The time I went to Portugal and fell madly in love With It

The time I went to Portugal and fell madly in love With It -

They say that you just know when you're in love. That this feeling of safety comes over you, as if you were two determined always for each other. While I never been in love, it's a feeling I have ever experienced. I remember the moment when I, Champs Elysees walked out of the subway to Paris. I knew exactly where I loved Paris. I could feel it in my bones. I loved Paris, and I have every day since spent there made just feeling grow stronger. Paris and I were destined for each other.

And that's exactly what I feel for Portugal.

along the streets of Lisbon walking as I made my way to my friend's house, I have a feeling all over again. I knew immediately I fell in Lisbon was. But more than that, I knew I was in love with Portugal

I do not know how I knew, but I did -. And when I spent two weeks in Portugal to explore Lisbon, Porto and the port wine region of Douro Valley, I fell madly in love.

Let's start with the options, I begin Lisbon loved.

As I made my way up to my home of a friend on this first walk, I could not help the garbage, graffiti and abandoned buildings everywhere notice. Half of the building are divided with boarded-up windows and look as if they would be filled with squatters or drug addicts. However, unlike the Italian city of Naples, which has the same external appearance, Lisbon not coarse felt or insecure. It has not let me feel that I needed a shower. No, it just felt lived. I think Naples is a disgusting city, but Lisbon? There, the rundown feeling are is charming and endearing. Lisbon had an old, rather, to feel as dirty and dingy it.

I four days traversing the city, and every tiny cobbled street which opens onto a café-lined and churches filled square just made me love it more. Lisbon had history. It had depth. It had a personality.

Since Lisbon a very hilly city, you can hill with stunning panoramic views of the city and its classic red roof can climb buildings. The old Alfama is a maze of small, meandering streets, and if you visit the space between the Museum of Fado and Museum of Portuguese art to escape the tourists and come in dimly lit restaurants and homes, where women sit and shave their husbands beards, men, painting, and sit around grandma and chat about the day.

I Lisbon conducted in awe left and north to Porto, the famous city on the Douro River known for its port wine. While I'm not loved Lisbon Porto love the way it was still a wonderful city with very cheap wine and a large riverside. I think that the area around the river is stunning and has some worth panoramic view (try cross the river and get to Yeatman Hotel, where you can have a drink in the bar, sit on the patio and enjoy the view without his guest).

What really enjoyed I the surrounding Douro Valley was with its thousands and wineries, which I loved. I spend only two days in the region, but what a beautiful region. The wineries are high up on the hills and a piece of driving winding roads, but it's like no wine country that I have ever seen, and sitting on the terrace overlooking this incredible valley facing upwards was stunning.

was not only the country beautiful, but all the locals I met were very friendly, warm, and also to welcome. They took the time to help me explain, Portuguese life, and show me their culture. I particularly remember a woman who runs a restaurant in Lisbon. It was a tiny place: only three tables. I went there for dinner, and she prepared a four course meal with wine paired. The food was good and the wine good, but her charm and amazing conversation are what I'll remember. And then there are the amazing staff at Gallery Hostel, cooking elaborate 10-course menus and continues to eat with the guests.

Portugal enchants me, blinded me and wooed me. It's been a while since a country has surprised me so much. (Japan has a few months ago, but I was already in love with her before I went.) I love all most countries that I visit, but few leave a lasting impression of these strong (France , Cambodia and Sweden come long in Portugal to mind), and in my two weeks, I loved what I saw. But I have more to discover. Azores, Algarve, Lagos, Faro, and everything in between

Portugal is spoken highly of by the traveler, and the time after it I understand there, why. If you have not been, I suggest you go. You might even run into me, while you are there, because with so much to see and my undying love, I'll be back soon.

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