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Touristic Information
PORTUGAL: The Beautifull Port
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (in Portuguese, República Portuguesa), is located in southwestern Europe, west parts of the Iberian Peninsula, and is the westernmost country in continental Europe. Portugal is bordered by Spain to the north and east and by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. In addition, Portugal includes two archipelagos in the Atlantic, Azores (Açores) and Madeira Islands.
Portugal has witnessed a constant flow of different civilizations during the past 3,100 years. Iberian, Tartessian, Celtic, Phoenician and Carthaginian, Greek, Roman, Germanic (Suevi and Visigoth), Semitic (Arabic, Jewish, etc.), Moorish and other cultures have all made an imprint on the country's culture, history, language and ethnic make up. The naming of Portugal itself reveals most of the country's early history, stemming from the Roman name Portus Cale, possibly a Latin name mixed with other influences, meaning "Beautiful Port".
With such a long sea coast, it is not surprising that Portugal has witnessed so many sailings and arrivals. Portugal is one of the oldest nations in Europe. In the 12th century, the country gained its independence from the other kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula thanks to Count Afonso Henriques, who was our first king at his own wish. A century later, with the conquest of the Algarve, Portugal was to definitively establish its continental border.
In the late 13th century, King Dinis founded our university, one of the oldest in Europe, and took it to the beautiful city of Coimbra. In the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to sail to Africa, the distant Orient and the heart of South America, from where we brought a wealth of treasures. Even before advancing along the coast of Africa, we discovered the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, which are part of our territory in the Atlantic.
At 1910, Portugal became a republic and we have been members of the EU since 1986, though we still value our own virtues. Note some of the peculiarities, especially the "Manueline" style, which exalted the age of the discoveries, the way we have learned to work with tiles and our fado, the song of nostalgia.
LISBON: The White City and Full of History
The capital of Portugal since its conquest from the Moors in 1147, Lisbon is a legendary city with over 20 centuries of History.
Lisbon is known as the white city, thanks to its unique luminosity.
Although it was at the castle that everything began, historical sites may be found throughout the city. With a thousand years of history, Lisbon is full of monuments of great importance, that reflect some of the key moments in the Portugal's history. Capital of the Empire, the peak of Lisbon's wealth was during the Age of Discovery, which guaranteed its heritage of a rare beauty.
Close to the castle, in Graça is the church and monastery of São Vicente de Fora, one of the most imposing and notable religious monuments in the city. It was built immediately after the city was recaptured from the Moors because of a vow made by King Afonso Henriques to São Vicente during the siege of the city in 1143.
If we walk down to Santa Apolónia and continue though this riverside neighborhood, we will find the highly original Casa dos Bicos (16th century). The "bicos" in its name are the diamond-shaped stones that cover its facade. In addition to the aesthetic singularity of the building, with its Italian influences combined with elements of the Manueline style, it is also of considerable historical importance, having belonged to Afonso de Albuquerque, viceroy of India, and being the site of some interesting Roman archaeological finds.
Continuing along the riverside, you will arrive at the neighborhood with the largest number of heritage sites connected with the voyages of discovery: Belém. It was from the beach in Belém that Vasco da Gama set sail to discover the sea route to India and the grandiosity of the former empire may be sensed throughout the area, including one of the symbols of the city, the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, the construction of which was begun in 1501 by King Manuel I and was concluded just a century later.
Overlooking the magnificent Praça do Império, the monument possesses architectural features from the late Gothic and the Renaissance and is one of the most beautiful and magnificent monuments in the capital. These architectural features are combined with royal, religious, naturalist and nautical decorative elements to create a building that is considered the jewel of the distinctively Portuguese Manueline style. Its architectural excellence is more than evident and it has been recognized as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
In one of the wings of the former monastery we may find the Museu da Marinha, an excellent place to learn a little about the naval history of Portugal, and the Museu de Arqueologia.
