October 18, 2011
Lisbon - The Gorgeous Seaside City With Much To Uncover
Lisbon, the beautiful capital city of Portugal, is a gorgeous sea-front city famous for its bleached limestone buildings and relaxing atmosphere. It also enjoys nice weather, thanks to its balmy Subtropical climate. It's easy to understand the appeal of Lisbon, and its status as one of the most visited cities in Europe goes to prove this. If you have vacation plans taking you to Lisbon, be sure to get your passport first. If you are running low on passport pages, you can apply for more online.
Handle Your Passport Online
If your travel date is looming ever nearer, don't hesitate and go online to get your passport matters settled. If you already have a passport but discover that it's actually expired, online expedited passport renewals can be handled efficiently and quickly so you have it in time for your trip. You even get to pick the date you'd like it delivered.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
There are a couple UNESCO World Heritage sites in Lisbon, and that means these spots are definitely worth visiting. Jeronimos Monastery is a monumental building that has been around since 1501. Inside this building you'll find the tomb of Vasco de Gama, a man called "The Admiral of the Indian Seas." Vasco de Gama was a Portuguese explorer responsible for many important trips between India and Portugal. Another important landmark is the Tower of Belem, which is the other UNESCO World Heritage Site. During Portugal's Age of Discovery, this oceanfront fortress served as a very important defensive structure.
The Oceanarium
The Oceanarium is not only a truly interesting spot to visit, but it's also a great way to stay out of the sun for a little. The aquarium itself is quite large - one of the largest in the world in fact - and it houses all sorts of neat animals, like manta rays, sharks, beavers, and pelicans. It's easy to spend a few hours just enjoying the cool air and the beautiful underwater landscapes. If you are looking for a peaceful spot to relax outside, head to the Jardim Botanico. Created centuries ago by the current King of Portugal, it contains many strange and beautiful plants. The King once said he wanted one of every plant in the world, and while he never reached that, many of the interesting plants still remain.
Gulbenkian Museum
The Gulbenkian Museum is the top spot for addressing any of your interests in history and art. Full of masterpieces by the art masters themselves,including Monet, Rembrandt, Rubens, and more, it's as good an art museum as it is a history museum. Ancient Persian and Egyptian artifacts and art can be found inside also. Be sure to swing by Cascais, a gorgeous seafront fishing village which was once the home of royalty. While you're there,be sure to see Cidadela Fort.
Lisbon's unique blending of engaging culture, fascinating history, and beautiful ocean-side landscapes have made it a consistently popular vacation spot. Simply exploring Lisbon on foot or on bike will reveal a personality that matches its outside beauty. Remember you will need a passport if you have plans to travel to Lisbon or any place else. The expedited passport renewals can be done online if your passport is old. Also be sure to have plenty of blank passport pages. If not, you can get more of those online too.