Tag Archive | "Lisbon"

The world’s best city beaches

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Liz Porter

 One of the best … Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro.

Copacabana, Rio De Janeiro

With Sugarloaf Mountain in the background, this four-kilometre stretch of beach (pictured) is the place where Brazilian beach culture — and the G-string bikini — was born. Crowded with overtanned men and women in tiny swimsuits, its attractions include the landmark Copacabana Palace Hotel and countless beach bars. Its waters are calmer than those off the neighbouring beach of Ipanema.

Repulse Bay, Hong Kong

On the island’s south coast, this crescent-shaped beach is a bus ride from Central. Watched over by statues of Taoist gods Tin Hau and Kwun Yum, and the houses and apartments of the super-rich on the hills above, the beach is packed on weekends, although swimmers can escape by paddling out to offshore rafts. Film buffs often take the 20-30 minute seaside promenade to Deep Water Bay, the setting of the 1955 film Love Is a Many Splendored Thing, while those in search of a quieter experience opt for a train or ferry to Lantau Island.

Praia do Guincho, Lisbon

A glorious white sandy beach north-west of the city and a magnet for surfers, windsurfers, kitesurfers and sunset photographers, this beach is part of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and was immortalised in the pre-titles section of the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. It’s a 45-minute train ride from Lisbon to Cascais and then a 20-minute bus ride.

Wannsee, Berlin

This sandy “beach” is a man-made stretch on the shores of a lake and the water is murky and relatively warm. It’s a 30-minute trip from the city centre but on a baking hot sumnmer’s day, it’s the only way to cool off. And, with a large section set aside for nude bathing, it offers an interesting insight into local leisure culture. The resort here has its own complex history, with the Nazis critical of the “unGerman” design of the 1930 lido building that overlooks the water. The nearby Wannsee villa was the site of the infamous 1942 conference that designed Hitler’s “final solution”.

Bondi Beach, Sydney

Even if it weren’t a convenient eight kilometres from the city, this stretch of beach would be worth visiting. Noted for its surf, restaurants and bars — especially Bondi Icebergs, where diners feel as if they’re floating over the ocean — its southern end is the starting point of an exhilarating cliff-top walk that winds six kilometres past the beautiful beaches of Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly and on to Coogee.

 

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Sightseeings in Lisbon

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Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is one of the rare Western European cities that face the ocean and uses water as an element that defines the city. Lisbon enchants travelers with its white bleached limestone buildings, intimate alleyways, and an easy going charm that makes it a popular year round destination.

Lisbon is an ancient city full of history and cultural traditions, where magnificent palaces, monuments, churches and museums abound. Lisbon has the mildest climate in europe and is blessed with a cool atlantic breeze and long hours of sunshine. Addition to that its cultural diversity, laid-back feel and architectural time warp, and you have one of the most enjoyable cities in europe and also one of the most economical.

 

Sightseeings

 

Jeronimos Monastery

The Jeronimos Monastery is the most impressive symbol of Portugal’s power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. The monastery was populated by monks of the Order of Saint Jerome (Hieronymites), whose spiritual job was to give guidance to sailors and pray for the king’s soul. It is one of the great triumphs of European Gothic (UNESCO has classified it a World Heritage monument), with much of the design characterized by elaborate sculptural details and maritime motifs. This style of architecture became known as Manueline, a style of art that served to glorify the great discoveries of the age.

Belém Tower

Built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor, the Belem Tower was the starting point for many of the voyages of discovery, and for the sailors it was the last sight of their homeland.
It is a monument to Portugal’s Age of Discovery, often serving as a symbol of the country, and UNESCO has listed it as a World Heritage monument.

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Northeast of Eduardo VII Park is the Gulbenkian Museum, one of the world’s great museums and one of Europe’s unsung treasures. Part of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, it houses a magnificent collection of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Islamic, Asian, and European art. It was substantially renovated and modernized in 2001 (many of its masterpieces were on display in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art during renovation), and can’t be missed during a visit to Lisbon. This is one of the world’s finest private art collections, amassed over a period of 40 years by oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian, who was one of the 20th century’s wealthiest men. In his later years he adopted Portugal as his home, and donated all of his stupendous art treasures to the country when he died in 1955 at the age of 86.

