My husband just loves a holiday - long, short, near or far, he just loves his holidays. So when he informed me in November that we were sloping off (yet again!) to Lisbon for a week right at the beginning of one of the busiest months of the year (December), I simply nodded my head and started planning my wardrobe (gifts, decorations etc can wait thought I!). And so we arrived in Lisbon and took a taxi from the airport to the BessaHotel - don't you do as we did, take the underground which is located at the airport and costs 1 euro forty, dropping you right across from the said hotel! We only discovered this halfway through the break! Hotel was modern, clean and needed ladders for 'petite' people to reach the wardrobes and storage space, so bring one of choice with you! Apart from that, no complaints about the room. Staff were friendly and efficient. The only downside for me was the tiny pool - in need of a wee clean, great clumps of hair floating around with you - yuk! Location was absolutely spot on. We've covered transport, but it was also within walking distance of shops, trams, port and anything else you could think of. Being in the heart of the theatre district was a huge surprise and we were delighted to see that Biffy Clyro was performing at the end of January (we had just caught their show at the Hydro). Yes, Lisbon was turning out to be a very 'happening' place. But, what really impressed me was the air of olde world it has retained - in its trams, its fabric and crafts shops and even the restaurants. There is something quaint about this city and yet you will feel a surge of 21st century sleekness creeping into the 'decor', well demonstrated at the Time Out market with its marvellous array of eateries arranged around a central dining area. Never had a bad meal there, food wonderful (try Churrascos for peri peri chicken and the seafood all over is mind boggling, don't come home without a tin of sardines), loved the red wine (like drinking fruity velvet) and oh my goodness the Ginga! This is a delightful little shot of sour cherry liqueur served in a dark chocolate cup if desired and these shops are all over the city! Fortification I dubbed it and boy did I need fortification on a regular basis throughout the day!! Not too expensive, but not too cheap either as that can often give the wrong impression of a big city. Yes, all round we came back feeling that we had got our money's worth but not quite enough of everything, for a return visit is definitely on the cards. So much to see so little time!