We really enjoyed our stay in the apartment - it is as shown in the photos, but a little more compact then it appears in the photos. It is very clean, well-equipped, with modern kitchen and bath. It is in a great location, with a large super market a few feet from the apt. front door where you can buy food, beer and wine. Joao's mother, Maria, met us at the apartment, and showed us around. All communications with the host were easy and thorough.

The 80 steps up to the apt front door, odd angles, and step-ups in the apt. can be a little challenging, and the neighbor below made us aware that our steps could be heard below. Soft and careful walking became important.

The neighborhood is clean and safe. There are some nearby buildings undergoing demolition. It is after all an old neighborhood. The view from the deck off the kitchen is quite lovely.

It is important to have a really good map as some of the small streets, some of which are not clearly marked, can be confusing and the free tourist maps are a bit inadequate. The Lisbon mass transit system is great after you become acquainted with it. Two busses stop in front of the apt building and we learned to access the metro from the apt by taking the 760 bus south to Martim Moniz Metro stop, and the 723 bus from the Marques de Pombal Metro station to get back to the apt. A 24 hour Metro-Bus pass is 6 euros per person and very worthwhile.

In retrospect we should have gone by taxi to the apt upon arrival although we did manage to get there by Metro on our first day. It was a little difficult until we became familiar with the neighborhood.

Just down the street we found a nice restaurant, 2 a Esquina, and the grocery next store provided a nice alternative to cook at home when we wished.