🌍 Destination: Portugal
No. 61 / Special travel series with travel advisor Amy Zebala
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Admittedly, I’ve not been to Portugal outside the airport — it’s been the layover en route to various places in Europe on trips over the past few years. But every time we make our ascent into Lisbon and then take off again, I am in awe of what I see outside of the plane. Rust-colored rooftops charted in intertwined rows, historical districts perched up (seven) hills, sandy coastline, and ocean. Looking out that oval-shaped window from a bird’s eye view really is something. Don’t you love it? It doesn’t seem to get old.
All this said Portugal is on my shortlist.
Travel advisor Amy Zebala (a SmartFlyer affiliate) is back again with another specially curated trip, this time to four places throughout this beautiful country. Again focusing on a dynamic array of destinations, from cities to beaches and mountains. Before you dive into where to go, stay, eat, see, and do, here are three packable essentials for international travel:
💤 Make it easier to snooze by keeping the light out with this eye mask.
🧦 Compression socks for long sitting periods, plus you can kick your shoes off and relax.
🚨 Track all your luggage with Apple’s AirTags — given all the shuffling of bags from cabin to gate checking, these are a quality investment in the real-time management of your belongings. Pro Tip: put these inside the bags so they’re not visible.
🟠 Discover Portugal
LISBON
City of Seven Hills, the vibrant capital of Portugal.
To Stay: Palacio Real, Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel, Bairro Alto
To Eat: Sea Me, Cantinho do Avillez, Pastéis de Belém, Prado
To Drink: Rooftop Bar at Bairro Alto, Sky Bar Lisboa, Red Frog
To Do: LX Factory, Time Out Market, EmbaiXada
To Day Trip: Sintra, Cascais, Fatima, Coimbra, and Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in Europe
COMPORTA
Known for its rustic luxury, beautiful beaches, and only 90 minutes from Lisbon.
To Stay: Sublime Comporta, Quinta da Comporta,
To Eat: São João, Sem Porta, Comporta Café
To Drink: Ilha do Arroz, Herdade José Maria da Fonseca
To Do: Relax at a beach club, catch some waves or dolphin watch, ride horses, and shop!
PORTO
For those seeking a place with fewer tourists, a robust food and wine scene, and a mix of art + culture.
To Stay: Maison Albar, The Yeatman, The Lodge
To Eat: Tia Tia, Salta o Muro, Euskalduna & Semea
To Drink: Candelabro, Flor, Tapa Bento
To Do: Serralves, Ribeira neighbourhood, Graham’s Cellars, A Vida Portuguesa, Sao Bento train station
DOURO
Wine region of Portugal, natural beauty and beautiful landscapes abound.
To Stay: Six Senses Douro Valley, Quinta Nova, The Vintage House
To Eat: The Chef’s Table at Vale de Abraao, Doc, Largo do Paço
To Drink: Quinta do Ventozelo, Quinta Bar and Lounge
To Do: Wine Tasting, Vintage Boat Trip on the Douro River, Spa
📲 Contact Amy for bookings information. Learn more about her process and services here.
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📣 What People Are Saying
Interested in travel styling & working with me? Learn more here.
3️⃣ More Things (well, a few more than three)
📖 What I can’t wait to read — MoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your "Enough" by the brilliant Manisha Thakor, financial expert, teacher, and dear friend (so proud of her for continuing to engage deeper, meaningful thinking around life and money). Manisha holds MBA, CFA, and CFP® designations and is the Founder of MoneyZen LLC. She’s a mentor to women and an advocate for women’s financial well-being, and a rockstar. Hear more from her in these two recent articles:
⚡️ The ultimate summer Block Party is almost here — Hip-hip is celebrating 50 years as a cultural movement and phenom that spans music, visual and performing arts, fashion, technology, and so much more. St. Louis is fortunate to have this show (coming from Baltimore) opening in our museum galleries, The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century.
To kick off this new exhibition, join us for SLAM’s Block Party on Saturday, August 19, from noon-5pm! It’s free and open to the public, all throughout the day, on Fine Arts Drive in front of the museum and the adjacent parking lot across from SLAM’s East Building. The afternoon will showcase local hip-hop artists' performances, graffiti demos, dance battles, art making, food trucks, a school supply drive, and more!
⭐️ Get excited by reading more about the upcoming exhibition in these very recent articles:
Kevin C. Johnson picks the 50 most impactful moments in St. Louis hip-hop history / Post-Dispatch
15 Things to Do in St. Louis This August / Explore St. Louis
The Saint Louis Art Museum marks hip hop’s 50th anniversary with "The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century" / St. Louis Magazine
