we were in lisbon for over a month, i chose not to travel and stay in the city – giving me enough time to see everyone and enjoy our vacations without having to rush anywhere…or pack! but on the last weekend before we left, we made a little escape and spent it at the cooking and nature emotional hotel. located in a small village right in the heart of candeeiros natural park, it’s only an hour away from lisbon.
julia and i went with my parents and couldn’t have had a better time, specially julia. we saw sheep and cows, only that can be pretty exciting for a toddler. we went on a bicycle ride, which was too much fun. we had a cooking lesson to make our own dinner with local ingredients. and the highlight for julia was definitely the afternoon spent at the indoor pool (i had barely put her bathing suit on, when she started running around the room as if with the highest sugar rush!). as for us adults, it was really the perfect place to relax, read and actually spend quality time with each other without interruptions.
the hotel has 12 rooms, each one decorated differently, julia and i stayed in a fun one, the shelter room, with penguins on the ceiling, a cozy rocking chair perfect for reading and a bathtub that looked like a pool. the public areas are big, with lots of rooms and different nooks to chose from, with lounge chairs, fireplaces and an honesty bar.
the staff were super friendly and helpful, our dinner and breakfast were delicious, with a lot of attention to detail. the hotel was full, but because of all the lounging areas available, we always felt like we had our own space. 
it was a really nice hotel to spend a winter weekend, – and i don’t think i can say this about many hotels. i’m hoping to be back with the summer weather to enjoy their swimming pool and outside areas too.
ps – other great places we’ve stayed before
2 years old this week ♡ and a terrible birthday spent flying and stuck in newark airport due to the storm – luckily she is (almost) always a happy bee and there were lots of giggles playing with the snow. we did have a mini celebration with the family before leaving lisbon and a very warm welcome from dad arriving to new orleans.
julia at 23 months – waiting patiently whilst she tries to unlock the door – it really makes her happy, and i’m assuming, helps her grow too. but finding the right balance of patience and assertiveness is one of the struggles i have as a parent. but then, with giggles, cuddles, and funny dances, everything pays off ♡
julia at 23 months – this girl has endless energy, and when the sun is out, we have to leave the house – jumping, running and singing always get her in good moods ♡
december went by too fast, actually the whole year did, time seems to fly when you’re a mum!! we finally got our boxes from turks & caicos, but these arrived a few days before flying to lisbon for our christmas vacation, so i just let them be…real proof that we don’t actually need as much stuff as we think we do.
m y s e a s t o r y 