Can’t See Everything

The mistake of any good traveler is trying to see and do everything at once. Time is an enemy, working against you. Only so much light in a day. But when you stop and pause and ask yourself what do you really want out of the experience, time becomes an ally. Do you really need to see every church, palace, cliff, mountain, beach, or sunset? Eat at every restaurant, sample every beer or wine? Of course not. It’s better to relax, go at your own pace, and enjoy the moment before its slips away. Savoring one really good meal is better than six rushed ones. Being fully immersed in a place is better than sprinting through dozens. Going for a lazy, afternoon stroll is always preferable to a mad dash.

Lisbon, like all big cities, has a lot to offer, too much in fact. We found it best in our little secluded area next to the ocean, where we didn’t have to venture far for anything. Walk about Arco da Rua Augusta and Praca do Comercio. Lunch at Mercado da Ribeira. Sangria at the nearby food shacks. Views from Miradouro da Senhora. Fado in the Alfama District. And then when feeling adventurous, a day-trip to Sintra, including Quinta da Regaleira, Palace of Pena, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca, westernmost point. Enough, but not too much.