Author: Igor

  • Highlights of Lisbon for Free

    Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is brimming with things for visitors to see and experience. Many of these things are free including parks, museums, and churches. It’s easy to close your wallet and hit the streets of Lisbon!

    Lace up your walking shoes if you want to save some cash and walk to see several attractions around the city. Taxis and public transportation costs can quickly add up and walking lets you experience more of this historic destination.

    Since you will be spending a lot of time walking, drop your bags at a Bounce luggage storage facility in Lisbon so you do not feel like a pack mule by the end of the day. 

    Image via Unsplash

    Parque dos Poetas (Poet’s Park)

    Come take a stroll through a lush, landscaped park and breathe in the fresh Portuguese air. Poet’s Park, as it is known to those who speak English, is filled with beautiful gardens, a refreshing lake, and a unique maze.

    There are several intriguing sculptures of fantastic historical poets including Miguel Torga, Luís de Camões, Fernando Pessoa, and Gil Vicente. Each sculpture has an information plaque about the poet.

    Visit Parque dos Poetas right before dark and then stay to see the park beautifully illuminated. Check out the schedule for the amphitheater for upcoming concerts. 

    Cemiterio dos Prazeres (Prazeres Cemetery)

    While visiting a cemetery may not sound like a great time when on vacation in Lisbon, the Cemiterio dos Prazeres is the biggest cemetery in the city. Located in the Campo de Ourique neighborhood, the Prazeres Cemetery was started in 1833.

    It originally opened because of a cholera outbreak that created a need for more cemeteries. It is the final resting place of many of Portugal’s more prominent people such as politicians, writers, and artists.

    There are tours available that cost money to join, but you can grab a free map of the cemetery at the front office and head out on your own to explore.

    Igreja de São Roque (Church of Sao Roque)

    Founded by the Jesuits at the end of the 16th century, this gilded church is truly a work of art and should not be missed. It is one of the first known Jesuit churches in the world. Some of the most incredible Jesuit art is in this church and the attached museum. 

    While it does cost to walk through the museum, you can enter the church and explore the areas open to the public. You can also take a stroll around the outside of the church and admire the white-washed façade.

    Bring your camera when you visit the Igreja de São Roque for great photos to share with those back home and on social media. 

    Feira da Ladra (Thieves Market)

    No matter what country you are in, who would not love to spend time exploring a flea market? Formerly known as the Mercado de Santa Clara, the Feira da Ladra literally translates to the Thieves Market and is the biggest flea market in the city. 

    While it does not cost anything to visit this eclectic flea market, if you decide to do some shopping for souvenirs you will have to part with some of your hard-earned cash. You can easily spend hours wandering through the different booths.

    Find a little bit of everything at the Thieves Market including terracotta wine jars, hand-painted tiles, coins, and other knick-knacks. You will be on sensory overload as you stroll along with the natives and other tourists.

    Dinis Wall

    The last known remnant of King Dinis and medieval times in Lisbon, the D. Dinis Wall was built during the 13th century. This 98-foot wall is a fabulous monument and is a great place to visit while in the city. 

    Located in the Interpretation Center of the Bank of Portugal Museum, it is free to view the mesmerizing wall, which is in the basement. While here, explore the rest of the museum for an afternoon of learning.

    Jardim da Estrela (Estrela Garden)

    One of the most beautiful public parks in Lisbon, the Jardim da Estrela is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The landscaping of the park is amazing and you can spend an afternoon strolling through the pathways and lazing in the shade. 

    Sit and watch the ducks and geese as they swim in the lake. Pack a snack or a full picnic and spend the afternoon people-watching in the fresh air. Some weekends, craft fairs are held in the park where you can find cute souvenirs.

    Stop by the wrought-iron bandstand from the 19th century that is still used today as a concert stage for wonderful concerts in the park. Drop by the open-air library for a book to read while taking a break in the shade. 

    Praia de Carvavelos (Carcavelos Beach)

    Located just outside of Lisbon, the golden sands of Praia de Carvavelos is a wonderful place to relax in the sunshine. The beach beckons you and is only about a 20-minute train ride from Lisbon.

    Bring your sunscreen, beach towel, and bathing suit then stretch out and enjoy the day. Watch the surfers trying to tackle the waves. There are several surfing competitions held at the Praia de Carvavelos each year. 

