Cabo da Roca and the west side of Sintra
23.04.2010
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The magic Mountain of the Moon watches the sunset form on its west side. It sees the sun, not only failing asleep, but also sinking into the ocean. It is on this side - on the beautiful and exclusive Guincho beaches and the Cabo da Roca cliffs - that Sintra kisses the Atlantic.
Discover the beaches of the Sintra coast, with their fine golden sands bathed by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. You will certainly appreciate the trip to Praia de São Julião, Praia das Maçãs and Praia Grande.
No visit to the Sintra coast would be complete without a trip to Cabo da Roca, Europe's westernmost point, "where the land ends and the sea begins" as Luis de Camões has put it in his epic poem "Os Lusíadas" . The Cabo da Roca lighthouse has been operating since 1742. The surrounding landscape is breathtakingly beautiful.
With a strong maritime influence, the wets side of Sintra is full of deep leafy valleys and proud hills, namely Peninha that, from its 486 metres peak, dominates nearly everything around it. In Peninha you will find the Peninha Chapel, founded by Frei Pedro da Conceição at the end of the 17th Century. This chapel is situated at one of the most attractive points of the Sintra Mountain, by the ruins of an older one - the Chapel of São Saturnino.
Vacations in Lisbon Region offers a completely variety of choices. Culture, Nature and fantastic sandy beaches. Choose an apartment in Lisbon for your vacations and discover the capital city, the sea and the mountains around. Don't forget to check the special offers! There's always promotions and last minute accommodations in Lisbon.
Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
22.04.2010
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The Sintra-Cascais Natural Park was created in March 1994, and includes an area parallel to the coast, extending from the Cascais Citadel to the estuary of the Falcão River, Sintra Mountain and agricultural area north of the Colares Várzea.
The park is divided in two different areas: the agricultural area, that produces mainly fruit and wine, and the coastal areas, with beaches, cliffs and dunes.
It shows an amazing diversity of ambiences and landscapes, including dunes, forests, lagoons an uneven coastline, the imposing Cabo da Roca, and in the centre, the magnificent Sintra Mountain. The whole area is included in UNESCO's list of world heritage cultural landscape sites.
Within the park, there are several thriving species of oaks, eucalyptus and pine trees, and in the Sintra Mountain you can find a luxuriant vegetation which is peculiar to the microclimate of the area. Regarding the fauna, the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park has birds of prey such as falcons, owls and sparrow-hawks, many sea birds and also several species of reptiles and amphibians.
Within 25km of Lisbon, it is an extremely popular tourism area containing many different individual historical and natural sites and attractions.
Holidays in Lisbon Region offers a completely variety of choices. Culture, Nature and fantastic sandy beaches. Choose an apartment in Lisbon for your vacations in Portugal and discover the capital city, the sea and the mountains around.
Romantic holidays or city break in the Lisbon Region
15.04.2010
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Are you planning a romantic escape in Europe to surprise your loved one? Lisbon region is the perfect destination for an holiday or a weekend break full of romance.
Lisbon, the city of seven hills, full of narrow streets and alleys, closed to the Tagus river, is a city made for romance. Tram 28 will take you through Lisbon historical neighbourhoods like Alfama, Mouraria. Nearby you have Church of Santo António who gained fame as the matchmaking saint, protector of young brides, and patron of the lost and found. Mass marriages known as "St. Anthony's Weddings" are held here during the mid-June St. Anthony's Day celebrations.
Outside Lisbon you can enjoy the magic of Sintra. Take a ride in a horse and carriage through the historic centre of Sintra. Take a walk through the gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, discovering some of the mysterious symbols of the decorative and leisure structures that can be found everywhere throughout the park. You won't have truly seen Sintra unless you pay a visit to Portugal's most romantic palace, the Palácio da Pena. These fantastic palace stands on the top of a hill above the town of Sintra, and on a clear day it can be easily seen from Lisbon and much of its metropolitan area.
Drive to the other side of the Tagus River and take a romantic walk in the Natural park of Serra da Arrábida discovering the mountains and the fantastic beaches around. Admire the wonderful setting of the Convento da Arrábida, visit Palmela and its castle and the fantastic town of Azeitão.
