PortugalA small guide of Portugal for our lovely guests

Go out. Try the food. Enjoy the sun. Relax at the beach. Cross the Douro. Meet the people. Ask for a Super Bock. Walk through Guimarães. Make new friends. Look at the stars. Dive in the

ocean. Eat “pasteis de nata” and “francesinha”. Visit Bom Jesus. Eat, eat a lot. And have fun!

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Guimarães

Praça da Oliveira, Guimarães

Well established as the foundation city of the Portuguese empire, Guimarães enjoys a reputation as a progressive and cultural city. Named after a centuries-old olive tree that was planted here, the social square of Largo da Oliveira is one of the city’s cultural focal points alongside the nearby Largo da São Tiago. The square hosts an array of traditional Portuguese houses featuring a spectacular gothic shrine in the middle. It’s a good place to relax and enjoy the ages-old view of Olive Church. No trip to Guimarães is complete without visiting its most monumental and imposing landmark – the Guimarães Castle. The castle stands as a symbol of local prowess. Whether you wish to stand in its splendid shadow and

Do not miss:Miradouro da Penha

Paço dos DuquesPousada de Santa Marinha

Praça de SantiagoCastelo de Guimarães

Guimarães is considered an exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town.

It is known as the birthplace of the portuguese nationality due to the fact that Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques, was born here.

Restaurante etc.Cor de Tangerina (vegetarian)

Mumadona Dan’s Finger Food

Toural

Where to eat:

Fafe (Ana’s city)Barragem da QueimadelaVitela Assada (to eat) Aldeia do PontidoTeatro Cinema

Around Guimarães

admire the castle from beneath, or scale its fortifications and experience the city from above, this is a must-visit. One of the most remarkable natural landmarks of Northern Portugal, the Serra Penha is seen as the home mountain of Guimarães. More than 600 meters high, this colossal granite mountain stands proud above the city. As an alternative to driving, take the Penha cable car. You will get a spectacular bird’s eye view of the city. Climb the mountain and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the region.

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Do not miss:

BragaBraga is one of the country’s oldest cities, it is very often referred to as the “Portu-guese Rome” due to its enumerous churches, chapels and monasteries. The city was

the European Youth Capital in 2012 and it is now the European City of Sport 2018.

Braga is Portugal’s religious capital. Located in the north-ern Minho region and one of the country’s oldest cities most likely founded by Bracari Celts and known in Roman times as Bracara Augusta.

In the 12th century, Braga became the seat of Portugal’s archbishops and still remains the nation’s most important religious center. For this reason, it has a rich collection of churches, chapels, and monasteries, and in fact very often referred to as the “Portuguese Rome”. The old town features a number of splendid 18th century mansions fashioned out of granite in an imposing architec-tural style representative of the city. Some of these noble buildings house excellent museums that further enhance the sightseeing experience.

In keeping with its devout and saintly character, Braga hosts one of the most colourful religious festivals in Por-tugal, the annual Semana Santa (Holy Week). Also, from the Roman influence, Braga hosts the Semana Romana (Roman Week), where you can smell, taste, experience and laugh as a Roman-Bragacaaugustano yourself! :D

The Minho region is famed for its culinary traditions and Braga is a veritable showcase of the very best flavours from land and sea. The local cuisine is a fusion of fresh fish and seafood from the waters of the eastern Atlantic, visible from the hills that rise above the ancient city of Braga, Portugal, and the hearty flavours of the lush green landscape that surrounds the area.

Sé Cathedral Jardim de Santa Bárbara

Bom Jesus do Monte Torre Menagem (Watchtower, old castle)

Taberna Belga (francesinha)Taberna Velhos Tempos

Dona Julia Bira dos namorados

Anjo Verde (vegetarian)

Where to eat:

Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga

Thank you João!

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PortoPorto is the Portugal’s 2nd largest city, best known for its unique historical landscape,

exquisite cuisine and world-renowned wines. The history of Porto dates back to the 1st century BC when the city was known as Portus Cale (the origins of the name of Portugal), and was situated on the banks of the Douro River where today Porto and

Gaia are located.

