IN LOVE WITH LISBON

I have just received a press release announcing a new competition to win a weekend in Lisbon. I am not affiliated with any of the companies offering the prize however I thought my readers might be interested…

QuietZone Lda & Dormio Leisure Development Portugal Lda offer free stay in their Lisbon Tourist Apartments, Lisbon,

QuietZone Lda (QuietZone) and Dormio Leisure Development Portugal Lda (Dormio) have initiated an online sweepstake contest with a first prize which comprises 2 nights’ stay in their tourist apartments for two guests, 200 euros in cash, dinner at a central restaurant and several Lisbon city tours.

This competition is open to all participants over 18 years old from any country in the world and will take place online at the Lisbon Apartments website from May 18th 2009 until 31st July 2009. The lucky winners will be announced in the month of August 2009.

Several important Portuguese tourism companies have collaborated with the organizers to provide free city excursions as part of the prize: The well known sightseeing operator Carristur will provide a courtesy trip on their famous Red Tram or other circuits; Red Tour a fun ride on their Segways or Buggies; and Go Car Tours an entertaining GPS-guided drive in their three-wheel vehicles. Neoturismo has contributed 2 Lisboa Card tourist cards for free and discounted entry to dozens of museums and sights. Lastly, the “Espalha Brasas” restaurant in the lively Docas area of the city will be offering a free meal for two.
Dormio’s General Manager Mr. Robin van der Hijden stated, “We are extremely happy to be able to offer this magnificent prize and are very grateful to all the participating companies who have so kindly donated their products and services to promote Lisbon tourism in this way”.
QuietZone and Dormio provide short-term holiday rentals for visitors to Lisbon, Portugal via their respective websites http://www.lisbonapartments.com and http://www.casamadragoa.com.

Good luck with your entry!

Príncipe Real is a leafy neighbourhood not far from Bairro Alto. Here you’ll find grand houses with beautiful tilework, quaint antique shops, bookstores, tiny coffee houses and gay friendly bars. There’s a certain homely bohemian feel and it immediately makes me think that this is an area I could live in.

From Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, follow the road round to the right and up the short hill. The climb will take into the Príncipe Real district and you’ll see trees ahead of you. Head towards the green and you’ll find a tranquil park which is over-awed by a huge ancient ceder tree whose branches spread out to almost impossible dimensions. The tree is so old that it is now held up by ornate iron trellis. I wandered beneath it, feeling the sheer weight of it upon me and wondered how many lovers this tree has witnessed. It’s perhaps what used to be called a Trysting Tree. The presence of the tree is both deeply comforting and ominous - almost as if it’s spirit fiercly protects this little sanctuary in Lisbon.

It was around 10am when I arrived in the park so there were no lovers to be seen but the park was a natural focal point. People were walking their dogs, elderly folk sat reading the morning paper and prepared for a game of cards, people cut through on their way to work and a few earlybird tourists stopped to read their maps. There are permanent picnic tables and plenty of shady seats as well as a lovely little cafe to buy your morning bica (espresso).

Wandering through the park, I came across an entrance leading underground to the Museu da Água (Museum of Water). Unfortunately I didn’t have time to go in but I have discovered from the main website that this is one part of the Water Museum which is spread over several sites. This site (the Patriarchal Reservoir) was once one of the main reservoirs in Lisbon holding tons of water to keep downtown alive. Shut down in the 1940’s the site has become an place of historic and architectural interest.

Príncipe Real is a neighbourhood with a lot to offer. I’m told that it’s well worth stopping to buy bread here too from a shop called Doce Real.

Yes, I could definately live in Principe Real.

http://museudaagua.epal.pt/museudaagua/