Cultuur & natuur: Lissabon en de Azoren

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: Terceira Island belongs to the archipelago of the Azores, Portugal. His name is because it was the third island of the archipelago to be discovered behind the island of Santa Maria and San Miguel. Without doubt, Terceira Island is the funniest in the Azores. If something is known by its inhabitants is their love of partying and they also love music, dance and good wine. Lovers of the outdoors can enjoy diving among octopuses from the Octopus Diving Center, descending on rope Rope Adventures in spectacular waterfalls to cycling trips or kayak. Wine lovers will enjoy the wine museum, where you can taste the best vineyards of the island. Nature lovers should visit the Botanical Park do Duque da filled with palm trees, magnolias and countless exotic species Terceira. Finally, it is obligatory visit, go to Monte Brasil, where you can enjoy wonderful views of the city from there, plus a recreational park at the entrance so that children can be fun. Certainly the Terceira Island is an ideal place for family holidays.

About the destination: Faial Island is a Portuguese island of the Central Group of the Azores. The Capelinhos Volcano, the westernmost point of the island, might as well be the westernmost point of Europe. The island has also referred to as the Ilha Azul, derived from the writings of Portuguese poet Raul Brandão, due to the large quantity of hydrangeas that bloom during the summer months

About the destination: The São Miguel Island, is the largest and the most important of the Azores Islands. It is the island with the largest populations since this round almost 150000, divided between the 6 municipalities which form the island. The island is also known as Green Island, due to its large meadows. The hills are also Laurel forests. The island is the refuge of the Azores bullfinch, endemic bird in serious danger of extinction. Its tourist offer is basically focused on Sun and beach tourism centered basically in the high season.