School’s out and it’s time for us to hit the road again. After our big trip to the west side of Canada last year we were looking for somewhere closer to home. We decided upon 4 weeks island hopping around the Azores and Madeira. Apparently they are known as Europe’s Hawaii, which instantly sold it for me. And when Lucy read there are no mosquitos and there’s pastel de nata, she was sold too.

Surrounded by the Atlantic means they have a relatively cooler climate than mainland Europe in summer. They also tick all of our usual boxes… mountains, volcanoes, hot springs, forests, wild beaches and vineyards, so we can’t wait to get stuck in. But first a few days stop over in Lisbon….

It was easy to get around on the metro, buses and trains, so we spent our time exploring the city and nearby beaches of Cascais and Sintra. We rode trams, ate at roof top restaurants, wandered around tiled alleyways, went on a food tour, visited the science museum, and of course, ate pastel de nata.

However our unanimous highlight was catching up with one of James’s school friends, Pippa-Mae, and her mum, who were in Lisbon visiting family. We spent the day together exploring Sintra and hanging out on the nearby beach. The Atlantic was icy cold but that didn’t stop the kids playing in the crashing waves then warming themselves up digging an elaborate network of canals and dams in the sand. The day was topped off with craft beer (for the grown ups) and pizza at a nearby surf camp and playground. Followed by a train ride home with two absolutely exhausted 8 year olds. The things school holidays should be made of.

Next stop, Sao Miguel in the Azores…