The road less travelled

We explore the backstreets of Lisbon, Copenhagen and Paris, to taste life among the residents of these diverse cities, with an emphasis on combining the hip and the healthy

by Anita Chaudhuri

LISBON LOVE

by Anita Chaudhuri

Christiania is a car-free, self-governing enclave in Copenhagen, 15 minutes from the city centre

PHOTOGRAPHS: ISTOCK, GETTY IMAGES, FREE PR, STOCKSY, MARCO WONG/4CORNERS

For an authentic taste of Lisbon, visit a hole-in-the-wall bar and order a ginjinha, a traditional Portuguese Morello cherry liqueur. One of the best venues to try it is A Ginjinha, situated in a corner of bustling Pedro IV Square (Rossio Square). You can order your drink com or sen – with or without an alcoholsoaked cherry. Some places serve it in a tiny, bitter chocolate cup, and tradition decrees that you must consume the whole thing in one mouthful.

To escape the hustle and bustle, head to the Lisbon Oceanarium, voted the world’s best aquarium by TripAdvisor. Located downtown, just along the riverfront from Oriente metro station, it is home to 16,000 marine creatures from 450 species. There is something profoundly restful about disappearing into this turquoise wonderland.

Don’t leave the Danish capital without enjoying the freedom of riding a bicycle

In every bakery window, you’ll see piles of golden, crispy custard tarts, but beware, not all tarts are created equal. For the best, go to Antiga Confeitaria de Belém, the birthplace of the famous Pastéis de Belém. The bakery was situated next to the Jeronimos monastery, which used a huge quantity of egg whites for starching clothes. In 1837, the monks started making pastries from the leftover yolks and selling them. Nowadays, the kitchens make a whopping 20,000 a day.

Board the iconic Electrico 28 or tram number 28, the yellow wooden trolley that passes most of Lisbon’s historic sites, including Saint George’s Castle, the Portas do Sol (gates to the sun) and the Alfama flea market, stopping at the final destination, Cemitério dos Prazeres (Cemetery of Pleasures).