Berardo Museum

The Berardo Museum has one of the world’s most acclaimed modern art collections, with works by Warhol, Picasso, Dali, Duchamp, Magritte, Miró, Bacon, Jackson Pollock, Jeff Koons, among others representing dozens of modern movements.
It was amassed by Portuguese magnate Joe Berardo, who for many years had wanted to create a museum for his vast collection. Cities like Paris and Miami were interested in buying it, but the Portuguese government made sure it was kept in Lisbon and agreed to provide space inside Lisbon’s Belem Cultural Center.

If you are planning your Holidays in Lisbon, please visit http://www.mylisbon.co.uk to find and book discount holiday packages.

 

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Beautiful and Intriguing Bridges in the World

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The Seven Mile Bridge, Florida, USA

Total length :  10 km

Construction completion : 1982

The Seven Mile bridge connects the Gulf of Mexico to the Florida Strait. The length and spectacular view of the bridge have attracted many film makers. True Lies, 2 Fast 2 Furious, The James Bond thriller License to Kill are few movies that were filmed along the Seven Mile bridge.

Oliveira Bridge, Brazil

Total length : 1.6 kms

Construction completion : 2008

The Brazilian cable-stayed bridge, which is 453 ft tall and 1.6km long, is one of the most wonderful bridges that you come across in South America. It is built over the Pinheiros River. The bridge deck has the shape of the alphabet “X” and it is the only bridge that have two curved tracks. It was opened in May, 2008 and since then it has become a popular shooting spot for automobile advertisements.

Magdeburg Water Bridge, Germany

Total length : 918 m

Water depth: 4.25 m

The most noticeable thing about the bridge is that it is not cars and buses that run through it, instead the vehicles are boats and ships! Canal engineers in Germany started the plans for building the Magdeburg Water in the year 1919. But the project was put on hold by the East German Government because of the World War and Cold War that took place later. The project was reopened in 1997 and the bridge got built in 6 years.

Hangzhou Bay Bridge, China


Total length : 35.673 kms

Hangzhou Bay Bridge is the longest trans-oceanic bridge in the world, connecting the municipalities Jiaxing and Ningbo in China. The entire bridge is 35.673 km in length and has 6 lanes of express ways. The bridge was built in 4 years but it was opened to the public only in 1st May, 2008, 1 year after testing and evaluating the work.

 Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia

Total length : 1.149 kms

Construction completion : 1932

The Coat Hanger or the Sydney Harbour Bridge is not only the world’s widest span bridge but also the tallest steel arch bridge. The construction of the bridge began in 1923 and it was completed after 9 long years on 19th January 1932. The dramatic view of the Sydney harbour, bridge and the Opera house have attracted millions of tourists and film makers and they have become an iconic symbol.

Tower Bridge, England


Total length : 244 m

Construction completion : 1894

The most important fact to be pointed out about Tower bridge is that it is not “London Bridge” as many people seem to believe. The bridge is 244 m long and was opened to the public on 30th June, 1894. About 40000 passengers passes through the bridge and it is regarded as one of the busiest bridges in the world.

Alcántara Bridge, Spain


Total length : 194 m

Construction completion : 106 CE

The Roman stone arch bridge, built over the Tagus river in 106 CE, is also known as Puente Trajan. The 194 m long bridge was first damaged in 1214 when the Moors destroyed the smallest arch. In 1543, it was rebuilt but the second arch was destroyed by the Spanish to stop the Portuguese. Again in 1809, it was blown up to stop the French. That’s one historic bridge!

Si-o-se Pol, Iran

Total length : 976 ft

Construction completion : 1602

Si-o-se Pol, the Bridge of 33 arches, is also called the Allah-Verdi Khan Bridge. This  bridge, built in 1602, is 976 ft long and was built in just 3 years. The bridge is famous because of its wonderful structure and also  because it is the finest example of Safavid dynasty bridge design.

