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General Information 
Passport and Visas
A valid passport (or identity card for European Community nationals) is required.
Visas are not necessary for citizens of European Union countries, the U.S.A.,
Canada and most major countries. Please contact your local Portuguese Embassy,
Consulate or your Travel Agency for further information.
Health Requirements
With the exception of vaccination certificates for persons coming from areas where
yellow fever is endemic presently there are no special health requirements.
How to reach Lisboa by air
Lisboa is just a few hours flying away - 6/8 hours from North America and 2/3 hours
from most European cities. TAP Air Portugal, with more than 60 offices around
the world and daily flights to and from major cities, covering almost 50 destinations
in four continents, as official carrier will grant special discounts to all participants
and accompanying persons.
Lisboa Airport welcome desk
Top Atlântico Operated by Top Tours own office, located right at the arrivals
hall of Lisboa airport, provides personalized assistance to the incoming participants.
Car rental
Special arrangements are made with the main reliable rent-a-car outlets
to grant special discounts to delegates and companions.
Accomodation
The Portuguese Hotel Industry has established a good reputation abroad basically
due to the high standard of services rendered. Also good professional teams
together with ryhe Portuguese natural warmth and friendliness make a powerful
combination that will certainly help you feel welcome.
Language
The official language is Portuguese. English and French are widely spoken.
Local time
Mainland Portugal is 1 hour behind European Standard Time.
Currency
As a member of the European Monetary System the € [euro] is the Portuguese monetary unit.
At present, the bills in circulation are: € 5,00 ; € 10,00 ; € 20,00 ; € 50,00 ; € 100,00 ;
€ 200,00 ; and € 500,00.
The coins are as follows: 1 cent ; 2 cents ; 5 cents ; 10 cents ; 20 cents ; 50 cents ;
€ 1,00 and € 2,00 .
Tipping
Tipping is optional, but normally 10% is customary in taxis, restaurants and bars.
Exchange
Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants.
Travellers cheques and currency can be changed at hotels or at a bank - these are open Monday
to Friday from 08h30 to 15h00. Automatic changing and cash dispensing machines linked
to international networks are also widely available.
Post and Telecommunications
Automatic direct dial telephone service is available to and from most countries in the world.
Public phones accept either a pre-paid card, or coins (see signs on the booth).
Credit systems such as AT&T are also available. Post offices are open Monday to Friday
from 08h30 to 12h00 and 14h00 to 18h00.
Medical Care
Clinics and hospitals provide round the clock emergency service.
The national emergency phone number is 112.
Hotels have a doctor on call through the reception. Reciprocal European Union cover is available
at out-patient departments, otherwise private consultation fees are charged.
Electrical Current
European type 2 pin sockets with 220 volts AC at 50 cycles are used. The phase 380 volt current
is normally available in meeting and exhibition rooms.
Smoking
Smoking is forbidden by law in public transportation, and in closed public areas.
Shops
Shops are open from 09h00 to 13h00 and 15h00 to 19h00 Monday to Friday, and 09h00 to 13h00
on Saturdays. In major town centres and in many shopping malls, they stay open during lunch hours,
and close later at night, including weekend.
Main Shopping Areas
The Pombaline section at downtown, bordered by the magnificent Praça do Comércio [Black Horse Square]
facing the river Tejo, the Rua do Ouro, Rua Augusta and Rua da Prata finishing at Rossio Square,
Avenida da Liberdade, and the "Chiado" leading to Bairro Alto. The new areas of Av. de Roma,
Praça de Londres and Av. Guerra Junqueiro. Some of the main Shopping Centres are Colombo
[one of the biggest in Europe], Vasco da Gama, Amoreiras, Imaviz, Monumental, Atrium Saldanha,
Alvalade, Via Veneto, El Corte Inglês, etc...
Shopping
Fine leather goods, lead crystal ware, porcelain, vintage wines, golden and silver filigree,
pottery and specialist textiles are considered excellent buys in Portugal.
Sales Tax
Sales tax [VAT] is included in prices quoted. For non European Union residents, tax free shopping
schemes are available in many shops, which gives substantial savings to visitors.
Driving
Vehicles drive on the right side of the road. The use of safety belts is compulsory,
and children under 12 must ride in the back seats. Portugal has actually a large freeway network
crossing the whole country from the North to the South in Algarve, and from the Ocean front
to the border with Spain. Valid driving licenses from European Union countries, the USA,
Canada and other major countries are acceptable for use in Portugal up to 6 months stay.
Public transportation
There is a wide inexpensive network in all towns and cities. In Lisboa, city of the seven hills,
you can choose between bus, underground metro, elevators, electric trams or railway,
within the city or to the suburbs. Trains and express bus service also links the main towns of the country.
Meals
Breakfast is normally served between 07.30 and 10.00 hrs., lunch from 12.30 to 15.00 hrs.,
and dinner from 19.30 to 22.00 hrs.
Dinning
There are a wide variety of restaurants and cafés in Lisboa ranging through the elegant
and sophisticated to the casual and inexpensive. Take-away and fast food is also available
from many outlets. Restaurants, bars, some with living shows, and discos along the river Tagus,
at Rocha Pier and at the Expo 98 site, become very popular, specially at weekend nights.
Entertainment
Lisboa has a variety of theatres and venues catering for most tastes.
Opera, ballet, plays, concerts, etc. take place on a regular basis all year round.
Portuguese Fado and Folklore shows are popular, and an international show at Casino Estoril
[the largest in Europe], with glittering cabaret complements the many discos and other night spots.
Recreation
Excellent golf courses, tennis and squash courts, water sports and horse riding tempt the energetic delegates.
The more relaxed might choose from many noteworthy museums and monuments,
sunny beaches and interesting cities to explore.
