The Mini-Retirement Destination Series

Good morning!

I hope this finds you well.

Welcome to another edition of The Matt Viera Newsletter.

The newsletter with the goal to inspire you to invest in life experiences.

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Things are finally starting to come together.

We spent most of the weekend unpacking and only have a few boxes left.

We found and purchased a new sectional couch for the apartment (to go with the new big screen TV that I didn’t need, but purchased anyway).

And I dropped off the Beast this past Saturday at a body shop because it needed some body work.

The owner of the body shop called me yesterday with some good and “bad” news…

The good news: they are able to remove some type of concrete that was splattered all over the rear of the SUV and it’s going to cost significantly less than I anticipated.

The “bad” news: It’s going to take a little longer than anticipated.

I can deal with that type of “bad” news.

I told the guy to take as long as he needs as I just want the Beast to be restored to as much as its original condition as possible.

But burning the candle at both ends for the past several weeks did catch up with me this past Sunday as I slept for most of the day.

The thing is, I haven’t slept for most of the day probably since I was in the Army (or nursing a hangover after partying in South Beach until the wee hours of the morning).

The long nap was good for me though.

A nice long nap is the micro-equivalent of taking a mini-retirement.

With that, let’s get started on this week’s Mini-Retirement Destination Series:

Lisbon is an ideal destination for a mini-retirement.

In 2019, I spent ~10 days there exploring the city.

I’d love to return to spend at least a month (or more) there.

Here are 13 reasons why you need to consider Lisbon for a mini-retirement:

The Rich History

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Europe.

Lisbon’s history spans over 2,000 years

A history influenced by:

• The Moors

• The Romans

• The Renaissance

• The Age of Discovery

Its rich history provides a variety of historical sites to explore.

The Belém Tower

The Belém Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage.

Built as a fort in the 16th century to protect Lisbon from raids along the Tagus River.

It’s one of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks.

The Stunning Architecture

Lisbon is renowned for its architectural beauty.

It’s architectural landmarks include, but are not limited to:

• Sé Cathedral

• Belém Tower

• National Pantheon

• Commerce Square

• Jerónimos Monastery

• Church & Monastery of São Vicente de Fora

The Charming Neighborhoods

To really appreciate Lisbon, you’ll want to spend time exploring some of its neighborhoods:

• Baixa

• Belém

• Alfama

• Chaido

• Bairro Alto

Each neighborhood has its own character and offers a unique experience.

The Trams

Riding the trams is one of the best ways to travel through Lisbon’s charming neighborhoods.

Of course, walking is a great way to explore Lisbon’s neighborhoods as well.

The Mild Climate

Lisbon’s mild Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and mild winters, makes it comfortable for exploring the city during any time of year.

The Beautiful Riverfront

Take your time and stroll along the Tagus River, which offers:

• Bike paths

• Promenades

• Scenic views

• Historic sites

• Outdoor cafés

There are plenty of spots (and ways) to relax, decompress, and appreciate being present in the moment.

The Delicious Cuisine

There are plenty of restaurants that offer traditional Portuguese cuisine within Lisbon, everything from fresh seafood to Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese custard tarts).

Additionally, as of March 2024, Lisbon has 13 Michelin-Starred restaurants.

The Affordability

Compared to other European cities, Lisbon offers a relatively low cost of living, making it affordable for extended stays.

The Café Culture

Enjoy the city's traditional café culture in cafés such as:

• A Brasileira

• Café Nicola

• Martinho da Arcada

• Confeitaria Nacional

The Linha d'Agua

A cafe in a park overlooking a fountain and a pond.

One of my favorite places to hang out in.

Without a care in the world.

The Nearby Beaches

Some of the best beaches are not far and are relatively easy to get to from Lisbon:

• Praia da Ursa

• Praia do Baleal

• Praia da Adraga

• Praia do Guincho

• Praia dos Galapos

• Praia de Carcavelos

• Praia da Figueirinha

The Wine Culture

According to winalist.com:

“Escape to a world where ancient vineyards weave their way through picturesque landscapes, where sun-kissed grapes yield extraordinary wines, and where each sip takes you on a journey of flavor.”

Enough said.

Lisbon’s unique blend of:

• Rich history

• Scenic beauty

• Cultural richness

• Relaxed pace of life

Makes it an ideal destination for a mini-retirement so you can:

Explore. Discover. Live.

Quote that caught my attention:

“If we define risk as the potential for an irreversible negative outcome, there’s more risk in postponing the things that you would most like to do for 30 or 40 years versus taking a perhaps sub-optimal, less-compounded return on investment because you allocate some of that to these mini-retirements.”

—Tim Ferriss on mini-retirements

You can find the collection of financial tools & resources that helped me grow from a 6-figure debt to a 6-figure net worth by clicking here.

Thanks for reading!

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