Explore Belem Lisbon

Belem is a city just outside Lisbon Portugal. A day trip from Lisbon is to come and visit Belem. Even though it’s only about three miles from the town, it’s a day trip because there are so many cultural sites here you could easily spend a whole day in Belem. Here are the top places to visit in Belem, Portugal.

Belem Tower
One of the most memorable attractions from Belem is the Belem Tower. This tower was built in 1519 as Harbor defense for Lisbon. You can go up to the top; it’s about a hundred steps up to the top to that viewpoint for great views of the harbor here. It is smart to come early because they only allow 150 visitors in the tower and the line can get quite long on busy days. After about a hundred steps to the top, there’s a pretty nice view that you can see of the suburbs of Lisbon.

Monument to the Discoveries
Another tower-like structure in Belem just about a 10-minute walk from the Tower of Belem is the Monument to the Discoveries. This tower was built to commemorate Prince Henry the Navigator and the people that are on the monument commemorate the teamwork that was required for Prince Henry to discover things as he was navigating. It was built in 1960 to model a previous monument that was built for the 1940s world’s exposition. Besides viewing it from the outside, there’s also an elevator that you can take to have a view from the top.

Jeronimos Monastery
The reason Belem can take a whole day particularly if you are a museum lover is that it is like a museum central. There’s the Planetarium, the Maritime Museum, the Archaeological Museum, and the Jeronimos Monastery. The Jeronimos Monastery is a big attraction in Belem – it is big in size and also big in significance. This is one of the most significant examples of the Beleman style of architecture, the same style that was in that Belem Tower. There’s a big church and the cloister which is very decorative and well preserved.

Pasteis de Belem
No trip to Lisbon or Belem would be complete without a trip to Pasteis de Belem – the originator of the delicious pastel Donata or Portuguese egg tart. Since 1837, they have been making these big tarts as a recipe from the convent that was just next door. This place is quite huge; when you walk up to it you’ll probably see a line out in front, that line is to buy the egg tarts to go. If you want to eat inside you have two options, you can go on in and there’s a little line for eating at the counter or just go on in and have a seat in one of many rooms. You can even see where they make the egg tarts, so wander around and pick the seat you like best.

National Museum of Coaches
Another must-see in Belem is the National Museum of Coaches. Now you may think to yourself at this point seriously the museum of horse-drawn carriages, it’s that cool you have to go in. The building looks like a parking structure or a convention center. If you think the carriage in Cinderella is exaggerated, it is not at all it is actually understated compared to some of the carriages that are in here from the 1700s. Just to know, there are actually two coach museums in Belem. There’s the new one which looks like a parking structure and has 99% of the coaches and then there’s a little tiny one which is the original one. This is just down the street, so pick which one you want to go into.

Visit to Milan, Italy

Milan is a fast-paced city where creativity is big business. In this sprawling metropolis, after-work drinks are an art form and looking good is compulsory. Located in the north of Italy, it is a city with ancient roots and extraordinary treasures. Milan may look like a moody town but its over one million inhabitants are alarmingly stylish, fabulously ambitious, and undeniably optimistic. Some people I know who run an Edmonton garbage bin rental company had nothing but great things to say about their time in Milan. Here are the top must-see attractions.

Cathedral de Duomo
Milan’s magnificent Cathedral de Duomo never fails to impress. With spires that reach to the sky and the largest stained glass window in Christendom, it’s a must-see attraction. For a bird’s-eye view of the city, you can wander between the stonework on the roof.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Directly across from the Duomo is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a temple of shopping. A soaring iron and glass neoclassical arcade, the galleria connects the city’s famous cathedral with the opera house. Armani, Versace, Prada, Gucci, and more all debuted on Milan’s runways. Fashionistas make a pilgrimage to the designer’s flagship stores in the Quadrilatero d’Oro. Chic concept shops and boutiques stocking emerging labels also line the city streets.

The Milanese has turned the after-work drink into an art form. The price of a drink also includes a tasty buffet of snacks and treats. Enjoy a cocktail while watching Milan’s beautiful people relax, catch up, and of course check each other out.

Pinacoteca di Brera
At the Pinacoteca di Brera, you can get your fill of Rembrandt, Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese. The gallery was founded in the late 18th century upstairs from the prestigious Brera Academy, one of Italy’s oldest art schools.

Novelli District
The Novelli district used to be a working-class area of ancient docks, canals, and warehouses. It is now home to some of Milan’s most scenic restaurants, liveliest bars, and innovative shops. Make sure you booked months in advance to view Leonardo’s the Last Supper. You will only have 15 minutes to gaze upon Da Vinci’s masterpiece, so make every second count before you deposit it back onto Corso Magenta.

