|
Boasting springtime temperatures during the winter and cool summers
freshened by a breeze blowing in from the Atlantic, Costa de Lisboa, on the
southwestern coast, offers a rich and impressively integrated diversity. The
capital of Portugal since its conquest from the Moors in 1147, Lisbon is a
legendary city with over 20 centuries of History. The Alfama is one of the
oldest quarters in Lisboa. Since it largely survived the earthquake of 1755,
the area still retains much of its original layout. Adjacent to the Alfama
are the likewise old quarters of Castelo and Mouraria, on the western and
northern slopes of the hill that is crowned by St. George's Castle. Every
year in June, the streets of all three quarters come alive with the feasts
in honour of the popular saints. The Graça quarter and the churches of São
Vicente de Fora and Santa Engrácia are within walking distance of this area.
Radiant skies brighten the monumental city, with its typical tile covered
building façades and narrow Medieval streets, where one can hear the fado
being played and sung at night. But Lisbon is also the stage for popular
festivities, the place for exquisite shopping, exciting nightlife, and
interesting museums, a place from where motorways branch off in different
directions.
Nearby, Sintra's lush wooded heights and verdant charms invite one to
take a ride on a horse-pulled carriage, and gaze at the marvelous
manor-houses, located within the grounds of century old farms, as one drives
up to Pena Palace, built by Fernando Cobourg Gothas on the ruins of a
monastery from the 16th century, the style of the palace is a blend of
Gothic, Manueline, and Romantic influences which make for a very explosive
combination, and keeps the atmosphere of a royal residence.
Lisbon is the kind of place where you can sit at street cafes - sampling
food or fado - and watch the world go by. But for the eager there are also
plenty of cultural activities. In addition to architectural masterpieces at
Belém, Lisbon has over 50 museums to visit.
Lagos
 Lagos, on the south coast of the Algarve, is one of the country's most
popular tourist resorts. Most visitors are drawn to the superb beaches,
which include Meia Praia, a vast strip of sand to the east, and the more
secluded Praia do Pinhão to the south.
The town has abundant facilities for renting bicycles, mopeds and horses,
and there are also boat trips from the main harbour. Apart from the sun and
sand, the resort's other highlight is the Museu Municipal, which has
eccentric displays of ecclesiastical treasures and other intriguing curios.
Albufeira
As a result of the tide of tourism, this "once upon a time" fishing
village has expanded since the 1960s into a major holiday resort and now has
over 12,000 permanent residents. As the sun sets the centre of the town
changes its character. A plentiful collection of bars, restaurants and clubs
start to fill-up with people, until they spill over into the narrow streets.
A fine selection of good beaches extend east and west from the town. Praia
de Balaia, Praia de Castelo, Praia de Falésia, Praia de Galé, de Olhos
d’Agua, Praia de Maria Luisa, and Praia de São Rafael, being the main ones.
There is a small museum of 15th and 17th century Ming ceramics and a
Municipal art gallery that holds regular exhibitions during the season. A
further addition to the town is a new Virtual Archaeological Museum. A new
Marina has been completed on the west side of the town and offers a
different and attractive aspect.
Vilamoura
 Vilamoura
is the name given to an area rather than to any actual town. It is
outstanding in that it is one of the largest single tourist complex in
Europe and covers some 2.000 hectares of land. The land is variable in its
vegetation, some parts covered in pine forests whilst others open recovered
marshland. Vilamoura is a special place, a unique leisure and recreation
resort community where the pace of life is so easy it feels like summer all
year round.
Designed from the start to be self-sufficient, Vilamoura is ideally
located, features a wide choice of prime accommodation, offers the
commercial structure for day-to-day needs and is bursting with sporting and
leisure facilities for the whole family. It is a place for rest and
relaxation but also for pursuing active pastimes and sports; a friendly and
safe residential haven, but also a vibrant and exciting night-life centre.
It is a luxury hotel, a private villa or a serviced apartment for the
visitor, but also a home to the resident and seasonal population. It is
Portuguese, but also truly cosmopolitan. Away from the hectic pace and the
stress of the modern world, all who visit are revitalised by the lifestyle,
the convenience and the hospitality of this truly special place.
|
Hotels Vilamoura |
 Atlantis
Hotel Vilamoura
The Atlantis Hotel Vilamoura is located next to the Casino and is close to
the four best European golf courses. It is only 25 kilometres from the Faro
International Airport. The Vilamoura Marina is only 500 meters away, with
many nautical sports at your disposal. The hotel offers 311 comfortable
rooms equipped with numerous amenities such as satellite TV, telephone, in
room safe and balcony. Well-equipped conference rooms are also available
onsite. Recreation facilities include a gym, sauna, solarium, tennis court
and swimming pool. |
|
» VILAMOURA Sightseeing Tours
Events & Attractions |
Sintra
 The town of Sintra, northwest of Lisbon, was long favoured by Portuguese
royalty and English nobility (Lord Byron was mad about it) as a summer
destination. Its appeal is still evident today, with its thickly wooded
setting, romantic gardens, amalgam of Manueline and Gothic architecture,
16th-century hermitages, and ramshackle glamour.
|
>> Hotels Sintra |
>> Last Minute Hotels Sintra |
 Quinta da Fonte
Nova Rural Hotel Sintra
Quinta da Fonte Nova is a typical country estate, a truly idyllic resort, in
the country and close to the sea. It consists of a beautiful 1875 mansion
with its own chapel, formal garden and a forty acre walled natural parkland
with extensive pine woods, flowering acacias, palm trees, cedars and
eucalyptus groves. Although the private property has managed to keep its
historic atmosphere you will not miss the modern amenities it offers. The 10
guest rooms correspond with the manor's rustic style, all of them
individually furnished and twin bedded, with private bathroom and satellite
TV. At your disposal are the large swimming pool, sun terrace as well as a
spacious lounge with fireplace, bar and dinning room in period style where
breakfast is served. |
Funchal
 Madeira's
almost five-century-old capital is said to have been named 'Funchal' because
of the abundance of fennel (funcho) that was growing there.
