(This text will take approximately 3 minutes to read. Feel free to copy it or parts of it for your presentation of Portugal.)

Like the Portuguese people, Lisbon is an unpretentious city with a quiet charm that cannot fail to hold you in its embrace. There is a Portuguese saying: "Porto works and Braga prays, Coimbra studies and Lisbon plays". Lisbon is proud to call itself the national playground as well as the national capital. Served by its international airport just a 15-minute drive from the city centre, it boasts an array of de luxe hotels with excellent conference facilities, as well as beautiful historic palaces and monuments ideal as banqueting venues.
There is wonderful sightseeing, while the city's gastronomy and wines are unforgettable. The nightlife rivals the capitals of Europe and many fine new eating houses and other nightspots, many with terraces overlooking the river, are now concentrated on refurbished areas along the River Tagus stretching intermittently from the World Expo 98 site and the Vasco da Gama bridge to the dock area of Cais do Sodré and Santo Amaro as far as Bélem.

Lisbon is situated on the most regal part of the Tagus and is built on the legendary seven hills (actually 24) that provide many vantage points over rooftops, inviting parks and gardens, and the great sweep of the harbour and a waterfront which stretches 30 kms.

The steep gradients over which much of the central part of the city is scattered are best explored on foot while another pleasant way to discover the sights is by riding the gaily-painted electric trams.

The "Lisboetas" are generally laid back and friendly people and Lisbon is a city where the visitor generally feels at ease.
The most famous part of town is the hilly Alfama district, a labyrinth of cobbled alleys, tiny squares, and elegant houses, rising in tiers from the Tagus, which has changed little since the Moorish occupation. Old stone houses lean and tilt almost haphazardly, the streets zig-zag and daily life passes before your eyes – quaint, boisterous and always fascinating. At night the husky voices of black-shawled singers are heard in the fado nightclubs.

The contrast with the nearby low-lying Baixa district, destroyed in the earthquake of 1755, is dramatic. This area, containing the Praça do Commercio and the Rossio, was rebuilt in precise grid form by the Marquis of Pombal with splendid squares and avenues.

The Bairro Alto district is a big attraction for visitors. This is the most bohemian quarter of the city, rising to the west in steep streets and stone staircases and lined with restaurants, fado houses and mildly raffish yet inviting bars.

The lower part of this district, served by several lifts to the upper reaches, embraces the elegant Chiado with its fashionable department stores and coffee houses, now beautifully restored after a serious fire in 1988.

Another area of Lisbon not to be missed is Belém, home to some of Lisbon's finest Manueline architecture, evoking Portugal´s great era of maritime discoveries. This area is notable also for excellent restaurants overlooking parklands and gardens. The speciality of the famous Pasteis de Belem antique coffee house nearby are delicious custard tarts sprinkled with cinnamon (pasteis de natas).

To the west, the riverfront evolves into a series of Atlantic Ocean beaches, forming the Lisbon Coastline. This region has gracious resorts with historic palaces and hotels that are ideal venues for organizing holiday breaks and conferences and within comfortable travelling distance are more than 20 championship standard golf courses. The most famous resort on the Lisbon Coastline is Estoril, a sophisticated resort about 15 kms from Lisbon, a haven for Europe's kings and the aristocracy for centuries. Its new casino combines a nightclub featuring international artistes, restaurants, exhibition halls, cinema and a gambling hall.

The cosmopolitan resort of Cascais is still a working fishing port with its coastline abundant in high class fish restaurants and much in contrast to Estoril´s formality.

The hilly town of Sintra is one of the jewels in the Portuguese crown. Beloved by poets (Lord Byron described Sintra as "the most blessed place on earth") and painters, it was a retreat for the Portuguese kings since the 14th century who made the Paço da Vila.