One way of spoiling myself is travel.  (Proudly)

YES. I try to keep doing it as long as time and money fit each other. As I recalled what I have achieved in 2015, yes, I made it. I did travel more than 12 times and more than 12 countries. I’m not encouraging of spending out of money but seizing the time going to the different places freely.

The world is a book and those who don’t travel read only a page. I so much admire the invention of airplane. So that I can move easily and quickly to the place I wanna visit.

I have been working in Germany for more than 4 years with fulfilling a travel-around-the- europe plan. And luckily there are only few countries left I haven’t visited on this list. During all these years I just realized that I have become kind of spontaneous travel person. I do make plans for realizing my dream but with much more flexible options. Put simply, I don’t plan the exactly timetable any more because I do believe when the suitable timing comes, things go smoothly.

Like this visit of Portugal. It’s absolutely a pleasure for me that Portugal has been chosen as my first blog of keyword “Travel”. After visiting so many places, only few really impress me. Portugal is one of those.

This trip happened just because I had to use up my vacation of last year otherwise they will be omitted shortly. As usual I started my search with www.skyscanner.com . Surprisingly the flight to Portugal is the cheapest one. I am able to visit 2 biggest cities in Portugal at one time by booking 4 flights for paying ONLY 60 Euro in total.  (2 flights from DE to PT plus a Porto – Lissabon return ticket which costed me only 19,98 Euro by Ryanair.)

That’s exactly what I mean „spontaneous“ ! No need to worry about where to go. Just need to wait the right timing and signal. No clue? Keep waiting then!

Quite surprised by it and appreciated the chance to see it personally. It’s not a modern country but built with comfortable metro systems to bring you going all parts of it. You can’t miss adorable street cars and funicular! Amazing, isn’t it? I prefer to visit places during week days. Only so you can be a real Portuguese. You see people jogging n walking dog in the morning, students gathered at their favorite imbiss on their way home. Try the local foods like they do. Otherwise all you can experience is meeting other tourists.

Buildings are quite old and so unique there. They caught my eyes simply. So much love Portuguese made the tiles on the wall. Those beautiful tiles with different paintings bring life on the buildings. You can see them at churches, stations, and residential houses.  That’s why this place is attractive than others. Isn’t it? People who built these buildings with such warm and vivid color are supposed to be warm hearted too, aren’t they?!

Unexpectedly the weather forecast in the whole world made a „rainy day“ result in common. But actually I did have very lovely sunny days here! As I walked out the hotel, it’s just like a miracle, ya, a bit cloudy but you felt the strongest power of the blue sky and sun did their best to show me their passion! I took loads of pictures with blue sky. No need to say the fantastic sunset at Douro. I’ll be very willing to come back again!!!

Also visited one of the beautiful bookstores of the world. Livraria Lello. Before getting in there you need to pay 3 Euro for entrance but could be deducted from buying book. Luckily they have some English books available. 🙂 Otherwise I’m afraid I have to learn Portuguese then. 😉 (Still indulging myself in cool Norwegian.)

I would love to see the night view along the Douro. Safety is not my biggest concern here but my feet are on strike after walking in Porto at least 6 hr continuously. It’s not a big deal but because of those uphills n downhills. That’s really tiring!

Lissabon is another highlight of this trip! A huge city you definitely need the support from all kinds of public transfer. You ll be too confused how many different vehicles provided. I’m not saying about those private tourist buses or tuktuk, but those for everyone available – Buses, Boats, Hippobus, funiculars, trams, metros, of course trains!  I’m a good walker but for this city I recommend honestly and strongly buying a Lisboa card.

I did my best to know Lisboa and was deeply grateful for the time and the weather. The price and life cost are unbelievably cheap when comparing to other European cities. (I’m even thinking about buying an apartment which I could definately afford!)

One thing is obviously sad is the Portuguese look quite depressed by the weak economic situation. But it’s still a shame to live at such a lovely place without enjoying their life. So except keeping myself busy to see every corner without map, I did some tests at the same time. I smiled to everyone from tram drivers, ticket seller, cafe shop assistants, tourists, police men…..etc. Surprisingly they did smile me back, a bit awkward but very lovely. They can SMILE indeed! Maybe they are not used to do it. They live in such a beautiful place on the earth and even in winter you need a warm jacket surely, a scarf, plus sunglasses. How wonderful it is!? Nothing better than getting that sun-kissed glow in winter!

I can’t remember since when I stopped to plan details of my trip except booking tickets and hotels in advance. Other stuff like „must see“ and “ must eat“ I have totally no idea before I arrive. The main reason for this is I expect surprises. I have been trained to be organized 100% by work (and it’s the lowest Standard by German). Don’t wanna make my trip like another project for me. Frankly speaking, I just have no energy to do the searching work. A great vacation should be no time table, no pressure, no hurry. That’s the charming of holidays. Isn’t it?

Portugal is really a great place. Can’t make enough compliment for it. You must not miss it when you are in Europe. And if you have time, kindly award yourself at least a week to get to know the beauty of it.