Hidden Treasures in Lisbon

Lucky enough to find myself in Lisbon for a couple of days, I escaped over lunchtime with an enthusiastic colleague to visit the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum - an astounding collection of European, Middle Eastern and Asian art.

The corridors were silent and we wondered through the rooms of Egyptian sculptures, Roman coins, persian rugs, of chinese vases and Japanese laquer boxes, of paintings by Monet, Seurat, Cassat, Turner, and more, skipping delighted from one object to the next. The collection is exquisite and perfectly sized so that you're not overwhelmed by the display. The gardens are also lovely, and I went back on Saturday to eat in the sunshine and listen to the autumn birds. A treasure trove not to miss if you're ever in Portugal.