The Lisbon region having its sports and cultural diversity is an ideal holiday place to go for va-
cationers seeking variety. Whether it is concerts, theatre, museums, nightlife, history, gastronomy
or outdoor leisure sports like golf and surfing - the Lisbon region leaves no wish unfulfilled.

At the mouth in the Tagus River ("Rio Tejo") and presumably founded from the
Phoenicians around 1200 B.C. as a trading post, Lisbon fascinates the visitor having its rich
cultural and historical heritage and it is always worth a weekend city break. In its eventful
history they have witnessed many invaders like the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Alans,
Vandals, Suebi, Visigoths and Moors. In 1147, the 400 years long moorish domination of
Lisbon was ended when crusaders led by Alfonso I of Portugal reconquered Lisbon during
the Christian Reconquista.

All rulers left their cultural imprints about the city, thereby making Lisbon a thrilling and
unique blend of one of the most different cultural and architectural influences with Romanesque,
Gothic, Manueline, Baroque and Traditional Portuguese architecture. During the so-called
"Portuguese Chronilogical age of Discovery" relating to the 15th and 17th century Lisbon became strategi-
cally important as place to start to the Portuguese investigation of Africa, India, the Far East
and Brazil. The legendary Portuguese seafarer Vasco da Gama left Lisbon in 1497 to disco-
ver the water route to India.

Although Lisbon was largely destroyed by way of a disastrous earthquake in 1755 and fully
rebuilt in contemporary architectural style afterwards, many historical monuments have
remained untouched with that nature catastrophe and they are evidence the cultural and historical
diversity with this seaport. Among these historical sites of curiosity you find Lisbon Castle/
Castle of Sao Jorge ("Castelo de Sao Jorge") built-in a citadel-like style and Lisbon Cathe-
dral ("Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa" or "Se de Lisboa") integrated the 12th and 13th century
in Late Romanesque style, simply to mention a couple of. The Belem Tower ("Torre de Belem")
using its Portuguese Late Gothic, Manueline and Renessaince Style as well as the Jeronimos
Monastery ("Mosteiro dos Jeronimos") having its Manueline, Plateresco, Renaissance and
Gothic style were integrated the 16th century and declared World Heritage Sites with the
UNESCO in 1983.



At the outset of the 1800s Lisbon was invaded and pillaged with the army of Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1910 the 1st Portuguese Republic was declared. In 1998 Lisbon hosted the entire world Exhibition Expo ?98.

Art lovers will relish the different museums in Lisbon including the "Museo do Azulejo" (Museum
of Portuguese-style Tile Mosaics), the "Oceanario de Lisboa" (Lisbon Oceanarium) and the
"Museo Nacional de Arte Antiga" (National Museum of Ancient Art). Opera lovers will appre-
ciate the rich cultural agenda on the "Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos". Tourists may also love
the different cafes and restaurants and also the numerous shopping possibilities such as the Vasco
da Gama Shopping center and Amoreiras Local mall. Don?t miss a fado music performance
in the Alfama, Lisbon?s oldest quarter.

The population transport system in Lisbon is very well-developed and allows fast and simple acces
for the surrounding Lisbon region with Sintra, the Estoril Coast and also the Setubal peninsula.
Sintra as well as the Estoril Coast may be found in the Ribatejo region north in the Tagus estuary
(and so the name "Ribatejo" which means "riba do Tejo" ("on, or beyond, banking institutions with the
Tagus")). The Estoril Coast using its beaches and holiday resorts offers a large various
amusement activities for example tennis, wandering, swimming or sailing and is also a good choice
for beach holidays. The prime density of courses with the Estoril Coast also makes it a pa-
radise for golfers. Surfers will favour surfing hotspots like Carcavelos and Ericeira.

Another daytrip destination easy to reach from Lisbon is Sintra. Its historic monuments such
because 19th century Pena National Palace (Palacio Nacional de Pena), the 9th and 10th century
Castle from the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros) along with the 15th and 16th century Sintra National Palace
(Palacio Nacional de Sintra) and also the Sintra-Cascais Park are always worth visiting.
Sintra was declared a World Heritage Site with the UNESCO in 1995.

The Setubal peninsula (also referred to as "Costa Azul" ("Blue Coast")) is found in the Alentejo region
south in the Tagus estuary (and so the name "Alentejo" which suggests "alem do Tejo" ("beyond
the Tagus")). It can be famous for the Arrabida National Park. The customers will be impressed having its
unique Mediterranean vegetation untouched by touristic development current unspoilt
wildlife and can expect to see storks, flamingos and dolphins, flamingos. Dolphin watching
can be a major tourist attraction. The protection area invites the traveller to numerous leisure
time activities for example river cruises, walking, cycling, horseback riding, hot air ballooning,
diving and golf.

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