past 100 Years.  The museum also features art installations, performances, and film screenings.

7. Explore Singapore's ethnic neighborhoods

Singapore has three notable ethnic neighborhoods, Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam, Singapore's Muslim Quarter.  Chinatown is home to the traditional Thian Hock Keng Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, built around what is believed to be a canine tooth of Buddha.  It is also home to the ornate Sri Mariamman Temple, the city's oldest Hindu temple.  Little India is home to the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, dedicated to the goddess Kali.  Nearby Kampong Glam features the Sultan Mosque, with two golden domes.  It is the oldest mosque in Singapore and a focal point of Singapore's Muslim community.  Each district features modern shops and restaurants, and there are many food tours that sample the various cuisines, from street food to fine dining.  The food tours are among the most popular and they tend to sell out quickly, so be sure to reserve well in advance.

8. Go on a night safari at the Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo is home to over 315 animal species, including 60 endangered species.  The zoo is impressive on its own, but in addition, you can go on a night safari.  Over 100 nocturnal species can be viewed, including many endangered ones.  Many animals indigenous to the area can be seen, such as the Asian elephant, Malayan tapir, and the Malayan tiger.  Going on the night safari supports conservation efforts for these endagered species.

9. Take an architectural tour of Singapore

Singapore's architecture reflects its diverse cultural influences.  A tour will take you through Singapore's colonial and art deco architecture through the ornate mosques and temples of the Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim communities.  You will see the contrast between the older shophouse buildings along the Singapore River and the modern, sleek glass and steel skyscrapers that dominate Singapore's modern skyline.  

10. Visit the ArtScience Museum

The avant-garde architecture of the ArtScience Museum represents a welcoming hand to visitors of Singapore.  As the name suggests, the museum combines art and science exhibits and frequently collaborates with institutions like the American Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian.

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