Greetings from Verweggistan shares exclusive tips for the winter voyages of the sailing ship Eendracht

Lissabon

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Europe. From the Roman Empire, it came under Moorish control, until it was conquered in 1147 by the Christian King Alfonso I. Afterwards, Lisbon gained much wealth by, for example, becoming part of the Hanseatic League (like some cities in the Netherlands), but also because India and South America were “discovered” by the Portuguese.

In the 18th century, Lisbon was one of the largest cities in the world and Portugal had colonies all over the globe. But all of this ended in 1755. A massive earthquake reduced more than 85% of the city to rubble. As if that wasn’t enough, it was followed by a tsunami and a firestorm.

The reconstruction of the city left its mark, resulting in a mix of architectural styles. And the city has many steep hills! Don’t underestimate this, as you will be walking up and down a lot.

One of the most iconic images of Lisbon is the Torre de Belém. This tower dates back to the early 16th century and was built to commemorate the Age of Discoveries. As mentioned earlier, India was “discovered” by Vasco da Gama, which brought great power to Portugal. Today, the tower is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Perhaps even more enjoyable is the nearby monastery, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. The inner courtyard is stunning, or really, the entire building is beautiful. You can also see the tomb of—yes, you guessed it—Vasco da Gama. Feeling hungry after visiting the monastery? Stop by Pastéis de Belém for the best pastéis de nata in the city.

Other famous landmarks have well-known counterparts in other cities around the world. For example, the red Ponte 25 de Abril, which closely resembles the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. However, it is much newer—over 30 years old—and was built by a completely different designer. Coincidence? Or not?

And of course, there is the Christ the King statue. While not as large as the one in Rio de Janeiro, the resemblance is still hard to miss, don’t you think?

Porto

As the name suggests, Porto is the city of port wine. The city lies on the northern bank of the Douro River. Port wine was transported across the world via this river. Along the Douro, you can still find many port wine cellars where you can take a tour. This allows you to learn more about the popular drink, but of course, it’s mainly popular because you get to taste a few glasses at the end.

But there is much more to do in Porto! It’s a beautiful city, and many people in history have recognized that. For instance, J.K. Rowling lived in the city for a while. It is said that she drew inspiration for the Harry Potter books from the Livraria Lello bookstore. This stunning store has a very special staircase in the middle and bookshelves stretching from floor to ceiling. Although it’s unlikely that she actually visited, you can easily appreciate the beauty of the store and maybe even pick up a nice souvenir.

Porto is also the perfect city to see azulejos, the painted tiles of Portugal. If you keep your eyes open, you can hardly miss them. One particularly beautiful place is the São Bento train station, whose hall is covered with these tiles. It’s a sight to behold!

Like Lisbon, Porto owes much of its wealth to trade. This is evident in the Palácio da Bolsa, a truly beautiful and especially interesting 19th-century building. Definitely worth a visit, as the tour provides a lot of fascinating information.

Finally, don’t forget to cross the iconic Luís I Bridge for the best views over Porto. While you’re there, you can also stop by the port wine cellars for a tour and tasting.

Alicante

Alicante is located in the Valencia region and is often overlooked. A shame, because it’s actually a surprisingly charming city. The promenade is truly beautiful, one of the nicest on the Costa Blanca. You can really enjoy the Mediterranean Sea here.

But there’s more to do. The narrow streets in the historic center are perfect for getting lost. In the barrio of Santa Cruz, you can find typical Spanish houses, exactly the kind you imagine when you think of Spain.

When you arrive in Alicante, you can’t miss the castle on top of the hill. Castillo de Santa Bárbara was built in the 9th century. It sits on Mount Benacantil, which is no less than 166 meters high. Imagine having to walk up there in the blazing sun… Luckily, the Eendracht isn’t there in the summer. But secretly, you can still enjoy it without sweating, because there’s also a lift.