Cooper River Bridge, South Carolina, USA


Total length :  10 km

Construction completion : 2005

The structure of Cooper River Bridge, also known as Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, is so strong that it can withstand any hurricanes (even in excess of 300 mph) or earthquakes (about 7.3 or 7.4 on the Richter scale). With a main span of 1,546 ft, it is one of the longest cable-stayed bridge. Total cost: $531 million.


Donghai Bridge,China


Total length :  32.5 km

Construction completion : 2005

The bridge connecting Shanghai and Yangshan, was longest sea cross bridge before Hangzhou Bay bridge opened. It also contains cable stayed sections for the passage of large ships.

Vasco Da Gama Bridge, Lisbon, Portugal


Total length :  10.7 miles

Construction completion : 1998

Vasco da Gama bridge, the 9th longest bridge in the world, is the longest bridge in Europe. The speed limit for vehicles is 120 kmph (100 kmph in one section). During windy, rainy and foggy conditions, the speed limit is reduced to 90 kmph. The bridge has also proven that it can withstand hurricanes, even with speeds of 250 kmph!

Chengyang Bridge,Sanjiang, China


Total length :  64.4 m

Construction completion : 1916

This bridge, also known as the Wind-Rain bridge, contains wooden handrails on both sides and is a perfect combination of painting, bridge, corridor, veranda and Chinese pavilion. It consists of 2 platforms (at the two ends of the bridge), 3 piers, and 4 spans, 5 pavilions, 19 verandas, and 3 floors. The piers are made of stone, the upper structures are mainly wooden and the roofs are covered with tiles.

Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy


 

Construction completion : 996

Ponte Vecchio (means Old Bridge) is a medieval bridge, built across the Arno river in Italy. The bridge is noted for the shops that are built along it, which were occupied by butchers at first. Later, jewelers, art dealers and souvenir sellers occupied the place.

Golden Gate Bridge, California, USA


Total length :  2.7 km

Construction completion : May, 1937

The Golden Gate connects San Francisco and Marin County and is reported as the seventh-largest suspension bridge in the world. The overall cost for the construction of the bridge was $26 million!

Hoover Dam Bridge, Nevada & Arizona, USA


Total length :  580 m

Also known as Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. The bridge is being built over Colorado river linking Nevada and Arizona in the US. The bridge is expected to open in November, 2010, and the estimated cost of the bridge is around $240 million!

King Fahd Causeway, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain


Total length :  28 km

Construction completion : 1986

Location : Saudi Arabia, Bahrain

The causeway was built to better the relationships and bonds between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The construction officially began in 1968 and it took 18 years to complete, costing a whopping $1.2 billion! Census reports in 2001 reported that over 10 million passengers traveled through the causeway in a single year.

Penang Bridge, Malay Peninsula, Malaysia


Total length :  13.5 km

Construction completion : 1985

Location : Malay Peninsula, Malaysia

The bridge connects Gelugor to Seberang Prai in Malaysia. Currently the bridge is expanding from 4 lanes to 6 lanes to accommodate the increase in traffic.

Rialto Bridge, Venice, Italy


Width :  22.9 m

Construction completion : 1591

Location : Venice, Italy

Rialto bridge is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand canal in Venice. It is the oldest among them.

Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge, China

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Length :  79.7 km

Construction completion : 2008

The bridge is a part of the Zhengzhou – Xi’an High Speed Railway Line, connecting Zhengzhou and Xi’an. Even though the bridge was completed in 2008, it was open to the public only on 6th February, 2010.

Mahtma Gandhi Setu,  Bihar, India


Length :  5.57 km

Construction completion : 1982

The bridge is built over the holy river Ganges connecting Patna to Hajipur in Bihar. Before the bridge was built, it was a tedious process for the passengers to travel from Hajipur to Patna and vice versa. Either they had to take ships or they had to take a longer rail route. The bridge became a solution to all these problems.

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Lisbon Portugal Travel Guide

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[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU8RujeBJq8 331 276]lisbon-portugal

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