Cascais: Lisbon Suburb Coastal Charmer

Our trip to Portugal was planned around visits to both Porto and Lisbon. Not wanting to deal with a rental car on this trip, we booked the 3 hour train connecting the two cities (11 euros, booked a few months out). Fortuitously, Pete was chosen as the "buddy" for new teacher Carla who was coming to ISA from Lisbon this year. We had Carla and her husband over for dinner in our old apartment prior to our move and they promised to give us tips for our visit. The best tip they gave was their suggestion to stay in the suburban coastal town of Cascais where they live. They pointed out that this setting would be preferable for children over bustling, hilly Lisbon. I dreamed of us spending afternoons on the beach and quickly found a great AirBnB in the old town.

We had such high hopes that both kids would snooze on the train giving us a bit of relaxation. Despite being exhausted, Jude outright refused, until he finally passed out with 15 minutes left in the journey. Don't attempt to test the will power of a nearly 3-year old! From the Lisbon train station, we hopped a bus and then the commuter railroad out to Cascais, where Carla offered to pick us up. We had discussed over dinner a few weeks ago that we would visit her home one day later in the week for lunch. She got the days mixed up and thought that was the day! It was unexpected, but nice to have a delicious meal in her beautiful home after a long journey.

The following day was just a really chill day spent exploring Cascais, visiting the beach, and absorbing the news of the tragedy from back home.

Wide awake!

Finally!

Exploring the fortifications in Cascais

Estate Museum in the gorgeous Parque Marechal Carmona

About right

Carla's brother is the owner of a number of restaurants in town, so we stopped at the Marina-side Gordinni Pizzeria for lunch. One child choking on a breadstick and another sneaking a fork and waving it precariously close to her face are the causalities of us trying to get a decent family shot. Sorry kiddos!

Better stick with just taking pictures of these cuties

The Atlantic waters were freezing, but this kid didn't care! Had to strip him down to his undies when he soaked through his pants!

Such a charming little town

Improvising

Very grateful for our clothes dryer! 

Porto Day 2

We began our second day in Porto without an agenda, only a desire to see more of the city and keep Jude entertained. We found Confeitaria Serrana and got two bolas de Berlim, massive pastries filled with amber colored custard. Worth the mess they created! As we were enjoying our pastries and watching Jude chase pigeons, we ran into the friends we had made on the plane! They were headed to the Sea Life aquarium and we invited ourselves along. Sweet relief to see Jude happily playing with their kids and no longer bored of our sight seeing! 

Jude wearing his new friends hat, telling him all about the things he will do by himself when he turns three (surfing among them :) ) 

The green screened pictures to get us to buy at the end

The beautiful weather continued and lasted our whole trip while the Netherlands was getting pummeled with code orange rain and wind storms (sorry, not sorry).

We successfully kept Jude awake in the taxi home by poking him and using all of our abroad data to let him watch Peppa Pig on Pete's phone. Well worth it as he was able to get a good nap at the apartment and Pete and I got to take turns going out and exploring the city on our own.

I headed to the Livraria Lello, one of the world's most beautiful bookstores that is said to have inspired JK Rowling to write Harry Potter while she was in Portugal. Check out that staircase!

Window shopping, taking photos and a stop for a mint chocolate chip milkshake made my day!

Pete headed up the Clerigos Tower for sweeping views of Porto.

We took one last stroll through the streets of Porto to take in more sights. We were really impressed by this city and look forward to returning one day as part of a Douro Wine Region trip.