Volendam 2026, Lisbon, Portugal...

I was up a couple of hours before sunrise and outside to capture our sail into Lisbon passing the Belém Tower and Monument to Discoveries. We took an Uber from the Cruise Terminal to meet our guide Igor at the Graca Bandstand located in the historic Graça neighborhood of Lisbon. Our mission today was to explore the vibrant world of Lisbon's street art with a 3-hour walking tour that dove deep into the city's unique artistic culture. Lisbon boasts a dynamic street art scene, where every mural and graffiti tell a story about the neighborhood inhabitants. This tour provided us with an insightful journey through various districts of Graca, Bairro and Mouraira, revealing how each area's culture and lifestyle influence the art and its perception by the community. At street level, artists have transformed entire neighborhoods with giant murals and colorful graffiti. It's a canvas in constant transition…just when you think you’ve seen it all, a new mural pops up on a downtown wall. More than a sightseeing tour, this is an immersive cultural experience…Igor told us the stories, techniques, and social messages behind Lisbon's most iconic murals while sharing fascinating insights into the city's artistic transformation. Our last stop was the beautiful 12th Century Church and Convent of Our Lady of Grace the highest point in Lisbon. I climbed the bell tower to a viewing platform and rooftop terrace for great views of Lisbon. We took an Uber back to the ship…It was a pleasure to tour with our enthusiastic guide, local artist, Igor AKA Mr. Red. By the way my last photo on the blog is of Igor…