Lisbon is grand. A wonderful city to explore with so much to see and do... But while we were staying there we made, not one, but two day trips to the coastal town of Cascais!

What started as just a beach day became a love affair. We simply were head over heels about this adorably quaint beach town where we not only caught some sun and waves, but had some of our best meals in Portugal!



HOW TO GET THERE



When it comes to public transport, Europe never let's you down. Cascais is an easy 35-45 minute train ride from Lisbon. The train departs from the station at Cais de Sodre,  which is at the end of the green metro line, s you simply have to exit the metro and make your way to the train station. The tickets are not pricey (as you will find with many things in Portugal! Budget travelling for the win!)



The train ride itself if lovely because it runs along the coast, so you get to see some lovely scenery on your journey. You can stop at just about any stop between Lisbon and Cascais and find some kind of beach. If you're in Portugal long enough, you might even want to go off the beaten path and randomly explore one of these less popular beaches for a quiet day on the shore.

Once you arrive to the final stop, the beach is a mere 5 minute walk from the train station. Along the way you can find a few souvenir shops (this is where I found my FAVOURITE pair of sunglasses ever! See my Instagram to see my obsession...) that also provide beach supplies you may not have had room to pack or forgot to bring. Umbrellas, towels, or beach balls and more.

THE BEACH



The sand is crazy hot while the Atlantic ocean waters is quite cold! It takes some getting used to but it's fun to push yourself physically through these extremes. Even though it was still very much summer tourist season, the beach was not ridiculously crowded. Busy, yes, but you could easily find a nice patch of sand to lay out your blankets and soak up the sun. The water front is more populated, but if you brave the cold ocean waters and venture out just a little further, you have much swimming space to yourself.

There is a bathroom, though it is discouraged to use it as a change room so try to come with your bathing suit underneath. Don't forget to bring 50 cents, because that's how much it costs to use public bathrooms.

In terms of safety, the beach felt perfectly safe. Everyone there is a tourist, and there are no vendors trying to sell you cheap sunglasses, bracelets, etc. It was nice not to feel a panic or constant worry when we would leave our things behind (inside a bag and under a towel no less! Out of sight is still a good precaution!) and really enjoy the beach.

THE TOWN



If you read our photo essay, you will know that Lisbon is incredibly charming in it's own unique way. Cascais is even MORE charming, the same way how a golden lab puppy will be even more adorable than a full grown one. Small winding cobbled streets lined with shops and cafes are the kind of sights that make one fall in love with Europe, and Cascais is no exception.

From souvenir shops to high end shoe stores, from artisan shops to creative window displays, there's a  lot for your eyes to take in. Portugal is known also for their ceramic art, and they like to remind you through the striking patterns of the roads, and Cascais has it's own unique wavy pattern that maybe alludes to the waves of the Atlantic...Now, let's move on to my favourite part, the food we found down these very streets!

RESTAURANTS



Amorgueria : Before this, we thought one of the best burgers we ever had was in Lucille's in Cairo. Now, this place definitely holds the title, at least for me! Even though I felt I had to add salt to the burger, once I did, it exploded with flavor! I went back to Lucille's not long ago, and the de-throning was official, because I thought of that burger in Cascais. I still think about it...The sangria was very delicious, the location is lovely for people watching into the cobbled street below, and the waitresses were very kind, but then again nearly everyone we met in Portugal was very friendly! While we didn't like the chips that complemented the burgers (we just found them very hard as opposed to crispy) chips is a popular side dish in Portugal. I still highly, highly recommend this place! My mouth is salivating just writing about this...

(Indian & Thai) Totally regret not catching the name of this restaurant... A representative was standing on the main road and called to us and asked if we were looking for Indian food. We didn't know what we were looking for, but Indian food is one of our favourites! It was an instant yes. When we looked at the menu we realized it was a Thai restaurant as well, and I finally dived into the world of Thai cuisine and ate coconut green curry with pork and noodles. Thai food, WHERE have you been ALL my LIFE!? Everything was absolutely delicious and bursting with flavour and spices. The first sangria we had was very light, so they brought a much darker one the second time and it was a great improvement.

There are dozens of restaurants of all flavours in town, even if you don't eat at the ones we went to, chances are you will discover a foodie gem!



So when you're ever in Lisbon, hopefully you are there long enough to take one of the best day trips to this charming, historical town of Cascais. We had a wonderful time there, hence why we went twice in a row!



Have you been to Cascais? Are you planning a trip to Lisbon or Portugal? Did you find some incredible restaurants there? Let me know and you are always free to ask me questions below!