The monastery church, the Igreja de Santa Maria de Belém, is a magnificent church with a nave flanked by two aisles separated by elegant pillars that support a beautiful and unique vault pointed dome. The luminosity, with the sunlight filtered by the stained glass windows, is extraordinary, creating an almost unreal atmosphere. The tombs of Vasco da Gama and the epic poet Luís de Camões may be found in the church. The visitor feels simply overwhelmed by the beauty and grandiosity associated with the history, the faith, and also the knowledge and determination that moved Portuguese culture.
Social Program
Half Day Tour to Sintra, Cape Roca, Cascais, Estoril
Tuesday, 27 March
Departure to Sintra, a small delightful town in the forest covered Mountain of Sintra, immortalized as "Glorious Eden" by the World famous poet Lord Byron.
Located about 30 kilometers northwest of Lisbon, there will be a visit to the Royal Palace of Sintra, a fabulous royal residence of many Portuguese Kings, with wings and halls dating from the 13/14th Centuries.
Sintra is excellent for shopping souvenirs and handicraft, and there will be time at leisure.
Descending the mountain on to Cape Roca, the Western-most point of continental Europe, a stop will be made by the cliffs over the Atlantic Ocean. Then following the coastline the tour will pass by Guincho Beach, Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth) an ocean carved spectacle in rock.
Arriving at the old fishermen village of Cascais that in the 1940's was chosen as residence by exiled European Royalty, a stop will be made by the lovely bay filled with fishing boats.
Return to Hotel passing by Estoril.
Price per person € 30 (Prices per person based on a minimum of 15 persons)
Half Day Tour to Old Lisbon
Wednesday, 28 March
Departure driving through this remarkable city built nearly 2.500 years ago passing buildings dating from the 18th Century and along mosaic paved streets. The first stop will be a small walking promenade through the winding streets of the Medieval borough of Alfama, who offers the picturesque flavor of an old popular residential area. An unique sight of narrow streets, friendly residents and 16th Century buildings.
Then the tour will proceed to the historic Lisbon's borough of Belém.
Visit to the Monastery of the Jerónimos (Hieronymite Monks) built in 1502 and the finest example of the Gothic-Naturalist (the ambiental decoration named "Manueline"). The splendid church with chapels and the main-altar in Gothic-Renaissance style will be visited. Then visit the Royal Coach Museum one of the most beautiful and complete collections of coaches in the World.
Then drive along the River Tagus left bank stopping by the Tower of Belém, an 16th Century fortress and by the Monument to the Sea Discoveries.
Return to the center of Lisbon.
Price per person € 22 (Prices per person based on a minimum of 15 persons)
Full Day Tour to Queluz, Sintra, Cape Roca, Cascais
Thursday, 29 March
Departure to Queluz, a small town 14 kilometers Northwest of Lisbon where in the 17th Century was built a Summer residence, the Royal Palace of Queluz.
The Royal chambers, the Music and the Throne-room, the Ambassadors room as well as splendid halls and gardens are worth visiting due to the beauty of the 18th Century furniture, decoration, glazed-tiles wall panels and Brazilian wood parquet floors . Presently the Palace of Queluz is the official residence of all foreign Kings or Presidents on state visit to Portugal. It is considered to be a miniature Versailles.
The tour continues to the delightful town of Sintra, immortalized by the World famous poet Lord Byron as "Glorious Eden". Located in a slope of the Mountain of Sintra the Royal Palace was the residence of many Portuguese Kings as from the 14th Century. Beautiful tiles, painted ceilings and centuries old walls, as well as an unusually huge kitchen.
Time at leisure as Sintra is excellent for shopping souvenirs and handicraft. Lunch, will be served at a local restaurant.
Descending the ever-green mountain on to Cape Roca, the Western-most point of continental Europe, a stop will be made by the cliffs over the Atlantic Ocean. Then following the coast line the tour will pass by Guincho Beach, Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth) an ocean carved spectacle in rock.
Arriving the old fishermen village of Cascais that in the 1940's was chosen as residence by the exiled European Royalty, a stop will be made by the lovely bay filled with fishing boats.
Time at leisure in Cascais, and return to Lisbon via the Estoril coastal road.
Price per person € 67 (Prices per person based on a minimum of 15 persons)
Full Day Tour to Évora and Monsaraz
Friday, 30 March
Departure by the Bridge 25th April over the River Tagus passing by Montemor on to Évora.