Feeling like checking out some art? Then visit MACA, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Alicante. This modern art museum also features works by famous Spanish artists like Dalí and Picasso. And the entrance is free, so if it’s not your thing, you can be out in no time. Always a plus!

Sevilla

My favorite city is Seville. I may be a little biased because I lived there for a while during my studies. But I didn’t fall in love with this place for no reason. The historic city has countless sights to see, and the city center is compact, so everything is easy to explore on foot.

In the old town, the most famous landmark is the Seville Cathedral. Catedral María de la Sede is the largest Gothic church in the world. And after St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London, it is the third-largest church in the world. Not bad at all!

Perhaps even more famous is the tower next to the cathedral: the Giralda. This tower was once part of the mosque that stood on this site. And that is typical for this city: many Moorish influences can still be found. After the Reconquista, when people were forced to convert to Catholicism, the Catholics often hired Moorish artists to decorate palaces. This style is called Mudéjar and can still be seen particularly well in the royal palace: the Real Alcázar.

In the case of the Giralda, the mosque collapsed during a 14th-century earthquake. The Giralda itself remained standing according to the Catholics, with God’s help. That’s why it became part of the new cathedral.

Don’t forget the beautiful Plaza de España. In 1929, Seville hosted an Ibero-American exhibition. Pavilions were built for all former Spanish and Portuguese colonies. Many of these are still used today as embassies or museums. The Spanish section was represented by the spectacular square. Its 52 mosaics depict all the provinces of Spain.

Finally, there is plenty of modern architecture to see in Seville as well. Take Las Setas, for example. Officially called the Metropol Parasol, it is a huge wooden structure that you can walk across. But the locals quickly nicknamed it Las Setas, “the mushrooms.” And once you see it, you’ll understand why. It’s a fantastic spot for views over this beautiful city.

Valencia

Valencia is a popular city, and for good reason! It stands out because of its many impressive historical landmarks and its location by the sea. And don’t forget to check out the modern additions as well.

One thing you absolutely must not miss in Valencia is a walk or bike ride through Jardín del Turia. Many Spanish cities had large rivers, which often caused problems due to flooding. Each city found its own solution. In Seville, for example, the river was rerouted around the city, and the river that flows there now is more for appearance. In Valencia, they decided to dry up the riverbed. Today, Jardín del Turia is a huge, green park car-free and stretching for kilometers a truly wonderful place.

Valencia has so many incredible historical sites that it’s hard to choose just one. If I had to pick, I’d go for the Silk Exchange: Lonja de Mercaderes. This old trading building was constructed in 1492 after the 13th-century building no longer reflected the city’s growing wealth. This wealth, which coincided with Columbus’ “discovery” of the Americas, caused trade in Spain to boom. The Lonja is a spectacular place that showcases the prosperity of the era. Definitely make a visit here.

Valencia is also the birthplace of paella, so you absolutely cannot miss trying it while you’re here. This delicious rice dish takes some time to prepare, but it’s my favorite meal. The flavors are incredible, and it will fill you up for hours. Be sure to order a pan to share with your travel companions.

To explore modern Valencia, visit the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias). This part of the city was designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava. Construction began in 1989 and took nearly twenty years to complete. The project went significantly over budget, and some issues still remain, but the buildings are truly extraordinary. The science museum, Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe, is probably my favorite. There’s also a large aquarium and a garden filled with palm trees and other tropical plants.

In short, Valencia perfectly blends history, culture, cuisine, and modern architecture a city not to be missed.

Conclusion

I hope I’ve given you a few tips for some of the cities the Eendracht will be visiting this winter. And these are far from all the destinations! Europe has so much beauty to offer.

You can find these and more travel tips on my travel blog Groetjes uit Verweggistan, where I write about cultural and active travel. From active city trips full of history, museums, walking tours, and delicious food to relaxing hikes in nature you can find it all there.

And who knows, maybe we’ll meet on board!