55+ Living Guide Spring 2019 55 LG SPRING 2019 JOOM | Page 13

is very popular in the city and there are many clubs and
pubs that have fado singers featured. A stay in Lisbon is
not complete without an evening listening to this unique
indigenous music.
Another delight of Lisbon is a specialty called pastel
de nata, a Portuguese egg tart pastry dusted with cinna-
mon. These small Portuguese delights are perfect eating
any time but particularly rejuvenating while wondering
the Alfama.
Lisbon's most historical section is the area of Belem,
located a short scenic tram ride from the heart of the
city. The three most famous attractions are Mission San
Geronimo monastery, the Belem Tower and the National
Museum. Gardens line the spacious plazas and walkways
along the riverfront. A perfect place to enjoy the pasteis
(pastries) that Belem is famous for offering since 1837.
Portugal is approximately 400 miles long, making it
very easy to explore even if you have a limited stay in the
country. Lisbon is the perfect base for exciting day trips.
While staying in Lisbon one can easily take day trips to
several outstanding locations. Sintra, a UNESCO World
Heritage site is a must. Located an hour or so from
Lisbon via train, you will feel as if you have been trans-
ported to another century! Lord Byron called Sintra “a
glorious Eden”. Sintra is a place of lush green forests and
spectacular palaces. The palaces were the retreats for the
Portuguese monarchs who found relief from the humid
summers in the city. Decorated with gorgeous tile work
and lacy masonry, walking through the many palace
rooms is truly an awesome experience. The palaces are
set on many hilltops and are a visual riot of Moorish,
Gothic and 19th century styles of architecture. These
palaces are still used for state occasions.
Another worthwhile short train trip is to Cascais.
The train travels along the oceanside, ending at a pictur-
esque fishing village, with its beaches lined with color-
ful boats and fisherman mending their nets. Seafood
restaurants abound and a most delicious meal is easily
obtained and remembered. Many Lisbon citizens like
to spend weekends in charming Cascais.
Fatima is another easy excursion from Lisbon. This is a
world-famous pilgrimage site with great significance for
Roman Catholics. This is located only
88 miles from the capital. Thousands of
pilgrims from around the world flock
here to visit the Sanctuary of Fatima
which marks the spot where the Virgin
Mary allegedly appeared in 1917 to three
devoutly religious shepherd girls. The
Portuguese government threatened and
pressured the girls to recant and it was
widely reported that the “lady” in the
vision made six more appearances, the
final one on October 13,1917, joined by
a crowd of 70,000 who all saw what is
called the "Miracle of the Sun". A dark, drizzly sky was suddenly
replaced with a blazing sun spinning out of control across the sky.
Two of the children later died in the influenza epidemic and the
third became a Carmelite nun. The site of the miracle is marked
by a huge white basilica fronted by a mammoth plaza. This plaza is
larger than the plaza in front of St. Peter’s in Rome. Many devout
pilgrims can be seen crossing their way on their knees across
the plaza to the Fatima Basilica. This is a great sight of faith and
humility. The children who died young were later canonized by the
Vatican and Fatima ranks with Lourdes as a pilgrimage destination.
Another suggested day trip from Lisbon is a visit to the town of
Obidos, an historic village of 3,000 dating to pre-Roman times. It
is very picturesque and nestled in the shadow of a medieval castle.
Its golden towers contrast with the gleaming white houses and
touches of blue tiles. The town is surrounded by
rolling hills dotted with still clacking windmills.
One definitely gets the feeling of stepping back
in time. Two more areas in the country deserve
visiting but both require traveling from Lisbon and
require overnight stays. To the north, of Lisbon,
about 195 miles lies the second largest city in Por-
tugal, Porto. Porto is famous for the richly fortified
wine Port. Many visitors also come to Porto to take
cruises on the Douro River which winds among
the vineyards. Port wine can only legally be made
from the grapes grown on the Mediterranean ter-
rain along the Douro and the production is tightly
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