Enjoy your holidays in Lisbon with this routes that were specially made for romance. If you are looking for an accommodation for your romantic holidays or city break in Lisbon, Travelling to Lisbon offers a wide range of apartments in Lisbon historical neighbourhoods and Parque das Nações. Don't forget to check the special offers! There's always promotions and last minute accommodations in Lisbon.
Cristo Rei - overlooking the city of Lisbon
05.02.2010
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The giant statue of Cristo Rei (Christ the King), a slightly smaller replica of the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, was erected in 1959 in thanks to God for sparing Portugal during the Second World War. It is considered a national monument.
The Cristo Rei monument was built on the left-bank of the Tagus River, facing Lisbon on the other bank. Its located in the city of Almada, Lisbon Region.
From the pedestal supporting the 28m statue (access by lift, then 74 steps), which is 85m from the ground and 113m above the Tagus River, the panoramic view is magnificent, encompassing the estuary, the 25 de Abril Bridge and the city of Lisbon , with its typical neighbourhoods and historical monuments, such as the Belem Tower, the Valley of Alcântara, the St. George's Castle, the Vasco da Gama Bridge, etc.
From the terrace you can see the Arrabida Mountains and the Palmela Castle and, in a clear day you can still see the Sintra Mountains and the zone of the Sanctuary os Cabo Espichel, Sesimbra.
From Lisbon, the Cristo Rei is accessible by car through 25 de Abril Bridge, by train from the Pragal Station and by Cacilheiro, the famous boat that connects Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas.
Lisbon Beaches and Around
05.02.2010
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Portugal rates as one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe especially because its 800 km of coast with many lovely sandy beaches and excellent climate. Lisbon is not exception and you can find it very hard not to visit one of it's many beaches on the hot summer days.
Facing the south, the Lisbon beaches, in the estuary of the Tagus offer visitors calm waters, fine sand and modern facilities, to provide all comfort. From Carcavelos beach, ideal for surfing, to Guincho, the paradise for windsurfers, you can discover many others, all different but all offering maximum pleasure.
If you stay in an accommodation in Lisbon, the fastest way to get there is to take the Cascais train at Cais do Sodré, there's a metro station over there. Along the railway line are several broad beaches.
Carcavelos Beach is the first beach washed by the open sea. Next to the imposing fortress of St. Julian of Barra, the Carcavelos Beach is a big beach where a wide variety of sports activities take place. Just 12 km west from Lisbon.
Tamariz Beach - Lined with cafes and bars, this beach is often packed by the tourists and the locals in the summer. Overlooked by as castle owned by the royal family of Monaco and next to the magnificent Estoril Casino and its gardens, the Tamariz beach can easily be reached by train, stopping by Tamariz at the Estoril station.
Guincho Beach - Located on cliffs outside Cascais, this beach is one of the most beautiful beaches around Lisbon. Although the beach is not the best for swimming due to powerful waves and wind, it is regarded as one of the greatest beaches for windsurfing and surfing. It is a major venue in both the European and the World Surfing and Windsurfing Championships. Guincho Beach can be reached by bus from Cascais.
Around Sintra is also easy to find some beautiful beaches, not too populated. From Guincho to Ericeira beach, passing by Adraga, Aguda or Magoito, the scenery is gorgeous. Located around 45 minutes north of Lisbon, Ericeira is a small traditional fishing town. The beaches in front and to the north of the town are home to some quality reef breaks and produce a wide range of waves.
Located between Ericeira and Ribamar - about 30 minutes, by car, from Sintra - is Ribeira D'Ilhas beach, internationally renowned as one of the best surfing spots in Europe.
To the south of Lisbon you can also find magnificent beaches. Costa da Caparica - with lovely beaches full of restaurants, cafés and lively nights in the summer -, Portinho da Arrábida in Setúbal, one of the most beautiful beaches around Lisbon with crystal blue waters and the Meco Beach near Sesimbra.
