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Portugal : Lisbon - January 2009 Country Code: Dial ++351 for Portugal
Despite the winter chill – and
even the odd spot of rain –
Lisbon’s New Year celebrations
continue into January with the
city’s innovative Luzboa festival
(on until 11 January), a series of
unusual outdoor installations
that combine contemporary art,
light and technology. The
initiative complements the
Portuguese capital’s many
historic monuments and cultural
landmarks. Paul Bernhardt is
suitably impressed
Getting around
Lisbon Airport
Bus: The Aerobus leaves every 20 minutes from 7.40am to 11pm and goes to the city centre, finishing at Cais do Sodré. Tickets cost €3 and can be bought onboard.
Taxi: It’s about a 20 minute taxi ride to the city centre. The fare costs approximately €15, with an extra charge for luggage in the boot. Prices increase by 20% at night and on weekends and bank holidays.
Tourist information: The Lisboa Welcome Centre is located at Praça do Comércio, on the corner of Rua do Arsenal (tel. 21 031 2700, www.atl-turismolisboa.pt).
RATO
The delightfully named Rato (mouse)
district comprises leafy, pocket-sized
squares and hushed back streets that
surround a busy, animated hub.
Shop til you drop – Charcutaria
Brasil (90 Rua Alexandre Herculano)
overflows with traditional Portuguese
produce such as cheeses, succulent
cold meats and sweet, fruity jams.
Culture vultures – The award-winning
Museu da Água (10 Praça das
Amoreiras) incorporates an amazing
19th-century cistern room and a roof
terrace with wonderful city views.
Sleep soundly – Many rooms at the
quiet three-star Amazónia Lisboa Hotel
have their own balcony.
Must eat – Starters at gourmet hot
spot Casa da Comida (1 Travessa das
Amoreiras, tel. 213 885376) include
sautéed scallops with an aromatic white
truffle olive oil. Reservations essential.
PRAÇA DO COMÉRCIO
A concourse fringed by noble arcades
and overlooked by the Arco da Victória,
this is the city’s historic meeting point.
Culture vultures – Praça do Comércio,
also known as Terreiro do Paço, is the venue for the city’s Luzboa Festival, a
series of illuminated contemporary art
installations centred around a giant
laser harp. This highly unusual event
continues until the middle of January.
Sleep soundly – A stylish gem, the new
Vincci Baixa epitomises contemporary
chic and has a superb location.
Must eat – Vitor Sobral, one of
Portugal’s most accomplished chefs,
directs the kitchen at Terreiro do Paço
(Praça do Comércio, Lisbon Welcome
Centre, tel. 210 312850), where the
menu reflects Portugal’s rich
gastronomic tradition.
Shop til you drop – The tins of
tuna and sardines in colourful
retro wrapping on sale
at Conserveira de
Lisboa (34 Rua dos
Bacalhoeiros) make for
quirky souvenirs.
Must drink – Sample red and white
wines from around the country for free
at Sala Ogival da Vini Portugal (Praça
do Comércio).
PRÍNCIPE REAL
This handsome and gentrified quarter
still has a whiff of antiquity about it.
Must drink – The cocktails go down a
treat at late-night music bar Ogâmico
(2a Rua Ruben António Leitão).
Must eat – Order tasty bife com queijo
da serra (steak with melted cheese) at
the convivial Real Fábrica (275 Rua
Escola Politécnica, tel. 213 852090).
Sleep soundly – The beautiful Casa
de São Mamede dates from the 18th century and
maintains all the charm of a family home.
Shop til you drop – Over 300
different wines are available at specialist
outlet Garrafeira Internacional (15-17
Rua da Escola Politécnica).
PARQUE DAS NAÇÕES
Progressive, cutting-edge and totally
21st century, the absorbing ‘Nation’s
Park’ district is a city within a city.
Sleep soundly – The modern Hotel
Olissippo Oriente has
some eye-catching interior design.
Culture vultures – Kids will love the
interactive science displays at the
Ciência Viva exhibition (Pavilhão do
Conhecimento, Alameda dos Oceanos).
Must eat – Dress up and savour the
sophisticated dishes at Pragma (Casino
Lisboa, Alameda dos Oceanos, tel. 218
929043). Then try your luck in the casino.
Dance the night away – For salsa and
African rhythms,
head for trendy
Barrio Latino (31
Rua da Pimenta).
Shop til you drop – The Vasco da
Gama shopping mall (Avenida Dom
João II) has a multiplex cinema, food
court and hypermarket.
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