Here´s a fun fact for you that I bet you didn´t know about Lisbon: it´s never been signed on an official document as the capital of Portugal, not like all the other capitals, crazy huh?! Anyway back to the point, Lisbon is full of various things for you to enjoy from its history to its nightlife.

History:

The country is filled with history that dates back for centuries, you should check out some of the historic sites they are truly magnificent (and this is coming from someone who isn´t particularly interested in history).

Food:

In addition if you are a fan of food like I am, then you will love the Portuguese cuisine. The Portuguese have infamous delicacies that are well worth a try, ranging from seafood to fresh vegetables and sweet desserts. If you have a sweet tooth like me I suggest you try the ´Pastel de Belem´ – it´s one the most famous sweet dishes that has originated from Lisbon which is very popular all around the world.

Accommodation:

If you are travelling on a tight budget, and let´s face it – not all of our pockets are full to the brim with cash, the best way to save money on your trip is through accommodation. You can find cheap yet modern and safe hostels all around the city. A hostel in Lisbon may not be your idea of paradise but it´s one way for you to stay in a safe environment in the heart of the city. What´s even better is that when you stay in a hostel you can meet other travelers and other international visitors, you may even make some new friends!

Nightlife:

Just like many cities, Lisbon has some really exciting nightlife, it´s full of exciting bars and clubs. Some of the most popular places include: Cinco Lounge, Bicaense and Club Cari -these are some of the recommended ones to visit if you fancy a night on the razz. Chico Lounge is great if you fancy a good cocktail!

To sum up, in Lisbon, there´s plenty to do and see, you can visit the captivating city and see all the sights in its glory, and because it´s built on hills, there are also many breath taking views to experience. As well as this, you have the chance to go and visit the beach and experience the white sands and blue seas, it truly is magnificent. I have been to Lisbon when I was very young and I would love to visit it again, looking back at the photos it looks like a city really worth visiting. While you are doing all the sightseeing and seeing all the tourist spots, you can ride around on their vintage trams, they are very unique and they ride around the historic looking villages.

A Long Weekend Away

If you are a traveler that is passing through Portugal, or even just someone who is visiting with family or friends, you simply must visit Lisbon. It is the capital of the country for a reason (even if not officially); if you are going for a long weekend away, there are plenty of places to stay that offer convenience and great location for heading into the centre of the city, like Equity Point. As a previous traveler I recommend staying in a hostel as opposed to a hotel as it´s cheaper and there are so many other international passers-by who are most probably backpacking like you are. It´s a great way to meet new people and share your stories with others and get some useful tips from other people, and staying in the city centre means you don´t have to run around on transport all day, you can spend your time admiring the sights and enjoying what the city has to offer.

Portugal is a very popular destination as during the summer its temperatures sky rocket, if you want to catch some sun, as well as have the best of the city and beach, then this is the place to go. So if you are looking to top your tan as well as enjoy a city break then summer in Lisbon is for you. For me sitting on a terrace outside a café enjoying an ice tea (or maybe a cheeky wine) is just as good as lying on the sand soaking up the sun.

There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from for you to relax and enjoy a nice meal. Its historic yet European setting allows you to enjoy the sights of the city from wherever you are. If you want to enjoy the famous ´Pasteis Nata´ (as mentioned above) there is a great café in the Chiado district called the Brazilian café which is famous for its authentic taste. There are plenty of great restaurants scattered around the city for you to enjoy the great cuisine.

…So, what are you waiting for? Why not visit Portugal this summer?

Japan – the home of all things raw and beautifully presented, Japan constitutes an incredible cultural experience for westerners, especially when you venture off the beaten track. Imagine having to point to a photo in a menu and cross your fingers, or even just put yourselves at the mercy of the restaurant and eat whatever you’re given!

North Africa – stunning weather, outstanding natural beauty and a mix of spice infused flavours like nothing else; travel with Explora Morocco and get to know this exquisite cuisine. Discover authentic tagine dishes and even give the local wines a try – you will be pleasantly surprised.

England – (yes, England). The UK has been on the receiving end of derogatory remarks about their national dishes and cooking abilities for far too long. England boasts a host of the worlds most famous chefs, exclusive restaurants and some of the most sought after ingredients too. OK so it’s not a holiday where you can experience dare devil stuff like Surfing in Morocco from Explora Morocco but you could discover areas of outstanding national interest and cultural significance right on your own doorstep.

