One of the many things we love about Lisbon (or Lisboa, in Portuguese) is that it is a beautiful and romantic European city that, unlike Paris or Rome, you can leisurely explore in a week's time, getting to know its enchanting back streets as well as its grand plazas and great museums without feeling like you've missed something.
A great way to see this unique city is with the Lisbon At Its Best package from Virgin Vacations. The all-inclusive deal for two starts at around $4100 and includes round-trip airfare, six nights at a fine hotel, and a daily continental breakfast.
You'll love the Belle Epoque grandeur of the Avenida Palace Hotel from the moment you enter the stunning lobby with its soaring columns and stain glass. The spacious rooms are elegantly furnished, befitting this former palace that is now Lisboa's oldest luxury hotel. Its location in the heart of the city is the perfect base from which to explore.
Leave your palatial pad and head to a real castle: St. George's Castle, ideally situated on the highest hill in the city. You can climb the towers and stroll along the ramparts, enjoying the beautiful views of the Tagus River and the city below. After you've worked up an appetite, have dinner at the excellent Casa do Leão, located within the castle. Spend your nights strolling the Bairro Alto, where hot restaurants, hip bars, and cool boutiques line the streets and come alive after dark.
You can't come to Lisboa without taking a short trip outside the city to magical Sintra. Climb high up the mountains to run wild over the terraces of the Pena National Palace, a colorful jumble of architectural styles offering great views of the valleys and woods below.
For the perfect end to a day spent meandering peaceful cobblestone alleys, raise two glasses of vintage port and appreciate the charm of Lisboa.
