Landing in Lisbon

Lisbon—the very name evokes feelings of ancient conquest and exploration. According to tradition, the name comes from that of Ulysses. He is said to have landed here on his epic odyssey.

Like that ancient mariner, we have left our ship, and now our temporary home is the beautiful Andaz Hyatt Hotel. We have already been out with John and Sandy to show them the Central Plaza, to eat a pizza and to enjoy a pastry they make here called pasteles de nata.

The hotel is only two months old and it is absolutely stunning. They have taken a number of 18th century buildings and put one façade over the front so that it looks like one building. Each of the floor levels in the separate buildings are not always exactly on the same level so there are quite a few stairways that go up and down. But even though the Building’s bones are 200 years old, the hotel itself is brand new and absolutely beautiful.Read more