Cabo Verde and Lisbon: Colourful city to salty island

Welcome to sunny Lisbon – a city that's been on your bucket list for ages and one that you're finally about to explore! You hop on the metro, tram or another mode of transport (optional, payable on site) and ride to your accommodation. After a quick check-in, nothing stands in the way of your city adventure!
Colourfully tiled houses and the salty Atlantic breeze on the seemingly endless waterfront promenade – your expectations of Lisbon are exceeded with every step you take through its winding alleyways. At Praça do Comércio, the triumphal arch Arco da Rua Augusta and the Equestrian Statue of King Jose 1 pose for your camera and lead you to Bairro Alto. Not only does wacky street art await you in this lively district but also a vibrant selection of restaurants, bars and clubs – the perfect opportunity to raise a glass to your dream trip. 'Saúde!'

The bright-blue morning sky lures you out of bed better than any alarm clock ever could, and you're ready to be shook by the city. The famous Tram 28 is a photo motif in itself, and its old-fashioned yellow carriages take you to the highlights of the Old Town before you change lines and head west to the Ajuda district, where the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda awaits. Its exterior alone suggests a magnificent interior, but what you actually find inside takes your breath away – Versailles who? You wander through the rooms like the country's kings once did, and then you're drawn away to the Belém district. Just the name of it makes your foodie heart beat faster. And no wonder, because nowhere else do the country's famous custard tarts taste as good as here! You grab a few of the sweet treats for the road and walk from the impressive Mosteiro dos Jerónimos monastery to Lisbon's most famous landmark, the Torre de Belém. Then you find a spot for your picnic and savour your pastéis de Belém as the sun sets over the Atlantic.

It's morning, and your rumbling stomach drives you out into Lisbon's colourful streets. Fortunately, the city is home to countless hip breakfast spots, such as the famous Fauna & Flora. After fuelling up for the day, you either keep exploring the city's other highlights or head to Rossio Railway Station, from where you make your way to Sintra on your own. Magnificent palaces, timeworn castles and historic monasteries nestled against a blooming green landscape of hills – on the road to the historic old town, you quickly realise why Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. First stop: Palácio Nacional de Sintra. As you walk to the palace, its two conical chimneys already catch your eye from afar. Once inside, you see swans and magpies adorning the ceilings of the various halls, which tell centuries-old stories from the lives of the royal families. A beautiful green hiking trail then leads you up to the impressive Palácio Nacional da Pena. One tower gleaming in bright yellow, another in bright red, and a dreamy lilac facade tucked right between them – just a look at its exterior, and you know exactly why this place is so popular.

The colourful chaos that makes Lisbon so lively and exciting has stolen your heart. And that makes it even harder to leave. 'Adeus, Lisboa.'
Don't worry, your plane isn't taking you back home but rather straight to your next adventure. And it all starts now in Cabo Verde, the small island nation just off Africa's west coast, where an incredible 350 days of sunshine a year means the sun is almost always shining. Off to Sal! From the air, the whole place looks like a golden pearl of sand set into a bezel of turquoise ocean. And no wonder, because if there's one thing you'll find on this island, it's sand: on the shores, in the desert and across dry valleys – perfect for your beach stay. Your plane lands, a driver greets you and before you know it, you're standing in front of your hotel. You check in and put your feet up for a moment before slipping into your swimsuit, grabbing your towel and sunglasses and making your way to the beach. When you arrive, its waters are exactly like they were from above: turquoise-blue and crystal-clear!