Sintra for the History Buffs

Sintra, a thirty-minute drive or train trip from Portugal’s capital, is a must-see with its idyllic castles and picturesque scenery of forest and sea, started as a refuge for royalty. Sintra has an old town and a new town, and the old town is a UNESCO heritage site. We highly recommend a visit; it is easy to access, utterly charming, and full of history.

What to see in Sintra

Pena Palace: Built in the Middle Ages, this gorgeous castle is colorful and dramatic, located on the top of a hill with spectacular views of lakes, mountains, and forests. Various Portuguese royals used the palace as a summer residence, and the artifacts they left behind are a treat to peruse, as are the palace interior and the surrounding gardens of the castle. The best way to get there is to park in the historic center of Sintra and hike up the Villa Sassetti Trail, but there are also shuttles and drivers to take you to the top. The trail takes you through the Loureiros Forest, which is lush and worth a visit on its own if you’re more of a nature lover. Inside tip: Note that parking is limited, and you must arrive early to avoid lines! If you’re looking for days trips from Lisbon, a visit to Pena Palace is a must.

Castelo dos Mouros: Built between the 8th and 9th centuries, this Moorish Castle’s walls are still standing today. You can walk along them and take gorgeous pictures of the view.

Quinta da Regaleira: This 20th-century mansion is known for its neo-gothic architecture, gardens, and grotto. Its romantic and mysterious atmosphere begs for exploration.

Where to Eat in Sintra

Take a break from all your sightseeing to grab a bite at a small cafe in the historical center of Sintra. You really can’t go wrong, but don’t forget to try a ‘pasteis de nata.’ Portugal’s egg custard pasty is famous for a reason!

Medival Sights at Óbidos

About an hour’s drive from Lisbon, slightly farther north than Sintra, lies the medieval walled town of Obidos. The town was originally gifted to Queen Isabel of Portugal in 1282. This is a must for those looking for scenic day trips from Lisbon. Built on a hill, it is truly a delight to wander through the winding cobblestone streets within the walled city. Admire the traditional homes, visit the picturesque church, the Igreja de Santa Maria, sample local goods at the small shops like the local cherry liquor called ‘Ginjinha,’ and marvel at the Castelo de Óbidos.

Estoril and Cascais for the Beach Bums

These two glorious beach towns exist in a part of Portugal known as the Portuguese Riviera. Located just a thirty-minute drive or train trip from Lisbon, they offer the perfect opportunity to visit Portugal’s stunning beaches. The convenience can’t be beat. Hop on a train to spend the day in Cascais or Estoril, then return to your base in Lisbon without ever having to pack or change hotels.

What to See

Start off by arriving in Cascais and walk along the town streets. Delight in the unique architecture of Cascais and its homes. Then, choose from one of the many Cascais beaches. You can rent a few beach chairs and towels at the beach. Be sure to do so with Aperol spritz in your hand and take in the view! The water is clear, the sand is perfectly soft, and the vibe is one of relaxation and indulgence. When the sun starts going down, walk along the boardwalk that connects Cascais and Estoril. You will marvel at the beachfront properties in this resort town and should test your luck at Estoril’s famous casino.

Take in the Surf at Nazare

Two hours north of Lisbon is a former fishing town called Nazare. Small and sweet, this town has gorgeous beaches and is one of Europe’s most famous surfing spots. The North Beach is world-renowned for its stunning waves, which are supposed to be the largest on the planet that can actually be surfed. In fact, one can spend a whole day here just watching the surfers.

FOR FOODIES :
After your exciting day trips, return to Lisbon to dine at one of these spectacular destinations:

Arkhe: The small, charming dining room at Arkhe is as delightful as the food and service. The incredibly creative and seasonal menu offers dishes like a kimchi cannelloni served with a mushroom terrine and drizzled with a duo of carrot sauces: one with cream and turmeric and the other with orange. Beautifully presented, each dish has sublime textures and flavors.

