Thursday, August 25, 2011

Lisbon - Home Of Famed Explorers And Beautiful Scenery

By Ben Pate


Lisbon, the beautiful capital city of Portugal, is a gorgeous sea-front city famous for its bleached limestone buildings and relaxing atmosphere. It also enjoys nice weather, thanks to its balmy Subtropical climate. It's easy to understand the appeal of Lisbon, and its status as one of the most visited cities in Europe goes to prove this. If you have vacation plans taking you to Lisbon, be sure to get your passport first. If you are running low on pasport pages, you can apply for more online.

Handle Your Passport Online

If you are still without a passport or discover some sort of problem with your current passport, and your travel date is drawing near, don't panic. Going online and looking into expedited passport services can be the solution. For example, if you uncover at the last minute that your passport is expired, expedited U S passport renewals can be handled online to get your passport valid again and ready for your trip.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

While you're in Lisbon, be sure to check out the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as you can be sure these spots hold something interesting to uncover. One of these sites is the Tower of Belem. This ocean-side fortress was a crucial defensive tool during Portugal's Age of Discovery. The other famous UNESCO World Heritage Site is Jeronimos Monastery. Construction for this monumental church began in the early 1501's, and it soon became one of the most important buildings in the country. In fact the famous Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gama, the man called the "Admiral of the Indian Seas," is buried here.

The Oceanarium

If you'd like to get out of the sun for a little bit, head to the famous Oceanarium. It's actually one of the biggest aquariums on Earth, but it does not cost a lot to get in. Many animals can be seen there, such as sharks, beavers, manta rays, and pelicans. Because it's so big, it provides a great way to get inside and cool down before you continue on the rest of your adventures. The Jardim Botanico is a botanical garden and a beautiful natural spot to rest. This garden is a few hundred years old and was put in place by the King of Portugal, who claimed to want one of every species of plant. Unfortunately, he never achieved this goal, but that doesn't mean he didn't get close. Lots of crazy-looking plants can still be found here.

Gulbenkian Museum

The Gulbenkian Museum is the top spot for addressing any of your interests in history and art. Full of masterpieces by the art masters themselves,including Monet, Rembrandt, Rubens, and more, it's as good an art museum as it is a history museum. Ancient Persian and Egyptian artifacts and art can be found inside also. Be sure to swing by Cascais, a gorgeous seafront fishing village which was once the home of royalty. While you're there,be sure to see Cidadela Fort.




About the Author:



No comments: