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Often described by its natural light and sun, Lisbon has more to offer than the world knows. Portugal is the jewel of the Atlantic Ocean, and all the country benefits from it. In previous times it was an open door to the world and the discoveries, that had the starting point in the capital. Lisbon is the place to go if you are looking for tasty and various food, between grilled meat, sew or fresh fish, straight from the fish markets and shops.

From the finest restaurants, until the quickest snack houses or ‘tascas’, as Portuguese people call it, you better be sure you will lick your lips. Delicious food comes with quality wine. There are vineyards a bit all over the country and Portugal is proud of its wine, either white or red. Otherwise, if you prefer to drink a cocktail or something fresher, you can always try a ‘caipirinha’, a drink that takes cachaça as alcohol, mixed with lime juice and ice.

Brazil is the origin country of this drink, but the close bond of Portugal with Brazil brought the drink beyond the ocean. Whatever you feel like doing, you can do it in Lisbon. If you are already more curious about this place and drooling just by thinking of the food, check out the following suggestions to make sure you don’t miss a thing during your holidays.

Chiado – Bairro Alto

The secrets of past and present Lisbon are a bit all over the city, but if there are places you should visit and see by yourself the trace of time, is Chiado and Bairro Alto. Chiado is Lisbon’s commercial and cultural heart, a place where you can find both contemporary and old-style shopping. Since the early nineteenth century, artists of Portugal walked on this street and enjoyed the cafés of the district. Example of that is the café place, ‘A Brasileira’, where Fernando Pessoa (the statue you can take pictures with outside) and Almada Negreiros, both writers, spent their time. São Roque church is one of the monuments you can visit in this area and the sightseeing point of São Pedro de Alcântara is also mandatory, as it offers a beautiful view perspective. As you go down the Chiado, you can visit libraries and discover a bit more about Portuguese literature. Largo do Carmo is a square that still holds the traces of a past convent of the fourteenth century. Definitely a stopping point to history lovers. From this place, a walk away links to the top of the Elevator of Santa Justa, the 45-meter lift that links Chiado to the Baixa, downtown.

Bairro Alto is the trendiest district of Lisbon, also known as the bohemian one, is home to artists, designers, antique shops, bars, and esplanades. Peaceful by day, it is turned into the spotlight of the city during the night. There you have traditional fado houses and fuzzy bars. All for different kinds of tastes.

Alfama and Castelo

Alfama didn’t stop in time but the way it looks tells something else. As the city’s oldest quarter, Alfama holds the daily life of many Lisboetas (citizens of Lisbon) with its rustic charm that is unchanged for centuries. This place of Lisbon houses long staircases, tiny squares, and labyrinth alleyways down the highest hill of Lisbon, under the magnificent Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George’s Castle). Alfama’s medieval origins are still quite evident with the cramped little houses and winding alleys.

This place can lead to no other direction but the castle. Castelo de São Jorge sits on the site of a past fortress that was used by the Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. In 1147 this place was conquered by the Portuguese first king, remaining a royal residence until the 16th century. The biggest earthquake of Portugal history happened in 1755 and destroyed most part of the city, including the castle. Nowadays, the castle is a place for beautiful promenades and gardens. The city view is, of course, the best part of this majestic site.

Arch of Rua Augusta and Terreiro do Paço square

The Arch of the Rua Augusta is one of the most famous sightseeings of Lisbon. Walking down the tree-lined Avenue of Liberty, past the historic Rossio square, that leads to Terreiro do Paço, the old market, and trade square, you can climb the iconic arch and appreciate the view. Facing north you can see from downtown to the Castle and in between. If you face south, you will see the Tejo river and Terreiro do Paço square. If you want a good point to watch a sunset, this one will make your wonders.

