Travels in Lisbon, Cascais, and Porto, Portugal, have been an epic adventure, filled with unforgettable experiences and family bonding. It all began when we landed in Lisbon on September 7, marking the commencement of our European escapade with our three and five-year-old boys. The transatlantic flight went surprisingly well, with our young adventurers snoozing through most of it. After touching down in Lisbon, we eagerly picked up our rental car, which would become our trusty companion for this Portuguese odyssey.
Our drive to Cascais introduced us to the distinct Portuguese roadways, where roundabouts rather than stoplights ruled the intersections. It was an initial challenge, navigating these multi-lane roundabouts while avoiding daily commuters, but we quickly adapted. Thanks to our navigation system and my wife navigating from the passenger seat, I gradually became more at ease.
Upon arriving in Cascais, we encountered our old friend – the parking dilemma. Parking in Portugal, especially in historical city centers, is a challenging endeavor, and the added complexity of paying parking meters without speaking Portuguese only added to the adventure. Fortunately, our hotel offered a welcome respite with free street parking right outside its doors.
Cascais greeted us with its undeniable charm, even on the single foggy and drizzly day we experienced throughout our journey. As we drove around the city, trying to decipher the parking situation, we couldn’t help but fall in love with its allure.
Our next destination was Porto, a three-hour journey to the north. Thanks to our rental car’s toll system, Via Verde, our trip was made more convenient as we bypassed the toll booths to settle our dues later. Despite a minor freeway hiccup, the landscape’s resemblance to our California home kept our spirits high.
However, Porto had its own unique parking puzzle, with parking meters offering a mere four-hour time limit. After some exploration, we discovered our savior, the multi-day parking garage Garagem David. This allowed us to rely on public transportation and Uber for getting around and having food delivered, which was a welcome relief from parking hassles.
Our Porto adventure led us to Parque da Cidade do Porto, a sprawling 206-acre park complete with running trails and, most importantly, free parking. The park’s trail system led us to Praia de Matosinhos, a breathtaking golden sand beach that offered restaurants, surfing, and Castelo do Queijo, a fort dating back to the 6th century. This excursion was a testament to our travel choices and a playground for our boys, who reveled in exploring the cannons and the beach.
Exploring the Cais da Ribeira area along the Douro River was another highlight. The iconic Ponte Luis I bridge, built between 1881-85, spans between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, and both sides of the river teem with eateries, activities, and playgrounds that we eagerly explored. Before commencing our journey on the Porto side, we strolled across to the boardwalk in Vila Nova de Gaia, then along the river to the Gaia cable cars. From above, we enjoyed breathtaking panoramic views of both sides of the Douro River.
Our adventure in Vila Nova de Gaia also included a visit to Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau for some delectable cod cakes and Port wine. We listened to a grand piano played from the second level of the building and delved into books that had been around for hundreds of years.
One of our boys’ favorite stops was The Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardines, a store found at various locations across Portugal. Adorned with carnival-like colors, murals, and characters, it paid homage to the significance of sardines in Portuguese culture. Sardine cans in a multitude of flavors and colors filled the shelves, and the employees did an excellent job of enlightening customers and tourists about the flavorful product and its historic relevance in the region.
Another hit with the kids was the Funicular dos Guindais, a lift that whisked us up the steep hill in Porto or down to Rua da Batalha, the city’s riverbank. It offered incredible views, and the kids cherished anything that resembled a ride.
Our Porto adventure also included a 50-minute boat tour, the 6 Bridges Douro River Cruiser, on a traditional Douro river boat originally used to transport Port wine barrels. The tour provided an ideal opportunity for capturing the historic center of Oporto, Vila Nova de Gaia, and the mouth of the Douro River. It took us under all six of the magnificent bridges in the region.
As our time in Porto drew to a close, we set aside a couple of days to unwind. However, the desire to explore lingered. On our second-to-last day, we embarked on an exploration of some of Porto’s famous walking streets, including Rua Galerias de Paris, Cedofeita Street, and Rua de Santa Catarina. This excursion, though exhausting for the kids, was filled with fun as we explored the shops and savored traditional Portuguese cuisine.
Our journey through Lisbon, Cascais, and Porto has been a tapestry of experiences, an adventure etched in our memories. And now, our next destination beckons us, and it’s none other than Nazare! Stay tuned for the next chapter of our exhilarating journey.
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