    It is free to enjoy the beach, but you will have to pay a fare for the train and of course, any refreshments you get throughout the day.

    Image via Unsplash

    Palácio Foz (Foz Palace)

    Come visit the Palácio Foz and catch free concerts and music recitals two or three times each month. While at the palace you can enjoy learning more about this 18th century iconic building. Many of these concerts and recitals are held in the illustrious Mirror Room.

    Be in awe of musical masters on the piano, harp, and even the bassoon. Listen to enchanting choral concerts or even a jazz concert. Like the Palácio Foz on Facebook for updates on these free performances. Children under six years old are not permitted in the performances. 

    Lisbon is a thriving metropolis filled with so many things to see and do. While many activities do cost money, there are several that you can do while here that are free. Be sure to check out a few of these top 8 free things to do in Lisbon next time you are in the city. 

    Resources:

    http://parquedospoetas.cm-oeiras.pt/

    https://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon/attractions/cemiterio-dos-prazeres/a/poi-sig/1557242/360366

    http://www.museu-saoroque.com/pt/igreja-de-sao-roque.aspx

    https://informacoeseservicos.lisboa.pt/contactos/diretorio-da-cidade/feira-da-ladra 

    https://www.museudodinheiro.pt/en/heritage/2/king-dinis-wall 

    https://visitar.lisboa.pt/explorar/locais-de-interesse/jardim-guerra-junqueiro

    https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/141607

    https://www.facebook.com/PalacioFozOficial/

     

     

  • Sustainable Travel Items: A Helpful Guide

    With a covid vaccine on the horizon, it’s looking like travel is back on the cards for 2021. However, with a year preoccupied by a global pandemic, many will have forgotten about one of the biggest challenges we face in our lifetime – climate change.

    With that being said, we’ve put together a handy guide focused on sustainable products you can take with you on your next trip.

    Image via Unsplash

    Vegan Leather Backpack

    When travelling in a different country, it’s always a good idea to take a day-to-day backpack for your water, food and to keep your valuables safe. A vegan leather backpack is not only ideal for this but it’s also a great eco-alternative.

    Made out of washable kraft paper and recycled polyester, it has all the hallmarks of leather without the pollution and animal cruelty.

    Bamboo Toothbrushes

    With trillions of pieces of plastic currently in our seas and oceans, it’s little wonder that people are flocking away from using plastic toothbrushes. Toothbrushes made from bamboo are in high demand due to the fact that they can be composted.

    That’s not to mention the fact that they will biodegrade in a considerably shorter amount of time than their plastic counterparts.

    If you’re packing a toothbrush for your next trip – make sure it’s bamboo.

    Shampoo Bars and Soap

    Over the years plastic has been used in almost every product we see in our bathrooms. Soaps and shampoo are no exception.

    But what you might not know is that the plastic packaging not only ends up in our oceans if it’s not recycled properly but it takes up to 20 times the amount of energy as cardboard packaging to produce.

    Packing some travel soap and shampoo bars for whilst you’re away is an ideal choice – especially as it means there’s no chance of a shampoo explosion in your bag!

    Reusable Coffee Cup

    For those of us fueled by coffee (guilty), part of the joy of travelling can be experiencing the different coffees found around the world.

    When we dig a little deeper however we find that coffee cups are a huge source of carbon emissions and ocean pollution.

    For example, in the UK it’s estimated that we throw away over 2 billion disposable cups EVERY YEAR. These cups all take energy and water to create just to be disposed of after a single use.

    The solution? By investing in a reusable coffee cup like this one from goBambu, you can limit the need for using disposable cups – especially if you’re travelling and drinking your coffee on the go.

    Bonus Tip to Travel More Sustainably

    Apart from packing your eco-essentials there is another way to help you travel sustainably.

    Flights: If you’re flying and are concerned about the carbon footprint from your journeys, consider donating to tree planting organisations. These tree planting organisations will plant trees on your behalf, offsetting your carbon emissions for a small fee.

