LIVE from the Prinsendam - 24 day Med Rivieras & River Explorer - please join us

[Vict0riann]

If 1940 is Heritage, then I am a Heritage Cruiser!  haha.  I guess that's like the difference between "antique" and "collectable" - I'm still a collectable...

 

The hotel looks lovely.  

[kazu]

The hotel has 4 types of rooms.

 

Two smaller and two nice sized (some with terraces and then there is the terrace suite room).  Since I wasn’t taking a Neptune Suite for this cruise and the deal was so good when I booked, I booked the Terrace Suite.

 

I am NOW a liar as we did move to the NS - more on that later.

 

For those of you 55 or older, the hotel (and all the Heritage HOtels in LIsbon) have a “Golden Age” deal.  It is actually cheaper than the non refundable rate and totally flexible AND includes breakfast.  The math worked for me 😉 

 

So our room is the biggest but I knew we would be tired and have luggage so for the small price difference it made sense to splurge.

 

 

Here is our room at the hotel:

 

bedroom

 

Terrace off the bedroom:

 

 

 

 

Living area:

 

 

 

 

 

Terrace off the living area

 

 

It’s a true boutique hotel.  

 

You turn in your key when you leave and pick it up when you come back.  We’ve don’t that before. It’s there way of turning things “off” while you are out and the keys would be difficult to replace.

 

Besides, who wants to carry this huge thing around?

 

 

 

I think all the hotels that have the old fashioned keys do it on purpose to make you not want to keep them.

 

So far, service is impeccable and I do mean I’m impeccable.  I put myself through school serving and DH always teases me I’m fussy - he’s probably right.  Top notch.  

 

We’re recuperating and did a great walk today.  And found a fabulous, fabulous place to eat - more on that later.

 

Mostly recuperated.  Might not last real late tonight but we are feeling much better and the beds here are VERY comfortable.

[kazu]

3 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

If 1940 is Heritage, then I am a Heritage Cruiser!  haha.  I guess that's like the difference between "antique" and "collectable" - I'm still a collectable...

 

The hotel looks lovely.  

 

 

LOL - it’s heritage as it’s the only hotel of neo classical that wasn’t destroyed and has been maintained in it’s original condition.  It’s been updated of course, but there are limitations due to maintaining what they have.  I support it 100%.

 

Heck our hotel in Venice didn’t have an elevator as it was not allowed as it was historic (not heritage but historic) but since the guys took our baggage up the stairs for us, it was no biggie.

 

Anyways, we are quite happy here.  Like the location, love the staff and so far, love the hotel.

[kazu]

29 minutes ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

Breakfast certainly looks good.

 

 

Breakfast is very decent Yonnie.

I’m not easy to please at breakfast as I am fussy when I have it and I am a very happy camper.  Love fresh squeezed oj, too 😉 

 

Tons of fruit, breads, cheeses, veggies, eggs (boiled as well as scrambled) along with the usual “American breakfast” standards.  It’s really well done and I am in love with their coffee in the morning and the tea in the afternoon.

[DeeniEncinitas]

What a wonderful blog and pictures !!!

I have been checking the weather there and cooler yes with some light rain! 

The hotel looks soooo cozy and warm ( inviting!)

Im ready for white asparagus! One of my favorites!

Looking forward for more from you Jacqui!

Enjoy your fellow CCers today and Lisbon👍

Denise😊

[senior gal]

heading to the airport, absolutely can't wait to get to this lovely hotel - your posts are awesome.

B

[1of4]

Wow!  Love your suite and the splurge is worth it.  That terrace...superb!  Heck, I’m golden too woot!

 

it is cold and windy here.  Feeling like -1 but it is actually 4 but I was just out with Tink and we both decided it felt like November and not April.  It is snowing in Montréal.  So enjoy your time in Lisbon!

 

oh and I spied the bag!  Now that you are in Portugal I will have to send you one made of cork!

Edited April 9, 2019 by 1of4

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

What a lovely terrace for your suite. And white asparagus which we discovered on our first trip to Switzerland way back in 1973. Brings back memories.

[zeen978]

Jacqui, I'm glad you arrived and I hope you have a wonderful time on this leg of the cruise. I am looking forward to seeing you in Rome!  I'll be following along here until then.

 

Also, Thanks again for all that you have done on the roll call. It is very appreciated!

Sandy

[Himself]

What date does you ship arrive?

[kazu]

2 hours ago, 1of4 said:

 

 

It really wasn’t that much more with more than 2 day booked (discount) and Golden Age (additional discount),. For the amount it was all costing I said what’s another 100 euros,. We spent a lot more than that today.

 

 

🙂😉

2 hours ago, 1of4 said:

 

it is cold and windy here.  Feeling like -1 but it is actually 4 but I was just out with Tink and we both decided it felt like November and not April.  It is snowing in Montréal.  So enjoy your time in Lisbon!

 

oh and I spied the bag!  Now that you are in Portugal I will have to send you one made of cork!

 

We just got back from dinner with HELENPSL and yes, the bag is a must on my travels.  It’s so helpful and great.

