Portugal's Lisbon Coast has long been a
favorite with in-the-know Europeans. Read on, and it may soon
be one of yours.
The Lisbon Coast's Mediterranean-like climate brings mild winters
and moderate summers, making it a great escape year-round. Here,
American Way visits several of the region's prime spots, all within
20 or so miles of each other.
LISBON
REASON TO VISIT: Portugal's capital is a curious mix of
medieval quarters, trendy neighborhoods, and business districts,
each with its own distinct personality. Most popular with visitors
is the
Alfama, Lisbon's oldest community and one of the few
to survive the 1755 earthquake.
WHERE TO SLEEP: The York House (011-351-213-962-435) is a
former 17th-century convent in the elite Lapa district. Surrounded
by bigger chain hotels, the recently restored
Hotel Veneza
(011-351-213-522-618) is a more traditional choice near the busy
business and shopping centers.
WHERE TO EAT: Café Nicola (011-351-213-460-579), which dates
from 1777 and was once the hangout of local literati, has lost some
of its charm of late, but it's still the city's most popular cafe.
Espiral (011-351-213-553-990) is a homey health-food
cafeteria/grocery with live music on Saturday nights.
CASCAIS
REASON TO VISIT: This former fishing village has been a
fashionable resort since 1870, when Luis I converted a 17th-century
fort into a summer manor and other wealthy families soon followed.
A stroll through town reveals that not much has changed since.
Cascais, which could easily be a Rodeo Drive outpost,
attracts the young, international crowd.
WHERE TO SLEEP: A magnificent Mediterranean-style manor
house,
Casa da Pérgola (011-351-214-840-040) features an
ornate façade and stunning marble floors and staircases. A former
royal residence five minutes from the shore,
Residencial Solar
Dom Carlos (011-351-214-828-115) may be 16th-century and may
include a 400-year-old chapel where King
Dom Carlos used to pray,
but the rooms are 20th century.