  • How Bridge International Academies Use Data and Creativity to Bring Education to Underserved Communities

    Data plays a crucial role in every type of business and institution as it helps analyse information and integrate solutions to potential problems. Just like business owner Lydia Caldana, having accurate data helped her create innovative solutions for clients despite setbacks like budget constraints and the global pandemic. These innovative solutions are applicable in different fields, even in the education sector. As one good example, Bridge International Academies (BIA) has used data to create solutions to global educational problems.

    Image via Pexels


    1. The beginnings of Bridge International Academies (BIA)

    Shannon May found herself across the globe, working as an English teacher in a village in rural China as she pursued her PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. She witnessed first-hand the kind of challenges children go through in government schools that lacked the proper resources.

    Unfortunately, she later realised that these challenges in the educational system was the reality all over the world, not just in China. Data from UNESCO points out that more than 617 million children across the globe are not reaching minimum aptitude levels in reading and mathematics.

    To help be part of the solution, Dr. Shannon May co-founded Bridge International Academies in 2008 with the goal to provide high-quality education to children from poor families all over the world from

    2. How Bridge International Academies was funded

    Dr. May’s aspiring project to help improve education for children caught the eyes of two American icons – Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg. Soon after, other investors were interested in giving a lending hand, like the Omidyar Network. Currently, BIA has raised over $140 million (€123.69 million) and is still going.

    3. How BIA produces results

    By using creative out-of-the-box thinking, BIA brings educational solutions to underserved communities in Uganda, Kenya, Liberia, Andhra Pradesh in India, and Nigeria. The teacher guides used by Bridge International Academies are structured to improve learning outcomes using technology. One core principle to BIA’s education model is in the teacher guides. BIA prepares master lessons for all their teachers, so their teachers all over the world teach a standard lesson plan.

    BIA also allows students to learn through feedback. Students are allowed to make mistakes for which they receive feedback to guide them as they attempt to do the task again. All teachers are trained to use these principles at all levels of education

    4. The results Bridge International Academies can produce through their institution

    With the standardisation of lesson plans through the help of technology, the teachers can focus on teaching their student more effectively. The techniques and principles BIA used have also resulted in having a more dynamic classroom. A strong teaching philosophy that is adhered to during every class is based on a three-step process ‘I do, you do, we do’ – which is highly conducive to encouraging full teacher-student engagement.

    One prime example is found in Liberia, where BIA offers a three-year program called LEAP – Liberia Education Advancement Program. Evaluations and assessments of the program found that students in the LEAP program show an increase in learning of 100% compared to students in schools not taught by Bridge programs.

    5. Data and entrepreneurship

    BIA publishes standard lesson plans digitally to each classroom and uses real-time data to get daily learning assessments from students, so that the planning team can study how the students enjoy learning and improve their lesson plans as needed. With the proper use of data, the students’ learning potential is optimised and not a day is wasted.

    At the moment, BIA educates approximately 300,000 kids every day in six different countries around the world. Their exemplary use of data gives today’s underserved children a better chance of becoming our leaders in the future.

  • How To Make The Most Of The Great Outdoors

    It is coming up to that time of year where we look at what we hope to achieve and do next year and how to go about doing them. Some people call them resolutions; others call them goals and dreams. Whatever you call them, it is important to get the very best out of them.

     

    If one of your resolutions for 2021 is to get outside more and experience the great outdoors and everything it has to offer, here are our tips to help you to get the most out if it.

    Image via Unsplash CC0

    Gear up

    Before you attempt anything, whether you fancy trying out wild water swimming, mountain climbing, fishing or anything else, make sure that you have all the right gear. It is a huge part of not just having fun and being successful out there, but keeping you safe and healthy as well. If you try climbing up a mountain in a pair of standard trainers, you are going to end up with at best sore ankles and feet, at worst falling, getting stuck or breaking something. There are some things that are essentials, some that are common sense and some that are just plain great ideas. A Wet & Dry Changing Robe, for example, makes sitting around more comfortable and helps you to get changed discreetly and conveniently. 

    Make sure someone knows where you are going

    We have all watched the films, right? 127 hours is a great example of what not to do – do not go anywhere without making sure at least one other person, preferably more, know where you are going and what time you are expected to be back. This is particularly important if you are heading to somewhere remote or going out alone. Never change your route without letting someone know either. It is how way too many horror stories start. 

