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Passport and Visas
A valid passport (or identity card for European Community nationals) is
required. Visas are not necessary for citizens of European Union
countries, the U.S.A., Canada and most countries. Please contact
your local Portuguese Embassy, Consulate or your Travel Agency for
further information.
Health Requirements
With the exception of vaccination certificates for persons coming from
areas where yellow fever is endemic presently there are no special
health requirements.
How to reach Lisboa by air
Lisboa is just a few hours flying away - 6/8 hours from North America
and 2/3 hours from most European cities. TAP Air Portugal, with more
than 60 offices around the world and daily flights to and from major
cities, covering almost 50 destinations in four continents, as official
carrier will grant special discounts to all participants and
accompanying persons.
Lisboa Airport welcome desk
Top Atlântico Operated by Top Tours own office, located right at the
arrivals hall of Lisboa airport, provides personalized assistance to
the incoming participants.
Car rental
Special arrangements are made with the main reliable rent-a-car outlets
to grant special discounts to delegates and companions.
Accommodation
The Portuguese Hotel Industry has established a good reputation abroad
basically due to the high standard of services rendered. Also good
professional teams together with ryhe Portuguese natural warmth and
friendliness make a powerful combination that will certainly help you
feel welcome.
Language
The official language is Portuguese. English and French are widely spoken.
Local time
Mainland Portugal is 1 hour behind European Standard Time.
Currency
As a member of the European Monetary System the € [euro] is the
Portuguese monetary unit. At present, the bills in circulation are: €
5.00 ; € 10.00 ; € 20.00 ; € 50.00 ; € 100.00 ; € 200.00 ; and €
500.00. The coins are as follows: 1 cent ; 2 cents ; 5 cents ; 10 cents
; 20 cents ; 50 cents ; € 1.00 and € 2.00 .
Tipping
Tipping is optional, but normally 10% is customary in taxis, restaurants and bars.
Exchange
Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants.
Travellers cheques and currency can be changed at hotels or at a bank -
these are open Monday to Friday from 08h30 to 15h00. Automatic changing
and cash dispensing machines linked to international networks are also
widely available.
Post and Telecommunications
Automatic direct dial telephone service is available to and from most
countries in the world. Public phones accept either a pre-paid card, or
coins (see signs on the booth). Credit systems such as AT&T are
also available. Post offices are open Monday to Friday from 08h30 to
12h00 and 14h00 to 18h00.
Medical Care
Clinics and hospitals provide round the clock emergency service. The
national emergency phone number is 112. Hotels have a doctor on call
through the reception. Reciprocal European Union cover is available at
out-patient departments, otherwise private consultation fees are
charged.
Electrical Current
European type 2 pin sockets with 220 volts AC at 50 cycles are used.
The phase 380 volt current is normally available in meeting and
exhibition rooms.
Smoking
Smoking is forbidden by law in public transportation, and in closed public areas.
Shops
Shops are open from 09h00 to 13h00 and 15h00 to 19h00 Monday to Friday,
and 09h00 to 13h00 on Saturdays. In major town centres and in many
shopping malls, they stay open during lunch hours, and close later at
night, including weekend.
Main Shopping Areas
The Pombaline section at downtown, bordered by the magnificent Praça do
Comércio [Black Horse Square] facing the river Tejo, the Rua do Ouro,
Rua Augusta and Rua da Prata finishing at Rossio Square, Avenida da
Liberdade, and the "Chiado" leading to Bairro Alto. The new areas of
Av. de Roma, Praça de Londres and Av. Guerra Junqueiro. Some of the
main Shopping Centres are Dolce Vita Tejo [the largest in Europe], Colombo, Vasco
da Gama, Amoreiras, Imaviz, Monumental, Atrium Saldanha, Alvalade, Via
Veneto, El Corte Inglês, etc...
Shopping
Fine leather goods, lead crystal ware, porcelain, vintage wines, golden
and silver filigree, pottery and specialist textiles are considered
excellent buys in Portugal.
Sales Tax
Sales tax [VAT] is included in prices quoted. For non European Union
residents, tax free shopping schemes are available in many shops, which
gives substantial savings to visitors.
Driving
Vehicles drive on the right side of the road. The use of safety belts
is compulsory, and children under 12 must ride in the back seats.
Portugal has actually a large freeway network crossing the whole
country from the North to the South in Algarve, and from the Ocean
front to the border with Spain. Valid driving licenses from European
Union countries, the USA, Canada and other major countries are
acceptable for use in Portugal up to 6 months stay.
Public transportation
There is a wide inexpensive network in all towns and cities. In Lisboa,
city of the seven hills, you can choose between bus, underground metro,
elevators, electric trams or railway, within the city or to the
suburbs. Trains and express bus service also links the main towns of
the country.
Meals
Breakfast is normally served between 07.30 and 10.00 hrs., lunch from
12.30 to 15.00 hrs., and dinner from 19.30 to 22.00 hrs.
Dinning
There are a wide variety of restaurants and cafés in Lisboa ranging
through the elegant and sophisticated to the casual and inexpensive.
Take-away and fast food is also available from many outlets.
Restaurants, bars, some with living shows, and discos along the river
Tagus, at Rocha Pier and at the Expo 98 site, become very popular,
specially at weekend nights.
Entertainment
Lisboa has a variety of theatres and venues catering for most tastes.
Opera, ballet, plays, concerts, etc. take place on a regular basis all
year round. Portuguese Fado and Folklore shows are popular, and an
international show at Casino Estoril [the largest in Europe], with
glittering cabaret complements the many discos and other night spots.
Recreation
Excellent golf courses, tennis and squash courts, water sports and
horse riding tempt the energetic delegates. The more relaxed might
choose from many noteworthy museums and monuments, sunny beaches and
interesting cities to explore.
