Lisbon in Five Words

Three days in Lisbon, and a lovely stream of whatsapped photos. It been a brightly-hued break for my husband and youngest son.

Which begins with a great deal of excitement.

A hop, skip and a jump via the metro …

… to their temporary home – a light and airy Airbnb flat (more on Maria’s place here).

First port of call is an evening trip to the busy and friendly-vibed Mercado de Campo de Ourique.

A wander up and down the city’s cobbled lanes greets the next day.

Then a happy ride in the famous Tram 28.

Followed by a visit to 28 café – it serves super-sized toasties to match the pair’s smiles (they don’t manage the beautifully swirled ice cream).

I love the blues and greens of the azulejos – some old, some even older – each set painting its own story.

Lisbon

Lisbon

The duo enjoy the honey-stoned history of Castelo de São Jorge.

And then a very special treat – the best of Lisbon’s custard tarts –  Pastéis de Belem.

How very delicious – this is when vicarious travel becomes a little hard to take …

I ask the travelling duo to sum up Lisbon in five words (each).

No. 4: interesting, complex, bustling, friendly, rattling.

Husband: multi-layered, kind, creaking, smiles, unpretentious.

Sounds like a city I’d love to return to myself.

And images like this show me that happiness isn’t just orange, it’s custard tart wonderful.

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Best of all, it’s not all about vicarious travel. Look what they brought home.

Delicioso.

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A morsel more on Pastéis de Belém here.