Portugal, A.K.A. Lets Get Started
We hadn't planned on visiting Western Europe very much, for 2 reasons: 1. Countries in the West are a lot more expensive than countries in the East, and 2. We wanted a more unique, less experienced trip.
Looking back on the trip now, I consider us lucky having started in Portugal and not farther East. Our attention to budget rewarded us with this amazing country and all it had to offer. We could have easily spent weeks there as there were still so many places we wanted to see. Plus, the journey Eastward gave me some amazing insight and perspective about a continent I believed I was already familiar with.
Toronto to LisBoa
August 27, 2015
Lisbon
August 28 - 29, 2015
Lisbon's metro and train system is definitely something to be noted. Its easy to figure out and connects a lot of major points of interest in Portugal right to the capital. There is no need to look into more expensive and other forms of transportation other than the trains. A reusable metro card can be purchased and loaded with credit at any station (including the airport's). The card itself only costs .50 Euro and a single fair is 1.40 Euro.
CaisCais
August 30, 2015
We travelled here for a day trip and lucked out by picking not only a Catholic festival day which treated us to a parade of the prominent church members in full traditional garb and worshipers carrying alters and icons, but also a tourism focused celebration of the town itself complete with vendors and musical performers.
Caiscais is a cute town with a great little city centre full of souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafes. We spent our day wondering around the small residential alleyways and admiring the ocean views.
Porto
August 31 - september 1, 2015
With only a day and a half to explore it, we really motored, hoping to see and do as much as possible. We maximized our time and left not feeling as if we'd missed out but definitely knowing we'd love to come to back.
Port Comes From Porto
Sintra
September 2, 2015
I would advise have a map of Sintra with you when walking around, it can get a little confusing. There are signs periodically pointing you in the right direction of Castelo dos Mouros, however, they are spread out and there is some guessing to be had. Our motto on more than one occasion on this trip was just, keep in the direction that's going up.