Fly & Drive Midden Portugal

About the destination: Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills due to its location, the city spreads across steep hillsides that overlook the Rio Tajo. Romantic and cosmopolitan, the city presents its typical red roofs to the visitors that want to get to know its every inch. Lisbon surprises with its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. The Portuguese capital offers lots of museums, libraries, a huge port, churches and palaces and stunning views of the Rio Tajo Lisbon was considered a poor and chaotic city. Currently it has experienced a resurgence in the style of the XIV and XV centuries, when it was part of that vast empire stretching from Brazil to India. The reason for this was the World Expo held in 1998, a new bridge over the Tagus was built and the network of underground of the city was remodeled. The resurgence of the city then continued to host several matches during Euro in 2004, also held there the Delivery Music Awards (MTV) in 2005. Many of its most beautiful buildings date from the XIV and XV centuries, especially the ones located in the Belem district. There are also many buildings from the XVIII century, which are located mostly in the Baixa area of central Lisbon and were reconstructed almost completely after a devastating earthquake that hit the town in 1755. The historic center of the city, standing on Las Siete Colinas, presents steep streets and picturesque alleys. On the west side of the city, there is Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon’s lung, with an area of 10 km and one of the largest in Europe. The capital’s majestic port has 3 docks commonly used for several cruises and it is, currently, the busiest port in the European Atlantic coast. Lisbon is a city with centuries of history and with an ambitious attitude, marrying the historic with the modern, the traditional with the cutting edge. Strolling through the old quarters one can hear the traditional Fado sung and played in small restaurants in town. In the hilltop district of Bairro Alto, dozens of restaurants and bars line the narrow streets, with jazz, reggae, electronica filling the air and revelers partying until dawn. Nightclubs scattered all over town make fine use of old spaces, whether on riverside docks or tucked away in 18th-century mansions. Lisbon presents itself to the world as a cosmopolitan and lively city, with alternative for every taste, especially in the summer months when its many bars, terraces and restaurants are crammed with people.

About the destination: The medieval university town of Evora rises proudly from an endless plain punctuated by tough cork and olive trees. Coveted by a succession of empires, its labyrinthine streets shelter everything from Roman temple to a Renaissance palace. But above all, Evora stands as Portugal’s foremost medieval showpiece, with beautifully preserved, colourful tile facades on ancient whitewashed walls. All tucked away in a tangle of winding streets and topped off by balconies hung with potted plants and caged canaries. You won’t need long to understand why Evora is dubbed “the museum city”. From Praça do Giraldo walk down through the charming tiled houses, to the colossal 12th century Sé, the cathedral. Inside the entrance to the right are beautiful cloisters. From here you can climb the ramparts for an excellent view of the city. Next door is the Museu d’Evora, housed in an old bishop’s palace. Across the museum is Evora’s most famous monument, the 2nd century Roman Temple of Diana. Facing the temple is the church of São João Evangelista, the town’s best concealed treasure. One of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns, Evora is an enchanting place to delve into the past. If you have time to visit only a few places in Portugal, make Evora one of them.

About the destination: Tomar is a small city but holds an important ancient past and some of the most important monuments in Portugal. The town of Tomar was born inside the walls of the Convento de Cristo, constructed under the orders of Gualdim de Pais, the fourth grand master of the Knights Templar in the late 12th century. Tomar is one of Portugal's historical jewels and more significantly was the last Templar town to be commissioned for construction. Tomar was especially important in the 15th century when it was a centre of Portuguese overseas expansion under Henry the Navigator, the Grand Master of the Order of Christ, successor organization to the Templars in Portugal. The Convento de Cristo in Tomar is the most spectacular place to visit in Portugal, "...Founded by the Knights Templar, it's a beautiful, mysterious and magical place, wonderful to discover and enjoy." Landmarks Convento de Cristo and Castelo de Tomar built in 12th century. After the Order of the Knights Templar was dissolved in the 14th century, the Portuguese branch of the order was turned into the Knights of the Order of Christ, which supported Portugal's maritime discoveries of the 15th century. Church of Santa Maria do Olival, it was built in the second half of the 12th century by the provincial master of the Order of the Knights Templar in Portugal, Gualdim Pais. Church of São João Baptista and Republica Square, this church was built in the end of the 15th century, marked as National Monument in 1910 and is in Republica Square where is Gualdim Pais statue. Aqueduct of Pegões, (Quinta dos Pegões), it was built to deliever water to Convento de Cristo and has 6 km of extension. The construction started in 1593 and finished in 1614. The highest point of this aqueduct is 30 m above ground level. Synagogue of Tomar, is the best preserved of the medieval synagogues of Portugal. It is located in the historic centre of the city of Tomar, and houses a small Jewish Museum. Museom of Matches (Museo dos Fosforos) Surprisingly nice exhibition of matches's boxes all over the world.

About the destination: Estoril Coast is in the Lisbon Region of Portugal, sometimes known as Costa de Lisboa/Lisbon Coast. Estoril is a feast for the senses. The main tourist attractions in this beautiful city are the Tamariz, beach, the Cascais Fortress or the Estoril Circuit for fans of European racings. The oldest in Portugal and one of the largest of its kind in Europe, Casino of Estoril is a multi- entertainment center offering a wide variety of games as well as daily cabaret and music hall shows. Besides gambling, the casino is a regular venue for all types of temporary exhibitions, particularly modern art and sculptures. In a scenic setting overlooking Tamariz Beach, the Casino has attractive gardens with tall palm trees and fountains.