Religious Services
Portugal is predominantly Catholic, but a wide number of other faiths [Protestant, Christian, Moslem,
Jewish, and Hindu, among others] are also followed. Please inquire at hotel reception for times and places of services.
Security
Crime rates in Portugal are among the lowest in the world. Hotels have their own security staff,
which is sufficient for most events. Specialist firms are also available if necessary,
and the police provide special protection for visiting dignitaries and high risk individuals.
Check in / out policy
Should hotel rooms be required for guaranteed occupancy before 14.00 hrs,
the previous night shouldbe reserved. Check out time is 12.00 hrs. noon.
Accesibility
Lisboa International Airport located 6 kms. from the city centre, and about 20 minutes driving time
from Estoril, is served by all major international airlines from all over the world.
Climate
The climate in Lisboa is temperate, offering the best of both Atlantic and Mediterranean sea breezes all year round.
V.A.T.
Value added tax (I.V.A. in Portuguese) is included in prices quoted. For non EU residents,
tax free shopping schemes are available at many shops.
WATER
Tap water is safe to drink. Portuguese and imported bottled mineral water is also readily available.
PUBLIC HOSPITAL (Closest to Congress Venue)
Hospital de Santa Maria
Avenida Professor Egas Moniz
1649-035 Lisboa
Tel: (+351) 217 805 000
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Museums
Most of the Museums are closed on public holidays and open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10h00 to 17h00. Please check with the Secretariat of the Congress for further information. Some of the most important museums in Lisboa are:
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Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga
Ancient Art.
Museu Arqueológico
Convento do Carmo Archaeology.
Museu Nacional dos Coches
The world's best collection of this type, ranging from the 17th century coach of King Philip II to 19th century carriages.
Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
It houses the 17th and 18th century oil-billionaire Gulbenkian's remarkable collection containing Egyptian, Graeco-Roman, Oriental and European art, and a fine selection of works by René Lalique.
Museu de Arte Moderna
As part of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Museum, it houses the best collection of 20th century Portuguese art.
Museu Militar
Collection of military weapons, armour, paintings and uniforms.
Museu de Marinha
Collection of vessels, paintings and ships rigging. Also the royal barges and sea planes.
Museu Nacional do Azulejo
Collection of decorative tiles (azulejos).
Museu de Arte Sacra
Religious art at São Roque Church. |
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Museu do Chiado
Painting and sculpture collection from the romantic period.
Olissipona (at St. George Castle)
Lisboa's Interpretation Centre.
Ajuda Royal Palace
Furniture, tapestry and painting collection.
City Museum
It houses a large collection, including paintings, drawings, engravings, glazed tiles and sculpture, showing the evolution of Lisboa from prehistory until the beginning of the 19th century.
Museu Ricardo Espirito Santo
Important decorative art collection in the ambience of an old Portuguese manor house.
Museu do Teatro
Collection of costumes and stage props, stage models and costume designs, photographs, posters, programmes, manuscripts, scores, portraits and cartoons. Next to Museu do Traje, amid a beautiful common park.
Museu do Traje
Its collection illustrates the history of court and folk clothing throughout the ages. The museum also mounts temporary exhibitions of fashion design, accessories and jewellery.
Vieira da Silva & Arpad Szenes
Painting Collection. |
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Lisboa Oceanarium
Located at “Parque das Nações”, the former Expo 98 site, is the largest in Europe and the second one in the world. Is a vast aquarium recreating four different ocean habitats [the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Indian and the Antarctic], withmore than 16,000 living species from all over the world, offers the visitor a spectacular display of light and colour. |
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| Parks and Gardens |
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Jardim Botânico
Alongside the Academy of Sciences, one of the most beautiful
in Europe has an usual display of more than 20,000 exotic plant species.
Zoo
Set in the lovely Laranjeiras Park, one of the richest zoos with more than 2,000 animals and the best dolphinarium in Europe, is definitively one of the nicest in the world, also the Animatrix playground for children. |
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Parque Ecológico de Monsanto
Ecological park covering an area of 300,00 square metres, provides the perfect interplay between man and nature and offers visitors a close contact with wild animals and vegetal species.
Parque Eduardo VII
With its fascinating "Estufa Fria", a magnificent glass plant hot house with magnificent subtropical flora. |
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| Remarkable Churches and Palaces |
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Sé Patriarcal (Cathedral)
Build in 1150, blends today a variety of succeeding architectural styles.
São Vicente de Fora (Alfama)
St. Vincent. Italianate, rebuilt in the XVI century.
Santa Engrácia (Alfama)
The National Pantheon, with its high dome.
São Miguel (Alfama)
Built in the 17th century, and restored in the18th.
São Roque (Bairro Alto)
Featuring the most lavishly decorated chapel (baroque) and holding a remarkable Sacred Art Collection. |
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Palácio da Ajuda
The largest in the city, brimming with art works and curiosities.
Palácio Marquês de Fronteira
Private estate with elegant gardens with remarkable tiles.
Palácio dos Condes de Óbidos
XVIII Palace rich in marble and fine tiles, housing the headquarters of the Portuguese Red Cross.
Palácio Nacional de Queluz
A “rococo” Royal Palace with beautiful gardens, just outside Lisboa. |
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Lisboa Card
The visiting card for Lisboa - is the easiest, most convenient and independent way to see Lisboa. Available for 1, 2 or 3 days entitles the holders to:
- Free and unlimited travel on the city's tramway, bus, elevator and underground transportation networks [except for non regular services] Free entrance in most municipal and national museums and monuments.
- 10 to 50 % discount in other places and services of interest to visitors. |
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Top Atlântico Operated by TopTours
lisboa.congress@topatlantico.pt
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