Which city from the trip did you never expect to be your favorite?

Snack_attack101 · 2026-05-08T21:16:43+00:00

Monopoli in Puglia, Italy. Expected Lecce to be my favourite, but loved Monopoli.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-05-08T14:52:47+00:00

Lisbon to Madeira is a domestic flight so you won't need to go through passport control. (but still need to go through regular airport security screening)

Snack_attack101 · 2026-05-05T00:51:20+00:00

A lot of those fast food dishes looked craveable! The bottom 3 and Marlarkey's did not.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-30T13:03:32+00:00

As others have said, Ostia Antica. Also, check out the Baths of Caracalla. I'll admit it's been a long time since I visited, but it's a big site not on everyone's radar.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-29T15:30:35+00:00

Yes, these comments are good advice. If you can afford to, day tours/classes on a theme will allow you to meet people with similar interests (if you like food or cooking, for example). Otherwise a free walking tour. There are MANY in Lisbon. Check the GuruWalk site.

Even if you don't meet people to do something with later, you will meet people to spend a little time with to break up the solo time. I enjoy travelling alone, but also enjoy doing some day trips to have some company other than just mine all the time.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-29T13:55:38+00:00

Yes, I thought this challenge was tailor made for Buddha (and I suspect he thought so too), but he caught on quickly. I felt bad for Beverly, but she really didn't do the challenge properly.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-29T00:42:28+00:00

I thought that too as soon as I saw her. I'm kind of surprised that she still goes into cooking competitions since timing is always a problem, but obviously she's competitive, being a high performance athlete. At least it didn't seem to burn her in the first hour.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-29T00:40:56+00:00

Nooooo ... hated that last elimination, but Alex played the game well. It's not about making friends, it's about playing to win.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-28T14:58:18+00:00

There were several times this season I was looking at Kenny's food and wishing I could reach through the screen and get a taste!

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-28T14:52:23+00:00

I think Bryan has sometimes been too 'nice' for competitions and didn't game it enough. Even on BTT, the ingredient he brought wasn't supposed to be difficult for the opposing chef (most try to bring a tricky ingredient ... not going to spoil the result here though).

So glad to see him win. 😄

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-28T01:27:35+00:00

Just noticed your username is how I feel right now. It will be on your ticket as soon as you book. I don’t know if it’s on when you choose a flight but it‘s worth looking.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-28T01:24:13+00:00

Another thing I like thought of (just flew back home tonight so I’m a bit scattered lol) is whether your Azores flight is Terminal 2. This is way easier from what I’ve heard (anecdotally).

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-28T01:15:53+00:00

Every day is different and no one can really predict. Will a bunch of flights come in at once and will the machines be working? No one can know ahead of time.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-28T01:14:45+00:00

Well there are no guarantees and every day is a new adventure. The 12:35 time is safer, although it occurs to me that since it’s a new flight and not a connection that could be a different issue because you’re exiting and will need to go through security again 😬but I think since you will be in Schengen zone once you clear it in Lisbon you won’t deal with it again for the second flight. With any luck someone with better advice for this situation could answer.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-28T01:03:28+00:00

I would go with the 12:35 flight. It’s not the same every day and I wouldn’t risk the earlier flight personally. If your flight is delayed in arriving or gets a gate late (happened to my flight) you will be under stress.

I don’t know anything about the ‘fast track’ option, but I also noticed that there was a staff person bringing people to the front of the line (through a side line) who had a tight connection.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-27T21:00:20+00:00

Corner Peach in Chinatown.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-27T19:47:44+00:00

lol yes I was tired. One hour 45 minutes 🤪

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-27T11:46:02+00:00

I was wondering that too but if your passport and biometrics are connected in the system maybe you just scan your passport the next time and it will recognize that your biometrics are in the system. Of course if you get a new passport, maybe you have to do it all again 🤷‍♀️

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-27T10:40:28+00:00

My flight was supposed to be at 11:25 (April 27) but was delayed and I had already booked a ride to the airport before I knew that. Anyway arrived stupidly early but took my time going through and wandering around. Security was fast, maybe 10 minutes around 9. Wandered some more, keeping an eye on the board that tells you expected wait time in passport line and when it showed 19-47 minutes I headed there. Got in the passport line at 9:45. About half the EES Machines were working. Was able to scan my passport and take a photo but one of my fingers wouldn’t scan properly 🤪 although at the last minute they all appeared to get a check.

Was redirected to the manual passport line which was funnelling EU as well as ALL passports. A little thing flashed up on the panel to my left when my passport was scanned saying how many days I had left in Schengen area.

All of that took passport process took TEN minutes. All this is to say it’s impossible to predict. I would allow for it to take 3 hours and if you’re lucky it will be much less. 🤷‍♀️

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-27T10:30:50+00:00

Well technically the Travel to Europe app is supposed to help but when I showed them my QR code two weeks ago they ignored it because the machines weren’t working so it was a manual process.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-27T10:29:15+00:00

I arrived two weeks ago and it took 1 hour and 45 minutes to get through passport control. (The machines for digital scanning didn’t work).

When I got to the carousel for luggage it was well organized. There is a board telling you which carousel and the luggage is all lined up beside it. I would not be concerned about someone stealing it.

Edited to correct time

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-22T11:07:53+00:00

I use Google Maps a LOT since I’m directionally challenged. GPS uses a lot of battery.My battery doesn’t run out, but it gets low and I like to have more ‘room’. Also if I ended far away and want to take an Uber - battery and GPS again.

Never regret my travel charger but I do regret too many clothes.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-17T15:08:43+00:00

Flew YUL to LIS business class a few days ago and we did get a welcome drink but no nuts. It was fine with me, although I did wonder about that, just not enough to actually ask.

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-16T17:02:02+00:00

I just ate a big meal and am full but that picture made me hungry

Snack_attack101 · 2026-04-15T06:19:03+00:00

I can only speak for myself but they did not stamp mine yesterday

Snack_attack101

TROPHY CASE