Lisbon – The Forgotten Gem of Europe
For many centuries, Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, was
regarded as one of the most magnificent cities in Europe. With
its long history, Moorish influences, stunning location and vast
riches from India and Brazil, it was a trading hub for hundreds
of years. But a devastating earthquake in 1755, followed by fire
and a tidal wave, reduced it to ruins and obscurity. In recent
years, however, Lisbon has begun to return to some of its former
glory. It was the European City of Culture in 1994, hosted Expo
98, and was the major host city for the huge soccer event,
Euro2004. More people are discovering its fascinating blend of
old and new. Even better, it still remains relatively affordable
by European standards.
Located on 7 hills beside the Rio Tejo (River Tagus), Lisbon is
best explored on foot, as driving and parking are difficult, to
say the least. Some of the hills can be taxing to climb, but in
most cases a funicular or tram is available. Much of the appeal
of the city is to be found wandering up and down the streets.
Examples of both Moorish and art nouveau architecture are
common, as well as beautiful mosaic pavements.
One of the highlights of Lisbon is the Castelo de São Jorge,
perched high above the city, and yet quite close by. Originally
built in the 5th century, it has undergone many extensions, and
modifications. It has been used as everything from a royal
residence to a prison. The panoramic views are magnificent.
If your tastes are a little more upbeat, then the area to visit
is Bairro Alto. This area has long had the reputation for
containing the best restaurants and nightclubs in Lisbon.
Alternatively, if you want to go upmarket, then the shopping
district for you is Chiado.
Lisbon also contains a number of excellent museums. The Museu
Calouste Gulbenkian contains what was originally a private
collection of classical and oriental art. The very generous
benefactor left his collection to the people of Portugal, along
with a very generous charitable foundation. It’s very easy to
spend a day strolling around the gallery, even though only about
a quarter of the collection can be displayed at any one time.
Depending on your interests, you can also spend time in the
Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art),
or the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (azulejo are the hand painted
tiles which adorn so many of Portugal’s buildings). If you
prefer something a little more modern, there’s also the Centro
de Arte Moderna (Modern Art Centre).
Eventually, if you reach the point where you’re completely
saturated with art, tiles and gorgeous buildings, you can always
spend some time in the Parque das Nações, or the Nations Park.
It was the site for Expo 98, and now contains gardens, various
family attractions, restaurants and bars. It even contains
Europe’s largest Oceanarium.
Lisbon is the type of city that you can try to sample in a day,
but it takes much longer to truly appreciate all of its many and
varied delights. Allow yourself plenty of time to do just that,
and your visit to Lisbon will remain amongst your most treasured
memories.
Felicity Walker
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/lisbon-the-forgotten-gem-of-europe-612.html
March 4th, 2011 at 12:30 am
Did Gordon Brown forget to mention this before he signed the Lisbon Treaty?
Truth!
“There’s nothing from the original institutional package that has been changed.”
– Astrid Thors, Finnish Europe Minister
Lie!
“The Constitutional Treaty has been abandoned.”
– David Miliband, Foreign Secretary
Truth!
“Britain is different. Of course there will be transfers
of sovereignty. But would I be intelligent to draw the
attention of public opinion to this fact?”
– Jean Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg
Gordon Lies!
“The manifesto is what we put to the public. We’ve got to honour that manifesto.
That is an issue of trust for me with the electorate.”
– Gordon Brown, 24 June 2007
Lies!
“The new Constitutional Treaty ensures the new Europe can work effectively…
We will put it to the British people in a referendum.”
– 2005 Labour Party manifesto
Truth!
“The project of the founding fathers is complete:
the economic Union is becoming a political Union.”
– Nicolas Sarkozy, French President
Truth!
“Within the EU itself, we will have to
move closer to establishing a common
European army.”
– Angela Merkel, German Chancellor
March 4th, 2011 at 5:32 am
Mandelson is a foreign agent – and has screw taps on everyone including Brown. His given mission: destroy UK
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Cant say.
March 4th, 2011 at 5:34 am
“It’s not as though this is being imposed on the country. People will have the chance
to put their views.” – Gordon Brown, 26 Jan 2005 (What a joke!) LIAR!
"We’ll negotiate a withdrawal from the E.E.C. which has drained our natural resources and destroyed jobs."
Tony Blair 1983 Sedgefield Election Address LIAR!
Traitors!
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March 4th, 2011 at 5:36 am
To all Labour voters – take a good look at this , don’t let Labour totally destroy this country – you can’t be happy with this , for once , vote with your conscience and not your family traditions!
Vote Conservative!
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March 4th, 2011 at 5:38 am
Bit of poetic justice that Blair didn’t get his job of EU president that was his as negotiated by he and Brown if Brown would sign the Lisbon treaty without giving the people a chance to vote on it. They shafted Brown and Blair the same as they do us constantly. Labour with Brown and Blair have given the country away as well as its sovereignty. If you don’t believe it labour voters then look up the words national sovereignty and read it. I think you will then hopefully or most of you anyway as some never will realise just how treasonous you all as a party have acted. That by supporting the party elite such as Brown, Blair, Mandelson, Harmon, Balls, Cooper, etc. all the cabinet actually. They have given your country away and I know some of you actually fought in the last great war to keep some of these Europeans from taking it.
If you vote Labour then you vote against your nation and its people. Mind the lib dems and the tories are no better. They have gone along with this labour farce.
I do know this. If I know of any company or business that agrees with what labour have done I personally will NOT ever buy or use their services again. I have utter contempt for someone who could be that treasonous.
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March 4th, 2011 at 5:40 am
To hand ones country and people to an enemy that has stated claims in subverting our people to tax slaves is the act of a traitor and i will have no part in it . Demosthenes 315 BC On the rise of the Macedonian take over of Greece. Those that cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it :George Santayana
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March 4th, 2011 at 5:42 am
Truth!
“Britain is different. Of course there will be transfers
of sovereignty. But would I be intelligent to draw the
attention of public opinion to this fact?”
– Jean Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg
What exactly does this mean?
Are all those fighting under the queens badge doing it for nothing- Is the monarchy going to end?
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March 4th, 2011 at 5:44 am
EU must die!
wouldn’t care much if brown n his cronies did either.
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March 4th, 2011 at 5:46 am
He should be tarred and feathered!
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March 4th, 2011 at 5:48 am
Obviously, nuff said?
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March 4th, 2011 at 5:50 am
Its common practise to conceal the truth from the public on the sell out to the EU it goes back to traitor Heath (" its only a trading arrangement") Jean Mannet one of the architects of the European Project suggested concealing the real project from a potential hostile population so the idea of a trading arrangement was born it always was a plan to build a federal Europe the other lie is the need to stop future wars. In fact i can see a possible conflict because of the EU squeezing proud nations and creating division.The main three parties are the same support the EU project and have no time for real national democracy regardless of the phony concerns of Cameron. No i will vote UKIP for the time being and support sceptic groups and hope more will wake up to the truth especially the younger generation.
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March 4th, 2011 at 5:52 am
Forget? More like intentionally didn’t mention, I think.
It just confirms what we all now. Time to vote this idiot out, and pressurise whoever wins the election to give us a referendum on the matter.
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March 4th, 2011 at 5:54 am
More of this European ‘democracy’ where people don’t get to vote on who governs them.
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March 4th, 2011 at 5:56 am
He does have a terrible memory, he clean forgot that he had promised the people a referendum on the treaty. These same people are the ones he wants to vote for his party in the coming election but we people have long memories.
New Labour killed off the genuine Labour party and sold their souls to Tory policies so R.I.P.
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