All posts filed under: Travel for two

Lanzarote itinerary

3 day Itineray + map in Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Published by From Madeira to Mars

Lanzarote, you either love it or leave it…

The first time I went there I was surprised by its landscapes. They looked apparently lifeless, too arid and wild. But as the days passed, the lunar views punctuated by small white houses with green windows (they’re all similar in their own way), with their cactuses and palm trees, became a passion.On this island, declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, there is a happy coexistence between nature and human creation. It looks pristine though contrived.

Mother-Daughter getaway to Lisbon

Published by From Madeira to Mars

Mother-Daughter getaway to Lisbon This year for my mum’s birthday, I prepared a special gift — a getaway in Lisbon. When I was studying at Lisbon University and she came to visit me, I remember we always had such a great time together. I wanted to recreated those days again. Plus, Lisbon makes my mother happy, she has always great stories and memories about this city, specially from those days before and after the revolution 25 April 1974, when she was visiting her sister, who used to live there. “Stories…the testimony of human contact.” Whenever she speaks about Lisbon, her eyes light up, she puts a funny smile on her face and while walking those streets together, I can always imagine her like a young girl, singing Fado and wandering on the hills of Lisbon.  It is true what they say, life is made of memories. I want to share these thoughts with my mother and remember the places we were together, alive and happy. Lisbon was a gift to both of us. This is the …

Paris for two, 40 tips

Published by From Madeira to Mars

PARIS for Two , 40 tips “She liked to be in Paris, favourable city to lovers, where the taxi chauffeurs never interrupted a kiss …” Anais Nin Paris. Each reunion is like the first time; discovery and excitement. I never get tired of Paris; there is always a new neighbourhood to find, a new spot to relax, a new graffiti to admire … and then there is the Seine, this river of stories to tell, that transports us to another century. I unplug from reality. The sounds of Paris … the movement of Pigale and its mills, the clicks of cameras that shoot in front of the Moulin Rouge, the “bateaux” sailing down the river,  the subway musicians, the sights of tourists sitting on the steps of Montmartre and voices of vendors carrying miniature flashing Eiffel Towers. The colours of Paris, pink (like life there), the green lawns, the grey roofs, the lake in Tuileries Garden and the multi-coloured shops like Pylones. And of course, the smell of “Nutella Crepes”; that addiction. Here I give you 44 tips for Paris for two (Other than …

If Santorini could speak…

Published by From Madeira to Mars

If Santorini could speak, it would tell you that here life is blue. Blue as in the color of the sky, the sea and the 365 domes of the churches that exist on this island (one for each day of the year). Santorini is made from the remains of a volcanic eruption that formed this huge boiler, which looks like a lake, around which are located the beautiful small villages of the island. Santorini has around 15,000 inhabitants. The island’s capital is Fira. The main source of income is tourism and the production of wine. Santorini comes from the name Santa Irene, but its official name is Thera meaning “the most beautiful”. The beaches are black sand except for two, a white sand and a red one (dependent on the geological layer that they are exposed). You can hop on a boat trip to the crater of the volcano. You can swim in volcanic waters, 5 degrees warmer than the usual. Oia is the oldest town, beautiful but crammed with people, especially due to the …

Things to do in Lisbon

Published by From Madeira to Mars

Things to do in Lisbon My cousins Justi&Roberto went recently to Lisbon, to spend a Holiday in Bairro Alto. This wasn’t their first time there, in the University days, they lived in different areas of the city (Benfica, Novas Avenidas, Graça), but nothing compares to the intensity of living in the central frantic Lisbon. Here are their fun things to do in Lisbon: To Sleep in Lisbon: An accommodation in Bairro Alto was our choice.The central location and the possibility of walking into areas where “everything happens” (Principe Real, Chiado, Baixa and Cais do Sodre) was our priority. There are some places with excellent ratings on Booking.com, including ours: rent4rest, which is well located in a quieter street, but very close to the center of nightlife. Contrary to what most people would think, the area is very safe (a friend lent us a smart cabriolet, which we parked in the surrounding streets without any type of vandalism) and we had the privilege, every day at night, to open the windows of the apartment and listen to fado in a nearby restaurant. Book it here. What better Lisbon experience …

From Madeira To Rome

Published by From Madeira to Mars

Short Travel Guide to Rome I visited Rome for the first time this week. I am writing to you from my hotel hall. It’s hot, but the buildings are old, thick walls, so fresh. The sun comes through the window, streets are an invitation to long walks. Rome, the eternal city? Cliché or truth? I came to Rome with many preconceived ideas, the comments of friends who said Rome was either beautiful, romantic, charming or sometimes tiring, a city of crowds and where there are endless queues to see the monuments. Then there were the movies, the humour of Woody Allen’s “To Rome with Love” and Dolce Vita, one city in black and white, so stylish… Monuments; Rome is a monument, a big one, every corner and alley, there is always a little story to live and to tell. Rome has about 2500 years of history and developed slowly. Rome is not to be seen in a day or in a week, because there is always something more to see. Maybe that’s why the legend arose in tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain; everyone wants to come back one day to Rome. …

The footsteps of Van Gogh

Published by From Madeira to Mars

I’ve always loved his paintings. I remember that long before enjoying museums, I knew his painting of the sunflowers, from a calendar in my mom’s kitchen. Now, that  I set out to find out who is the man behind the painting, and I like it even more … Last March, the Dutch tourism in partnership with Expedia, launched a campaign entitled “Following the Van Gogh footprints” #Vangogh2015. Van Gogh died 125 years ago but his work remains as present and current. Museums, landscapes, paintings and thoughts that accompanied his journey through life, reveal him as an outstanding person . Vincent Van Gogh lived 37 years (my age), having been born in a family overshadowed by the death of the first child at birth, who had been assigned his name, Vincent. Later, his brother Theo was born.  He became  his best friend and life companion. Vicent began painting at  the age of 27. He committed suicide at 37. For 10 years he painted about 900 pictures and wrote more than 800 letters, leaving an estate of creativity and talent which was recognized …

Weekend getaway: London

Published by From Madeira to Mars

Friday, 4:00 p.m. Arrived in London by train from Scotland. Hoped off at Queensway metro station and it was a 5 minutes walk until we reached the hotel. Strolling Notting Hill streets towards UMI Hotel London ,  felt like getting to my private apartment,  in one of London’s most known neighborhoods. There were children getting out from school, tourists taking pictures at metro’s logo entrance, hip shops and white painted houses in a row and there I was arriving at hotel’s first door steps. It was winter time and snow was forecasted for the next few days. A warm entrance and friendly receptionist  welcomes me “home in London“. The  hotel ‘s lobby was very nice…lots of light coming in from the big bright wooden windows lying along the front of the building and also inside my room. They had also o a handy cafe/restaurant that opened at night, for snacks and drinks. The room had a comforting white linen bed (white beds are the best) with a private bathroom and a hot strong streaming shower, the perfect ending for a long day travel! Saturday Waking …