Millions shades from the edge of the world: Lisbon ready to share any of them with Belarusians

What trips do we remember most?

The most recent ones, of course. That is simply how short-term memory works. But the trips we remember most are the long-distance ones, when you clearly understand that you need to appreciate and capture every moment because another chance to visit these places may not come anytime soon.

For a Belarusian — as, indeed, for anyone from our part of the world — Lisbon is exactly such a place. And the Portuguese capital does everything it can to remain forever in a traveler’s memory.

The world’s most colorful city

This subheading is not advertising at all, but a statement of fact. In April this year, Lisbon topped a curious ranking of the world’s most colorful cities, Euronews reported, citing Irish travel insurers.

It turned out that visual materials associated with Lisbon contained 2,633,070 (!) shades. “The Portuguese capital is famous for its pastel-colored buildings and patterned tiles that cover historic neighborhoods such as Alfama, as well as its yellow trams running through narrow streets,” Euronews noted. Third place, incidentally, went to another Portuguese city — Porto (2,411,337 shades of color).

A web of memories

We recently wrote in this article about what makes Lisbon seem so close to Belarusians, why they can understand it without a translator, and who can professionally take you to the most “Lisbon-like” places. Today, with the help of Belarusian friends from the My Portugal Moments travel company, we will look at the city and its surroundings from some unusual angles.

But first — before we forget — a small memory. In the first article, one of the authors shared his own impressions of the Portuguese capital. But he forgot one rather peculiar detail. On the way home, at a duty-free shop at Lisbon airport, he bought a bottle of port wine — because returning from Portugal without local wine somehow just doesn’t seem right.

But that was not the defining memory. It was an ordinary white mesh sleeve wrapped around the bottle. A completely utilitarian item, resembling a stocking, became almost the main reminder of the visit to Lisbon in the author’s home. Well, everyone has their own “points of reference,” and memory is not only about photographs, traditional souvenirs and stories shared with friends or family.

A tactile connection with history

“Touching history” is not merely a tired cliché used in travel advertising. Do you know what leaves the most exciting and tangible memories? Not looking at a place through the window of a sightseeing bus. It is tactile contact with the place you are visiting. Literally touch the stones, walls, lampposts and trees. Can you feel the warmth? That is what will remain in your tactile memory.

In the case of Lisbon and its equally captivating surroundings, it works without fail. This is what is otherwise known as immersion in an authentic atmosphere. Want to feel Portuguese? Then collect your own Portugal Moments, which will belong to you and you alone.

Forget the yacht, champagne and lake — take a boat, fish and the ocean

Spending at least one day living like a local in Cascais, a city neighboring Lisbon, away from the crowded traditional tourist routes, is just the thing for the average Belarusian seeking a bit of solitude. You get real fishermen, a boat and the endless Atlantic. Salty, like so much salt in our complicated lives.

Seasoned sea dogs will tell stories you will not find in any guidebook. Because they would blush at how realistic they are (just kidding). And, naturally, they will listen to your stories too. About a pike this big caught at a lake near Braslaŭ, for example. When else will you get the chance?

This is not about luxury and glitter, but about real life and hard work. And the reward will be freshly grilled fish. Right on board. But without waiters. Everyone does everything themselves, with their own hands.

A yacht — or One sunset for two. Or ten

Obviously, fishing is a particular kind of hobby, requiring at least some basic skills. So how else can you “get on the water” (Lisbon and Portugal as a whole need water, just as a Belarusian needs potatoes) in a way that is beautiful, unconventional and heartfelt? This is where a yacht comes in.

There is a yacht harbor, Alcântara Marina, near the 25 de Abril Bridge. From here, a sunset cruise sets off along the Tagus River. Up to 10 people can come aboard. In the rays of the setting sun, the capital’s best-known landmarks take on an unforgettable appearance (remember those 2.6 million shades?). The yacht captain will make sure you do not miss a single one, whether it is Belém Tower or the Christ statue. There is just one thing you will have to forget about: high heels. For safety reasons only.

All the elements of Lisbon

It turns out that Lisbon can be viewed through all the elements: not only from land and sea, but also from the sky — aboard Robinson and Airbus helicopters. And you can do it year-round; the only possible obstacle is bad weather, which is rare. You can fly solo (with a pilot, of course), as a couple or as a group of three. Adrenaline is free.

There are six routes to choose from. Flights last between 10 and 45 minutes.

The shortest, the “Belém Route,” allows you to see eight landmarks at once, including Belém Tower itself, the Jerónimos Monastery, the 25 de Abril Bridge and the impressive Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology.

And in 45 minutes, you can fly over Estoril, Cascais, Sintra and Cape Roca. Incidentally, this is not just a cape, but the westernmost point of continental Europe. An author of this article has some advice: find time to visit it separately. For a very symbolic amount of money, you can get a certificate there confirming that you made it to the site. It is well worth framing and putting on the wall afterward. One of us has had one hanging there for 17 years already.

You might say: Wait a minute, what about the fourth element — fire? How can it help us get to know Lisbon?

The answer could be a nice cliché along the lines of: “The Portuguese capital is a fire in itself; seeing it from land, sea and sky is already fiery enough.”

It is both educational and useful to get acquainted with Portuguese cuisine through its fiery side. And not merely as a taster or consumer, but as its direct creator. The people at My Portugal Moments offer ten gastronomic options. In this article, we decided to focus on one: a master class (or workshop, if you prefer) on making pastéis de nata “from scratch” — custard tarts, the traditional local dessert that first appeared in the 18th century at the Jerónimos Monastery.

You will learn how to roll out perfect buttery puff pastry, prepare a rich egg-yolk-based custard filling and bake the pastries until golden brown. And yes, aprons are provided. All you need is closed-toe footwear. Recipes on cards or in digital form can be taken home afterward — just ask.

Take your own

And finally, it is worth reminding readers (and telling those who have not yet read the first article) that My Portugal Moments is not simply a travel company, but one founded by Belarusians. For them, Portugal has become not merely a tourist destination, but a new point of reference in life. They understand and see the city not as a backdrop for beautiful photographs, but as a place full of meaning.

Although it has plenty of colors, too.

In short, a Belarusian understands a Belarusian. Come on in — don’t be shy:

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