Encanto: For the most divine vegetarian dining experience, visit Encanto. The restaurant is cozy and warm, and the plant-based cuisine is just irresistible. We relished the mushroom rice with a mushroom “scallop,” inhaled the hummus with dried flowers, marveled at the vegetable stew, and nearly cried over the summer tomatoes. This was our best dining experience in Portugal.

Afterwards, head to Lisbon’s famous pink street for a post-dinner drink (or drinks). All the bars that line Calle Rosa de Lisboa are full of fun and energy.

The Verdict

Make sure to add some day trips from Lisbon to your Portugal adventure! There is something for everyone to enjoy and indulge in, whether you’re an amateur archeologist or a professional beach bum. Be sure to give yourself enough time to soak it all in!

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The Food

The menu at Ceibo is small, but full of gems. Kick things off with the house-made bread and butter, and maybe the green herb salad. Salad is boring, you say? Not Ceibo’s–with pearl onions and shards of a gorgeous, fruity Venetian cheese called Ubriaco Rosso, dressed in a light sherry vinaigrette, this salad is perfect for wetting your palate without filling you up.

Next: plums served on a pillowy bed of creamy ricotta cheese, adorned with candied peanuts and honey to complement the plums. But the leek tart is the highlight of the menu. The buttery puff pastry cup, taleggio cheese, and delicate onion flavor of leeks make for a winning combination. Uruguayans are famous for their love of cheese, and chef Nacho Olivera is no exception. He proudly highlights the wide variety of cheeses that are popular in Uruguay.

Alongside your leek tart, be sure to sample the white asparagus. At Ceibo, the delicate spears are soaked in a velvety beurre blanc sauce, and topped with crispy breadcrumbs to add crunch. Craving more? Pickled eggplant in an eggplant ragu, hearty potato wedges, and oysters are also on the menu. But you may (must!) want to save room for dessert. The chocolate cake is a dream, with a generous pour of sweet dulce de leche sauce, as are the sweet and bright strawberries with lemon meringue. Don’t leave without ordering the Marti Fierro, a traditional Uruguayan dessert consisting of cheese topped with quince paste. Simple but delicious, the dish is named after Martín Fierro, who was an activist for gauchos, Uruguayan cowboys, as this was his favorite dessert.

The Drinks

If you fancy a cocktail, try the pomelo, gin, grapefruit, orange, and yerba mate beverage, which showcases the beloved South American tea. For wine, don’t pass over the Uruguay red wine, made with tannat, Uruguya’s national grape that oozes with spiciness and depth of flavor.

The Vibe at Ceibo

Ceibo is quiet, cozy, and intimate. It’s great for dinner with a date or a small group of friends. The staff is friendly and eager to share their tips on what to order. There’s nothing not to love!

The Verdict

Ceibo is a special addition to the Adams Morgan neighborhood and will quickly become a date night favorite!

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Dining in Sao Paolo: Where to Eat

Tuju: This gorgeous restaurant has an urban garden, an open kitchen and a comfortable dining room, along with some of the friendliest staff in town. The food is modern and seasonal, with a focus on local ingredients. We kicked off with fragrant house-made bread and butter, followed by a deeply memorable cold peanut soup. Sao Paolo is hot and heady in the summer (our winter) and the cold peanut soup is simultaneously creamy and cold and refreshing.

A few pieces of local melon add a touch a sweetness, and local mild chilies bring just a hint of heat. It was the best soup I have ever had. Other highlights included a tomato pie; a Brazilian cheese plate; parcels of eggplant smothered foam with springs of dill; and eggplant marinated in a Brazilian nut sauce. Tuju offers both lunch and dinner tasting menus, or you can dine a la carte.

D.O.M.: This was one of the most glorious dining experiences of my life. From the impeccable service to the quality of the food, it was divine. To see Alex Atala cooking in a glass-walled kitchen just a few feet from where we were sitting was truly surreal. The tasting menu is the only option; it features about 20 courses and takes three hours… so get comfortable!

We sampled everything from priprioca (a root with a woodsy vanilla type flavor) sorbet; black rice cooked with local veggies and silky Brazilian nut milk; the creamiest aligot (potatoes whipped with cheese) I have ever had; banana and lime ravioli and so much more. It is clear why this restaurant is on the World’s 50 best restaurant list; food, service, and wine are unparalleled.

