Trip to Portugal Planned and Booked!

Monument to the Discoveries, Lisbon, Portugal

Hi Everyone!

So I've so far kept a promise to myself, and that is that on every odd year, I would travel abroad. The first planned international trip I did was in 2023 - also to Portugal, where I stay in Lisbon for one week, and in Ponta Delgada in the Azores for two weeks.

Why Portugal? Well, its the place where my parents are from, and as I child, I did two trips to the Azores when I was 7 years old, then again, when I was 11. Then, for a period of 37 years, I never returned, until 2018 where I, my immediate family and my brother's family all went to Portugal (the Azores) for the benefit of my niece so she could have her first experience. That trip allowed me to see the Azores again, for the "first time" - and had a lasting impression for me since - and it created a burning desire to keep going back ever since.

My dad, brother, and sister-in-law in my dad's home town.

COVID ruined my plans in 2020, and I managed to go 2023 - but missed being able to see an aunt who passed away months before my booking. When I saw her last in 2018 - she said, almost prophetically - "I may not be here when you return". Fate and timing made that true.

So after successfully spending 1 week in Lisbon (first time ever in Lisbon and on continental Portugal) and two weeks in the Azores, meeting up with my brother's family and common friends, I decided to make odd years my international travel years).

That one week in Lisbon left a lasting impression - I fell in love with the city, and desired to see more of Portugal going forward.

Lisbon's Catherdral, the "Se" erected in 1147.

So this year, in 2025, I've booked again for Portugal, this time 2 weeks in Lisbon and 1 week in Ponta Delgada. The two weeks will allow me to explore more of the country, with Lisbon being the "home base" and the rail network the main way I plan to visit the various locations. The one week in Ponta Delgada will give me a chance to visit with remaining family.

So more about Portugal 2025 will certainly be written. For now, I may decide to do two posts of my trips - Azores 2018, and Portugal 2023.

Thanks!

Joe