Travel in Spain and Portugal

Lisbon is now on the map as a hot European design center. Whether wandering through the Santos quarter with its new emporiums showcasing young Portuguese designers or venturing into the rapidly gentrifying Bairro Alto, you'll find exciting, affordable new designs--from furniture to jewelry.

On a recent trip to Lisbon we wandered up Rua da Rosa, and stopped at Les Mauvais Garçons for a light Continental lunch. This charming bistro would be equally at home in Paris' Marais or Lisbon's quirky Bairro Alto. http://www.lesmauvaisgarçons.pt/

After lunch we crossed the street to explore Urban Fusion. This airy upside down boutique features European design items as well as works by the owner Katia Gonçalves. The artist/owner shows and sells a line of her soft furnishings and light fixtures. Reasonably priced, we walked out with bags full of clever holiday gifts. We returned later by taxi to Rua da Rosa 14 to pick up the Red Lady. http://www.urbanfusion.pt/