Classified as "Museum Town and World Heritage" by the Unesco in 1986, Évora was first known by the Celts as Ebora, by the first Roman settlers as Ebora Cerealis and in 27 BC as Liberitas Julia. In the suburbs of Évora there are cromlechs, menirs and dolmens as well as remains from the Neolithic 3.500 BC.
In Medieval times the town held the courts of the Portuguese Kings of the 1st dynasty (Afonsina) since 1165 and of the 2nd dynasty (Avis) up to 1559. The Roman-Gothic Cathedral dating from 1186, the Church of St. Francis built in 1480 with the macabre Chapel of Bones, the ruins of the Roman Temple of Diana are some of the places of great interest that may be visited.
Small streets with Manueline (Gothic-Naturalist) geminated-windows and porticos as well as the "Moucharabieh" verandahs of Mudejar influence, lead to the Praça do Giraldo, the meeting point of Évora's inhabitants.
Lunch, will be at a regional restaurant.
The tour will proceed South to Monsaraz for a walking visit to the unusual white-painted village within the ramparts of the Medieval Castle conquered to the Arabs in 1167 and donated to the Knights Templar. The main street with Gothic houses, the cistern and the Town-Hall with the Gothic fresco of the "Earthly Justice" are to be admired.
Return to Lisbon driving by olive-tree groves and cork-oak woods.
Price per person € 70 (Prices per person based on a minimum of 15 persons)
Elsa Sousa
Abreu PCO - Lisbon Office
Edf. Abreu
Av. 25 Abril, 2
2799-556 Linda-a-Velha
Portugal
Tel: + 351 21 415 61 23
Fax: + 351 21 415 63 83
E-mail: esousa.lisboa@abreu.pt
Pre and Post Congress Tours
Coimbra
3 Days / 2 Nigths
HOTEL QUINTA DAS LÁGRIMAS
Comfortable accommodation is offered by this sturdy former palace hotel converted and completely renovated to modern standards.
- 2 nights accommodation in double room on BB basis at 4 star Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas in Coimbra.
- 1 treatment/massage per person and per day at Kasbah SPA.
- Free access to the 3 swimming pools (1 heated) and to the fitness center.
- 3 days car rental cat. Y CDW and TP insurances included.
- 1st day - Relaxation massage
- 2nd day - Kasbah SPA massage, VIP treatment
Price per person - € 498
Cultural Oporto, at the Pestana Porto Hotel
4 Days / 3 Nigths
Spread along Douro riverbank, with magnificent views and a unique atmosphere classified by UNESCO as World Heritage, Pestana Porto Hotel is located right at the historical centre of Oporto.
- 3 nights accommodation in double room on BB basis at 4 star Pestana Porto Hotel in Oporto.
- Welcome Port Wine
- VIP treatment in the room on arrival
- Visit at the Museum and gardens of Serralves Foundation
- Visit at Casa da Música
- 4 days car rental cat. Y CDW and TP insurances included
Price per person - € 260,50
Relax in the Algarve
4 Days / 3 Nigths
A splendid 5 star Hotel that combines perfectly a privileged location right in front of the sea and a relaxing SPA...
- 3 nights accommodation in double room, on BB basis, at 5 star Hotel Grande Real Sta. Eulália.
- 2 Thalasso treatments per day
- 1 Thalasso Jet Pool circuit per day
- Free access to Sauna, Hammam and fitness room
- EUR 75,00- Supplement for 4 days car rental cat. Y with unlimited mileage, air conditioning, CDW, TP insurances, road, airport tax and VAT included
Price per person - € 300
Golf Break in Madeira
3 Days / 2 Nigths
Wherever you play, you can count on impeccable maintenance and fabulous views over the ocean, Funchal bay, exotic flora and deep valleys.
- 2 nights accommodation in a double panoramic room, on BB basis at a 5 star charming hotel, Quinta das Vistas.