Religious Services
Portugal is predominantly Catholic, but a wide number of other faiths
[Protestant, Christian, Moslem, Jewish, and Hindu, among others] are
also followed. Please inquire at hotel reception for times and places
of services.
Security
Crime rates in Portugal are among the lowest in the world. Hotels have
their own security staff, which is sufficient for most events.
Specialist firms are also available if necessary, and the police
provide special protection for visiting dignitaries and high risk
individuals.
Check in / out policy
Should hotel rooms be required for guaranteed occupancy before 14.00
hrs, the previous night should be reserved. Check out time is 12.00 hrs.
noon.
Accessibility
Lisboa International Airport located 6 km from the city centre, and
about 20 minutes driving time from Estoril, is served by all major
international airlines from all over the world.
Climate
The climate in Lisboa is temperate, offering the best of both Atlantic
and Mediterranean sea breezes all year round.
V.A.T.
Value added tax (I.V.A. in Portuguese) is included in prices quoted.
For non EU residents, tax free shopping schemes are available at many
shops.
Water
Tap water is safe to drink. Portuguese and imported bottled mineral water is also readily available.
Public Hospital (Closest to Conference Venue)
Hospital de Santa Maria
Avenida Professor Egas Moniz 1649-035 Lisboa
Tel: (+351) 217 805 000 |
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Museums
Most
of the Museums are closed on public holidays and open Tuesdays to
Sundays, from 10h00 to 17h00. Please check with the Secretariat of the
Conference for further information. Some of the most important museums in
Lisboa are: |
Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga
Ancient Art.
Museu Arqueológico Convento do Carmo Archaeology.
Museu Nacional dos Coches
The world's best collection of this type, ranging from the 17th century coach of King Philip II to 19th century carriages.
Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
It houses the 17th and 18th century oil-billionaire Gulbenkian's
remarkable collection containing Egyptian, Graeco-Roman, Oriental and
European art, and a fine selection of works by René Lalique.
Museu de Arte Moderna
As part of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Museum, it houses the best collection of 20th century Portuguese art.
Museu Militar
Collection of military weapons, armour, paintings and uniforms.
Museu de Marinha
Collection of vessels, paintings and ships rigging. Also the royal barges and sea planes.
Museu Nacional do Azulejo
Collection of decorative tiles (azulejos).
Museu de Arte Sacra
Religious art at São Roque Church.
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Museu do Chiado
Painting and sculpture collection from the romantic period.
Olissipona (at St. George Castle)
Lisboa's Interpretation Centre.
Ajuda Royal Palace
Furniture, tapestry and painting collection.
City Museum
It houses a large collection, including paintings, drawings,
engravings, glazed tiles and sculpture, showing the evolution of Lisboa
from prehistory until the beginning of the 19th century.
Museu Ricardo Espirito Santo
Important decorative art collection in the ambience of an old Portuguese manor house.
Museu do Teatro
Collection of costumes and stage props, stage models and costume
designs, photographs, posters, programmes, manuscripts, scores,
portraits and cartoons. Next to Museu do Traje, amid a beautiful common
park.
Museu do Traje
Its collection illustrates the history of court and folk clothing
throughout the ages. The museum also mounts temporary exhibitions of
fashion design, accessories and jewellery.
Vieira da Silva & Arpad Szenes
Painting Collection. |
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Lisboa Oceanarium |
Located
at “Parque das Nações”, the former Expo 98 site, is the largest in
Europe and the second one in the world. Is a vast aquarium recreating
four different ocean habitats [the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Indian
and the Antarctic], with more than 16,000 living species from all over
the world, offers the visitor a spectacular display of light and
colour. |
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Parks and Gardens |
Jardim Botânico
Alongside the Academy of Sciences, one of the most beautiful in Europe
has an usual display of more than 20,000 exotic plant species.
Zoo
Set in the lovely Laranjeiras Park, one of the richest zoos with more
than 2,000 animals and the best dolphinarium in Europe, is definitively
one of the nicest in the world, also the Animatrix playground for
children.
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Parque Ecológico de Monsanto
Ecological park covering an area of 300,00 square metres, provides the
perfect interplay between man and nature and offers visitors a close
contact with wild animals and vegetal species.
Parque Eduardo VII
With its fascinating "Estufa Fria", a magnificent glass plant hot house with magnificent subtropical flora. |
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Remarkable Churches and Palaces |
Sé Patriarcal (Cathedral)
Build in 1150, blends today a variety of succeeding architectural styles.
São Vicente de Fora (Alfama)
St. Vincent. Italianate, rebuilt in the XVI century.
Santa Engrácia (Alfama)
The National Pantheon, with its high dome.
São Miguel (Alfama)
Built in the 17th century, and restored in the18th.
São Roque (Bairro Alto)
Featuring the most lavishly decorated chapel (baroque) and holding a remarkable Sacred Art Collection.
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Palácio da Ajuda
The largest in the city, brimming with art works and curiosities.
Palácio Marquês de Fronteira
Private estate with elegant gardens with remarkable tiles.
Palácio dos Condes de Óbidos
XVIII Palace rich in marble and fine tiles, housing the headquarters of the Portuguese Red Cross.
Palácio Nacional de Queluz
A “rococo” Royal Palace with beautiful gardens, just outside Lisboa. |
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Lisboa Card |
The
visiting card for Lisboa - is the easiest, most convenient and
independent way to see Lisboa. Available for 1, 2 or 3 days entitles
the holders to: - Free and unlimited travel on the city's tramway, bus,
elevator and underground transportation networks [except for non
regular services] Free entrance in most municipal and national museums
and monuments. - 10 to 50 % discount in other places and services of
interest to visitors. |
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