There is a lot of hype around Lisbon. Everyone who has been has tales of Pasteis De Nata and tram rides up the hills. Is it all that great?
There is an area nearby that offers the perfect counter balance to the busy life in Lisbon. It is the suburbs that have done a good job of being home to surf competitions, regattas and homes of European kings.
There is no question that Lisbon is worth a few nights, but side trips can be made.
There's a lot to love about a side trip that's just a car ride or train ride away. The West of Lisbon is close to the edges of the Atlantic Ocean. The locations of the Big Surf challenges are not far away.
The Portuguese Riviera is known for its laid back lifestyle and upscale way of life due to the fact that it is located in the city and surrounding areas. It is a renaissance kind of place.
If you are looking for authentic Portuguese food, more unique boutiques and a stretch of beach, this is the place for you. The area is more about small hotels than big chains.
If you happen to be walking along the waterfront, you can find some of the best Patatas Bravas in Portugal. The views are not sad. Porto Santa Maria is one of the best places to eat in Portugal and it is located on the beach.
It's the perfect place to add a laid back element to a Portugal trip, without any added flights or long journeys. Santa Monica to Los Angeles, or Long Island to New York City are some of the places that are similar to Cascais.
You get a sense for people who actually live, workout and enjoy life here, rather than Lisbon where you have to go to a lot.
The kings and queens of Europe made the Riviera what it is today, according to a wonderful local. Many European aristocracy fled to Portugal to rule in exile during WWII.
Large plots of land, new houses and sandy beaches protect the area from many set up shop. The gentry set up their own homes in the area.
The area is home to many famous people, from renowned architects like Philippe Starck, to the glitterati of Portugal, including soccer star and owner of at least one home in the area. The harbor and beaches are just as good as the townhouses.
It is easy to travel between Lisbon and Cascais. The city can be reached from the Cais Do Sodre line. You can bring a picnic or sneak a bottle of wine onto the ride, which is under an hour.
The journey is even easier if you use a car or a guide. There aren't many places where I feel like I can return immediately after leaving, including Lisbon, but that's one of them. You can leave without a side trip if you are headed to Lisbon.
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A good trip can be measured in a number of ways. The amount of photographs taken is what it is for some people. The stories and random things along the way are what others think. When life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade, and there is no challenge to that.
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