Porto is the city of the Baroque. Nicolau Nasoni, an Italian architect living in Portugal, drawing original buildings such as the iconic church and tower of Clérigos, the logia of the Cathedral in Porto, the church of Misericórdia, the Palace of São João Novo, the Palace of Freixo and the Episcopal Palace, among others. Portuenses are referred as “tripeiros”, in reference to the fact that higher quality meat would be used to feed sailors, while off-cuts and by-products such as tripe would be left behind and eaten by the citizens of Porto. Tripe remains a culturally important dish in modern-day Porto.

Do not miss:Port Wine cellars

Sunset from Mosteiro da Serra do PilarLello bookshop

Bolhão Market

Close by there is Palácio da Bolsa. Then you can go all the way up to city centre, where you can visit São Bento Railway station, the Sé do Porto (Porto Cathedral), Aliados (the main square with the Porto City Hall), Church and Tower of Clérigos, and Lello Bookshop (you must come in in the most beautiful bookshop in the world). On the other side of Aliados square, you have the Santa Catarina Street (Rua de Santa Catarina is the shopping street), where you can find Café Majestic (an elegant cafeteria with a belle époque atmosphere) and Mercado do Bolhão (Bolhão Market, the most typical place to see native merchants and fresh products). The Casa da Música (Porto House of Music) is a beautiful place to visit with a very characteristic architecture. By the sea, the Avenida Brasil (Brazil Avenue) is long enough for a relaxing walk. Regarding green areas Porto has the Parque da Cidade (City Park), Jardins do Palácio de Cristal and Jardins de Serralves. Porto is also called “Cidade Invicta” (Unvanquished City)

due to its resistance to an absolutist army in the siege of Porto, which triggered a Republican revolt in Porto on 31 January 1891. This would culminate in the declaration and creation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910.

Port wine cellars (located in Gaia) are a must see. To cross the Douro river you can’t miss the Ponte D.Luís I (specially the upper deck of the bridge offers one of the most wonderful views of the city). Definetely, do not miss the sunset from Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar (in Gaia, just after the bridge), from where you can see the typical houses of Ribeira . In Ribeira, you can see the tipical old and charming houses along Douro River. It is a great place for a break in an esplanade (btw, Bar Ponte Pênsil is fantastic).

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Where to eat:Essencia (vegetarian)

daTerra Baixa (vegetarian) Brasão Cervejaria (francesinha)

Brick Clérigos

On the other side of the bridge, in Gaia, there are several Port wine cellars that are worth a visit. When there, take a boat tour in the Douro river, that shows you all the seven bridges along Douro (it is definitely worth it on a sunny day). Definitely try a Francesinha. The best places to eat iconic francesinha in town are Brasão Cervejaria, Capa Negra II and Café Santiago. Now, let’s start the day. For breakfast or brunch Terrella, Zenith - Brunch & Cocktails Bar, bbGourmet and O Diplomata. For a light meal, like lunch, there are so many options: A Sandeira, Brick Clérigos, Mercado do Bom Sucesso, The Food Corner, Zázá or Rota do chá. If you are looking for good pastries, such as pastéis de nata or éclairs, so Padaria Ribeiro and Leitaria da Quinta do Paço, Petúlia, Confeitaria do Bolhão, Doce Mar are awesome. For a high quality, gourmet dinner and of course a bit more expensive (which definitely worth it!) you have Cafeína, Cantina 32, Restaurante LSD, Typographia Progresso, Cantinho do Avilez, Terra, Puro 4050. If you are vegetarian, you won’t want to miss Essência -

Livraria Lello, Porto

Thank you Catarina!

Restaurante Vegetariano. Another option is daTerra Baixa. The nightlife of Porto is so lively, so for a drink and good music you can go to The Gin House, Fé Wine&Club, Era uma vez em Paris, The Royal Cocktail Club, Radio Bar or Bar Galeria de Paris.

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LisboaLisbon was the starting point for several journies that compose the chapter of the great portuguese discoveries being thus the main stage for sorrow goodbyes and

warmful comebacks. Below some valuable tips from a lisboeta (lish-bu-etah).

