Lisbon, Portugal - 25th-26th August, 2015

In a completely unplanned turn of events we realised sitting by the pool in Evora that we both had Lisbon on the to do list as a place to visit so as we were flying out of Lisbon it would be foolish to not have a night there. So we head back into Lisbon a day early to see what it had to offer and were very pleased we did. What a great city it is, even in what was a fleeting visit. 

We found a great hotel in Baxia which is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Lisbon. The hotel reminded us of Dean St Town House in terms of decor and style and once again was brilliant value. Highly recommend. Great location as well in the heart of Baxia, pretty much walking distance to all the main sights. 

Whilst our room is being prepared we head out for an explore and walk down to one of the main squares on the waterfront called Praca do Comercio. Its a very grand square with some nice bars and restaurants around it including a Portugal's most famous chef's restaurant called  Chefe Cordeiro where we have a drink but whom I have never heard of! 

After a good explore we "stumble" across Ye old faithful. It had to be done...

Despite my growing frustration that I started the most ridiculous collection of Hard Rock Cafe pint glasses those many moons ago I still can't quite bring myself to give up. So I have my customary beer in my souvenir glass and make it 49 pint glasses from across the world... One more for Mum and Dad's garage! 

We then head back to check into our room before grabbing some lunch. We see the Mayor of Lisbon walk past meeting the locals with a huge trail of reporters and cameramen in tow. Seemed like a nice chap. 

After a very pleasant lunch at Browns cafe (in the sister hotel of ours around the corner) we decide to head to see the castle on the top of the hill overlooking Lisbon which allows us to ride the tram up there. With Lisbons strep hills and trams it has a real feel of San Francisco about it. 

Unfortunately we get a little carried away clinging onto the tram as it winds up the hill and miss our stop, ending up back down at the bottom on the other side of the hill. Quick taxi back up and we were at our destination. 

We find a lovely little terrace bar over looking the city. 

Miradouro (Portugese for viewing point) de Santa Luzia. 

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

http://www.golisbon.com/sight-seeing/sao-pedro-alcantara.html

That evening we start off with drinks in one of the cool and very lively areas of the city up on the hill called Bairro Alto. We have a drink at a bar called Lost In Esplanada which would have had a lovely view of the city apart from the building work going on blocking the view. We only have time for one which is unfortunate as there are literally hundreds of bars packed around the narrow cobbled streets but dinner is waiting. 

That evening we eat at a very cool place called Bica do Sapato set in an old warehouse type restaurant on the waters edge. Very tasty sushi to start as well. 

http://www.bicadosapato.com

Unfortunately our fleeting stop is fast coming to an end. We spend the morning exploring Bairro Alto which is no longer as kicking but he remnants of last nights party are everywhere.  

Such a gorgeous point to have a relaxing drink overlooking the city in the sunshine. 

No wonder this is such a popular spot. Best view of Hard Rock in the city. 

We then head back up the hill to the lovely little reataurant we spotted last night called Pao A Mesa. 

After a nice lunch we reach the end of our lovely holiday and it's home time. Boo! 

View of Sporting Lisbon's stadium as we take off. 

Very much loved Lisbon. We just didn't have long enough here. Definitely one to come back to. 

Evora, Portugal - 19th-25th August, 2015

Well until about 6 weeks ago I had never even heard of Evora, let along contemplated a weeks holiday there. But alas, with the need to find a good value holiday in the middle of August to save pennies for our big move, we cast the net out and found a fantastic deal for a lovely hotel in this place called Evora in Portugal, about 2 hours east of Lisbon. 

Evora is the Alentejo regions capital and actually a Unesco world heritage site. The region also produces almost half of Portugal's wine which sounds good to us!