Belém

Belém is the mesmerizing place to tribute Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. Its waterfront monuments evoke ostentatious and legendary nautical adventures lived by the Portuguese people. The open spaces of Belém are well known by the Portuguese citizens, as well as the most famous ‘pastel de nata’ shop. Antiga Confeitaria is the name of the place that sells the unique custard tarts, that can make you wait in long queues. A very worth waiting line. In Belém you can visit the Jerónimos Monastery, the Monument of Discoveries, the wind rose mosaic, the Belém Tower and art museums.

Not so far from Lisbon, you have other green parks and astonishing beaches to enjoy the sun and the sea air. If you are a nature person, you can choose between forests and sea site. If you are a person who loves history, there are plenty of monuments to visit. If you love food and wine, Lisbon will conquer your taste. If you just love to be lost and discover a city by yourself, Lisbon promises you to always find a way back to where you wish to go next.

Portugal is a country full of secret and majestic places. If you like sports, Lisbon is a city known for football – the European one, not America’s NFL! Benfica and Sporting Lisbon are the top clubs of the capital and this is probably a topic you want to avoid, since it can trigger quite some ignited debates. Nonetheless, football apart, people are welcoming and friendly, and they try their best to communicate with the tourists. The best tips ever for you to receive will always come from the locals.

Author: Ines Marinho

Curated by London-based Laurence Von Thomas, online photography gallery If You Leave started as a personal blog in 2009. With more than 500 contemporary photographers featured and 4 books published over these years, If You Leave has become a cult online project with a following of 430,000 on Tumblr.

If you Leave are now putting together an international photography showcase in the form of a competition/exhibition featuring the work of up and coming photographers from all around the world.

The exhibition will coincide with the release of the first of If you Leave bi-annual magazine. The first issue will double as a show catalogue and will include 10 prints from the artists showing their work at the exhibition.

To make this possible, If You Leave have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise some money to fund the the exhibition and magazine. If you want to help or submit your work, you can find more information on the video below.

www.if-you-leave.tumblr.com

Learning a language can be a fantastic addition to any business owner’s toolkit. Expanding your ability to communicate with others is always going to stand you in good stead for the future. If you’re wondering what language you or your staff should learn next, why not consider German?

The number of German speakers is relatively small in comparison to the numbers of English, Chinese or Arabic speakers. So, why is it so important for businesses to learn?

Image via Unsplash

Germany is Europe’s strongest economy

Germany is Europe’s economic leader. By GDP, it outranks the UK – its nearest competitor – by about $1.2 trillion.

Because of this, there are a wealth of business opportunities to be had in the German market. That kind of economic strength lends itself to widespread spending. And savvy UK business owners – with the resources or knowhow to do so – should be looking to exploit the available commercial opportunities.

Having staff members that can confidently converse in German will allow you to take advantage of the sizeable German market. Expanding overseas isn’t the kind of thing you can just dive into. Having a member of staff who knows the language – and the culture – exhaustively will give you the best possible chance of succeeding in Berlin or anywhere else in Germany.

The UK’s relationship with Germany

Outside of the US, Germany imports the highest value of products from the UK at almost £24 billion. In the first half of 2020, the UK also imported more goods from Germany than any other country.

Germany is the UK’s leading trade partner in Europe – making it fertile soil for aspiring entrepreneurs hoping to expand their business operations overseas.

There is obviously a market for products manufactured in the UK in Germany and command of the German language puts those business owners in position to take advantage of it.

So, whether you’re hoping to export products to Germany or set up a manufacturing base there, Germany represents a robust market for UK business owners.

Tourists from Germany are a global leader in spending

Being able to cater to German clients can prove more profitable than any other community. Outside of the US and China, Germany spends the most money on travel. In 2018, German tourists spent $94 billion in other countries.

Having the language skills to converse fluently in German will allow you to capitalise on German tourists’ unique spending power.

Additionally, a grasp of the German language will allow you to market your product or service capably. You’ll know what audience to target, what tone to take and how to build relationships with key personnel.

Positive cognitive effects of speaking another language

Speaking a different language also has a host of positive cognitive effects. Multilingual people have stronger memories, a better ability to concentrate and superior multitasking skills relative to monolingual people. These are all traits you want people in your business to possess.

