The dark nights have drawn in, the clocks have gone back so that means nowhere new is being gone to anytime soon. The minds are cast back to late 2008 when the effects of the global financial crisis were just about kicking in and  Quantum of Solace^[1] premiered in London.

In those gloomy times^[2], you'd think there would have been some solace in a weekend break to Lisbon?

The oldest city in Western Europe and the 7th most visited in Southern Europe? Four nights should be enough although you might be wanting another couple to accommodate a day trip or two? Hmmm.

^[1] Just the 4th worst Bond, apparently.
^[2] Things couldn't possibly ever get any worse, eh?

One of the first things your book will tell you is the Elevador de Santa Justa or the Santa Justa Lift if you'd rather.

Not named after Santa but some old saint or other and it will do just that lifting you the 145 foot up to the area of Bairro Alto. Lisbon's a little hilly, you see, and this and three small funiculars will help you up and down but more on that in a minute.

There's  A View to a Kill for from atop this early 1900s, Eiffel Tower inspired bit of work. That's the Praça do Rossio down there, one of a surprisingly small number of public squares that you might expect to find in a European capital.

There was a bit of ding-donging over the king in the 1820s and Pedro IV managed to last only slightly longer than Brian Clough did at Leeds United. Just like Cloughie, and because of some good work elsewhere, he's celebrated here in bronze and has been since 1860.

A couple of miles north-west of Pedro is the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, which is the cultural highlight of Lisbon, nay Portugal! The foundation manages a museum, concert halls and galleries all set in an impressive, landscaped garden that itself is a piece of artwork and free to explore.

Not in the mood for an Etruscan pot? Head for the Centro de Arte Moderna, the type of place that's occasionally known to have been engaged with.

Sometimes, it's like something was made  For Your Eyes Only although this only happens about once every five years. Most times, any comments could best be described as 'sniggery'.

The Castelo de São Jorge is just that, a castle named after St George and yes, that one. Now they tend to put castles on the top of hills so the Ascensor do Lavra will ferry you up funicular style to there or thereabouts?

Except this isn't the hill you want. You'll be on board barely a minute despite waiting 10 times that for the driver to finish his fag before walking down the other side having seen nothing more interesting than the back of a hospital.

You could try asking for directions... '  Dr Não esse é o castelo?'

Having hauled yourself up to the castle, manually, you'll need to part with some €euros to gain entrance. Although the site dates from the BCs, several builders have been called in over the centuries but you can read all about the history elsewhere.

No, the ramparts are being headed to for some excellent views but let's be clear, it's all a bit borderline for these wobblies and yes, that'll be the old vertigo.

It's a strange sensation, like the  Skyfalls in on you and yes, it's known to be irrational and yes, it's known that Health & Safety wouldn't really allow this if your lives were in any real danger despite this being Southern Europe.

With your hands prised from the rails and your back peeled off the wall, there are some rewarding views over the city and beyond. You can see our hotel from here and yes, that's Pedro just sneaking in at the top.

Looking east and further afield, the River Tagus eventually leads to the Atlantic and the Ponte 25 de Abril is one impressive suspension bridge.

It's the 27th largest in the world and carries two train tracks and six lanes of traffic. Having been underneath it, it doesn't half clank and it's enough to scare  The Living Daylights out of you.

The castle is in the Almafa district, a maze of old narrow streets and passages and the spiritual home of Fado.

You know, the mournful musical style that's sung solo with a minimal backing track and addresses hardship, nostalgia and longing. Think of sad Country music with a classical guitar and a likely mention of the esposa leaving with the cão, a  Licence to Kill the mood at any party.

Down towards the river, you'll arrive at the Praça do Comércio, Lisbon's gateway back in the day and still the largest public square.

The buildings are on three sides and feature distinctive archways, built to replace the former Royal Palace. The reason for the rebuilding? Just the unfortunate combination of a major earthquake, a tidal wave and then fire in 1755 that just about destroyed the city.

Now, if you've ever seen any TV travel program, ever, you'll probably know all of the above already and SlyBob sort of already did. The real reason for being down here, however, was to catch a train to do a day trip... three times! Yes, four nights here but with a trio of day trips.

Beyond the castle and the park and even some mandatory mooching around the shopping area behind the Arco da Rua Augusta, it's not the sort of place that invites you to just hang out during the day. There are too many people actually living and working here to have time for that, probably.

It's fine in the evening although the food wasn't found to be exactly jumping off the plate. There wasn't a sardine in sight and those custard tarts start to get a bit samey although the first bit of squid that's been seen cooked correctly.

Tender and not remotely rubbery, it can be done and it should never have the texture of  Octopus, see!