The brochure extols…
As the capital of Portugal, Lisbon reflects the many facets of the national character in its palaces, squares, and
charming narrow streets. Ruled by the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Visigoths, the Moors, and the Kingdom of Castile,
its greatest era occurred when it became the entrepot for the spices and treasures of the Orient, brought back by the
Portuguese seafarers of the 16th Century.
All epochs of Lisbon's history remain down to our day. The walled fortress of St. George, crowning a principal hill,
was built by the Moors in the 10th Century. The handsome squares in the centre of the city were erected in regal style
after the disastrous earthquake of 1755 and the modern parks and boulevards, lined with handsome apartments, date from
our own days.
Portugal, England's oldest ally - bordering the Atlantic Ocean and occupying three quarters of the west coastline of
the Iberian Peninsula. A country of memories; a country of sophistication; of rusticity; a country of character;
a country of pride.
Portugal who pioneered the new sea routes and opened up the way around the World, who exercised a tremendous influence
on the evolution of mankind by her discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Discover now Portugal for yourselves, with her mild sunny climate, frostless winters, balmy breezes and even her rain
storms have the sun hovering close by straining to break through again.
Walk the mosaic pavements of the city of Lisbon, built as Rome on seven hills. A labyrinth of streets twisting and
turning, little gabled houses decorated with gaily coloured glazed tiles, the cries of children, of newspaper vendors,
the strident calls of the fish wives and fruit sellers crying their wares across the streets and squares.
Unpretentious little trams weave their way unhurriedly back and forth across the town, scaling the most incredibly
steep hills and slowly threading their iron way through the busy streets.
After dinner stroll the Rossio, the Praca dos Restauradores, the Avenida da Liberdade, sit under a multi-coloured
parasol at the open air tables, enjoy a liqueur with your coffee and watch the lights, the people of Lisbon and the
World go by.
Now is the hour of the “Fado” - the verbal rhythmic expression of the soul - often sad and haunting, often
tearful - memories, hopes, struggles, passions, promises, the unending quest of the mind searching for a reason.
Whatever the hour - whatever the day, whether in Lisbon, the resorts of Estoril or Cascais, in Sintra or Setubal -
Portugal with the happy-go-lucky disposition of her people, her monuments, her cities, her beaches, her wonderful
scenery and her unique charm will welcome you.
Ship berths at either Gare Maritima de Alcantara or Gare Maritima de Rocha.
Language
Portuguese, but English is spoken in hotels, the larger restaurants and shops.
Capital
Lisbon
Currency
Portuguese Escudos
Rate of Exchange
Approx. 80 Escudos = £1 (Sterling)
Approx. 28 Escudos = $1 (U.S.)
Situation
Portugal lies to the South West of Europe. It takes up approximately three-quarters of the West Coastline of the
Iberian Peninsula. Her seaboard on the West and South is the Atlantic Ocean and measures 517 miles. The land frontier
to the North and East touching Spain measures 755 miles
Area
34,387 square miles
Climate
A Mediterranean climate but due to its position on the Atlantic the sea breezes temper the extremes of temperatures.
Usually warm, with sunshine and a gentle breeze
Stars Roof (Hotel Embaixador) Avenida Duque de Loute
Tagide, Largo da Bibliotec Publica
Negresco, Rua Jardim do Regedor
Portuguese Food
Sea food is the National Speciality…
Crab, turtle (santola)
clawless lobster (lagosta)
prawns (camaroes)
delicious crayfish (lagostintias)
clawed lobster (lavagante)
lamphreys (lampreia)
conger eel (eiroz)
sole (linguado)
gurnet or red mullet (salmoneta)
turbot (pregado)
swordfish (peixe espada)
dried cod or hake (pescada)
These fish dishes are either stewed, grilled or fried and served with oil and vinegar, or melted butter and sometimes
baked with potatoes, tomatoes and onions.
An ancient royal residence and historic palace, surrounded with gardens
Sintra (17½ miles)
Described by Byron as “a glorious Eden” - perhaps the prettiest town in Europe
Arrabida (20 miles)
Has been described as the “most surprising undergrowth it is possible to see in Europe.” The outlines of
the mountains, steep and rugged that sweep down suddenly to the sea, the wild character of the vegetation, the
grottoes, the abundance of viewpoints all contribute to make Arrabida an incomparable tourist region
Setubal (25 miles)
Industrial centre of Portugal's sardine empire. Third largest city in Portugal, situated near the mouth of the river
Sado