North America – contrary to popular belief it is not all about burger and fries. Yes, feeding obesity seems to be a national pastime – literally – but actually, if you know where to look there are some delightful dishes to discover in the good old US of A. New York offers the best of the best of the rest of the world – what you can’t find well cooked here really isn’t worth eating, and Los Angeles brings us some of the most innovative and up to date health food around. Stop off at a few strategic foodie-points along the way across the Deep South and Mid West and you’ve got yourself a culinary tour!

Wherever your stomach takes you next try to immerse yourself in everything the local culture has on offer to eat and enjoy a genuinely, gastronomically authentic trip.

When spending 5 months in Mexico, I must admit that the best part of it all was the culinary experience. Of course, the art, the history, the culture were also a very interesting aspect of my experience in Mexico, but my favorite part of it all was nothing more than EATING! Mexican cuisine is filled with tasty and colorful spices which result in a wonderful experience for your taste buds!

Tamales

Although tamales were born in Mexico, thegy are now a popular dish all over Central America. Tamale is a starchy corn-based dough wrapped in plantain leafs. There are over a thousand different recipes. The salty tamales include different types of meat in the corn mix (chicken, pork, etc) whereas the sweet tamales will contain dried fruits or raisins. They can be served as a snack or as a meal (along with mole sauce or frijoles).  

Posole

Posole is a traditional soup or stew corn-based stew from Mexico. Every region in Mexico has its own way of preparing the dish. You’ll find different types of meats (chicken, pork, turkey), sardines and/or chili powder. it’s normally served with tortillas, as most other Mexican dishes. You cannot leave Mexico without trying posole. It’s very tasty!

Nopales

Nopales are the leaf of the nopal cactus. Once the spines are carefully removed, they are cooked and served with a main course meal.  You should definitely try it next time you find yourself in Mexico.

Tacos al pastor

So what do Mexicans eat after a night out dancing? Yes! Tacos al pastor from a stand in the street. They are tacos filled with pork and served on a flour tortilla. Really delicious!

Chile Relleno

Growing up, my mom would often make stuffed peppers and I was never a fan of it… until I ate Chile Relleno, the equivalent of stuffed chile) in Mexico! It’s basically a chili pepper pepper filled with meat and cheese. Then it’s fried in an egg bater or corn masa flour. It’s then served with a sauce (tomato or any type of mole sauce).

Mango con Chile

When I first arrived in Mexico, I wasn’t accustomed to eating very spicy. But my taste buds quickly adapted to the chili used in almost every Mexican dish. But not only were they used in dishes, they were also sprinkled on fruits! Mango with chile is a real treat! Do it at home… Buy real Mexican chili (in powder) and sprinkle it on your mango. YUM!

Fried Tarantulas-Combodia

Now if you hate spiders I would stay right away from this. They are huge spiders that are sold in markets and fried with many different spices and garlic. Yummy!! The legs of these spiders are crispy and the middle of the spider are usually a mix of eggs and internal organs.

Surstromming – Sweden

When you open a can of this, it smells so strong that you might want to open it outside. Baltic is in a can due to it needing to mature for about 2 months, so when you open it the gases are extrodinary. However, the Swedes love this and even a museum is dedicated to this food.

Puffer Fish – Japan
I don’t know about you, but I have heard many backpackers talk about this fish. This deadly fish contains tetrodotoxin at which attacks the central nervous system and will cause numbness, coma, and even death. So if not carefully planned this fish could kill you. I don’t know about you, but I rather stick with the normal, heatly fish.

Durian – Malaysia

This is a bright yellow spiky fruit know as the king of all fruits in this culture. Yet, it is banned from many known places in Malaysia. So this fruit is suppose to taste like vanille custard, but smell insanly like feces. Ya, not one of my favourite options in trying a new taste.

Guinea Pig – Peru

For those who have travelled to Peru, have you heard of Guinea Pig as a food? Well it is very well known and there are many well known books about the art of how it is cooked. It tastes like pork, but looks like rat and yes for most people they will want to spit is out.