Like you, I have read many articles with the over-confident titles: "10 Ways You can Travel for FREE!", because who doesn't want to travel around at no cost? But each time I read them I think, sure, I could get a job working in the Arctic saving polar bears, or do manual labor on an organic farm, and buy ALL the air miles-collecting credit cards...but do I actually want to?

The short answer: no. I have a different lifestyle in mind. Now, I don't mind travelling cheaply! That I'm all over. To me, it's a lot more doable, and there are plenty of options.

Now, I will preface by saying that my suggestions might not fit your lifestyle choices or fit to your specific situation. If you're like me, you want to  travel often enough, and you don't mind being budget-conscious.



Whether it’s joining your high school choir on its annual music trip, or taking a job overseas teaching English, I have found ways to travel within my own country and abroad. This post is mostly for Canadians, since that was my jumping point to everywhere else, but there are points in here for everyone else too! Now, I will walk you through the three main phases of my travel life starting with when I was a teen in high school, to when I was a University student, to now in my adult life.

Hopefully, there is something in here that will give you an idea, some inspiration, motivation or a push in the right direction to get you closer to your travel desires!

When I was a Teen

Explore Program:

The first solo trip I did out of my own was when I was 15 years old. I discovered something called the Explore program, which is a Canadian-wide program that offers intensive, immersion language schooling over the summer. If you want to learn French, they place you in a French community. If you want to learn English, same deal.
Now, in this case my parents paid for everything (thank you again!), but there are ways to apply for financial help, and between the time you apply, get accepted and actually go, you can save up money with a part-time job and by collecting money through Christmas and birthdays (it’s going to an educational cause!) and not only do you get to explore another part of Canada, you learn another language and part of the rich, diverse Canadian culture! Wins all around! (Interested? Click here!)

School Trips:

When I was 17, I really, really wanted to go on the Chicago trip with my high school choir and band. To help raise money, I had to sell cheese. Weird, I know. It was kind of hard, too! I walked around in the winter time during the Christmas season doing the old-fashioned door-to-door sales. I had some really nice neighbors who clearly did it just to support me. It was a great experience and I fell in love with the city very quickly! Still meaning have to go back one day…Many public schools offer students a chance to go on a trip, some will be more expensive than others, but don't let that discourage from taking at least one trip! There are always fundraising events you can do, and if you're creative enough, you can raise a lot of the funds!

Family Road Trips:

Because of our central location in the prairies, my family did road trips to Minneapolis, South Dakota, and we even drove all the way down to Florida to visit family a couple times. Never underestimate the joys and fun times of family road trips! Best part? It’s part of the family budget. Yay!

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS TO TRAVEL:

• Volunteer: Maybe you’re young, or you really don’t want to commit to a job long-term abroad. Volunteering will bring great experience, look great on a resume, and you can choose how long you want to go. You will likely have to finance your way there and back, but usually the organisation takes care of the rest once you arrive.

When I was a University Student

Teacher Assistant in France:

I was getting restless during my first year of University, when I came across an ad outside the French department to teach English in France. Paid accommodation, a salary of 800 euros a month, a chance to travel Europe: I was in! The catch: You had to be 21 years old and have at least 2 years complete of University, as well as proof of enough French proficiency. (These are the requirements for Canadian citizens, and it varies from country to country).

I put my plan into action and throughout the next year, did everything I could to make sure I would get accepted. I found a job with the Festival du Voyageur (best job ever!), I got my French professor to vouch for my proficiency, and then I got my first long-term job in the summer working custodial services at an outdoor theater. Probably the worst job I ever had, but I was able to save 3,000 dollars working part-time.

This is a program run by the French government, and it’s goal is to place native language speakers in schools to interact and teach French students in that language, in my case, I taught English. It was, by far, one of the best decisions I ever made in my life. Not only did I catch the travel bug, I made life-long friends, some who were my bridesmaids later on, and I grew incredibly as a person.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO TRAVEL

Au Pair: If you like kids, are single, and want to travel, this combines all three. Getting hired as an au pair means you are basically a nanny, you help with taking care of young children, it may include helping them with school work, but basically you are a glorified babysitter and chances are you get to stay in the home of the family who hires you or they take care of your rent elsewhere. I've heard a couple bad experiences, but overwhelming amount of GREAT experiences. Many families will take their au pair on family holidays, bring over to social gatherings, so you get a very authentic local experience with some savings and time off to go venture on your own once in a while!