 

I really appreciate you kindness in making it for me.  And yes, it goes on every trip.  Thank you again for you your thoughtfulness and time to give this to me ❤️.  I am one lucky lady.

 

 

 

[kazu]

16 minutes ago, Himself said:

What date does you ship arrive?

 

April 12th - Friday - after our Fado performance on the 11th. 😉 
 

 

[kazu]

49 minutes ago, zeen978 said:

Jacqui, I'm glad you arrived and I hope you have a wonderful time on this leg of the cruise. I am looking forward to seeing you in Rome!  I'll be following along here until then.

 

Also, Thanks again for all that you have done on the roll call. It is very appreciated!

Sandy

 

How nice of you Sandy.

 

Looking forward to meeting the 3 of you too.  It will come all too fast. I find cruise time flies by quickly. 😉

[canadianbear]

Thank you for posting the hotel photos.  Your room looks amazing and well worth a few extra euros!!  

[kazu]

So today DH and I went walking - we love walking because you can see a lot of things that you won’t on buses, etc.

 

So we started walking and enjoyed some of the sights.

 

 

 

 

 

The lovely mosaics are along this Avenida.

 

up close

 

 

We from Canada, are always astounded to see orange trees in full fruit at this time of the year 😉. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just love the mosaics on the street and cobblestones.  Not easy walking to some and I have made a misstep or two but we are enchantedl

 

We’ve learned to look down side streets to look for interesting things and wow,

we were blown away at lunch today.

 

Stay tuned but we were blown away at dinner too;  OMG.  Such good food. 🙂 

 

I guess this is a food porn alert for the next post.

 

 

[kazu]

So we kept exploring and we always look down side streets.

 

We saw a bank and I needed more euros so we went there and then I spottted it - a restaurant that looked perfect.

 

OMG - talk about a home run.

 

It’s off the Avenue LIbertade on this street.

 

 

 

Why am I doing close ups of the street restaurant signs?  Because you WANT to come here.  I love good food.  I love fresh food and I love good service that is not imposing

 

 

we got all of that plus.

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

the restaurant as typical in Portugal and many Euopean places in a small space and makes the most of it.  Look how they make room for the wine display right at the entrance so the door can open.

 

 

The other side of the entrance.

 

 

 

 

The bar area at the very front to the restaurant

 

DH love the arch ways in the building.  

 

 

 

Why amI posting I posting this again?  So you can FIND it.  You HAVE to eat here.    We might even have to go back 😉. OK, food porn is next.

[cat shepard]

Those mosaics are amazing!

[kazu]

So, we decided to wander in.  We saw some locals going in and thought the menu looked interesting.

 

OMG - the service.  Everything in table cloths but no so formal you were put off  - waiters very friendly and outgoing.  I WAS going to get octopus (I got it later - you’ll hear) but we saw something intriguing on the menu.  It was called main fish menu in the best translation i can do. 

 

The waiters spoke English well and when stuck Spanish worked 😉 

 

But they really had no issues. Menus were available in English. French & Portuguese.  They treated us with kindness and excellent house wine and educated us on where it came from in a very nice way.  They knew I was cautious of house wine.

 

As you enter the restaurant you will see this. 

 

 

That’s where some of the fresh fish is and what we didn’t know is that where out meal was coming from. 

To the right is the sea bass and that’s what we were getting;

 

Of course they brought the proper silverware and filleted it for us.

 

 

 

and this is what we ended up with;

 

OMG it was really, really good. I now food is subjective but 

DH and I are VERY fussy.  We might  even go back before we board but we found another great restaurant.  They abound!

 

And then we had dessert.  I am NOT a chocolate afficionado but our server really recommended this Portuguese traditional dessert.  When in Rome.....  OMG just one dessert and two forks - looks ugly but it is too die for.  

It’s made with curd cheese ( my ears were open at those words) and lemon and other stuff and chocolate.  It’s not rich - it’s delicious.

 

 

A truly exquisite meal - really really good and worth every euro - until we went to the next place -  LOL but i have to probably do that one tomorrow as I need to download pics.  Again, another side street that we checked out earlier today and came back to.  

 

 Have to be up early tomorrow for out walking tour and it’s later even for us here in Europe so I will finish off tomorrow.

 

I think we have recovered pretty well and looking forward to finding out all the secrets of Alfama tomorrow.

 

Hope I am not too boring yet.  If so, tell me and I can switch it up.

[kazu]

21 minutes ago, cat shepard said:

Those mosaics are amazing!

 

 

They are and not just on the streets but on buildings too.

 

I got a couple shots tonight an if they turn out ok, I’ll post but it will  be tomorrow.

 

I love this city.  We’ve been here before and done the “highlights” so now we are true discover mode.

 

So no pics of Sintra, Fatima, etc.  Those are on my old LIVE threaeds.

 

 

this time it’s up close and personal - thus our two walking tours - one for 

Alfmama  and one for the Jewish history of Lisbon. No, I’m not Jewish but we both have a huge admiration of the heritage and the histry is admirable.

