SAME TIME, LAST YEAR
From the formidable Belem Tower to the beaches in Cascais and Estoril; from ubiquitous baroque interiors and blue and white tiles to breathtaking sites and some of the friendliest people on the planet, Portugal had all of us enthralled. This Iberian country was the destination our “#50+goingto” group chose for its fourth annual trip. Committed to travel together at least once a year, we started off with Florence, then Venice, and then Hong Kong.
Portugal was a country we didn’t know much about, so it was natural that we asked many people for advice on what to do and where to go, eat, and shop. Our research paid off: by the end of the trip, we all left with wonderful memories of Portugal and a strong longing to return someday.
On this trip we welcomed three friends into the fold: Karen Santos, Marissa Tambunting, and PJ Pascual. We gorged on fresh seafood and arroz negro; shopped for charming ceramic plates; went sightseeing in Sintra; stayed overnight in Porto; and, most importantly, made priceless additions to our memories, that as with all our previous trips, are forever etched in our minds.
INA AYALA
It was, for most of us, the first time to set foot in such a beautiful country. We were all smitten—and I can’t help but want to go back and be smitten some more.
Old World beauty abounds here: patterns everywhere! The (Portuguese pavement) stonework patterns on sidewalks, plazas, and atriums were so photogenic, as were the Azulejo tilework on their walls and ceilings. The tilework inside the train station
