Wanderer's Quotes on Travel

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Lisbon Chronicles | Praia Morena

If there is something that is never lacking in my to do list, either summer or winter, is going to the beach, watch the sea, bury my feet in the sand, listening to the waves, feeling the wind and the sun.

While in Lisbon, the Morena Beach is my chosen spot. My taste for the sea has mainly to do with the  outdoors experience, with the sounds and smells that only the beach have, with a tranquility that the proximity of the sea gives me.

The Morena beach has the advantage of having the Borda D’Água, a  restaurant full of atmosphere with chairs, loungers and shadows in the sand where we can stay all day and enjoy the juices, sandwiches and fruits. In the afternoon, one sangria or a cocktail to enjoy the sunset. Finally, close the day with a fresh fish dinner. All this just steps from the sea, surrounded by friendly people and the sound of good music. Never miss it in my Summer plans!

Lisbon Chronicles | Jerónimos Monastery

Like the Belém Tower, also the Jerónimos Monastery was given the status of World Heritage Site for it's historical significance and impressive architecture. Commissioned in the 16th century by king D. Manuel I, this monastery is one of the top attractions you can't miss in a visit to Lisbon.

Build in a era wen Lisbon was one of the richest cities in the world, the building's façade extends for more than three hundred meters, facing the river Tagus. It's grandeur and the sumptuousness of the Manueline architecture, make it a unique place, used many times for important state events.

The church, that holds the tombs of Vasco da Gama (Portuguese explorer that discovered the maritime route to India) and Luís de Camões (Portuguese poet), is filled with sea motifs. These motives, like coral, ropes and mythological sea monsters, are also present in the magnificent monastery cloisters were you can walk, rest and take countless photos.

JERÓNIMOS MONASTERY (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos)
Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices:
10am - 6:30pm from May to September | Tuesday to Sunday
Last Admissions: 6:00pm
10am - 5:30pm from October to May | Tuesday to Sunday
Last Admissions: 5:00pm
(Closed on the following holidays: 25th December; 1st January; Easter Sunday; 1st May and 13th June)

Adults € 10 / Children up to 12 years  free / senior citizens and students 5€

There are family tickets and join tickets for those visiting more monuments in the area.

Lisbon Chronicles | Monument to the Discoveries

The Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) created by Cottinelli Telmo and the sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida, was initially build in 1940, in a temporary form, as part of the Portuguese World Exhibition. The monument, as we can see today, was reconstructed in 1960 to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of the Infante Dom Henrique (Henry the Navigator).

The waterfront monument, shaped like a triple sailed caravel, is made of concrete, with  the sculptures carved in limestone. The fifty-six meters high caravel, heading to sea under the leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator, evoques the Portuguese Age of Discoveries and carries, on both sides, 32 personalities of those golden eras, sculpted by Leopoldo de Almeida.

In the interior one may find temporary exhibitions, and  an elevator to the terrace at the top. From the terrace you can enjoy a 360º viewpoint, offering spectacular perspectives on the square bellow,  the Jeronimos Monastery and the Belém Tower.

PADRÃO DOS DESCOBRIMENTOS (Monument to the Discoveries)
Av. Brasília 1400-038 Lisboa
+351 213 031 950

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices:
10am - 7pm from March to September | Every day (closed on Mondays during March)
Last Admissions: 6:30pm
10am - 6pm from October to February | Tuesday to Sunday
Last Admissions: 5:30pm
(Closed on the following holidays: 25th December; 1st January; 1st May)

Adults € 4 / Children up to 12 years  free / senior citizens 2€

There are family tickets and join tickets for those visiting more monuments in the area.

Food Chronicles | Pastéis de Belém (Lisbon)

A visit to Belém is only complete wen you go to the famous Pastéis de Belém and eat one (or more! ) of the delicious custard cream pastries. The crispy crust contrasts with the creamy and sweet filling of this pastries that you can eat just a few minutes after they came out of the oven.

The place is very easy to find and you must not feel discouraged by the crowd outside. The the beautifully tiled rooms inside are quite big and is easy to find a seated place. Just enter and look for a table. There you can order some pastéis to eat with your favorite drinks, and some to take home. I always order at least two for person (and I'm not a sweet tooth!). In summer I'll drink a home-made lemonade and wen its cold I'll order a lemon tea made with fresh lemon zest. The pastéis are also delicious with a nice hot expresso coffee.

Para mim, um passo na zona de Belém só está completo com uma visita aos famosos Pastéis de Belém para comer um (ou, geralmente dois!)  dos famosos pastéis. O exterior estaladiço contrasta com o recheio doce, cremoso e ainda quente, já que estas delícias são servidas escassos minutos depois de sairem do forno.

Não se deixem desencorajar pelas enormes filas que se formam à porta! Dentro da confeitaria as salas são enormes e, de qualquer forma, a espera vale a pena. Os deliciosos Pastéis de Belém estão sempre a sair quentinhos do forno, e o follhado estaladiço com o seu recheio cremoso são difíceis de igualar. Eu como sempre dois, polvilhados com canela e, mais das vezes, peço uma caixa deles para trazer para casa. Com limonada caseira no Verão ou um chá de limão no tempo frio, não há melhor. A casa tem agora uma bonita esplanada que perfeita para nos dias bonitos ficar na cavaqueira a degustar os saborosos pastéis. 

You can find Pastéis de Nata in almost every coffee shop in Lisbon (and all over Portugal for that matter!), but the original Pastéis de Belém, with its secret recipe, can only be found here. The recipe, first developed by the monks from the Jerónimos Monastery, was sold to the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém in 1837 and since became one of the most famous pastries in Portugal and known world wide as Portuguese Custard Tarts.  

You will find cinnamon and sugar on the table to sprinkle the pastries. I never add sugar, but cinnamon is a must!

É possível encontrar Pastéis de Nata em quase todas as pastelarias e cafés de Lisboa (e, na verdade, em todo o país!), mas os Pastéis de Belém originais, com sua receita secreta, só podem ser encontrados aqui. A receita, desenvolvida inicialmente pelos monges do Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, foi vendida à Antiga Confeitaria de Belém em 1837 e desde então tornou-se um dos doces mais famosos de Portugal e conhecido mundialmente como Portuguese Custard Tarts.

Encontrará canela e açúcar em cima da mesa para polvilhar os pastéis. Eu nunca adiciono açúcar, mas a canela é imprescindível!

PASTÉIS DE BELÉM
Rua de Belém nº 84 a 92, 1300 – 085 Lisboa Portugal
Tel: +351 21 363 74 23

Open everyday | Aberto Diariamente
October 1st to June 30 - 08:00 to 23:00 (On 24, 25, 31 December and 1 January, closes at 19h)
July 1st to September 30 - 08:00 to 24:00

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