Impulsive Christmas Trip

[Daver6]

Is it just the images, but the bathrooms look a little small/disappointing for such a hotel. Ie, not real vanity space around the sinks. Bath tub looks rather pedestrian. Public spaces though...wow!

 

[amaroo]

Is it just the images, but the bathrooms look a little small/disappointing for such a hotel. Ie, not real vanity space around the sinks. Bath tub looks rather pedestrian. Public spaces though...wow!

Spot on Daver6 although I think the OTT marble makes it appear a little smaller. The bathroom fittings (vanities) were huge - art deco style.

There was one room where they totally went super cheap on the sq footage ... I suppose if you wanted to wash your hands or brush your teeth at the same time

 

[amaroo]

Indoor pool and spa. We booked with a Virtuoso
agent so got US$100 spa credit per room.... we both had a 50min massage for €165 each - less the $100 credit.







This is what a manicured football field waiting for a coughtail party looks like.



Hotel Ritz (Four Seasons)

 

[OZDUCK]

Great photos again but I am amazed at the great weather you seem to have had on this trip!

 

[amaroo]

Great photos again but I am amazed at the great weather you seem to have had on this trip!

The weather has been superb.... currently in Bilbao with beautiful sunny blue skies and around 15c

 

[amaroo]

Knocking out the tunes for the breakfast call....

Virtuoso benefits also included breakfast. Another lovely big room!

 

[amaroo]

First full day in Lisbon, the weather was stunning so we walked from the hotel down to the old town - around 25min gentle sloping walk. The pavements were “pattern cobbled stone” it looked spectacular and would be horrendously expensive to replicate these days.

The walk took us down one of the City’s main boulevard - it’s also their High Street with all the international brands.



Buildings with tiled facades always look impressive... they are everywhere in Lisbon.

 

[amaroo]

Tuk Tuks are normally something we avoid, however it just seemed logical for Lisbon. Lisbon is similar to Rome in that it has 7 hills, lots of narrow lanes, and nowhere to park. Tuk Tuks cover a lot of ground in a fast and efficient manner.

1hour + tour cost €70 for the 4 of us.

Our classy looking ride... why wouldn’t you jump in



The Cathedral - Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa

Original dates 1147, but this one is not the original.



Views from the back seat



The highest point of Lisbon - Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

 

[get me outta here]

I doubt that your children will ever leave home with such generous creative travelling parents.

 

[lakeman]

I hope that your kids save this report to remember the deprivations they were forced to endure )

 

[amaroo]

I doubt that your children will ever leave home with such generous creative travelling parents.

What a nice post - thank you!

That would probably be mrsamaroo preferred option ..... me, I subscribe more to the “barnacle gosling” way of parenting

 

[LadyC]

That is definitely a luxurious tuk tuk! What a great way to get around. Looks like you have been having splendid weather.

 

[Flashback]

I hope that your kids save this report to remember the deprivations they were forced to endure )

Should have put the kids in the Two Seasons!

 

[Pushka]

Loving your photos and the techniques you are using.

 

[amaroo]

Loving your photos and the techniques you are using.

I’m loving my new XS Max - serious bit of kit in a phone!

 

[RooFlyer]

I’m loving my new XS Max - serious bit of kit in a phone!

Is it technically better than, say the 7?

I'm not noticing much change, if any to downloaded image quality. One of the 'tricks' of iPhones and other camera phones is that the high resscreen shows them brilliantly. A pocket camera with a phone quality screen ( and size!) would look similarly brilliant.

 

[amaroo]

Is it technically better than, say the 7?

I'm not noticing much change, if any to downloaded image quality. One of the 'tricks' of iPhones and other camera phones is that the high resscreen shows them brilliantly. A pocket camera with a phone quality screen ( and size!) would look similarly brilliant.

3/4 of us have upgraded from the 7 ..... can’t reproduce this on the 7.

 

[amaroo]

Continuing on...



Lisbon has lots of churches..





And some fine street art



The end of the Tuk Tuk ride

 

[RooFlyer]

I had lemonade from that van at that lookout! (plus a few Portuguese Tarts )

I was on foot though, and it was blazing hot , so I dallied.

Did you go to the aquarium?

 

[amaroo]

We were dropped off at the top of Sào Miguel - this is a terrific little suburb of Lisbon to do some exploring.



This was a very popular piece of street art