We found a fantastic deal on a gorgeous little boutique art hotel with a lovely pool called M'ar De Ar Aqueducto Hotel so booked it for a steal of £68 per night. So nice hotel check. Wine check. World heritage site check. Cheapness check. What's not to like? 

http://www.mardearhotels.com/en/

Next task was getting there. Getting a taxi for 2 hours didn't tick the 'keep it cheap' box so we decided to get the bus (only two trains go per day with the last one leaving at 9am). Luckily the buses are more regular and actually pretty easy. We get a short taxi to the bus station (Sete Rios), buy our tickets and before we know it we are in Evora after a nostalgic journey reminiscing about our long bus journeys we took whilst traveling. 

It was €12.50 per person each way and in case anyone needs the bus timetable...

http://www.evora-portugal.com/Guides/lisbon-evora-bus-coach.php

A short taxi ride at the other end and we are at our hotel ready for an afternoon by the pool. To kill time until we can check in we make the short walk into town and have lunch at Mr Pickwicks, just off the main square. 

The city is really gorgeous. The whole city is within almost one continuous roman walls and is only 4.5km in circumference. It is jam packed of gorgeous old buildings that wind down the small and narrows streets like a maze. Every single street is cobbled (not a place for heels ladies) and offers a very real prospect of getting lost in the labyrinth. 

In addition to the city walls the city has an abundance of Roman remains; a huge aqueduct (hence name of our hotel) and a temple dedicated to Augustus that looks very much like a mini Greek Parthenon. 

Woman vs beer. 

The Parthenon look alike. 

After lunch we check in and spend the rest of the afternoon by the gorgeous pool overlooking the aqueduct. Bliss. 

Let the new 'shit head' (card game) championship commence. 

That evening we get some recommendations for restaurants from the hotel and head to Luar de Janeiro hidden down a side sheet not far from our hotel. The restaurant is very small and quaint and a bit like going around to your Grandma's house for dinner.  The food was absolutely fabulous. So tasty. 

They have this thing in Portugal where they just bring you starters (without you even ordering them) and leave them on your table. If you eat them you pay. If not they just take them away. It's a good sales tactic as we get stuck in!! Really delicious food and a great bottle of wine from the vineyard just down road. 

Gorgeous start to our second day. It's bubbling hot hitting 36 degrees today. 

I won't bore you with the details for today. Needless to say it involved lounging around the pool reading and drinking. 

Gorgeous sunset that evening. 

The rooftop bar in our hotel. 

The view from the highest point in town near the old roman temple. 

Now it's a fairly sleepy town but there is one corner that is where all the action is and it's called the tunnel (as one of the bars is actually in a tunnel). We can tell we will be back to this spot a fair bit over the coming days. 

The main square lit up at night. 

That evening we head to the best restaurant in town according to the guide books and our hotel and it doesn't disappoint. Again hidden down a side street is the gorgeous little family run place called Fialho. It is similar to last night (we are noticing a theme with the reataurants here) but a bit bigger and even better food. 

Yum yum yum...

And more yum... 

Pork and Beans. 

Perfect day. 

The next morning we see some threatening youths hanging around outside our hotel. 

That evening after an explore of the town we find a great little bar by the tunnel with some craft beers. 

It's lively in the main square tonight with a live band playing. 

For dinner we stumble across what becomes out fave spot in Evora a lovely little restaurant just up from the tunnel called Piparoza. I had a fantastic beef Wellington! Delicious. 

The tunnel...

The next day 

We stumble across another great bar that is hidden away called Pateo. 

No idea what this stands for but we have seen this graffiti everywhere. 

The aqueduct. 

Nat continuing her losing street at shit head. 

Next day is rather overcast again so we decide to head to the Bone Chapel aka Capela dos Osso situated on the side of the Church of St Francis. 

The Chapel gets its name because the interior walls are covered and decorated with human skulls and bones.

Scary! You wouldn't like to be in this place on your own at night. 

Later on it started to clear so back to the pool it is! 

Last night tonight so we head back to Piparoza again as we struggled to get ito some of the other good restaurants due to them being so small and full. So love this place. 

Next stop Lisbon. Great break in EvorA. Highly recommend this hidden gem.