Unique ethnic tour offered at Cova da Moura neighboorhood

At Cova da Moura, near Amadora, there are plans to launch a 100% local experience hotel. Architecture students from the Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa presented their plans for a hotel built into an neighborhood - Cova da Moura http://moinhodajuventude.blogspot.com/ imagine food tasting, local music, trips to the local food shops, local crafts even hairdos. More of this is on the way from the Chinatown in Lisbon's Martim Moniz or the Brazilian areas of the Costa de Caparica. Presently it is already possible to do a guided tour of Cova da Moura neighborhood, where the guide "Bino" provides inside views of one of the most mystified areas of Lisbon. Reservations available at Associação Moinho da Juventude: +351 21 4971070. Click here to check the youtube video about this project.

Explore Lisbon in a gas free and fun way

Lisbon can now be discovered by visitors with the help of a three-wheeled, two-seated yellow touring car guided by a GPS system. These "GoCars" were pioneered by an American company, GoCar GPS Guided Tours, and are available in Lisbon's Baixa neighborhood. The mini-cars rent for 20 euros per hour and come equipped with guidance systems in Portuguese, English and French. German and Spanish will soon be added. The on-board guide will point out landmarks and points of interest. The GoCar is environmentally friendly and has been used in San Francisco and Miami. New companies such Red Tour GPS and A vida é Bela offer pedal cars and Segways for Lisbon visitors. For more Segway tours options in Lisbon click here. City Cruiser rents a modern tricycle or eco-mobiles, with pedals and electric motors. All are based in the heart of the city and allow one to explore Lisbon in a gas free and fun way.

New Museologic Center opens at St. George Castle, one of Lisbon’s top monuments

A new permanent exhibition called “Núcleo Museológico do Castelo de São Jorge” opened on December 19, 2008 at Lisbon’s Castelo de Sao Jorge (St. George Castle) located in the city’s highest hill. It includes more than 1000 important archaeological objects found over various excavations that the castle was subjected since 1997, such as tiles, knifes, ceramics, etc. Each of the pieces shows the richness and the cultural diversity that always existed in Lisbon. The exhibition also reflects the life and traditions of all the inhabitants that lived in the area for more than 25 centuries including Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Muslims, and Moors. The visit to the exhibition is included in the castle’s ticket price that costs 5 € - discounts are available and entrance is free for Children under 10 years old, Adults over 65 years old, Tourism Guides, Reporters and Teachers. This center is an additional reason why not to miss to go up the hill and enjoy breathtaking views over the romantic city of Lisbon while visiting the periscope of the Tower of Ulysses, which now houses a camera obscura with a giant periscope that allows to enjoy an amazing 360º panoramic view of the city in real time. This Museologic Center is part of a bigger project called "Musealização da Praça Nova " that is scheduled to open at end of the first trimester of 2009 also inside the castle and that was designed by architect Carrilho da Graça. 95% of the million visitors that the castle receives each year are foreigners. For more information visit www.castelosaojorge.egeac.pt

Lisbon will attract more than 9 new boutique hotels in 2009

Hotel developers are seeing Lisbon’s urban vibe and historical underpinnings as key reasons to locate new boutique hotels in the city. Nine new, small hotels are set to open in Lisbon soon, with a total of 470 rooms total. They’ll be located in such historic neighborhoods as Baixa and Bairro Alto, and along the Avenida da Liberdade, near fashionable areas and in buildings that reflect the city’s architectural and historic heritage. The city currently has only about 237 rooms in small, boutique hotels. One of those hotels will be the trendy and stylist Altis Belem Hotel, that is set to open in January 2009 in the Belem area. The hotel will feature 42 rooms of high quality and comfort, and an gourmet restaurant - Feitoria - that will serve the very best of Portuguese cuisine, where chef José Cordeiro, who in 2004/05 and 2005/06 received one Michelin star and was considered in 2004 the best chef by Academia Portuguesa de Gastronomia, will present a "genuine cuisine, based on the best that Portugal has to offer. The hotel will also have a bar, a terraced café, a spa and several meeting rooms. Click here to check the entire list of the new hotels that are set to open in Lisbon.

New Coach Museum set to open in 2010 at new location

Lisbon's famous Coach Museum (Museu dos Coches) will have a new display area come the year 2010 after renovations to a building that was once used by the military. The new museum will be located on Lisbon’s Avenida da India. According to the architect on the project, the museum's interior will be "simple and sober" to allow the coaches to stand out. Plans are to open the museum on October 5, 2010 as part of the Republic Day celebrations. The Coach Museum was an initiative of Queen D. Amélia de Orléans e Bragança, wife of King D. Carlos I (1889-1908), who inaugurated it in 1905. It contains an exceptional and unique collection of richly adorned royal vehicles, from the 17th to 19th centuries (coaches, berlins, carriages, chaises, litters, sedan-chairs), used by the Portuguese other European courts, the Patriarchs of Lisbon and Portuguese noble houses up until the advent of the motor car.

The recently new and trendy restaurants in Lisbon

Many new restaurants have opened in Lisbon lately. Here is just a short list:

5 OCEANOS - Fresh fish and shellfish dishes with Portuguese traditions are the specialties at this new venue.
BOCCA - Opened in the city center, with a menu produced by a young, creative team and cuisine inspired by Portuguese tradition. Head chef Alexandre Silva has worked at the top hotels in Lisbon (Sofitel, Tivoli, Lisboa Plaza, Bica do Sapato). Lunch and dinner, with a different menu for each, will be served. A recent menu included foie gras with pistachio crust, black risotto, fillet of Charolais beef, dark chocolate soft-centered pudding, and milk cream flavored with rosemary. The restaurant offers over 60 wines. To know more details about this place check also a recent posting by Jthetravelauthority.blogspot.com
BRASSERIE FLO - In the style of a traditional French brasseries, Brasserie Flo Lisbon offers French cuisine with culture and theatre.
MOON - the K group opened recently this new space at Kubo, located in Doca de Santos. With a modern and minimalist decor this new restaurant offers tasteful gourmet cuisine dishes and great views of the Tejo river and the 25 de Abril bridge.
OHCOD - This restaurant opened in April 2008 and belongs to the father and mentor of Chef Olivier, Michel da Costa. The menu here focuses on cod dishes.
OLIVIER AVENIDA - The Tivoli Jardim restaurant reopened with Chef Olivier in charge, presiding over an innovative and eclectic menu.
TABERNA IDEAL – opened about one month ago, this local tavern located at Rua da Esperança, 112, in Santos neighborhood, intends to recreate the local ambience of the traditional Portuguese taverns. Using antique porcelain, the home-made style food using fresh products offer unique and tasteful experiences. Tel. +351 21 396 2744
TERRACO RESTAURANT - In July, 2008, Chef Luis Baena opened this restaurant with panoramic views at the top floors of the Tivoli Lisbon Hotel. And more will follow by reknowned chefs such Henrique Sa Pessoa and Fausto Aroldi.
SERGI AROLA at Penha Longa - Just outside the city of Lisbon, near Sintra, Sergi Arola opened in May with the Hotel Penha Longa Resort. “Cozinha Atlântica” is the type of cuisine served here by the Spanish chef. Menu items include tapas, patatas bravas (potatoes with hot sauce), and sophisticated first courses. To know more details about this place check also a recent posting by Jthetravelauthority.blogspot.com