Archive for the 'History' Category

Bar “da Velha Senhora” (Old Lady’s bar) Lisbon: burlesque performances, glittering revue, fado, petiscos & the day ‘barefoot diva’ Cesária Évora died

If you like burlesque performances, glittering revue shows and cabaret a must-go place is bar “da Velha Senhora“ (Old lady’s bar) in Lisbon! Video: ‘Hallooooooooooooooooooo!”  2 beautiful ladies invite you to enjoy the show Bar ”da Velha Senhora” Cais do Sodré, Lisbon While eating traditional Portuguese snacks (“petiscos“) you can enjoy various artistic performances. This bar is in the same typical Portuguese [...]

Lisbon tourist guide Josephine: walk in area Mouraria, maze of narrow Moorish style streets, shopping, Ginja, Fado & restaurant São Cristóvão

Josephine Lucassen is a professional guide, licensed by the city of Lisbon. She loves it to organise private walking tours for a group of tourists in this old and wonderful city! Mouraria, Lisbon: Escadinhas de São Cristóvão & Josephine Lucassen, guide Example: a walking tour through the oldest parts of Lisbon, the popular districts of Alfama and Mouraria, [...]

Designer Sebastião Saraiva Lobo in Lisbon & his Art Nouveau style atelier, once dictator Salazar’s private jewelry store

If you visit Lisbon it’s a nice idea to walk up the little hill from Praça Martim Moniz to the famous castle (Castelo São Jorge) . In a street called Calçada de Santo André  nr. 15 you will see an atelier on the right side with a beautiful façade in Portuguese Art Nouveau style. Lisbon designer Sebastião Saraiva Lobo & [...]

‘Tapada das Necessidades’ Lisbon: remarkable cactus garden, Palace gossip, free access & setting for a picnic usually seen in films

Exotic garden Tapada das Necessidades in Lisbon is a guarded secret even the most Lisboetas don’t know about. Beautiful grounds and palace peeling pink paint, with an incredible cactus garden and a setting for a picnic you usually only see in films. Since a few years it’s open to the public/tourists and it’s free! Tapada das Necessidades [...]

Unique bar ‘Pensão Amor’ (Pension Amor) Lisbon in former red light district Cais do Sodré: sailors, art, culture & pole dance

Rua Nova do Carvalho in Lisbon, located behind the famous market near the river Tagus, was for decades known as a street in the city’s red light district with bars named after northern European capitals (like Copenhagen,  Oslo or Roterdão , Rotterdam) to attract their sailors who stepped off their boats here. Bar ‘Pensão Amor’ Lisbon: wonderful drawings on the walls of [...]

Restaurant ‘O Poéta’: Portuguese and international cuisine close to Cascais’ beach, famous vacation spot & easily reached from Lisbon

Cascais is a famous vacation spot in Portugal by the sea quite close to Lisbon (about 25 km; 30 minutes by train, 15-20 minutes by car). Great beaches, and a promenade that connects Cascais to Lisbon providing one of the most spectacular costal walks available. Cascais: in the background the pink-coloured Restaurant bar ‘O Poéta’ Cascais (more pictures and [...]

Excellent gastronomy Lisbon: restaurant Pharmacia overlooking theTagus river, pharmaceutical paraphernalia Museum & “LSD” cocktail

Restaurant Pharmacia in Lisbon is integrated into the Pharmacy Museum just near Tagus river viewpoint (miradouro) Santa Catarina or Adamastor. The remarkable décor is inspired by pharmacies of the past, the menu is a surprise and the service is warm! Restaurant Pharmacia Lisbon – the garden in summertime on a Sunday afternoon Restaurant Pharmacia is integrated into the Museum of [...]

Trendy Bar/Cafe “Sol e Pesca ” Cais do Sodré Lisbon: tin cans of Portugal’s favorite fish, wine & antique fishing memorabilia

Portugal is famous for the beautiful coloured tin cans of tuna, squid and sardines from the brands Pinhais, Tricana or Ramirez. These cans serve as decoration in cafe/bar“Sol e Pesca “(Sun and Fishing), but are also intended for consumption. A nice idea! Cafe/bar “Sol e Pesca“, Lisbon decorated with lovely coloured fish tin cans This bar used to [...]

Lisbon’s craziest night: June 12, open-air party’s historical areas, Eve of Saint Anthony (Santo António), a mix of religion & sex

Lisbon in June: wine, sangria, beer, the smell of grilled sardines, mojitos, caipirinhas, fado, pimba music and lots of people eating, drinking and dancing in the streets of the historical areas. On the eve of Saint Anthony day (June 13), Lisbon turns into a huge open air party! June 12, historic area Mouraria Rua da Guia Lisbon: Eve [...]

Aura Restaurant, terrace & lounge café Praça do Comércio Lisbon: Portuguese gastronomy surrounded by stunning architecture facing the Tagus river

Lisbon was already well known for its good food and beautiful terraces. But it’s all become much better since February this year: Pátio da Galé, facing the Tagus river and surrounded by the most stunning architecture, is a new and magical meeting place for both its population and visitors. Famous Praça do Comércio  , one of the most majestic squares [...]