ABOUT What can one say about Lisbon that is not an understatement? Perhaps one can start by speaking of its light… a golden light that each day, whether Summer or Winter sprays its tones over the white city buildings, or plunges into the dark blue of the river. Another possibility is to refer to its seven hills, amongst which we stroll along the narrow streets discovering the secrets of this ancient town lying along the waters that once allowed the Portuguese people to dream further and sail away in a quest for new worlds… Better yet is to talk about its continuing renewal, ever since it was first destroyed by the earthquake in 1755, and it's rebuilding afterwards, Lisbon never stopped to evolve and permanently adapt until becoming into a modern town of the 21st century and yet keeping its small and cozy atmosphere of the past. In order for you to taste a little bit of the above we suggest taking one of the most ancient means of transportation in Lisbon, the tram, and discover the town for yourself... Let the sun bathe you through the big windows of this vehicle which will take you to the castle hill and enjoy one of the most beautiful views over Lisbon. If this does not catch your attention just walk along the river side for a while, preferably by sun set and then try to get to Belém, the ancient quarter from where the ancient sailors sailed away, where you can experience the harmonically inhabitancy between the future and the past, just looking at two masterpieces of modern and ancient architecture; Belém Cultural Centre and Jerónimos Monastery. If you still are not convinced… just take a walk to the city centre and let yourself go… discover the lifts, the tiles, the balconies, the colours, the light, the people... What can one say about Lisbon that is not an understatement? Come and tell us...

LISBON - HOW TO GET THERE? Lisbon is the main city of , situated right in the centre of the country in the northern margin of the river Tagus. Its International airport is at 15 minutes from the city centre and from all the main hotels. The most important European Airlines, as well as some North America Airlines, operate direct daily flights to Lisbon, from the most important European Capitals and North America. For delegates making intercontinental flights, the best connecting hubs in are Amsterdam, Munich, Zurich, Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels, Madrid or London.

Once landed at Lisbon's Airport, a scheduled bus is operating regular transfers between the Airport and the city centre. Catching a taxi is easy and from Lisbon's airport to the city centre it will cost approximately € 10.

BY AIR Lisboa International Airport, 7 km from the city centre, has daily flights to and from the major cities in Europe and the world. The Portuguese airline TAP - Air Portugal, as well as major international airlines, fly to and from Lisboa. www.airport-desk.com/airports/europe/portugal/lisbon-portela- airport.html

Destinations and companies that flies to Lisbon: Lisboa is easy to get to. It is a short flight away from most European cities. http://www.ana.pt/pt- PT/Aeroportos/Lisboa/Lisboa/Partidas/DestinoseCompanhias/Paginas/destinos companhia.aspx

BY ROAD Arriving in Lisboa by road is a pleasant experience, as the visitor can enjoy the beautiful countryside along the way. The city has good road accesses and the most frequently used routes are: the A1 motorway. the 25th April Bridge, the new Bridge, and the CREL, the outer ring-road for the .

BY RAIL Scores of national and international trains arrive in Lisboa every day. In addition to Santa Apolónia terminal station, the city now has the new Gare do , which opened in 1998 adjacent to the das Nações. Both stations have direct bus or underground connections to the city centre.

BY SEA The Port of Lisboa is the busiest port on the European Atlantic coast. It has three terminals for cruise ships: the Alcântara, Rocha de Conde d’Óbidos and the Santa Apolónia terminals. Lisboa is often a port of call for many cruise ships (coming from many different places). Furthermore, the city also has marinas for pleasure boats in the docks of Belém, Santo Amaro, Bom Sucesso. Alcântara and, most recently, the Docks.

GEOGRAPHICAL & DEMOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Lisboa is the capital of Portugal and lies on the north bank of the Tagus Estuary, on the European Atlantic coast. It is the westernmost city in continental Europe. Greater Lisboa has an area of approximately 1,000 km2. The city lies more or less in the centre of the country, approximately 300 km from the Algarve in the south and 400 km from the northern border with Spain. Lisboa offers a wide variety of options to the visitor, including beaches, countryside, mountains and areas of historical interest only a few kilometers away from the city centre.

Approximately 600,000 people live in Lisboa. However, if one includes the various satellite towns, the population of Greater Lisboa rises to approximately 1.9 million people.

PASSPORT AND VISAS A valid passport (or identity card for European Community nationals) is required. Visas are not necessary for citizens of EU countries. Please contact your local Portuguese Embassy, Consulate or your Travel Agency for further information.