    Document your experience – but do not forget to live in the moment

    This can be a hard balance to achieve sometimes. What is the point in doing something amazing if you are not present at that moment and taking it all in? However, at the same time, what is the point in doing something amazing if you do not have something to look back on in the future? Take photos, make videos, record things, write them down – but do not do so much that you spend your whole time behind a camera and not enjoying them as they are at that moment.

    Know what to do in an emergency

    Even in the best-planned and seemingly risk-free adventure, things can and go wrong, so knowing what to do in an emergency is essential. What will you do if your car breaks down or you get completely lost with no signal? What happens if someone becomes ill or gets injured? Foreseeing some possible emergency scenarios and having an idea of what you will do if they ever happen is important.

    The outdoors is something pretty amazing, and if you have decided to make the most out of it in 2021, well done. Take something from it, learn new things about yourself but make sure you are prepared for every eventuality.

     

  • Five Reasons Why You Need an Immigration Lawyer as a Canada Citizen

    Not all immigrants need to hire an immigration lawyer. However, they can get a lot of help by working with one. When you employ one of the Canadian immigration lawyers, you can make the difference between getting your application rejected and getting it approved.

    The decision to move to Canada and start a new life is not made lightly. You need to have a strong sense of self, be brave, and be willing to adapt to a new country with all of its challenges and opportunities. The process of immigration naturally requires a lot of paperwork, bureaucratic hurdles, and policy-related issues to be taken into account. Even short-term immigration, like a study or work permit, has the same problems. Getting into Canada doesn’t have to be hard if you have an immigration lawyer on your side. Some immigrants hope for the best and try to do it independently. However, it’s better to be on the safer side. We will give you five reasons you need one.  

    Knowledge and skills

    Even if you think you know a lot about immigration law, we believe it’s best if you hire someone who can help you through the process. There are often very complicated legal steps involved when you move to Canada. Because if you don’t, you could have your application rejected, which could cause even more problems down the road. This is why applicants can choose to work with a dedicated immigration lawyer Calgary or a similarly qualified legal professional elsewhere. Their entire practice is built around navigating these complexities, interpreting evolving policies, and ensuring applications are submitted correctly the first time.

    Immigration to Canada is hard to understand

    Even the most simple applications for permanent residency, work permits, and family sponsorships can be very difficult for someone who has to figure out how to use government websites. People trying to figure out how to apply for the first time may also have problems because processes and forms can change with little or no notice. It can be stressful to figure out which application to use, how to pay fees, and where to send the application. It’s easy for an experienced immigration lawyer to have this information at their fingertips. An immigration lawyer can do all the work for you if you hire one.

    They will do it right the first time around!

    If you hire a good immigration lawyer, your application will go as smoothly and quickly as possible. Suppose you want a spouse visa lawyer for your spouse. An immigration lawyer who has done this many times before will promptly process the application. In most cases, if you decide to do it on your own, you will be asked many questions you don’t know how to answer, and your application might be returned if it isn’t filled out correctly. In the worst case, your application might be rejected.

    Affordable fees

    If you hire a reputable immigration lawyer, they will charge you a reasonable fee without making any promises that are not true. They will genuinely care about giving you the best possible legal service at a fair price because if they didn’t, they wouldn’t have that excellent reputation for very long!

    For you to avoid scams and fraudulent businesses, read on for some great advice, like this: When hiring an immigration law firm, you need to work with someone who has the right skills and knowledge to do their job. That way, you won’t spend unnecessary money on your immigration.   

    Other pecks

    People who move to Canada may have to deal with many different types of law, not just immigration law. These include business, family, and international law, to name a few. There are many things that a lawyer who knows about Canadian business laws and regulations can do for people who want to move to Canada with their families. There are many different things that an immigration lawyer could help you with if you’re looking to buy an already existing business or start a new one. Apart from the fact that you get advice on immigration, immigration lawyers can think of both known and unknown problems and opportunities for their clients, who are often still learning a new language, culture, and country. As a result, lawyers can be a huge help before, during, and after one move to Canada. 

    Final Thoughts

    It’s not easy to enter Canada. It requires many processes and paperwork. Whatever your aim, an immigration lawyer can help. Even if you can do it yourself, you face the danger of having your application refused and your ambition of becoming an immigrant crushed.