 

We had hoped to to the Alfama tour on the same day we were going to 

Sr. Fado but the historian is only availbe on certain days so we will just enjoy and go with the flow. We’e pretty good at that 😉 
 

More tomorrow.  Having a great time in lovely Lisbon.  Great hotel, great food. Lovely people- what more can anyone want? 😄 

[canyousayvacation]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

So today DH and I went walking - we love walking because you can see a lot of things that you won’t on buses, etc.

 

So we started walking and enjoyed some of the sights.

 

 

 

 

 

The lovely mosaics are along this Avenida.

 

up close

 

 

We from Canada, are always astounded to see orange trees in full fruit at this time of the year 😉. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just love the mosaics on the street and cobblestones.  Not easy walking to some and I have made a misstep or two but we are enchantedl

 

We’ve learned to look down side streets to look for interesting things and wow,

we were blown away at lunch today.

 

Stay tuned but we were blown away at dinner too;  OMG.  Such good food. 🙂 

 

I guess this is a food porn alert for the next post.

 

 

Beautiful! Can’t wait to see it very soon!

[kazu]

22 minutes ago, canyousayvacation said:

Beautiful! Can’t wait to see it very soon!

 

Stay tuned.  This was our ‘lszy’ day.

 

None of our plans are to go to Sintra or Belem, etc.  

 

Been there, done as they so, tomorrow we start looking in detail.

 

Really looking forward it

 

Still not adjusted obviously since I am up way too late.  It’s an early day tomorrow so   I had better hit the hay.  Back tomorrow.

[DeeniEncinitas]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

Stay tuned.  This was our ‘lszy’ day.

 

None of our plans are to go to Sintra or Belem, etc.  

 

Been there, done as they so, tomorrow we start looking in detail.

 

Really looking forward it

 

Still not adjusted obviously since I am up way too late.  It’s an early day tomorrow so   I had better hit the hay.  Back tomorrow.

What can I say!!!!! OMG the food the ambience where your staying! Need I say more! It’s like a wonderland. Beautiful!

Sleep well and looking forward to more.

Denise😊

[ON cruiser]

Your descriptions are so evocative and it all sounds fabulous, Jacqui! The lovely food, the very nice hotel (something to look forward to if we ever get there--thanks for sharing): do enjoy. And catch up on the time-zone so, by the time you board, you are well rested. Looking forward to your report on your two walking tours (when time allows, of course!).  

 

Don't switch it up...rather, keep on giving us more (yet its your vacation, do take time to savour it too!).

[kazu]

Well, those of you that know us, know that DH is a shopper, so part of my lazy day plan was to let him browse and shop since many of our days just won’t allow it. 😉 

 

I patiently followed along and we went browsing (bought nothing) and then we went into a Spanish designer’s place & they had a 40% off sale, so I started trying on things and found the most beautiful skirt (definitely have to lose a bit of weight since I no longer take the smallest size) and yes, I BOUGHT it.  DH got a shirt.

 

And then of course, he had to look at shoes.  That’s a given with DH.  He has more shoes than most women 😉 BUT, Jacqui saw a pair of shoes - they looked narrow and were on sale.  She said they were very popular so, of course, I asked her why they were on sale.  She told the ones left were made to narrow and I just smiled and said what the heck - I’ll try them on.

 

They FIT - so I bought shoes too 😄 

 

OMG - those that know me know I am NOT a shopper.  Hate trying things on but when it’s gorgeous you have to.  So, yesterday (it’s the next day here already - not quite 7 AM) kazu did some shopping.

 

 

 

along with exploring.  Now shopping and walking are hard work so we stopped to have a drink.  The little spot offered mojitos which turned out to be perfect - thirst quenching and quite, quite delectable.

 

 

Yes they had mint, etc. In them.  Really well done.

 

Onwards and upwards, we continued exploring

 

 

and spotted a restaurant on a side street (side streets always seem to have good restaurants that are less pricey - lunch was on one) so we went to check out it and the banking machine.

And guess what, they had the soccer championship game that night so DH wanted to go there after.  I took a pic of the street and the restaurant so I wouldn’t forget and,

 

 

when we got back to the hotel, there was ‘papabar’ in so we chatted with them and then HELENPSL and we headed to the restaurant for bite.

The other tapas bar will have to wait for tonight.  LOL.

 

OMG - talk about good.  We got there in time for a good seat but the place was soon packed with locals. (Always a good sign).

 

If we thought lunch was good (and it was), this was a different atmosphere of course, but we had a delicious meal, steaks, octopus, salad, wine, water and coffee for 70 euros for the 4 of us (tip included).  Absolutely delish

 

My octopus - I’ve never seen a serving so huge!

 

 

Helen & Angelo’s steak:

 

 

DH’s salmon salad:

 

 

Everything was wonderful and when we were done they served a little something to cleanse our palate (free) - Grand Mariner I think it was but it wasn’t so sweet.  Really nice.

 

DH satisfied with soccer, all of us satisfied with dinner, we headed back to our home away from home where we were welcomed graciously.

 

Remember I said breakfast started at 7:30?  Well, that’s when the eggs are ready but I am down here now and everything is ready for anyone needing an early bite or a coffee.  WONDERFUL!

 

Alarm went off on my IPad so I better make sure DH is moving.

We head out at 9 am this morning for Alfama.