A
s the plane comes into Lisbon
and I see the statue of Christ
overlooking the deep blue bay
and the red rooftops atop the
hills, I know I am home. I am travelling
alone with my three children – something
that has become the norm in the summer
– and, as we land, they all watch as tears of
excitement well up in my eyes. I am home.
I was born here, grew up here and married
here, and now I am back to show my little
ones the importance of home, of family,
and of how utterly wonderful Portugal is –
Europe’s hidden secret.
Set against an ever-present backdrop of
the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is something
of a rarity amongst European capitals: a
laid-back city that exudes an old-fashioned
charm. It has all the wonders of a European
city, but has never been very good at
self-promotion. Century-old bright yellow
wooden trams and iron funiculars still
grind their way along the large café-lined
boulevards; Gothic cathedrals and grand
monuments celebrate Lisbon’s place in the
world’s sea-faring past; majestic monasteries
and quaint museums adorn every corner;
and first-class beaches with an unrivalled
natural beauty line the shores.
Lovely
Lisbon
Lisbon exudes an old-
fashioned charm, with
more delights than many
a European capital city,
writes
Sonia Jackson Henrich
.
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