Mani: This charming spot is cozy and lovely, a must when dining in Sao Paolo. This unique restaurant is housed in a former private home. We were lucky enough to snag a spot on the cute outdoor patio in the back. You can choose a tasting menu or dine a la carte; we elected to eat a la carte. After munching on huge, freshly made tapioca crackers we began our meal with tiny “bonbons” little spheres of bread crowned with dollops of glistening guacamole.

Next, we sampled crispy pan-fried quinoa cakes infused with curry and topped with celery marmalade. For my entrée, I enjoyed a stunning beetroot risotto, drizzled with white truffle oil. As for dessert, the creativity was marvelous; from black sesame seed ice cream to lychee sorbet to sweet eggplant to arrowroot cookies. You will want to try them all and you should! The dining experience at Mani was truly delightful.

What to Do in Sao Paolo

Although it doesn’t have the same kinds of historical sites as Rio, there are plenty of afternoon activities to pass the time in between each decadent meal.

Shopping on Rue Oscar Freire: Sao Paolo is known for its shopping culture, which becomes evident as soon as you step onto Rue Oscar. It has every high-end boutique I have heard of and plenty that I haven’t heard of! We mostly window shopped, although I did find a cute shoe store with colorful flip-flops that I bought for my sister and my mom. The street is also lined with cafes, so you can stop often for a snack. The best plan is to grab a patio spot, order a French press, and spend your afternoon while people watching.

Visit the Municipal Market of Sao Paolo: We jumped into an uber to get to this massive market, which is one of the most well-known food markets in the world. It is in a run-down part of town, which was interesting to compare to the opulent Vila Madalena and Jardins neighborhoods where all the fine dining options are. The market itself is great; you can peruse the aisles for hours and find all kinds of hidden treasures; fruits and salsas and olive oils and spices. There are plenty of restaurants and spots to sit and grab a beer (which we did!) when you get tired.

Where to Stay

Hotel Fasano Sao Paolo: It’s fancy and pricey, but its pretty damn cool. The Fasano has huge rooms, rain shower bathrooms, and sophisticated spa, and best of all a jazz bar where you can have a nightcap before you hit the sack.

Sao Paolo: The Verdict

Rio is essential, but considering Sao Paolo is only an hour away by flight it is also a required stop for any foodie. Dining in Sao Paolo is a must in your Brazilian adventure.

The post Traveler Eats: Dining in Sao Paolo appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

Paintings at Eastern Market

 Another adventure I recently went on was the National Gallery of Art.  It was my first time there and I was impressed with the structure.  I went to see the film “The Fifth Season”, a Belgian film, part of the Environmental Film Festival.  I was impressed with the entrance of the café: a futuristic light installment within a classic building.  Although the film was quite depressing, I enjoyed the experience.  What even made the experience more enjoyable is that it was free.  I will be keeping an eye out for more screenings when the weather gets hotter and need somewhere cool to escape.

Walkway to the National Gallery of Art Cafe

Living in DC has made me a Wizards fan.  January 1st was my very first Wizards game.  Although they lost, I decided then I will support them.   I have always rooted for the underdog and this team has improved dramatically from the beginning of the season.  Two more games have followed and tickets purchased for the Wizards vs Bulls showdown.  Favorite highlight:  seeing Carmelo Anthony’s face of disbelief as the Wizards defeated the Knicks in February.  I love the energy of the crowd, easy access to Verizon center from work and home, and plenty of restaurants and bars for post game drinks or dinner.  One of the highlights of having the underdog team is how easy is to get tickets.  If you are willing to do the nosebleed, tickets normally cost $15.

With my G-Wiz at the Rockets vs Wizards Game

Whether it is food, art, or sports, there is plenty to do in DC.  Most importantly (with the looming furlough) many activities are either free or very affordable.  I have a very diverse set of interests and enjoy discovering new places in my new city.  Now looking forward to more sunshine and warmer weather in order to discover new neighborhoods and activities.

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