LANGUAGE The official language is Portuguese. English is widely spoken. Portuguese is Latin in origin and the third most widely spoken European language in the world. It is the mother tongue of about 200 million people. Portuguese is the official language in several countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé e Príncipe in Africa, and Brazil in South America. In Portugal itself a considerable number of people can understand and communicate in foreign languages.

LOCAL TIME Mainland Portugal is 1 hour behind European Standard Time [GMT]

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: € 0,01 cent; € 0,02 cents; € 0,05 cents; € 0,10 cents; € 0,20 cents; € 0,50 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. Traveller's cheques and currency can be changed at hotels or at a bank - these are open Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 15:00. 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 08:30 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00.

MEDICAL CARE Clinics and hospitals provide round the clock emergency service. The national emergency phone number is 112.

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. To use American-type plugs, a 220-volt transformer should be used together with an adapter plug.

SHOPS Shops are open from 09:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday, and 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. In major town centres and in most shopping malls, shops stay open during lunch hours, and close later at night, including weekends.

MAIN SHOPPING AREAS (LISBON CENTER) The Pombaline section at downtown, bordered by the magnificent Praça do Comercio, facing the river Tagus, the Rua do Ouro, Rua Augusta and Rua da Prata finishing at Square, da Liberdade, and the leading to . Some of the main Shopping Centres are Colombo (one of the biggest in Europe), Vasco da Gama, Amoreiras, El Corte Ingles.

SCHEDULES Opening hours in Portugal are similar to those in the rest of Europe. The visitor has access to all normal services at any time of the day and on all days of the week - not only in Lisboa, but also in the rest of the country. Pharmacies keep the same opening hours as the rest of the shops but, in order to guarantee 24-hour service, some stay open after 7 p.m. Generally speaking, restaurants are open for lunch from 12 mid-day to 3.p.m and for dinner from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cinema showings begin at around lunch-time, and at some cinemas there are sessions until 2a.m. Theatres and other shows usually start between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m

WORKING HOURS Buses: Every day - 24 hours. Underground: Every day 6.30 a.m. - 1 a.m. Banks: Mon-Fri. 8.30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Shopping Centres: Every day 10 a.m. - 12 midnight Shops: Mon -Fri. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Embassies: Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Post Offices: Mon. - Fri. 8.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m. Pharmacies: Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. - 7 p. m. also: 24 hour (night) service Meal times: Lunch: 12 mid-day - 2 p.m. Dinner: 8 p.m. - 10 p.m

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

In terms of telecommunications, Lisboa offers state-of-the-art technology and can supply a large number of phone lines and other communication equipment in the shortest possible time. Portugal Telecom, the Portuguese telecommunications group, operates with a wide range of technological networks for telephone services, data communications, international and satellite connections, mobile communications and cable TV, thus ensuring ease of contact with the rest of the world.

SALES TAX Sales TAX (VAT) is included in prices quoted. For non E.C. residents, tax free shopping schemes are available in many shops, which give 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 Oceanfront to the border with Spain. Valid driving licenses from EC countries, the EUA, Canada and other major countries are acceptable for use in Portugal up to 6 months stay.

MEALS Breakfast is normally served between 07:30 and 10:00, lunch from 12:30 to 15:00 and dinner from 19:30 to 22:00.

DINING There are a wide variety of restaurants and cafes 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, especially 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 , with glittering cabaret complements the many discos and other nightspots.

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 Portuguese culture is greatly influenced by religion. Although Catholicism predominates, other religions may be freely practiced. (Protestant, Christian, Moslem, Jewish and Hindu, among others) are also followed. Please inquire at hotel reception for times and places of services.

CLIMATE Due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisboa has a pleasant climate throughout the year. The agreeable temperatures in the summer months are an open invitation for a walk by the river, or to spend an afternoon in one of the many street cafés to be found all over the city. Although the temperatures may fall somewhat in the autumn and winter months, sunshine is almost always a constant feature.

JAN/MAR ABR/JUN JUL/SET OUT/DEZ Ar ºC 17.1 21.8 26.3 17.2 Temperatura ºF 62.8 71.2 79.3 53.0 Mar ºC 14.9 17.5 19.5 16.1 Temperatura ºF 58.8 63.5 67.1 60.0

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, , and electric trams, within the city or to the suburbs. Trains and express bus service also links the main towns of the country.

Subway

S. Sebastião (blue line) is the nearest station from the Nova University Campus

Bus Following busses are available from the Nova University University:  Bus 716 and 726: Stop Praça de Espanha  Bus 746, 742 and 713: Stop S. Sebastião  Bus 758 and 701: Stop Rua de

Detailed information regarding public transportation is available at: www..pt for trams and busses, www.metrolisboa.pt for metros.