Lubertadventure: Lisbon

I hate to admit it, and were my Sainted Mother alive, she would be appalled to hear me say that, I'm sorry, but museums just are not my cup of tea. Museums of Science and Technology, yes, but Museums of Art, Museums of Ancient History – not so much. I have been to the Louvre with its “Venus de Milo” and “Mona Lisa”, the Acropolis Museum in Athens and its archaeological excavations, the Prado in Madrid with its Goyas and Rubens, the Uffizi with its “Birth of Venus” and the Vatican Museums. I really try to appreciate what I am seeing and it is pretty incredible to try to transport yourself back into ancient history, or imagine the vision, creative genius and sheer talent that went into the Sistine Chapel. I find, however, that after too short a time, I grow tired of seeing painting after painting of the Crucification, or the three thousand year old results of an excavation, “Oh look, another shard of what might have been an urn!”

My favourite museum went a long way to dispel that ennui, and that museum we found in one of the oldest cities in the world – Lisbon.
The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon houses treasures from the East and the West collected by one man and is now one of the world's finest private art collections. It includes works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Monet and René Lalique. More importantly to me, it had a large variety of collections: ancient coins, weapons, tapestries, carvings, furniture, sculptures, paintings, and yes urns. The paintings ranged from old masters to modern art, with a wide variety of subjects and approaches. We spent a whole day there, a with all that Lisbon has to offer, that was the lion's share of time. Don't miss it if you are in Lisbon.

Other sights to see: (These are copied from the web)
JERONIMOS MONASTERY The resting place of explorer Vasco da Gama is a church built in the 1500s as part of a magnificent monastery. Its cloisters are considered among the most beautiful in the world and it has been listed as a World Heritage Site.
BELEM TOWER The city's icon is also a symbol of the Age of Discovery. Built in the early 1500s, this ornate watchtower has been declared a World Heritage monument by UNESCO.
ST. GEORGE'S CASTLE From the millennium-old battlements of this castle you have a bird's-eye view of the city in the company of roaming peacocks. Inside is a small archaeological museum and down the hill are a couple of terraces with perfect postcard views over Alfama, the city's medieval village-like neighborhood.
PARQUE DAS NACOES Contrasting with the city's oldest neighborhoods is this 21st-century district showcasing striking contemporary architecture with Europe's longest bridge as the backdrop. It includes a state-of-the-art aquarium, a casino, and a wonderful waterfront promenade.
Do not miss to see the city from the back of a mini-cab - an unforgettable experience where the city, and your life, will flash before your eyes!