In brief: We found lots of local charm in May, inside a spectacular venue and outside at our favorite park.
Outside at Monsanto
A warm morning, a brilliant sky, and abundant wildflowers kissed by bees and butterflies. We’ve missed our 10 km (7 mile) hike up to the top (140 m/470 feet) of Monsanto , the large natural reserve in the center of Lisbon. So it was a real pleasure – and welcome exercise – to be observing the beauty of its wandering paths again.
OMG, what a magnificent butterfly!
Atop a now abandoned three-story building, the view south to the Tejo River is extraordinary on a day like this. The thick canopy around Monsanto halts at the edge of busy Lisbon as it stretches along the river. To the left of center, just above the green, is the largest portion remaining from the 18th century aqueduct that delivered water to the people of the city.
An effusion of cactus flowers against stalks strewn with white flowers.
Nancy’s favorite color greets us along the way.
A typical trail segment though the park.
And poppies too!
A lot of bees hovered about the daisies – and the other flowers. There’s one that snuck into this photo…
Near the height of the climb.
Inside for music at the Academia das Ciencias
We can highly recommend attending a concert by the Orquestra Metropolitana in the dazzling space of the Academia das Ciencias near Principe Real. An hour and a half of well-performed and engaging music for just 15 EUR…too good a deal for such excellent music-making!
(To enlarge any picture above, click on it. Also, for more pictures from Portugal, CLICK HERE to view the slideshow at the end of the itinerary page.)
