For those who did not follow the adventures of InstagramI’m so excited to finally introduce the first members of the WOW team!Since I started blogging about three years ago, I’ve truly appreciated all the travel opportunities that being a full-time travel blogger has afforded me. But now, with so many opportunities flying at me from all corners of the world, I realized that I can no longer do it alone and I have the opportunity to share this wonderful lifestyle with others so that they too can go on endless adventures. So, to celebrate, we took the girls to Portugal for a week to meet, play, and pamper! This was a formal welcome to their team (and don’t worry, we’re still growing so more work opportunities will come – always keep an eye out) Job page!)
Setting: Weekend in Lisbon
Lisbon is quickly becoming one of the most popular cities in Europe, especially in the south. It’s quirky, colorful and vibrant, and there’s a lot to see beyond the “hot spots” by exploring the neighborhood, so we recommend packing your walking shoes and hitting the road right away. For our girls trip to Lisbon, we only had a few days to explore the main sights, walk the winding streets of the Alfama district, and squeeze in a trip to Pastel de Belém and half-day trips to nearby Sintra and Cascais. This is a long time for one weekend, but completely doable.
Check-in: The Four Seasons Lisbon
Only the best are good for a girls trip, so my team and I checked into the amazing Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon. We all had rooms on the 7th floor, so we had great views of the city both from our rooms and from the rooftop gym and running track a few floors up. If you check into this hotel, be sure to choose the buffet breakfast. It’s a sumptuous breakfast with so many choices that you won’t be able to stomach the buffet all day long (especially the pastry selection!)
If you can’t afford to stay…
We know that for many people, a room at a Four Seasons is out of their budget. If you can’t afford to stay in a hotel, especially if you’re on a whirlwind trip around Europe, you can opt for the luxury of Sunday brunch instead of experiencing the splendor of a hotel. I’m almost certain that this hotel has the highest level of service of any accommodation in Lisbon (even if you ask for something as outrageous as “green juice”, trust me, they’ll comply!). Host Brunch at Seasons Ritz Lisbon Sundays are very popular with locals, so make sure to book in advance and come hungry, as it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet!
If you’re in town for a girls’ trip, consider visiting the Four Seasons Spa and relaxing by the indoor pool. Of course, you can also get a massage to relieve jet lag and switch to a new time zone. This was one of the highlights of the girls trip (See more in this video) and a great treat on a Sunday afternoon.
What to eat: One must-try restaurant and one must-try food.
There are only two things I remember about Portuguese food. mini bar restaurant Pastels de Natas (Portuguese tarts) from Pastels de Belém. There is no other place to go for dinner. And where else can you get your fill of warm, crispy dessert tarts that are worth unbuttoning your pants afterwards (my only regret is not trying this!!!)
Day trip: Sintra and Cascais
On our last day, we set off early in the morning for a half-day tour of Sintra and Cascais. Two charming small towns, each with a different charm. Although the weather wasn’t kind that day, it was a perfect way to get out of the city. I can assure you that you cannot come to Lisbon without taking a day trip to these two small towns.
Full blog posts about each of our adventures and visits to the Algarve will be published later this week.
Meet the WOW team here!
A big thank you to Four Seasons Lisbon for making the best girls trip possible.