The Travels of Eric and Lorna

  Between the tiled sidewalks, Bordalo 2, and the other street artists, Lisbon seems to have a strong street art scene. I'm definitely taking some kind of street art tour next time we go there. The most famous place for the most famous pastry from Lisbon. Well deserved, in my experience.

 You can take the bus most of the way, but it's Portugal so of course you're going to be walking uphill at some point ;-) How the courtyard is done. Now this is a lamp! The room had four of these gentlemen.

We went to Pena Palace, and also to the National (or City) Palace in Old Town Sintra itself. Pena was very cool but also very crowded, not only with people but also with furnishings. The National Palace is actually much older than Pena, and in a way was more fun to visit, as it was less crowded. I recommend going to both places. The kitchen in the National Palace was a highlight for me, along with the Magpie Room (dating to ca. 1400) and the Hall of Family Crests, where the king had the crests of noble Portuguese families adorning the ceiling and walls. The Magpie Room, oldest part of the castle. The magpies have banners that read "por bem" or Willingly, which was the King's motto.