Language skills also bolster long-term health. There’s evidence that knowing another language can delay the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s.

 

For people who work in the construction industry, footwear almost automatically means steel toe boots. Steel toe wearables come with reinforced toes that enable heavy duty protection of the feet from various hazards such as heavy objects or a sudden impact in the workplace. Comfortable steel toe boots can ensure the well-being of workers by putting safety first. 

Here are some benefits of using steel toe comfort boots.

1. Compliance With Requirements. Working in the construction industry calls for compliance with certain health and safety standards to avoid potential hazards. Steel toe boots are one of the requirements for people who work on-site. Thus, you have an obligation to follow this standard. On the other hand, it’s also meant for your own safety, so there’s really nothing to worry about here. 
2. Protection From Falling Debris. In any construction work, there’s always the risk of falling debris whether it’s an equipment or a brick, so it always pays to protect yourself from such things. Steel toe boots will protect your toes from pain and damage even if heavy objects fall on them. 
3. Prevent Accidents Like Falling Or Slipping. Falling or slipping can also cause damage to your foot. Some steel toe boots are made to be slip-resistant to help prevent these kinds of unfortunate events. So when on the job site, you should only worry about doing your job well and not have to think about accidents. 
4. Protection From Other Injuries. Steel toe boots don’t just provide protection against falling objects, but they can also help prevent punctures, burns, and cuts to your feet. High quality steel toe boots are effective in preventing these kinds of injuries from occurring. 
5. Provide Comfort During Work. While many people think that steel toe boots are rigid and uncomfortable, that need not always be the case. Once you have broken them in, high-quality steel toe boots provide comfort to the wearer despite long work hours while also providing protection. Although work boots are made to last a long time, it doesn’t mean that they’re not comfortable. In fact, safety boots paired with your favorite socks can help prevent discomfort that is brought about by standing long hours on hard surfaces like floors or the ground. It may sound unbelievable, but steel toe boots give extra comfort and support for your toes and heels, which everyone needs at work. However, to be absolutely sure you’re getting maximum comfort, it’s worth adding insoles for neuropathy to the mix.
6. Look Stylish In Boots. Aside from giving comfort and protection, wearing heavy duty boots can add to your appearance as there are many colors and styles to choose from. You don’t have to wear the classic heavy black boots as there are many styles that can suit your taste. 
7. Match Your Hard Hat. Your hard hat provides protection for your head against injuries. In the same way, your steel toe boots do the same. Thus, complete the sturdy look with a pair of quality steel toe boots.
8. Provide Quality And Durability. Steel toe boots are designed with durability in mind. You can always rely on your good quality boots the same way you can rely on your trusty toolbox. Whenever you want to get work done, don’t forget to use your boots. They’re made for daily use and will not wear out quickly. 
9. Avoid Insect And Snake Bites. If you happen to have a project near a forest, or any place that’s been abandoned for a long time, poisonous insects and snakes could be there waiting to bite. But if you’re wearing your steel toe boots, you’re in luck since snake fangs can’t cut through them. You may never know where your next job site might be, so wearing protective gear at all times is essential. 
10. Choose From Various Sizes. Not only do steel toe boots come in various styles, you can also choose from different sizes. You can go for boots with wider calf, not only for additional comfort, but also for added protection. Whatever foot size you have, it’s best to ensure that you select a pair that’s most comfortable for you.  
11. Prevent Electric Shocks. If you happen to work with electricity in the workplace, there is always the risk of electric shocks. One way to prevent this is to wear steel toe boots as they can help protect you from unexpected shocks. 

Final Thoughts

Workers in the construction industry know how important safety is in their chosen job. One way to provide protection to workers is using safety footwear such as steel toe boots, which can help prevent damage and injuries from falling debris, electrocution, snake bites, cuts, and burns. High-quality steel toe boots can provide protection while also giving comfort during long working hours. Ensure a good fit with your boots and you’ll love working in them.