From Stormy Seas to Island Sanctuary: A Long-Awaited Return to São Miguel
From the Azores to the Capital: A Speaker’s Journey to Lisbon
What started as a routine check-in with my Portuguese tax accountants turned into a whirlwind adventure. When I saw they were hosting the Global Expat Summit in Lisbon and looking for speakers, I threw my name into the hat. To my delight, I was selected for a five-minute spotlight!
Having only spent half a day in Lisbon previously during a European cruise, I packed my bags for a five-day immersion into the city's cosmopolitan heart.
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After living in the Azores for two years and visiting Madeira, Lisbon felt instantly familiar. The language, the customs, and the shops felt like home, yet the scale was entirely different. Lisbon is a vibrant, sprawling metropolis pulsing with activity.
I kicked off my trip by mastering the Metro—surprisingly intuitive!—and checking into the Secret Patio Garden. Formerly the "Selina Secret Garden ," it was once a darling of the co-living world. While it has transitioned into a more basic hotel and lost some of its former luster, it served as a functional home base for my explorations.
Dinner:
Chasing History in Sintra & Cascais
After living in the Azores for two years and visiting Madeira, Lisbon felt instantly familiar. The language, the customs, and the shops felt like home, yet the scale was entirely different. Lisbon is a vibrant, sprawling metropolis pulsing with activity.
I kicked off my trip by mastering the Metro—surprisingly intuitive!—and checking into the Secret Patio Garden. Formerly the "Selina Secret Garden ," it was once a darling of the co-living world. While it has transitioned into a more basic hotel and lost some of its former luster, it served as a functional home base for my explorations.
Cascais Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Luz: A stunning coastal sentinel.
Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth): This reminded me so much of our own Porta do Diabo on São Miguel, though the summer waves were much calmer than the crashing Atlantic winter winds we’re used to back home.
Quinta da Regaleira: We explored the famous "Initiation Well," a subterranean tower designed for blindfolded Templar Mason initiations. A truly mystical experience.
A Deep Dive into Portuguese Heritage
Walking through Rossio Square , I was thrilled to find a grand fountain featuring four mermaids—a perfect nod to our villa’s namesake!
Finding the Balance
On my final day, I treated my tired legs to a Thai massage before visiting the Communications Museum (Museu das Comunicações). I was fascinated to see the exhibits on the underwater communication cables that link the Azores directly to Lisbon.
What started as a routine check-in with my Portuguese tax accountants turned into a whirlwind adventure. When I saw they were hosting the Global Expat Summit in Lisbon and looking for speakers, I threw my name into the hat. To my delight, I was selected for a five-minute spotlight!
Having only spent half a day in Lisbon previously during a European cruise, I packed my bags for a five-day immersion into the city's cosmopolitan heart.