- Madeira Wine and Honey Cake in the room upon arrival
- 1 Green Fee at Palheiro golf
- Free Access to the hotel's Spa (Swimming pools, Turkish Bath, Sauna and Jacuzzi)
- Round trip transfer to the golf course
- Arrival and departure transfers
Flight not included
Price per person - € 298
Elsa Sousa
Abreu PCO - Lisbon Office
Edf. Abreu
Av. 25 Abril, 2
2799-556 Linda-a-Velha
Portugal
Tel: + 351 21 415 61 23
Fax: + 351 21 415 63 83
E-mail: esousa.lisboa@abreu.pt
Money
Euro
Currency
Portugal is one of 13 European Union countries whose common official currency is the Euro. 1 Euro is divided into 100 cents. The coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 euros.
The notes are differentiated by their size and color and come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros.
One side of the coins has a common design (the European side), and the other side has a national symbol. All Euro coins may be used in any Euro-zone country, irrespective of which national symbols they display.
Atms
Portugal has one of the most extensive and advanced ATM networks in the world where Euro banknotes can be retrieved with the most common bank cards.
Currency Exchange
You may exchange money at banks, which are open from 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. five working days a week; at bureau de change; and at automatic currency exchange machines (these are for currency sale transactions only).
Credit Cards
In Portugal, the most commonly used credit cards are: Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Europay / MasterCard, JCB and Maestro.
Banking Hours
Are 8.30 am to 3.00 pm from Monday to Friday. Most banks no longer close during the lunch period, as was formerly the case. The banks are also closed on Public Holidays.
Electricity
The electricity voltage in Portugal is 220 V. 50 Hz. Plugs are normally 2-pin round and all lamps fittings are of the screw-type.
Newspaper
International daily papers are available at good newsstands and stationers.
Television
Portugal has color television and at there are 4 television channels: one State broadcaster - RTP, two commercial broadcasters: SIC and TVI, (RTP 1 and RTP 2, SIC and TVI), and also cable TV. Foreign films are usually screened in their original language with Portuguese subtitles.
Shopping in Lisbon
The network of streets known as "The Baixa", which is situated between Praça do Comércio and the Rossio is still Lisbon's main shopping area. One of these streets, Rua Augusta is a pedestrian thoroughfare with many excellent shops.
Lisbon has malls distributed over the whole city. Lisbon has the biggest shopping mall of the Iberian Peninsula, which is Centro Comercial Colombo.
Suggestions:
Centro Comercial Colombo
Adress: Av. Lusíada, 1500-392 Lisboa
Phone: 21 711 36 00
Site: www.colombo.pt
Centro Comercial Vasco da Gama
Adress: Av. D. João II, Lote 1.05.02, 1990 - 094 Lisboa
Phone: 21 893 06 00
Site: www.centrovascodagama.pt
Amoreiras Shopping Center
Adress: Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco, 1000 - Lisboa
Phone: 21 383 25 58
Site: www.amoreiras.com
Cascais Shopping
Adress: Est. Nacional, 9 - Alcabideche, 2765 - Alcabideche
Phone: 21 460 06 46
Site: www.cascaishopping.pt
Armazéns do Chiado
Adress: Chiado, Lisboa
Site: www.armazensdochiado.com
Traditional Portuguese Arts & Crafts
Portugal offers a delightful mixture of home-produced arts and crafts. These range from hand-woven rugs with designs which vary from region to region to exquisite handpainted ceramics.
Portugal's traditional handpainted ceramic tiles are still reproduced and widely available. Some factories will even transfer your designs onto tiles.
Atlantis, the makers of fine handmade crystal ware and Vista Alegre, the company producing hand-painted porcelain are both famous names in portugal.
Look for work by talented young artists at craft galleries and exhibitions.
Things To Do
The proposed meeting period (March 26 to 30, 2007) takes place in early Spring in Portugal, a season known for its amenities, with temperatures around the 20º C (68 F).
Also in the second semester of 2007 Portugal will be in the presidency of the European Union, this event will bring many authorities to Portugal.
