24-Jul / 3 COMMENTS

This year I decided finally to go on holidays. Why is this anything to write about, you ask? Well, I haven’t had a holiday since October 2011. What with projects, rehearsals and anything in between there was just no time to do it proper. So with finishing my Masters degree in June, I decided it’s time to treat myself to some “Dolce fare niente”.

 

I’ve been to Portugal 5 times or so by now, and every time I’m there the country amazes me. The people are friendly, the food is dangerously good (I manage to gain 3-5 Kilos each time), the history is so rich and the culture is very dynamic.

 

This time I went there as a groupie, following the ensemble Heptachordum on their summer tour. The ensemble is dedicated to the historically informed performance practice of 17th and 18th century music from various European countries and has been awarded 1st place prize in the prestigious Portuguese Young Musicians Award in 2012.

 

The link to their website >> http://www.heptachordum.com

 

Ensemble Heptachordum at the winners’ concert of the Portuguese Young Musicians Award in 2012 at Grande auditório da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.

 

While the group rehearsed for their concerts, I went to explore on my own. One of my new revelations was the bar on top of the Hotel Do Chiado, right at the center of Lisbon. Where the food is great and the view even greater! From cocktails, through main dishes to desserts, everything was delish. The plates were all Portuguese with a twist. I had to tell myself to take my eyes off the stunning Lisbon panorama to actually cut my food right, so maybe next time I’ll go there just for the drinks 🙂

 

Judge for yourself:

 

A view of the river Tejo and down town Lisbon (with a hint of the arch of Rua Augusta)

 

The Castelo de São Jorge

 

Me showing off just a little 😉

 

The Sé catedral de Lisboa

 

xx

Ensemble Heptachordum Hotel do Chiado Lisbon Michal Bitan Portugal