Jason Wu

I signed up for my first Airbnb Online Experience: 7 Wonders of Lisbon. I bought a bottle of vinho verde, two tins of Nuri sardines, and all the ingredients to make pastéis de nata. Cue the fado! Thanks to a number of online resources, I’ve been able to introduce myself to the history, cuisine, and shopping establishments of Portugal’s capital city.

Whenever I am considering a new travel destination, I always start with Rick Steves (provided that he’s filmed an episode in the city I am interested in). I’ve seen every season of Rick Steves’ Europe (several times), and I never get tired of them.

• Rick Steves’ Europe: Lisbon
• Rick Steves’ Europe: Lisbon and the Algarve

Experiencing the local cuisine is one of travel’s many rewards. I began my research on Lisbon restaurants with a list curated by the blog Eater. I watched a video on Conservas Pinhais, the canning company that produced my Nuri sardines. Then I moved on to obsessing over the Portuguese custard/egg tart, pastel de nata. I browsed several recipes before setting on one from Buttermilk Pantry. Making this tart was laborious (I had to convert the measurements from the metric system to USCS), but I enjoyed the experience.

• The 38 Essential Lisbon Restaurants
• Why This Portuguese Sardine Cannery Swears By Its 100-Year-Old Method | Regional Eats
• The typical Portuguese way to eat sardines – by Algarve Nature Tours
• The Recipe That Became Portugal’s National Treasure
• Pastel de Nata Recipe

You can’t leave Lisbon without experiencing fado. I discovered the artist Camané and watched a documentary on Mariza and the history of this particular genre.

• Camané: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
• Mariza and the Story of Fado

Perusing shops abroad is one of my favorite pastimes. I came across an informative article on Culture Trip, a helpful Lisbon-based blog named Lisboa Cool, and a few YouTube videos (by Air Transat) profiling shopping destinations in Chiado, Bairro Alto, and Príncipe Real.

• An Insider’s Guide to the Best Fashion Boutiques in Lisbon
• Lisboa Cool
• Shop Differently in Lisbon’s Chiado District | Style Jaunt: Video 1
• Finding the Unexpected in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto District | Style Jaunt: Video 2
• The Rebirth of Lisbon’s Principe Real District | Style Jaunt: Video 3

When the time came for me to pack my virtual suitcase, I took two things into consideration: Lisbon is hot in the summer and has more than a few hills. You’ll find lightweight clothing and footwear made for walking in my carry-on along with a sunhat, sunglasses, and a straw tote.

Works Cited

Bondi Born belted linen midi dress; Cole Haan Anica sandal (sahara)

J.Crew tie-shoulder linen top; Le Kasha Gizeh belted linen midi skirt; Cole Haan Anica sandal (black)

Jason Wu Collection gathered cotton-sateen midi dress; Margaux Demi flats (platinum)

J.Crew tie-shoulder linen top; Grace Karin skirt; Superga 2790 Acotw (navy)

LL.Bean women’s signature poplin dress; Superga 2750 Cotu Classic (white)