Spain Trip 2008

If you see only one town in Spain it should be GRANADA. For here, extraordinarily well preserved and in a tremendous natural setting, stands the Alhambra – the most exciting, sensual and romantic of all European monuments. It was the palace-fortress of the Nasrid sultans, rulers of the last Spanish Moorish kingdom, and in its construction Moorish art reached a spectacular and serene climax. But the building seems to go further than this, revealing something of the whole brilliance and spirit of Moorish life and culture. There's a haunting passage in Jan Morris's book, Spain, which the palace embodies: "Life itself, which was seen elsewhere in Europe as a kind of probationary preparation for death, was interpreted [by the Moors] as something glorious in itself, to be ennobled by learning and enlivened by every kind of pleasure."

The city on Seven Hills, the birthplace of fado, a maze of dark and narrow streets that date back for centuries.From Alfama, to the Parque das Nações, to the historical district and the new and thriving business district, Lisbon is one of Europe's most beautiful cities.

Alfama The oldest part of the city is Alfama, which has many tourist attractions. A leisurely tour on the old trams in this part of the city, steeped with an old world charm is an experience of a lifetime. The Castelo de S.Jorge , which was won back from the Moors in 1143, is a must in the itinerary for history buffs. This area of the city, with typical narrow streets and traditional architecture, has a unique and friendly atmosphere. Those who do visit Portugal will certainly notice and enjoy the hospitality of the Portuguese people, which in itself is an attraction of the city.

Barrio Alto Bairro Alto is one of the areas of the city with great nightlife. Here you will find a large number of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

Belem In Belem, near the Tagus River, there is a variety of monuments and leisure areas. The Torre de Belem is the point from where many expeditions departed, in search of new worlds in the 14th and 15th Centuries. Other beautiful monuments dedicated to Portuguese explorers can also be found in this vicinity such as the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos , both of which are definitely worth a visit. Another attraction of the area is the Centro Cultural de Belem, otherwise known as the CCB, which accommodates many international art exhibits and events with the largest auditorium in the city. Also located at the CCB is the Museu Berardo, which has some of the world's most renowned pieces of modern art. Just some of the artists whose works are on display are Dali, Picasso, Warhol, Pollock, and countless others, making this a must see.

City Center The center of the city, apart from being the business and commercial core of the city, also contains many landmarks and shopping locations.

Lisbon also has an Underground network that can take you anywhere in a matter of minutes.

Outside the City The towns near Lisbon are just as interesting to visit, and provide for a change of scenery and sights that cannot be found in the city. In around twenty minutes you can go to the beach or to the countryside. West of the city is beautiful Cascais, a town whose rich history is evident in its wealth of historical landmarks and attractions. It also has a large number of beaches. To the south, Costa da Caparica, a fishing village, also has wonderful beaches and allows you to see what a traditional Portuguese fishing village is like.
Top 10 SIGHTS
See these sights first
1. JERONIMOS MONASTERY
A World Heritage monument; Vasco da Gama's resting place.
2. BELEM TOWER
The city's icon; a symbol of the Age of Discovery.
3. GULBENKIAN MUSEUM
Treasures from the East and the West.
4. BERARDO MUSEUM OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART
One of the world's greatest modern art collections.
5. OCEANARIUM
An odyssey of sea creatures in a state-of-the-art building.
6. ST. GEORGE'S CASTLE
Overlooking the city from millennium-old walls.
7. ANCIENT ART MUSEUM
Fascinating Oriental and European art.
8. MuDe - DESIGN