Stories from the Road

Slippery cobbles, seaside escapes, and the best pizza I’ve ever had. In the Uber from the station to my hostel, my driver — eager to practise his English — described Lisbon and Porto in a way that stuck with me.Porto, he said, looked like it had been made by the hand of God, while Lisbon looked like it had been made by the hand of man. He was right. Lisbon immediately felt vast — almost like Porto times ten. The traffic was constant, the noise relentless, and the streets crow

Day 1 – Arrival & First Impressions The Late-Night Hunt for Food After a long day of travel and a late arrival, most people might have given in to room service — but I was determined to start strong. I’d already checked the Time Out Market’s opening hours (10 a.m.–midnight!) and it was just a ten-minute walk from my hotel. On the way, I stopped at a tiny corner shop to grab shampoo and conditioner — or so I thought. Back in my room, I realised I’d actually bought two differe