Volunteer: There is no age limit to being a volunteer, and it's incredibly rewarding with many, many opportunities world-wide! One example is Canada World Youth, which has been running for over 40 years in over 60 countries around the world. (Click here for more info)

Farm Work: Organizations such as WOOF and the like. I have a good friend in Australia currently working on a farm so she can get a second year extension on her visa, because she loves it so much there!

Missions: Whether you do YWAM, or through another organization, if you are a person of faith, missions is a great way to grow in so many ways at so many levels. This is not going to be your typical chic Euro trip, but it is always life-changing and eye-opening.

University Exchange: Check to see if your University has a program that involves an exchange, or a partnership with another University abroad. For myself, I could have taken an Education practicum abroad, but I had to plan my wedding...

Internships: You can find these through your University too, particularly if you're doing Business, Engineering, or maybe something in the realm of Political studies. But there are many, many, many other areas to intern in! Try to find one with some perks, like paid lodging. But don't expect too much! Afterall, you are doing it more for the experience than the money.

As an Adult

One of the easiest and most sustainable ways to travel as an adult is to find a job abroad. One of the most accessible jobs is teaching.

Teaching Abroad

After my experience in France, I was determined to come back to Canada, finish my BA, and go back out into the world of teaching English abroad. I had my eyes on Russia. But, love happened. So I stayed until I got my Teaching degree, then we got married, and moved to Egypt!
Three years after returning from Europe my desire to travel abroad probably only grew stronger as time went on, so I was so happy when Wayne, my now husband, agreed to change his home-boy ways to travel with me. Since we’ve been hitched (and wrote this post), we’ve been to 9 countries (8 of which are new to me!) and he’s got the travel bug too!

Other Top Travel Jobs for Adults

• Flight attendant - the travel might be short, but you'll get little snippets of one or two days nearly right away!


• Cruise crew worker - that can be cleaning crew, maintenance, health and fitness, kitchen staff, the options are endless!


• Tourism and Hospice work - this can mean being a tour guide or working in a hotel or hostel


• International Business - may take some years of schooling and finding the right company, but chances are trips will be fully covered!


• Translator/Transcriptor - put those language degrees to good use!


• Online work - maybe an online business, an editor or journalist, a YouTuber or consultant. Making money on the internet has become a growing reality.

There are plenty other job positions that can help you with your travel goals, these are simply the most common and popular careers. Do some research, join some travel groups, see what other occupations make travel possible! In fact, here are 50 JOBS that involve travel!

Extra Tips for Finding Opportunities to Take You Abroad:

• Learn another language: If you’re in high school and you’re not taking a foreign language class, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Opportunities will not only open up but not seem so scary if you can speak the language of said foreign place.


• SAVE Money: this one is obvious, and many people seem to think they will never save enough. I have talked with several friends, some who genuinely really want to back-back Europe, but never took the leap because someone else didn’t come through, or they decided to buy a car instead, or they’re going to 5 concerts a year and buying gym memberships. I can’t help but shake my head, because so many of these people could have seen 5 countries with the money they have spent on things like car parts and festivals. Money won’t magically add up by talking about, any more than you can lose weight by talking about working out. It has a to be a priority and it will require sacrifices. You think I wanted a custodial night job? No. But I had a goal and I worked for it, and it changed my whole life.


• Live with Your Parents: This is still on the ‘save money’ trend, but if you’re young, still going through school or a recent high school graduate, don’t rush into finding a place of your own. Unless your parents hate you or you weren’t the nicest kid, chances are they would be very willing to let you stay home if you pull up your pants and assume some more responsibility to live rent-free. Offer to do their lawn services, clean their windows, help with dinner once in a while, take care of the dishes, or vacuum once a week. Your parents will appreciate the help and you may possibly help them save some money in the process. It’s a win for everyone!


• Live life MINIMALLY: It is SO easy in our North American culture to get obsessed with accumulating so much stuff and having the biggest and newest. Go without the latest iPhone. You can survive. Trust me.


• PLAN FOR IT! It won't just happen. It took me a year and a half of planning before I went to France. It has to be something you work toward if you want it enough.

Well, if you've made it this far, you are probably fairly serious about satisfying your travel bug!

I'm not going to pretend like travelling is easy to afford, I know how hard it can be for many people. But there are ways to make it cheaper and a possibility! It comes down to your choices and your priorities. I hope you are encouraged to start planning, making goals, keeping an eye out and ear open for opportunities, and taking advantage of anything that comes your way!



Are you an avid traveller? How do you save up or make money while on the road? What tips or advice would you give to those who have the passport, have the luggage, but still need those last few steps to make their travel dream a reality? Did any of these tips seem helpful to achieving your travel goal? Let me know in the comments below! I am totally up to answer any questions to help out!