Lisbon, Portugal

A visit to Lisbon is a must on any vacation to Europe. The Portuguese, who are by nature generous and energetic, will welcome you with warm smiles and hearty meals. It is now easier and more affordable than ever to travel to Spain's neighbor thanks to an increase in direct flights in recent years.

Prepare yourself for a workout when you land in this Portuguese capital because it is known as the "city of seven hills" and you can expect to go up and down, down and up, and repeat. You may easily rest your legs on hop-on, hop-off buses and trolleys, like in San Francisco. Sao Jorge's Castle, the Santa Justa Lift, and the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge are some of the ancient structures that make this place worth admiring. The largest park in the city, Parque Eduardo VII, has undoubtedly the best views of the Targus River, Avenida da Liberdade, and Praça Marquês do Pombal. A 20-minute drive to the nearby beach is highly recommended, as is indulging in the nation's delicious dessert, pastel de nata. The charming Doca do Santo restaurant, which was renovated in 2018, serves delectable fare that is almost as remarkable as its river views.