Where to eat:Adega das Gravatas

Jardim dos sentidos (vegetarian) Taberna do sal grosso (reservation needed)

Restaurante à parte Culto da Tasca (Sintra)

There´s for sure a plethora of iconic places in Lisbon ranging from museums, castles and churches among other historical monuments. However, if you are not feeling like to spend a considerable time in queues, you can know the city while having a great tourist experience in the, following places: Portas do Sol – it’s a nice terrace in one of the 7 city hills. To reach this amazing sightseeing point you will enjoy the walk by one of the oldest and traditional Lisbon neighborhoods, the Lisbon Cathedral (Sé) and St.Jorge castle. While the Cathedral offers free visits to everyone the doors of the castle can be open for you upon a small tuition fee. Nevertheless, it totally worths the investment. Miradouro da Graça and Miradouro Sofia de Mello Breyner – two of Lisbonners and nowadays tourists favourite spots to enjoy the city view while having a refreshing drink. This is also one of the most typical neighborhoods of Lisbon so if you manage to reach those spots by walking I can assure you that you will get the Lisbon feeling. Parque Eduardo VII – This is a city gem. Here you can enjoy not only a great city view but also nice gardens and

hidden leisure places like cafés and the Cold Greenhouse (Estufa Fria). Terreiro do Paço and Cais da Pedra – The pillars of the Portuguese navigation journey. Here was the place that many tears, hugs, and goodbyes were said. Here was the place where a small country set the goal to discover beyond their borders reaching places never found by others before them. After the renovations, this is for sure one of the best places to enjoy the view from both sides of the Tejo’s river shore and relax on the sun. Something that you really really need to do is to taste our unique gastronomy. Here are some of my favorite places to have typical Portuguese food and bakery: Sr. Lisboa, typical Portuguese food with a contemporaneous

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Do not miss:Pastéis de Belém

Castelo de São Jorge Sintra

Terreiro do Paço Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

presentation. Valuable tip: call to make a reservation, because its a small place (+351 21 342 3512).Casa da Bifana, typical Portuguese food served as Portuguese as it can be. It is not a fancy place, but I can assure you that it will be one of the best food experience you’ll have.

Take the tram to Belém, enjoy a nice walk and do not miss the Pastéis de Belém, portuguese most famous pastry. By the riverside are two major landmarks, with a 15-minute walk between them, which both serve to remind visitors of Portugal’s significant role in the Age of Discoveries. The Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) was built in the 16th century as a fort to protect the coast from foreign attacks and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos.

Portugal’s Manueline architecture, as well as Romanticism and Moorish influences. From its hilltop perch, the palace is an excellent spot to take amazing photographs of the Sintra Mountains. If you feel like some window shopping or you want to take home a very fancy Prada, Cartier, ... souvenir do not miss Avenida da Liberdade, the most expensive street in Lisbon with 5 star hotels and some of the most expensive brands worldwide.

For those who still have some energy left, and are willing to close the night having a good time, I highly recommend a trip to the hot spots of the Lisbon night. On both places, several bars with different music sounds and styles can be found. The streets are full of people of every corner of Europe and beyond so it will be a great opportunity to feel the globalization after a journey of Portuguese acculturation. Do not miss Bairro Alto, Pink street and Pensão Amor. Park Bar and Noobai cafe are also nice spots for an evening drink.

Lisbon is surrounded by some of the most beautiful shores in the country. If you want to enjoy a day at the beach head to Cascais, Sesimbra or Portinho da Arrábida. The Boca do Inferno is an interesting cliff formation close to Cascais, which has been given an overly dramatic name of Hell’s Mouth.

Grand and impressive, the Jerónimos Monastery is quite the sight to behold, even from the outside. This is one of the locations where tourists can gain an appreciation of Manueline architecture, a Portuguese style from the 16th century with Gothic tones. It is also the site where many ancient Portuguese explorers sought shelter, either before or after a trip, and the monastery is the final resting ground of Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer who was the first European to sail to India.

Sintra isn’t just a beautiful Portuguese destination, it’s one of the most alluring cities in the world. Enchanting palaces, historical fortifications and enigmatic pathways occupy each hilltop and slope. In Sintra, moonlight walks are organised each month and beach-lovers find waves and sun at the nearby coast. There’s something for everyone and the city is close to the capital – a train ride from Rossio station lasts 45 minutes and costs a mere €2.20. The National Palace of Pena, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the most remarkable and distinct buildings in Sintra. The striking facade showcases decorative features and details inspired by

Palácio da Pena, Sintra

Terreiro do Paço, Lisboa

Thank you Nana and Hugo!

