What a Great August this was!

August was surely a busy month. Not here on the blog, but on the road! Revisited old places and get to know some new ones. The month started at the Alentejo (South of Portugal) for a "girls only" gathering with some of my dearest cousins. You can't imagine how much fun we had! The Portuguese Southwest coast and the Atlantic coast near Lisbon were also some of the places I visited and soon I'll bring you some posts on it (promise!). On the last couple of weeks of August, we went to Andalusia: Seville, Cordoba, and Granada are amazing cities that I'll be writing about soon.

September is on our door step and, with it, the end of Summer. Until the next monthly wrap-up, leave you with the nine photos that are the Top 9 for August on our Instagram account. You can follow us there for daily photos and tips.

The Wanderer's Gallery | Vila Nova de Milfontes (Portugal)

Chronicles from Alentejo | Piled Stones on the Southwest Coast of Portugal

You probably have heard about Cairns or seen pictures of piled stones featuring improbable balance constructions. The Gaelic term Cairn means a "mound of stones built as a memorial or landmark" and these piles that can easily be found in Celtic territories usually marked a path, indicating the way. Other cultures, like native Americans, used it to sign burying sites. Today you can find it almost anywhere as an expression of Man's willing to create and built, not only useful things but also beautiful features.

Recently I've visited some spots on the Portuguese Southwest Coast and at Vila Nova de Mil Fontes I've found this stone beach covered with hundreds of stone piles. The scenery is awesome and a truly photographers trap. If you're visiting Portugal, go there, take some photos, and build your own pile of stones!

Goodbye July!

July was kind on me and although I've been feeling quite lazy these days,  I've managed to explore some places and experiences closer home that can be great ideas for those visiting Lisbon.

A sunset cruise on river Tagus and a wine tasting along the Arrábida coast were two amazing experiences that I've already shared with you. A visit to Cabo Espichel was also so enjoyable and soon I'll be telling you all about it and giving you my best tips for a visit. A couple of years ago, I've visited Rome (in July!) and this July I've brought you my favorite fountains on the Eternal City and a special recipe to remember Rome. This post is the first of a new series, that I've called Travel Cooking, that I'll be writing especially for all those of you that share my passions for travel and food. Is also thinking of my foodie readers that I've created a new blog page featuring all the restaurant reviews and food related articles. You can find my Food Chronicles here!

August will bring some new places, stories, and experiences. Until the next monthly wrap-up, leave you with the nine photos that are the Top 9 for July on our Instagram account. You can follow us there for daily photos and tips.

Travel Cooking | Saltimbocca alla Romana

If you're a regular visit to the blog, I'm sure you had no trouble figuring out that I love food. For those who just recently get to know me and the Wanderer's Chronicles I must say that this is the plain truth: I love good food! Both eating and cooking it.

So, as you can imagine, while visiting a country, restaurants, cafés and markets are mandatory places to go. But such pleasant experiences can't be restricted to the days I spend on each country. Cooking books and, many times, some specific ingredients, find their place on my luggage and accompanied me home. Back home, starts the adventure of reproducing my favorite recipes!

For all those of you that share my passions for travel and food, I'm starting a new series - Travel Cooking - where I'll feature recipes from different countries and regions. Hope you will enjoy it!

I'm partial to Mediterranean cuisine and particularly Italian food. So, let's start with a favorite of mine  - Saltimbocca all Romana. Grab a glass of vino, imagine yourself on a terrace overlooking Rome and taste this delicious veal escalopes, sided by some risotto (I choose asparagus) or pollenta.

Saltimbocca is a delicious  Italian meat recipe that has become popular in many countries. The very thin veal escalopes do not even need salt, since the intense flavor of the prosciutto is enough to season them. The Marsala wine in the sauce gives a special sweet touch that combines perfectly with the salty tasty of the prosciutto and the pungent aroma of the sage. Such a tasty treat it only  can "jump in the mouth" as soon as it appears on the plate!

Lisbon Chronicles | Lisbon Sunset Party Cruise

"Digo: “Lisboa”

Quando atravesso – vinda do sul – o rio

E a cidade a que chego abre-se como se do seu nome nascesse

Abre-se e ergue-se em sua extensão noturna

Em seu longo luzir de azul e rio

Em seu corpo amontoado de colinas (...)"

"I say:" Lisbon "

When I cross - coming from the south - the river

And the city to which I arrive opens as if its name had born

It opens and rises in its nightly extension

In its long glimmer of blue and river

In its body heaped with hills (...) "

Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen (1977), in Obra Poética, 2011

I've crossed the river many times before and I know how stunning Lisbon can be when you look to the city from the water. Lisbon grew around the castle and along the river banks, and it looks like it's perching over the water, maybe to see how beautiful she is. Yes, I wrote she! For the Portuguese, although millennial, Lisbon is a pretty maiden, a young girl eternally in love with the river. And if you cruise the river and look to Lisbon, you'll have no doubt why the Tagus will forever love its lady. The vision is superb!

For a long time, I had the plan to sail along the Tagus river. A kind invitation by Confeitaria Nacional River Cruise made it possible just a couple of weeks ago and it was such a great experience, that I must share it with you and strongly recommend it as a great way to know the city.

The Cruise starts at Rocha do Conde de Óbidos (Alcântara), where Confeitaria Nacional, one of the most known patisseries of Lisbon, has a store with an agreeable terrace facing the river. If you arrive early, you can enjoy a happy hour there while waiting for the ship to leave. You can get on board in Rocha dock or near Belém Tower.

The cruise has a duration of about one hour and takes you up the river to the Pantheon and then down the river to Belém. Enjoying the splendid scenery while relaxing with a cocktail, or a glass of wine, tasting some delicious Portuguese "petiscos" and listening to contemporary jazz mixed by the resident DJ can surely be an amazing experience.

The ship is large, very comfortable and carefully decorated, and the service is attentive and professional. There are also 2 daily cruises during the day, at 1 and 3 pm, where along with the sightseeing you can enjoy a delicious meal or just relax on the sun deck.

Confeitaria Nacional River Cruise | Sunset Party
Ticket available at Confeitaria Nacional (Praça de Figueira), CN Belém, CN Rio, ticket online
For more information please contact Mariana at:
Phone: +351 911 798 595
Marianaguerreiro@confeitarianacional.com

Cruise Hours and Ticket Prices
(From April to October)
6:00 pm Happy Hour in Alcântara and Belém
7:45 pm Alcântara Departure
8:15 pm Belém Stop
8:30 pm Belém Departure
9:30 pm Alcântara

Adults 20 € (includes one drink) | 5-12 anos 10 € | over 65 10 € | Children under 5 are free