The Milanese does not have time to play nice for visitors but they are happy to share their own intoxicating round of pursuits, be it precision shopping or downing an expertly mixed cocktail. Milan is sometimes called ugly but if you are willing to dig below the surface, you will find a vibrant city full of unique characters.

Tips for an Awesome Trip to London

London has a rich culture, and it is without question one of the greatest cities on the planet. Here are 6 tips for an awesome trip to London.

Skip the London Eye

If you want a great view of London that doesn’t come with a Disneyland size line, climb to the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral and you will get amazing 360-degree views from one of the largest and most iconic churches in the world. Another amazing view that was recommended to me by some locals is the hike to the top of Primrose Hill at night.

Tower of London

It is one of the most touristy things to do in the city and it’s a bit pricey but something you have to see. The history is incredible plus I just feel special anytime I going to go inside a castle. By joining a freebee theatre tour you will learn a lot and those guys are hilarious. Also, if you don’t want to wait in line to buy your tickets, you can buy them online if you know what day you will be visiting. You can also get them at the gift shop right outside the Tower Hill tube stop for the same exact price.

Take the Tube Everywhere

Take the tube everywhere and be impressed by what is probably the greatest public transportation of any city in the world. Just buy an oyster card and you are good to go. Helpful hint: download the app citymapper, just type your destination and it will tell you the best routes, how long it will take, and how much it will cost. Just be aware the app only works if you have an international data plan or if you are connected to Wi-Fi.

Stuff Your Face

Get your face all up in London’s amazing food scene. Gone are the days of terrible British food, London is now a world-class food city. The gastropub scene is ridiculous and the Indian food will make you cry tears of curry joy. Try the butter chicken of Punjab, it is just plain awesome. There is usually a line but where there’s a line there’s something worth waiting except for. Also, fish and chips may be too ubiquitous but try traditional meat pie chips instead.

Explore Some of London’s Awesome Neighborhoods

Go to Notting Hill and check out the market on Portobello Road, get up the funky and awesome Camden and see where Amy Winehouse used to hang out. You can also head outside the touristy center of London to Broadway market and Hackney for great drinks, good vibes, and some awesome sourdough pizza. Dine in or grab a pie to go and have a picnic in nearby London fields.

Get Lost

Throw out the guidebook and just get lost for a day. Explore a little neighborhood, get to know some friendly locals over a spot of tea, get day drunk on some awesome beer at a pub, see some incredible theater, or just take a stroll and people watch. This is a big incredible city and there is a lot to do, don’t stress about singing at all just have a good time.

Tenerife Travel Guide

Tenerife is a Spanish archipelago and the largest of the Canary Islands. These volcanic islands are blessed with perfect weather, otherworldly beauty, and spectacular beaches. Tenerife receives about 5 million visitors every year, many of whom head to the seaside resorts on the island to enjoy the spectacular beaches and year-round sunshine.

Las Americas is the island’s most popular beach, and it is a great place to enjoy the golden sands and any watersport you can imagine. You can also take a dip in Del Duque Beach crystal waters. Los Cristianos was once a sleepy fishing village but now a beachside town. For a different beachside experience, take a trip to the west or north to discover the black sand beaches such as Los Gigantes and Jardin Beach.

If you can tear away from the glorious beaches on the beach, this island offers glorious rewards. Some of Tenerife’s most picturesque villages are minutes away from the resorts. Visit Santa Cruz de Tenerife which is very Spanish, relaxed, and quirky. Have a delicious meal at one of the restaurants or wander around the Auditorio de Tenerife Adan Martin. It is an arts complex whose sail-like silhouette has become a reminder of the long maritime history of the island and a symbol of the archipelago.

San Cristobal de La Laguna is a city with a rich history that has been declared a World Heritage Site. Costa Adeje is at the island’s southern end. Relax in the Siam Water Park tropical parklands or make a splash on the water rides. Garachico lies in the northwest; in the 1700s it was devastated by a volcanic eruption. This pretty town has now been rebuilt, and it is one of the most beautiful places to visit on the island.

When seismic forces thrust Tenerife out of the ocean many years ago, it created one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. The Teide National Park is Spain’s most visited national park, and it stands in awe of El Teide. The mountain is Spain’s highest and was once believed to be a gateway to hell by the locals. Head to the mountain village of Masca if you like to hike and spend your day exploring the Masca Gorge to the Atlantic Ocean.

From the age of discovery, thinkers and explorers have been drawn to the beautiful shores of Tenerife. The trip to Tenerife was a perilous adventure in the olden times but it is today an easy plane ride away. So whether you want to escape daily life modern stresses or you are looking for ancient mysteries, come to Tenerife to discover all it offers.