| Lisbon |
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Lisbon Walking through the streets of Lisbon, visiting the pubs, the antiques street fairs, talking to the people, taking in the impressive architecture of monumental proportions, the wide, white colored plazas that shine brilliantly against the pale, blue, nautical sky, one can sense and smell the imagination of a capital city historically steeped in wealth from centuries of seafaring and dreams.
Ranging from Celtic, to Roman, Moorish rule then Catholic monarchy all leading up to modern day democracy, the city is replete with historical attractions that hearken in part to an era in which Lisbon was the center of an amazing Portuguese Empire.
Start out your tour of Lisbon by visiting the impressive Belém Tower, whose ornate, baroque and fairytale castle refinements of sparkling white stone adorn a structure that juts out onto the waterway. Such class and architectural brilliance is simply signature to the rich, Portuguese sense of style and flare. Also check out the statue of King José in Commerce Square, whose blue-green copper equine apparition tops a white cement structure, seemingly the trademark colors of beautiful Lisbon, colors similar to the pointy monument found at the famous Restorer’s Square, or the all-white arches of the parliament building called the Assembly of the Republic, all worthwhile sights to see.
But Lisbon is far from being stuck in its rich and intriguing past. Architectural integration of the old and new are done in inspiringly good taste. Two major structures that merit taking note of are the Bridge of the 25th of April, an impressively long suspension bridge, and the city’s main train station, Gare do Oriente (Eastern Station), whose futuristic latticework lights up at night with such brilliance that the wobbling, oversized, spoke-filled awnings underneath can be fully appreciate as well, even in the blackest of Lisbon nights.
Nightlife in this city is among the best on the Iberian Peninsula (which is saying a lot, considering that Spain is the competition). Full of jazz clubs, bars, discos, live music and a refined mixture European liberalism, cosmopolitan grace and Latin flare make for some of the best parties in Europe. |
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