Funchal is located in an absolutely unique area. The amphitheatre of
Funchal city begins at the harbour and rises almost 1200 m high on gentle
slopes. This provides a natural shelter and was what once attracted the
first settlers. The best harbour and the best climate combined with an excellent
geographical position allowed Funchal to have a rapid population growth.
Today Funchal is a very modern city with over 104.000 inhabitants. This
does however mean that traffic congestion in the centre can become sometimes
quite confusing. The city can easily be explored by foot and no matter where your hotel is
located (as long as it is in the Funchal tourist area) you will find no
difficulty in walking into the city centre to delight at its sights and
sounds.
Probably the most central point is the ‘Sé’ Cathedral. Built between 1493
and 1514 by Gil Eanes it represents one of Madeira's numerous treasures
High above the capital, Funchal, and easily reached by
the Austrian built cable car, in the village church at Monte is the tomb of
the last emperor of Austria-Hungary. Among the gaudy shrines, Emperor
Charles' sepulchre is a monument to Prussian imperial might. All black
marble and spikes, it houses a huge plaque listing Charles' titles - all of
which proved quite meaningless after he was banished from Austria in 1918 to
spent his life in exile on Madeira.
Évora
The walled town of Évora is one of the architectural gems of Portugal.
Situated in a picturesque landscape of olive groves, vineyards, wheat fields
and brilliant spring flowers, it's a charming town whose attractions include
a cathedral, a roman temple and a ghoulish ossuary chapel constructed from
the bones and skulls of several thousand people.
Porto
The second-largest city in Portugal was nominated European City of
Culture for 2001 and the historical centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Founded by the Romans at the mouth of the River Douro, modern Porto (Oporto)
is an industrial city with a wonderful atmosphere and plenty to see. The
sights of the old town include the Cathedral (Sé), dating from the 12th to
the 18th centuries, the Church of São Francisco, famous for its rococo
interior, a splendid example of Portuguese gilt-work (talha dourada), the
19th century Stock Exchange and the Torre Dos Clérigos, which offers
wonderful views. The old waterfront, known as the Cais da Ribeira (a World
Heritage Site), caters for tourists with cafes, restaurants and an open-air
market. Across the river, the 18th century Port wine lodges of Vila Nova de
Gaia are open to the public for tours and tastings.
|
>> Hotels
Porto |
>> Last Minute Hotels Porto |
 Solverde
Hotel Espinho
On the oceanfront in the north of Portugal, the city of Espinho proudly
stands as a calm and pleasant destination that integrates the scenic
landscapes and gleaming countryside's with the sound of ocean waves. Located
next to the historical city of Oporto, now a World heritage listing by
UNESCO, and the legendary Port Wine Cellars, Espinho shines by its serenity
and generous hospitality. The Hotel Solverde, a five star Deluxe Resort
Hotel, is located just 20 minutes from Oporto in the town of Espinho. |
Salema
You'll find it at the end of a small road, just off the main drag between
the big city of Lagos and the rugged "land's end of Europe," Cape Sagres.
This simple fishing village has a few hotels, time-share condos up the road,
some hippie bars with rock music, English and German menus and signs
(including bullfight ads for "Stierkampf"), a lovely beach, and lots of sun.
Situated where a dirt road hits the sea, Salema has three streets, five
restaurants, a couple of bars, and a lane full of fisher folk who happily
rent out rooms to foreign guests. Salema's flatbed-truck market rolls in
each morning. There's one truck for fruit, one for vegetables, and one for
clothing. A highlight of any Salema day is watching the fishing boats come
and go as a tractor drags them in.
The town's handful of small, family-run restaurants specialize in one
thing: fresh seafood. Happily, those that face the beach are the most fun,
with the best service, food, and atmosphere. The Atlantico is popular, right
on the beach. It's especially atmospheric when the electricity goes out, and
faces flicker around the candles. The Boia Bar, at the base of the
residential street, is Salema's best value, with huge portions and a few
tables a splashing distance from the surf.
From Salema, it's a short drive to the rugged and historic southwestern
tip of Portugal. This was the spot closest to the edge of our flat earth in
the days before Columbus. Today, at Sagres, fishermen cast from its towering
crags, local merchants sell homemade and seaworthy sweaters, and daredevil
windsurfers skitter across the windy stretches of water. And here, tourists
and fishermen sport the same stubble. This hideaway is just the place for
some rigorous rest — and to enjoy some very fresh octopus.
|
Sofitel
Hotel Lisbon
Sintra
and Estoril Coast
Tivoli Lagos Hotel
Regina
Apartments Albufeira
Madeira
Palacio Resort Hotel Funchal