LISBON

The Best City to Live in Europe

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Lisbon and Portugal frequently receive accolades as the best city and country to emigrate to in Europe. In numerous surveys, factors such as value for money, education, happiness, weather, hospitality, medical care, and overall quality of life consistently keep Lisbon at the top of the rankings.

My first visit to Lisbon was to invest in a coffee company. The second time, I visited with my best friend's wife. Long story. The third visit was with Jezzabel, my wife. We quickly learned that hotels are packed in October, that June to August can be unbearably hot, and that November and December mark the rainy season. This city welcomes nearly nine million visitors annually, the local population is six hundred thousand, resulting in a significant presence of foreign workers. The Intercontinental Hotel is well positioned, the staff are extremely friendly, and the spacious bedrooms are a pleasant surprise.

The walk down to town is quite quick and the tree-lined boulevards lead to the massive square of São Sebastião. At the first restaurant in the second square, my passion for Vinho Verde wine and seafood paella is reignited. But when in Lisbon, always start with the sardines. When I receive the bill, it seems remarkably cheap, until I realize there are two separate bills, one for wine and one for food. This strange practice repeats itself throughout the trip. You may know why.