Wegue Wegue: Lisbon by Buraka Som Sistema
The Buraka Som Sistema sound is that of the Angolan immigrant in Portugal, although its moves are not exclusively kuduro and you can easily sense the inner influence of the most urban grimey and the outer influence of the crazy crunked.
We speak to Kalaf, one of the vocalists with the band, who tells us about his favourite places in Lisbon.
Kalaf loves Lisbon because it is a meeting point between Europe and Africa, open to the world and other cultures, and full of fun and warmth.
A good place to start enjoying the riverside part of the city is in Docas, under the Puente 25 de Abril. This entertainment area is very lively in the evenings and a great place for jogging during the day.
Another interesting place located on one of Lisbon’s seven hills is Alfama. The Feira da Ladra street market is held every Tuesday and public holiday. Kalaf usually visits this market in search of second-hand vinyl records. Very close to the market, on the same hill, can be found the San Jorge Castle, which can be visited by taking number 28 yellow tram .
One of the best big clubs in Europe is LUX, in the Santa Apolonia district. A lot of people say that John Malkovich is the owner, but that is just a rumour.
The club is located in a very fashionable area full of good restaurants and shops. Well placed close to the river and the ports, this district was once rather run down but has now been revitalised into a place where the new and the old co-exist in perfect harmony.
Every two months, Buraka take up residence at LUX and organise Kuduro parties with the independentEnchufada music label, who published their album From Buraka to the World in 2006 and Komba album in 2011.
In the same area can be found the Bica do Sapato, which according to Kalaf is one of the best pizza restaurants in Lisbon.
Another of the most interesting parts of Lisbon is the Barrio Alto, a rather Bohemian and very central part of the city full of galleries and shops that is a regular meeting point for the locals. On the 6th floor of the Hotel de la Plaza Luís de Camões is a restaurant and terrace that he likes to visit because of the great views of the river and bridge.
So you feel like visiting Lisboa, do you? Book your flights here!
In the Land of Sailors
Genoa City is the gateway to the Italian Riviera and the great communication route between the Mediterranean and Europe. In 1992, to mark the fifth anniversary of America’s discovery, was completely refurbished to become one of the main city’s entertainment areas, in the heart of the city. One of the elements that attracted the most attention is the beautiful wooden galleon built for Polanski’s film Pirates.
But the true symbol of the city is the Lantern, the great lighthouse of Genoa, with its 76 meters high San Benigno, is the pride of the Genoese and offers fantastic views over the city to visit it. Next to the tower you can visit the Museo della Lanterna.
In this city so related to the sea, we find the largest aquarium in Europe of aquatic biodiversity, theAquarium of Genoa which is in the same port, with over 15,000 animals of 400 different species among sharks, penguins, manatees, Antarctic animals, jellyfish and tropical fish, a journey which takes about three hours. Galata is located next to the Museum of the Sea and Navigation, dedicated to the deep sea and Genoese navigation history.
Another place closely related to their maritime culture is the Museo Delle Culture Del Mondo, at Castello d’Albertis, Florentine style. Enrico d’Albertis was another Genoese writer and navigator and circled the world three times and circumnavigated Africa in search of archaeological excavations. The museum includes these interesting ethnographic and archaeological collections Enrique d’Albertis collected in his travels around the world.
The historic center of Genoa is especially beautiful, though a bit chaotic with this mix of buildings and streets that form a labyrinth. Here lived the rich merchants of the time, in sumptuous Gothic buildings have been converted into museums or modern shops.
Finally, a note on the Genoese cuisine made with fresh and simple products. You have to try a vegetable focaccia with a splash of olive oil or the different types of pasta stuffed which one you like best, such as ravioli or corzetti. Vegetable dishes and numerous seafood recipes, fish soups, fried fish or crispy cod fritters and specialties like ciuppin or buridda.
A place well worth discovering! Check out our flights here.
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