It’s a strange and wonderful feeling to start your day in an airport lounge and end it winding through centuries-old streets in Europe. Our journey began at the Sapphire Lounge by The Club, where travel didn’t feel rushed—it felt indulgent. Between a quick facial to reset after the chaos of packing and flights, and the kids happily disappearing into the arcade, it was the kind of send-off that set the tone for everything that followed.
Just seven hours later, we were somewhere entirely different—stepping into the sun-drenched hills of Lisbon.
We stayed near Pink Street, where the energy is constant and colorful, even in the daylight. Before starting our tour, we grabbed one of Lisbon’s most famous treats—pastel de nata—warm, flaky, and somehow even better than expected.
Then came the highlight: a private half-day eco tuk-tuk tour—hands down the kids’ favorite part of the trip.
There’s something about seeing Lisbon this way that makes it feel alive. The tuk-tuk zipped through narrow alleyways, climbed steep hills, and turned every corner into a new surprise. It wasn’t just sightseeing—it was an experience.
We drifted through Alfama, where the streets are tight, the buildings are weathered in the best way, and life spills out onto doorsteps and balconies.
Our guide surprised us with a stop at a small local park where chickens and roosters wandered freely—one of those unexpected, simple moments the kids absolutely loved. It felt like we had stumbled into a hidden slice of everyday Lisbon life.
At each viewpoint, the city seemed to stretch further. From Miradouro das Portas do Sol to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, we looked out over terracotta rooftops and the Tagus River beyond. Somewhere along the ride, we also tried a real European Fanta—and somehow, it really did taste better.
We passed landmarks like the Lisbon Cathedral and wound through neighborhoods that each felt like their own world. What made it special wasn’t just what we saw, but how we saw it—open air, wind in our hair, kids laughing in the back, completely in the moment.
We ended the day with dinner at Atalho do Cais, where we sat down to an incredible steak meal. In true traveling-with-kids fashion, we were eating much earlier than the locals—which meant we had the whole place to ourselves. Quiet, delicious, and the perfect ending to a full day.
And maybe that’s what made it unforgettable. Just hours before, we were in a lounge in Philadelphia, watching planes take off. Now we were climbing hills in Lisbon, surrounded by history, sunshine, and the kind of joy that only comes from discovering somewhere new together.
Seven hours, one flight, and suddenly we were here.
And it felt like the adventure had just begun.
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