Like most of you, I am looking forward to SeemFest 2017. Although I was not able to attend the first epic event due to lack of funds and other previous engagements, I'm hoping to be able to attend this event and makeup for what I missed. What is great about this is that 
Not only am I looking forward to the event where I can meet great people, enjoy good food, and participate in great discussions and presentations; but I also get to see and visit a new country that I have never been to before.
Expected Weather conditions during SteemFest:
November sees temperatures drop over four degrees from October's averages. However, as Portugal enjoys a subtropical Mediterranean climate, even the coolest months remain fairly mild. The average temperature still reaches as high as 18°C (that's about 63°F), and at night can dip as low as 11°C (about 52°F) - Source
I plan on booking an extra week just to enjoy what Lisbon has to offer and I hope through a coordinated effort, I can share that experience and journey with some of my fellow Steemians who are willing to join me and have the same plans. Maybe even do a roadtrip (as mentioned by @kevinwong)and see some of the neighboring countries. While scanning for ticket prices, I also started taking note of landmarks and sites I would love to visit while in Lisbon. Below serves as the bucketlist I will use while Im in town for the event.
Lisbon Bucketlist: Places and Landmark's I would like to visit while in Lisbon
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos - According to LonelyPlanet, "this monastery was once populated by monks of the Order of St Jerome, whose spiritual job for four centuries was to comfort sailors and pray for the king’s soul. When the order was dissolved in 1833, the monastery was used as a school and orphanage until about 1940."
Praça do Comércio - The "gateway" to Lisbon where people arriving by boat disembark. This square is where the statue of Dom José sits and where he and his son were assassinated in 1908. Apparently the surrounding buildings have many galleries worth visiting.
Basílica da Estrela - Architectually, this landmark looks amazing. The tomb of Dona Maria is located here and is also home to an "incredibly elaborate 500-piece Nativity Scene made of cork and terracotta by celebrated 18th-century sculptor Joaquim Machado de Castro." [LonelyPlanet]. You can also choose to climb up 112 steps to get an amazing view of Libson - not for the faint of heart.
Igreja & Museu São Roque - Another church worth visiting adorned with gold, marble and Tin-glazed ceramic tile work. Built in the 16th century, it was one of the first Jesuit churches anywhere.
Castelo de São Jorge - How often does one get to see a real Castle? This landmark is situated on a hilltop overlooking Lisbon. "These smooth cobbles have seen it all – Visigoths in the 5th century, Moors in the 9th century, Christians in the 12th century, royals from the 14th to 16th centuries, and convicts in every century." [LonelyPlanet]. Worth visiting are some of the cafe's where you can order a drink, kick back, and enjoy the surroundings scenery and weather.
Time permitting, there are a number of other landmarks, many museums, and other sites to enjoy that I would love to visit. Given that I will only stay an extra week those listed above are the primary landmarks I want to see. The above sites makeup my top bucketlist items.
As a bonus - I would love to visit Sintra and Cascais. Anyone willing to do a short day trip just a few hours from Lisbon are the beautiful towns of Sintra and Cascais "where man and nature exist in perfect harmony." [LonelyPlanet]. There are a number of trails, parks, and beaches to visit, and lot's to see and do.
Of course, let's not forget the food!! Borederline Diabetics like me beware. Portugal is known for a sugar-coated pastry made of a perfect golden crust that is filled with a custard cream dusted with mouthwatering cinnamon. My mouth is watering just by typing this...
Like many of you, I would love to pay a majority of my way through my Steemit earnings. I would also love to help out and give back whatever I can by donating a percentage of my earnings to the @t-r-f Travel Reimbursement Fund for those like me who also want to join but may need a little help.
Again Through the power of Steemit and supporting one another , Im hoping that not only I, but anyone else who creates similar posts will get to meet up this year. Anyone who wants to join up and plan something so we can enjoy the country and share this experience as a group, feel free to reach out and/or comment.
I encourage everyone to post or reply with landmarks or places in Lisbon you would like to see or visit. Let's see if we can coordinate a group activity to make it happen. Not only can we enjoy the experience together, but help each other fund it to minimize the cost. How often do you get an experience like this?
Bucketlist Photos from [LonelyPlanet]
I hope to see you all at SteemFest and As always Thanks for reading and keep on Steeming!!
Please let me know of other places we can visit, if you want to plan something, and what you think in the comments below