GOOD LIFE IN LISBON

Lisbon is a four-hour flight away, and ten degrees warmer than the UK in the winter – more if you originate from Scotland.  Described as the European San Francisco, in that it is hilly (built on seven of them), has a bridge not dissimilar to that of the Golden Gate, has a light favoured by creative types – authors and artists – and is also built on a fault line, so like San Francisco, they are expecting a tsunami of Biblical proportions any time soon.    (Why is it always the most beautiful places in the world, which are at risk?).  

I stayed at the Corinthia Hotel, a short drive from the airport, which is in the heart of the city.   Although the flagship of this family run hotel group is in London, a bridge away from Waterloo station, this hotel has the largest spa in Europe. There is everything here from a state of the art gym, personal trainer, excellent thalassotherapy centre, signature massages including the Portuguese adventure which takes you on a sensual journey of all cinnamon, clove, bay and salt.  This retreat is inspired by the most traditional and historical Portuguese ingredients. Inspired in the Indian Discovery Routes, led by Vasco da Gama, this treatment starts with a full body exfoliation with flor de sal (fleur de sel) from our coast, enhanced by the unique properties of clove buds and cinnamon, a few of the first exquisite spices that were brought to Europe by the Portuguese Navigator in 1498. This lovely exfoliation follows with a powerful soothing moisturising oil blended to relax tired muscles and ease the mind with the deeply warming effect of clove bud and Indian bay.  

As a city spa it works brilliantly, because Lisbon is a bohemian and green, with tree lined cobbled avenues, extraordinary sunsets and sunrises.   Despite the hills, it’s a very easy city to walk around, (although it only costs 2 euros to take the city tram) to find unusual, unexpected and unique bars, cafés and shops.   In the Chiado district, which has shops like Causto Porto, a pharmacy with soaps too good to unwrap, which celebrates its 150^thanniversary this year. There’s a barbers shop in their basement - indeed there’s a strong barber shop theme present throughout the city.  Many of the cafes and bars section out areas where men are able to get their hair cut (the women can but they don’t).  I suppose a lot of the men have beards and as beards are on trend at the moment, any self-respecting bearded person should head there straight away. Even David Beckham flies down regularly in his private jet to Figaro’s Barbershop de Lisboa Address: R. do Alecrim 39, 1200-014 Lisboa for short back and sides. Other barber shop/cafes to check out are shops 
O Purista – Barbière located in Chiado (https://pt-pt.facebook.com/O-Purista-Barbi%C3%A8re-1512557088958683/)and the Barbearia O Corvo – The Crow Barber shop (https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/585514131618637/barbearia-o-corvo-the-crow-barbershop/)   

If you are more into words and pictures than hair cuts, mingle with the writers and local artists in Café A Brasileira (http://www.lojascomhistoria.pt/shops/a-brasileira?lang=en.  

There’s A VIDA PORTUGUESA (http://www.avidaportuguesa.com/) which was started by a local journalist, who wanted to bring together all the Portuguese goodies which would be lost forever.  So you’ve got the hand-stitched hankerchiefs, the wooden toys, the filigree jewellery, the cork of course, the original porcelain. Much more variety and much cheaper than you will find at the airport – at least twenty percent cheaper so buy here.     

The hand painted tiles in Fábrica de Sant’anna (http://www.santanna.com.pt/en)the smallest glove shop Luvaria Ulisses (http://www.luvariaulisses.com/uk/pagina/2/historia/).

Food and wine are superb and excellent value.   Some restaurants you are able to book Bairro do Avillez from Chef José Avillez https://www.joseavillez.pt/pt/bairro-do-avillez ).  The dish I recommend is the giant red shrimp and the aged beef loin steakand others you can’t. 
Zero Zero (http://www.pizzeriazerozero.pt/#/principereal). I recommend the Couscous di Gamberi e Legumi  and the Quinoa salad with Tuna and Melograno with shallot and pumpkin seeds.

Most in Lisbon eat late – think past nine. So book for seven.  Or arrive at seven. 

“ESCAPE & REJUVENATE”

DESIGNED FOR THOSE SEEKING A VITALITY BOOST OR JUST INTERESTED IN AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ELEMENTS OF WELLNESS.

Check-in to a world of elegance at Corinthian Hotel Lisbon then check-out into the relaxation zone with a sublime Total Relax massage Aromatherapy massage. Fully recharge your batteries with an overnight stay in utter luxury before a delicious buffet breakfast the following morning.

PRICE: 160€

PACKAGE PRICE INCLUDES

•Accommodation with full buffet breakfast;

•One Aromatherapy massage, per person;

•Unlimited access to the heated indoor swimming pool and Fitness room

.