Back again

In three days I'm off to Portugal again! This time I'm lucky and get to spend 2 weeks there. I have direct flights from Helsinki to Lisbon and the flight will take five hours.

I'm flying TAP again - ever since my children were small this has been one of my favorite airlines - TAP used to have the best food and the friendliest flight attendants. My kids did not speak any Portuguese and very little English but the flight attendants still used to spent a lot of time making sure the kids had a nice flight. Travelling alone with three kids taught me to appreciate all the help I could get. Even today, travelling with my granddaughter or alone, I love TAP! (and it's so much more affordable than Finnair..:) sorry!!)

 So - January and Portugal - maybe not your most typical combination but believe me - it works! At least for me since I do not want to spend my holiday on the beech.  The average daytime temperature in Lisbon in January is +15 degrees celsius and yes, it can rain, most likely will, but compared to the darkness in Finland - it's ok.

Sintra is green - always. The amazing park of Pena palace in Sintra is always green. There is always something to see and in the winter time walking and hiking are comfortable in Sintra. You should remember, however, that Portugal is a long country and Sintra is in the middle - the south is a bit warmer and the north - naturally - cooler. The winter in Sintra can be really cold - cold and wet. BUT it can be warm and  nice as well. So the most important thing you have to pack with you, with warm clothes and a raincoat, is a good sense of adventure and humor!

Tulhas has been one of my favorite restaurants in Sintra

But what ever the weather is going to be this January, I know that the food will be tasty, the wines will be great and the company of my sister will be comforting! I will tell you all (almost) about!