At this time besides visiting our art, experiencing the varied and rich gastronomy, you may surely enjoy the wonderful beaches along our cost , and maybe use this opportunity to watch some of the most important event already programmed:
- The Portuguese PT Rally of 2007, which is part of the calendar of the World Rally Championship (WRC) that takes place from the 30th of March to the 1st of April;
- The commemorations of the 50 years of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation that will extend themselves throughout the year of 2007, with several exhibitions, and arts and musical events;
- The World Championship of the Olympic Sails Class, that will take place from the 28th of June to the 13th of July in the pretty city of Cascais, for all lovers of this sport and of the see;
- Experience the Opera season at the National Theatre of São Carlos, one of the most beautiful spaces in Europe, which has appeared in renowned movies;
Visit Sintra, the mysterious village preferred of the Romantics, and enjoy its annual Musical Festival, that takes place in many palaces and farm historical houses of the area. Sintra has it's Cultural Landscape recognized by UNESCO since in the 19th century Sintra became the first centre of European Romantic architecture.
Évora also deserves a visit, whose historic centre has also been recognized by UNESCO, since this museum-city, whose roots go back to Roman times, reached its golden age in the 15th century, when it became the residence of the Portuguese kings.
Airport
As the main International Airport of Portugal, the Lisbon Airport offers a great quantity of direct flights to the most important cities in the world, being also possible to the Lisbon Airport with connections to other cities.
The Airport is just 7km/5miles away from the meeting venue.
Additional information on Ana Aeroportos is available at www.ana.pt.
Transports
Buses
The ticket may be purchased from the driver as you board the bus. Ticket: 1.20€.Router planner and more information: www.carris.pt
Buses of the Rede Nacional de Expressos
This company operates throughout the country. Additional information, call: (+351) 213 581 460.
Taxis
There are two taxi stands within the perimeter of the airport, one at arrivals and the other at departures. The fare on the taxi meter should read 2.35€ (daytime pick-up) or 2.50€ (night time pick-up). Outside the city limits, fare rates must be calculated based on the number of kilometres travelled and the established price per kilometre. The transport of baggage or animals implies a surcharge of 1.60€. When you decide to take a taxi, get prior information about the prices. You may get information and obtain a Taxi Voucher at the Tourism Information Counter in the atrium of the Arrivals Hall.An additional 20% is charged for services on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and for night service from the hours of 09:00pm to 06:00am.
Taxi Voucher
Service at the Lisboa Airport - courtesy, friendliness, and safe driving. This service is available to passengers arriving at Lisboa Airport who wish to travel by taxi. The service operates with vouchers on sale at the Turismo de Lisboa counter, located in the Arrivals Hall. The price of the voucher depends on the distance of the trip and on the type of service required: normal or personalized (in the former, the driver is trained to speak foreign languages and acts as tourist guide).Additional information: www.antral.pt
Lisbon Underground / Subway
There is no underground/subway line serving Lisbon Airport. However, there are four lines that provide service to various parts of the city and suburbs. Ticket for one journey (1 zone): 0.70€Additional information: www.metrolisboa.pt
Train
Also by train you will find it simple to arrive to Lisbon from France Spain and Portugal in a direct way.Additional information available at: www.cp.pt.
For other information about public transport in the Lisbon area, visit the Transporlis website www.transporlis.sapo.pt.
Security
Portugal takes great pride in the freedom of movement and personal security enjoyed by all its citizens and visitors. Although Lisbon is a cosmopolitan European City, its crime rate is low. Residents and visitors alike are generally able to move freely, day and night, without experiencing personal security threats.
Medical Assistance
The main public hospital in Lisbon, Hospital de Santa Maria, is located around 2km from the meetings site.
In addition many other public and private health facilities exist at short distance from the hotel where the meetings take place. Hospital Contacts
Emergency telephone number (emergency services for assistance) - 112 (for both mobile and fixed-line telephones)
Language
The language spoken in Portugal is Portuguese. It is similar to Spanish except in the pronunciation. Portuguese is the fifth most- widely spoken language in the world and is spoken in Brazil, the former African colonies, a few communities in India, parts of China and Indonesia, Macau and Timor. In total, close to 200million people now speak Portuguese. Whilst French is the official second language of Portugal, young professional Portuguese now increasingly speak English as their second language.