Private tours in Lisbon & surroundings
|
|
|
|
|
Program
Lisbon, the millenarian city of the seven hills, with unique views from the top of them, like in Edward VII park. Cross the
famous Marquis of Pombal square and go down the hill by the XVIII century boulevard of Liberty avenue to
Restauradores square and Rossio, the heart of Lisbon, which has been the shopping district for more than 2000 years. The
majestic Commerce square, in front of the extraordinary estuary of Tagus river and close by the nucleus of ancient Lisbon.
Drive through the old quarter of Alfama: the XVI century "pointed stones" palace, saint Anthony of Padua church, the
very antique XII century Cathedral of Lisbon, saint Vincent Monastery and saint Engracia church. Go up the hill of Bairro
Alto, the famous section of Fado singers, where another belvedere waits you; Estrela basilica - marvelous marble
construction with an outstanding dome; the Parliament of Portugal - imposing XIX century palace.
Then, we go along the riverside by the busy harbor, with its discos and restaurants, cruise ship docks. On the way to
Belem quarter, drive by the official residence of the President and stops at Belem Tower – jewel in Manueline style dating
from the XVI century, the Monument to the Discoveries – homage to the great Portuguese navigators, Jeronimos
Monastery – the most imposing monument of Lisbon, telling about the apogee of Lisbon’s history, the age of adventurers
and navigators of the XVI century. Free taste of Port wine.
Proceed to Estoril coast - the "sunny coast" where the sun shines 300 days per year. Cosmopolitan Estoril with a stop at
the biggest casino in Europe and its gardens. Cascais bay and ancient fishing port, stop of many navigators in the past.
Free time for lunch by the seaside. Continue by the coastline with rocky and sandy beaches and the picturesque cliff - the
Mouth of Hell. Guincho, the wind surfer beach and Cabo da Roca - the westernmost point of continental Europe - stop
for a marvellous view of the ocean and coastline at 140 meters high. Drive across the luxuriant Sintra Mountain and its
gardens by twisted roads surrounded by a huge variety of vegetation - "The Glorious Eden", "The Garden of Paradise".
Stop in the medieval Sintra town, with free time to see the most ancient royal palace in Portugal, the narrow streets with
local handicraft shops, the typical local pastry like queijadas and travesseiros, the wine shops, the gardens.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
...Lisbon’s history dates back to 300,000 years ago and ranks as one of the world's longest founded cities. As the
legend tells, it is a city founded and named by Ulysses, which has its origins in the Phoenician words "Allis
Ubbo", meaning "enchanting port". Lisbon was a battlefield for Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians,
however it was Romans who started their two-century reign in Lisbon in 205 BC. In 714, the Moors arrived and
stayed till the 12th century. In the 13th century, Lisbon became the capital of Portugal. The 15th century was the
point of departure for the Portuguese Discoveries, an era during which Portugal enjoyed abundant wealth and
prosperity through its newly discovered off shore colonies in Africa, the Americas and Asia. Today, Lisbon still
maintaining the marks of its early history, is one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe...
|
|
| |
... Described by Lord Byron as “Glorious Eden,” Sintra’s charms have long been celebrated. Once the summer residence
of the kings and Moorish lords, today Sintra is a romantic getaway for people from all around the world. Inhabited since
the pre-history period and by Celts and the Romans who called this area “The Mountain of the Moon”. In the 8th to 9th
century, Muslims built a castle here. During Medieval times, the Portuguese royal family, overflowing with the pomp and
riches from their colonial triumphs abroad, first came here to escape the heat (and stench) of the summer in Lisbon.
Beginning in the 14th century, the Portuguese aristocrats followed the royals to Sintra, a dwelling place for hunting and
relaxing. Stormy and mysterious, the mountain is covered by more than 1000 different species of plants. Several artists
from different countries came here to work, inspired in the beauty of this place, extolling its beauty: “The Garden of
Paradise”, “Garden of Europe”, “Glorious Eden”…
|
|
|
| |
|
|
...One of the most beautiful parts of the Estoril Coast is a succession of hills dotted with pine trees and houses,
sweeping down to the sea and the local villages with their typical houses and the old palatial villas along the sea
front. Villas from the Roman period have been excavated and inscriptions found of family names, names of the
Gods they worshipped and names chosen for their sons. Cascais became a lookout for Lisbon in the great
maritime era of discovering new worlds. It was the first place the navigators saw when they returned from long
and adventurous voyages seeking their homeland. It was in Cascais during the latter part of the XIX century, that
the Royal Family first began to bathe. It was a custom which was becoming popular in Europe and Cascais was
an ideal place owing to its mild climate. Over the years, many important families have made Cascais into
acosmopolitan town...
|
|
|
|
