PREPIS/TRANSCRIPT

Sometimes, you just need a break from the hustle and bustle (ruch) of daily life, and that’s exactly what we were looking for when we decided to visit Lisbon with my friend. We wanted to turn off our busy lives and take our minds off the everyday grind (rutina). So, we booked flight tickets to Lisbon, each costing around 90€. I had been waiting for such a deal for quite some time. Packing was a breeze (easy) since we only carried a bag each.

Our adventure in Portugal started with a warm welcome at Hotel Principe Avila. The place was cozy and comfortable, giving us the perfect mix of modern amenities (vybavenie) and Portuguese charm. Even though it took us a bit more time when looking for an affordable and suitable place to stay, we found this pleasing hotel not far from the city centre. After unpacking and settling in, we headed out to explore the Observation Deck at Park Eduardo VII. The park offered stunning panoramic views of Lisbon, and we spent some time enjoying the cityscape, lush greenery (honosná zeleň), and the beautiful Tagus River in the distance. We didn’t have much time left in the day and we were tired from the journey and flight, so we headed back to our hotel room to sleep, setting us up for the following day packed with destinations (aby sme sa pripravili na ďalší deň plný destinácií) from our itinerary.

On our second day, after having a buffet breakfast at the hotel, we visited some of Lisbon’s most iconic spots. We began at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, a scenic lookout with breathtaking views of the city’s colourful rooftops and the imposing (veľkolepý) São Jorge Castle. Then we strolled through (prešli sme sa po) Rossio Square, the bustling heart of Lisbon, admiring the intricate wave-patterned pavements (chodník so vzorom vĺn) and the lively atmosphere.

We continued to the Carmo Convent, a hauntingly (strašidelne) beautiful ruined Gothic church that stands as a reminder of the devastating 1755 earthquake. The entrance fee was €5, and it was well worth it for the fascinating history and architecture, but unfortunately, the entrance queue was tens of metres long, so we decided to observe the church only from the outside. Later, we made our way to Miradouro da Graça, another splendid (nádherný) viewpoint, where we relaxed and enjoyed the sweeping views (rozsiahle/široké výhľady) of the city at sunset.

On the third day, we rented a car in Lisbon, which was smooth and hassle-free (bezproblémový). We made sure to take precise photos of the vehicle before setting off (pred odjazdom) to avoid any disputes (nezhody) about pre-existing damage. With our rental car, we embarked on (vyrazili sme na) a scenic road trip along the Portuguese coast. Our first stop was Ericeira, a charming fishing village known for its surf culture and stunning beaches.

Our destination for the day was Nazaré, a town famous for its giant waves and vibrant seaside atmosphere. Nazaré is known for its extremely high waves, sometimes reaching up to 11 meters. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see them during our visit, but the town was beautiful anyway, with its wide coastline and charming atmosphere. The coastal drive was unforgettable, with cute small villages dotting the route (roztrúsené po ceste), each offering unique glimpses (náhľady) into Portuguese life.

On our last day in Lisbon, we dedicated our time to exploring some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. We began at the LX Factory, a trendy hub of creativity housed in a former industrial complex (sídliace v bývalom priemyselnom komplexe). The vibrant street art (pestré pouličné umenie), quirky shops (svojské/zaujímavé obchody), and eclectic eateries (rozmanité reštaurácie) made it a perfect spot for a leisurely morning. Here, we tried the famous “pastel de bacalhau”, a delicious codfish pastry (lahodné pečivo z tresky). Then we visited the Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The entrance fee was €10, and the monastery’s intricate carvings (zložité rezby) left us in awe. Nearby, the Belém Tower, another UNESCO site, stood majestically by the river, its ornate stonework (kamenné zdobenie) and historic significance drawing us in (lákali/ťahali nás dnu). The atmosphere around the tower was magical, reminding us of the Bridgerton TV series as a man played the violin right in front of the monument. Our final stop was the Sanctuary of Christ the King, a towering statue offering panoramic views of Lisbon and the 25th of April Bridge. The serene (pokojná) atmosphere provided a perfect end to our trip.

Throughout our journey, we enjoyed Portugal’s culinary delights (kulinárske lahôdky). We couldn’t get enough of the delectable (lahodný) “pastel de nata”, a creamy custard tart (pudingový koláčik) that quickly became our favourite treat. However, we found the local cappuccino to be less to our liking. For some really good coffee and a beautiful atmosphere, we checked out Delta the Coffeehouse on Avenida da Liberdade. Let me tell you, this place was unlike any other. Lisbon has its fair share of beautifully designed coffee shops, and this one was right up there with the best of them. I also recommend trying their Japanese coffee at The Coffee Avenida da República, which was very different in taste but interesting. You can also visit other coffee shops of the same brand, this Japanese one – ‘the coffee.’ is the name – they have 7 franchises across Lisbon.

One memorable but less pleasant moment occurred while we were waiting for the historic Lisbon tram. A homeless Russian man approached us and was very persistent (neodbytný). He even lit a lighter in front of our faces, making us feel quite uncomfortable. At first, nobody wanted to help, even though we were in a long queue for the tram. Then, a brave woman approached us and defended us, showing no fear and successfully scaring away the Russian man. After this rather unexpected experience, we hopped on the tram and hoped for a picturesque ride. But after a few minutes spent on the tram, we started to realise that this tram was a pure scam. An aggressive driver, hitting breaks (stúpal na brzdy) like no other, speeding through the city centre, left us taken by surprise, praying to get off the tram as soon as possible. I guess we should have checked the reviews first. LOL.

Despite this, our trip was overwhelmingly (strongly and completely) positive. We also discovered Street Chow Food, an Asian restaurant with a very nice atmosphere, cozy setting, and excellent service. For moving across the city, we mostly walked, used the subway, but when some destinations were too far, we used Bolt, which was pretty cheap at around 2€ a ride.

Did you know that Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, predating other major capitals like Rome, Paris, and London by centuries (o stáročia predbieha iné veľké hlavné mestá)? The city’s rich history and vibrant culture were evident in every corner we explored. Our trip to Lisbon and its surrounding areas was a fantastic blend (mix) of history, culture, and natural beauty. From the stunning viewpoints and historic landmarks (pamiatky) to the picturesque coastal towns, every moment was filled with wonder and discovery. Portugal’s charm is undeniable (nepopierateľný).

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