Tuesday, 5 March 2013

São Vicente de Fora, chasing Lisbon's history


Would you like to get to know the historical events of Lisbon since its origins, with us?

The Monastery of São Vicente de Fora is considered perhaps one of the most beautiful religious buildings of the city of Lisbon and certainly one of the most underrated. Sure there are other important places to visit, but for those who have already been to Lisbon or for those who want to see something different, and very significant, this place cannot be missed!



The Monastery has arisen in one of the first inhabited areas of Lisbon, situated between the traditional and ancient neighborhoods of Alfama and Graça. Its foundations are age-old and immersed in the cold waters of a natural water source from which the main columns of the structure emerge!
It is possible to visit the interior gardens of the building, its huge rooms filled with Portuguese history, the silence of its cloister, and also have access to the exciting view you can enjoy from the Monastery’s terrace. 
All of this defines this building as a beautiful architectural work to be found, and confirms it’s history as part of the history of Lisbon itself.


Discover the traditional neighborhoods of the city, and their magnificent religious monuments, choose off-mainstream sites, get to know the city from its heart and refuse to be a part of the masses, 
be yourself!













Monday, 4 February 2013

João's bar




Bairro Alto is one of the old inhabited parts of the city and also its nightlife district by excellence. Bairro of restaurants, clubs, bars, discos and pubs. The active nightlife of Lisbon runs through its labyrinthine network of streets filled with multiple places. 
The best here is you don’t need to choose where to go in advance: this is the place where you can just to go into a bar, have a drink, leave and go to the next.
However, you have to pay attention because, some locals take advantage of the situation, false free drinks, "surprise" prices, higher than the normal, and so on. For this reason it's useful to have some spots as "reference points", where you can be sure to have good drink, for a fair price in a nice atmosphere. 
João's bar is one of this places.


The real name of the place is irrelevant, everyone calls it João's bar. The bar is has been open for one year now, and manages to survive despite the economic crisis and the competitive conditions of other clubs nearby, how?
At the first sight the bar hasn't got anything special or amazingly different, but that is maybe what makes it special ... this feeling of simplicity and familiarity we get when we are inside. Of course, all of this has to do with the owner, João who is also the barman, besides being a very friendly and interesting person, he is always available to exchange a few words, suggest some particular drinks, or prepare original and personalized cocktails and shots.


The most famous are his fire shots, they are shots that have a fire trick associated, absolutely innocuous and certainly very funny. 
Near closure time, instead of sending you out, João allows you to stay inside and finish your drink without any stress or hurry.
There is no payment at the entrance, and consumption is not mandatory, the prices are below average, the atmosphere is very pleasant, and if you get to know João, he always offers you a drink.

At the anniversary of the bar's opening... desserts and drinks are free for all ... Also for those who enter for the first time!


Choose to visit the spots that you like, get the feeling of the "movida lisboeta", discover the nightlife of the capital and have fun, be youself!