You lot have been a great help to me when I asked about Barcelona and more recently Shanghai. Now, I humbly request travel advice for Lisbon. Brigitte and I will be traveling there for the first time this upcoming April and we would love to hear your experiences and opinions. We've booked Starpoints for a stay at the Sheraton Lisboa, so we've got a roof over our heads. Now who's going to tell us about food and that other necessity of life...wine (I really don't like water)...advice on porto would also be greatly appreciated, as I haven't a clue. Rudi, surely this within your realm of expertise. Who else can offer this hapless Canadian a few other usefull morsels?

I stayed at the Sheraton there about a year ago. It was OK on the Club floor. Lisbon is similar to Spanish cities in some ways and the hotels are one example. The Sheraton is in a business location and you'll probably need a cab to get to the busy nightlife area which I can't remember the name of.

I do recall the name of a great seafood restaurant near the water called Cais de Ribiera. The waiter will bring you to a huge tray of ice with all the catch of the day lying there so you can make your pick. It seemed quite popular even though I was there on a Tuesday night.

I do advise calling for a taxi if you leave the restaurant late and have to walk by the train (or is it bus?) station. There can be some roughnecks and cutpurses around there. I didn't have a problem walking by myself, but with Brigitte in hand I might be more careful.

I wish I also remembered the name of another restaurant we went to which was old-world Lisbon, but the Concierge recommended it to me so I'm sure he will do the same for you.

I was there on business so I didn't get to the cultural sites, but I was assured that there were plenty.

I tried PGA airlines which was very nice for short flights. Their biz lounge is nicer than most established airline lounges.

With Porto or Rioja you can't go wrong. I don't know what advice to give you except to trust your sommelier.

That's all that I can recall. I was only there for a few days.

If you have the time go to Sintra!!! It is about 1/2 hour drive North but well worth it. Sintra has a great atmosphere and lots of historical sights (the National Palace, Penna Palace and the Moors Castle as a start). You may want to consider staying in Cascais or Estoril-not Lisbon. All the wine in Portugal is excellent and cheaper than water. If you have lots of time try to visit Evora. The best church in the country is in Batalha--just south of Lira. Do not bother going to Porto. It is a polluted, dirty town. Trips up the Duro valley and up to Braga are time better spent. If you need any more specifics on places to visit, sleep or eat please email me.

Lisbon is my favourite city... i love it !

Have spent a lot of time here, but usually in a private home, or in a cheap pension.
So I am no help with the hotels.
http://www.ehi.com/travel/ehi/portugal/hot_map1.html

Thats where the hotel is located... ( No. 2 )

The big park is my favourite viewing spot of Lisbon - at night - the view is magnificient.
Along the side of the park - FYI - the area where the the Ritz is located is not a very salubrious area day or night. ( Its hookerville ! )

Specific restuarants - I cannot help you, because I just wonder in and eat wherever looks interesting. I love the local places, and the food has always been wonderful, and the only time I ever had meal problems was when i stayed out in a good hotel in Cascais. I got food poisoning. ( cascais is well worth a visit - it's a historic and charming fishing village on the estoril ( Coast of Lisbon ) where much of europe's deposed royalty retired too in the past.

Seafood is very good here - so I am told, but as I am allergic to it, I personally wouldn't know. A Portuguese cook is rated on her puddings... and they are good !

It's not expensive to eat out or to go out drinking and I have been safe most of the time in Lisbon.

The ALFAMA district has some good nightlife and restuarants, but I personally prefer the Chiado area.

Major parts of this historic area burnt down in 1988, but the renewal programme is only just now being completed.

There are some wonderful old buildings, and sights to see here. I also love some of the new modern architecture !! It's really quite exciting.

Personal plug :
Lisbon a guide to recent architecture by Paulo Santos, and published by www.ellipsis.com
Sorry, this excellent little book is by a VG friend. http://www.ellipsis.com/catalogue/gu...899858628.html ( If you want to buy it at �8.00 plus shipping )

Much of the portuguese character is style over substance, so be warned. In that it is
important to be well dressed at all times - which is NOT my philosophy, but anyway !

Suggestion - the Port institute on rua d'escola politecnica - is well worth a vist. its a place where you can sit in a sort of lounge area and taste various types of port. It was quite reasonable the last time i was there....

Sintra really is worth a visit, and reasonably close. The palace there is very interesting.

Jeronimos Monastery and the ( Torre de Belem ) Tower of Belem, and the Cultural centre, are all very coinveniently accessible by the same tram ( no. 15 I think ! )

Amoreiras shopping complex - interesting !
Lisbon underwent many changes as a result of the Expo there, and unfortunately i have not spent much time there since then ! Unfortunately !

Have a wonderful time !




[This message has been edited by Chris L (edited 03-11-2000).]

I second going to the Port Wine Institute. Four of us ordered a glass each (two white, two red), and passed them around the table for tasting. I thought the 10-year-old ruby port was smooth until I tasted the 20-year-old one! We ate at a traditional restaurant along the waterfront one meal, and at a simple pizza place near the Institute. Be sure to take the tram up to Castelo Sao Jorge for a beautiful view of the city and the Tagus river below.

i must confess that while the view from Castelo San Jorge is nice - i prefer from the other side looking out at Sao jorge ( at night ) spectacular !!!

When in April are you going to be there in April? I'm going to be there doing some work at INESCO from the 3rd to the 6th of April. I'll be staying at the Holiday Inn as they have no Hilton in Lisbon. Let me know the dates.

Cheers Scott

Thanks everyone for your valuable input. I prefer first hand knowledge over travel guides, and the wonderful posters of FT never disappoint.
Scott the flier: Unfortunately we will be leaving on the 6th of April, arriving the 7th. If your assignment spills into overtime, Brigitte and I would be happy to get together.

I am thinking of going BOS-LIS in September. Does anyone know about air fare from the USA to LIS? It seems if you stay 7 nights/days it is less expensive. Lowest I found was around $650 on SN. Most are around $1,000-$1,200. I would like to stay maybe 4 to 7 days. Is it less expensive to go into a different city in Europe, and then fly to LIS?