The best of Lisbon
Written by: Anita Lišková & Todd Shaw
Photo by: Petr Vykoukal
Lisbon’s mile-high mountains and gorgeous beaches are complimented with a stunning variety of architecture – from Roman fortifications to mosaic-rich monasteries. As the capital city of a seafaring nation, everything from seafood and special crafts to sports and business thrive here.
| Pedro Patricio commercial counselor, Portuguese Embassy Favorite hotel: Lapa Palace, Rua do Pau de Bandeira 4, tel.: +351 21 394 9494, www.lapapalace.com Favorite restaurant: Monte Mar, Estrada Guincho – Oitavos, 2750-374, Cascais, tel.: +351 21 486 9270 Favorite night club: Coconuts, Av. Rei Humberto II Italia, 2750-800, Cascais, tel.: +351 21 484 4109 Favorite attraction: Sintra, www.cm-sintra.pt Best-kept secret: Costa Vicentina – The beaches 80 km south of Lisbon Advice: Just try going once, you will love Portugal! |
| Kateřina Kutnohorská manager, CK Snail TravelFavorite hotel: Altis Park, Avenida Engenheiro Arantes e Oliveira 9, tel.: +351 21 843 4200 Favorite restaurant: Resto Chapito, Costa do Castelo 7, tel.: +351 21 886 7334 Favorite night clubs: Night clubs in Lisbon’s docks near Tejo river, under the Bridge of 25th April, or night club Pavilhao Chines, Rua Dom Pedro V 89, in the city center. Favorite attraction: Lisbon’s Oceanarium, the biggest in Europe. Located in Park of the Nations, where Expo ’98 took place. www.oceanario.pt Best-kept secret: If you want small black espresso, you have to order “bica”. Otherwise you will automatically be given a big one. Advice: Visit a restaurant with “fado” – touching guitar songs. The authentic ones you can find in Bairro Alto and Alfama districts. |
| Pedro Rocha Goncalves finance manager, SefimotaFavorite hotel: Hotel Meridien, Rue Castilho 149, tel.: +351 21 381 8700 Favorite restaurant: Bica do Sapato, Avenida Infante D Henrique, Santa Apolonia, tel.: + 351 21 881 0320 Favorite night club: Kapital, Avenida 24 de Julio 68, tel.: +351 21 395 7101 Favorite attraction: Centro Cultural de Belém, Praca do Império, tel.: +351 21 301 9606 Best-kept secret: Don’t miss the super sunset in Albatroz Hotel in Caiscais, just 20 km west of Lisbon on the Coast. Rua Arcuca 100, Cascais, tel.: +351 21 484 7380 Favorite shop: Rosa & Teixeira, Avenida Liberdade 204, tel.: +351 21 311 0350 Advice: Go for a late dinner, after 22:00 or even 23:00. If you go too early, you will miss the local restaurants’ unique atmosphere. |
| Ivan Lankaš president, Komora česko-portugalské spolupráceFavorite hotel: Hotel Dom Manuel 1, Av. Duque D’Avila 189, tel: +351 21 359 3010 And also one dream hotel – men’s monastery 2 km away from Capa de Rocca. Favorite night club: Small bars on the right side of the port square in Lisbon. Favorite attraction: The elevator between upper and lower town of Lisbon, constructed by Mr. Eiffel. Favorite shop: Any ceramics shop in Vila de Conde, a little town north of Lisbon. Advice: Forget all your prejudices, relax, and return to the time of your adolescence. |
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Where on the web?
For further information, we suggest the following websites dedicated to Lisbon:
http://www.worldexecutive.com/cityguides/lisbon/ – the business traveler’s first stop to find great rates on hotels, flights, and to read other city info.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/lisbon/ – the folks at Lonely Planet offer a no-frills, less conservative look at what the city has to offer.
http://www.timeanddate.com/shop/cities/133.html – if you have time to shop before your trip, check out this site with links to the best books on Lisbon.
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/ – from the Fodor’s homepage, you can find well-rounded travel & tourism guides for cities all over the world, Lisbon included.
http://www.world66.com/europe/portugal/lisbon – a decent, easy to navigate site for travelers who don’t need too many details.
http://www.kasbah.com/guides/lisbon.htm – self-billed as “the world’s most powerful travel resource”, this is a good starting point for prices on flights, accommodation, etc.
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Business profile
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· Portugal currently boasts one of western Europe’s fastest climbing economies, with an annual growth rate of over 3% during the last few years. Lisbon also boasts one of the lowest unemployment figures in Europe.
· Being part of the EMU (since 1999) has strengthened Portugal’s trading bonds with the other European countries – especially Spain, Germany, and France. EU membership has also brought massive investment in infrastructure, which has boosted the domestic construction industry and also made it generally easier to do business. Being chosen to host the UEFA football championship in 2004 in its recently constructed “Stadium of Light” has helped put Lisbon on the map as a thriving, progressive capital city.
· The main industries in Lisbon are tourism, followed by finance, insurance, consulting and telecommunications. The Baixa district is the location of many of the banks and major financial services.
Source: www.cityguide.travel-guides.com
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Business etiquette
· When addressing someone, it is customary to use their title – especially if they have a profession (e.g. Engenheiro) or university degree – followed by their full name.
· Business suits are standard office attire for both men and women, and may even be worn to social functions. It is considered rude to write anything official in red ink.
· Business socializing generally focuses on eating and drinking in bars and restaurants, seldom extending to people’s homes. Alcohol will usually be drunk with all meals, although local business people hardly ever overindulge during business meetings.
Source: www.cityguide.travel-guides.com