Holidays in Lisbon offer a completely variety of choices. Culture, Nature and fantastic sandy beaches. Summer is the beach season 'par excellence' in Portugal and it's the best time of the year to experience the wonderful beaches around Lisbon.
Cascais – a unique destination in Portugal
29.01.2010
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If you are planning a vacation in Lisbon, Portugal, don't miss a day trip to Cascais. The train station in Cais do Sodré takes you to Cascais in a beautiful short train ride along the shore. Cascais is also easily reached from Lisbon by car, through A5 Lisbon-Cascais highway. Near Cascais is the famous resort town of Estoril with its popular Casino.
Considered by many to be the Portuguese Riviera, Estoril and Cascais are full of glamour and charisma. They offer a great diversity of attractions and the experiences in a limited area and in a setting that is exceptional in terms of nature, culture and heritage along the whole of this marvellous coast.
Despite its proximity to Lisbon, the centre of the Costa do Sol, still retains much of the charm of its fishing past. The daily catch is still auctioned in the harbour side square and colourful boats still bob in the harbour. Cascais fishing history is remembered in the Museu do Mar (Museum of the Sea) with displays of artefacts, photographs and model boats. Other elements of its fishing village roots can be felt in its numerous restaurants. Try some of the most typical dishes of the region, including fish and shellfish, such as steamed lobster, sea bass, white bream or the memorable Cascais sole.
In Cascais town centre, you can walk through some of the typical narrow streets, see the traditional white houses and discover old palaces and luxurious villas with magnificent architecture, patterned pavements, wrought iron and old tiled fronts. You can also find some fashionable and traditional shops, and bars.
Cascais is also known by popular beaches. The town beaches of Praia da Ribeira, Praia da Rainha and Praia da Conceicao and the famous beach at Guincho with its high waves that attract windsurfers from all around the world as having some of the best rollers in Europe.
Nearby you have Estoril's Praia do Tamariz with its salt-water swimming pool, the Boca do Inferno - the famous cliff in which the sea has hollowed out a number of caves in which the pounding of the waves gives an impressive demonstration of the power of the Atlantic, and the beautiful city of Sintra.
So, if you wish to stay in accommodated in Lisbon and take day trips to Cascais, take a look at list of apartments in Lisbon
Sintra – Day trip from Lisbon
22.01.2010
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Sintra is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon. It offers a great variety of cultural building combined with a beautiful landscape.
The train is the cheapest way to travel between Lisbon and Sintra with services every 15 minutes from Lisbon's Rossio Station. You can also rent a car and take the IC19 until Sintra, or go next to the sea by Avenida Marginal, its the longest way but its worth it.
Arriving to Sintra you have a lot to discover. Starting in the Historic Town Centre, stands the Royal Palace (Paço Real), one of the many monumental buildings of the region. To walk through the centre of the town is to travel through a magical world, full of extremely rich details. All this surrounded and watched over by the grandeur of the Serra de Sintra, with its luxurious, which offers endless different walks.
Sintra has unique examples of parks and gardens and has influenced many European landscapes. Highlights are the Pena Park (Parque da Pena) and the Monserrate Palace and its gardens (Palácio de Monserrate). High in the Serra you can find the National Palace of Pena (Palácio da Pena), the most complete and notable example of Portuguese Romantic architecture. Before you leave Sintra make sure you visit the Moors Castle (Castelo dos Mouros), and have a stop in the Café Piriquita to try de famous "travesseiros de Sintra". You won't regret!
The proximity of the sea also makes the region a unique destination, since it has some of the most beautiful Atlantic beaches, including Praia Grande and Praia das Maçãs and the most westerly point in mainland Europe, the Cabo da Roca.
So, if you intend to visit Lisbon, don't miss a day trip to Sintra. And don't forget - renting an apartment in Lisbon city centre allow you to combine the comfort and privacy of home life with an experience of the locals' way of living. It is an interesting price-quality alternative to hotel rooms!
Additionally you can find other services like car rentals, airport transfers, and excursions or whatever else you could need to make your stay the most pleasant.