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IranA small guide of Iran and it’s traditions for our

lovely guests

Go out. Try the food. Meet the people. Have pistachio icecream. Buy souvenirs in the Bazaar. Eat tah-chin and Morasa polo. Learn some Persian words. Appreciate the beautiful “persian

blue”. And have fun!

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TehranTehran (also spelled Teheran) is the capital city of Iran for around 250 years.

A metropolis of 14 million people, it is situated at the foot of the towering Alborz mountain range. Tehran is a bridge which connects the past to the present and

tradition to modernity.

Do not miss:Milad Tower

Nature BridgeBaam-e-tehran (for views on the city)

Darakeh darband (to eat kabab and enjoy the nature)

Golestan Palace Morasa polo (Ana’s favourite dish)

Tehran has prosperous, and modern neighborhoods resid-ing alongside the neighborhoods with very narrow streets surrounded with the walls of very old buildings.

People of Tehran have learned well how to skip the smog-filled, traffic-clogged and featureless sprawl of concrete bursting by a number of nice and cosy places in and around the city. The city is nearly a mile high above sea level and as a result is cooler than other cities in the middle east. The air tends to be very dry.The dry climate which is constantly cool (at least in the evenings), the proximity of the mountains, the parks and gardens where flowers blossom all through the year.

You should see Tehran from the top of the Milad Tower, a never-ending city, which has grown on all directions. Milad Tower is one of the highest communication towers in the world with a rotating restaurant. The views from the restaurant are also breathtaking but the food does not rank the highest. For me, the good food is in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran.

While finding your way to the Moslem restaurant in Bazaar to eat Tah-Chin or Baghali-Polo with Neck, you pass shops selling colorful spices, saffron, nuts, pistachio, dried fruit, Persian carpets and all that one can imagine. This is the place to buy your souvenirs. A lot of visitors find Bazaar very crowded and noisy. This is true except that you can find a lot of cosy and quiet corners around Bazaar.

Do not miss Golestan Palace, a UNESCO world heritage. While you are in that neighborhood, even if you are not a museum person, visit the National jewelry museum. You will not regret it. Having bought all your souvenirs and eaten good food, it´s time to visit the palaces in north of Tehran. Sa’dabad complex and Niavaran palace are from the time the last king of Iran was ruling. As you are so close to Tochal Telecabin, I would suggest to take the ride on one of the world´s longest gondola lifts with 7.5 km reaching an altitude of 3700 m. The gondola lift is used to access ski resorts and other recreational centres on the mountain. This is a trip you won´t forget.

Milad Tower, TehranGolestan Palace, Tehran

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Shiraz“Blessed be Shiraz in its unparalleled state/May God Almighty guard against its

demise.” So wrote Hafez, the revered 14th century poet and native of Shiraz, a verse that has become for many the unofficial slogan of Iran’s esteemed cultural capital.

Shiraz is a city steeped in history and poetry, and should be found at the top of any tourist’s itinerary.

The Nasir ol-Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, is one of Shiraz’s most famous buildings. The Qajar-era mosque, completed in 1888, is celebrated for its delightfully colourful interiors: the stained-glass windows, intricately painted tiles and arches, and innumerable Persian carpets create a mesmerising, kaleidoscopic aesthetic which can’t fail to astound. You should also plan for a short trip to Persepolis. Persepolis, was the magnificent ceremonial capital of the ancient Achaemenid Empire, over 2500 years ago. Ransacked by Alexander the Great, the site represents the pinnacle of ancient Iran’s political and architectural achievements. Nasir ol-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz

Do not miss:Eram Garden

Nasir ol-Mulk Mosque Tomb of Hafez (persian poet)

Persepolis

Eram Garden, Shiraz

And be open to try all the new food and sweets you see, you will not regret it. But what you MUST try there that might be something new to you is all the different “Aragh” they have. Vakil Bazaar should be a good place to find these refreshing drinks which are extracts of different plants such as mint and orange flower to name a few. Also try Faloode, which is a sweet desert made from starch noodles swimming in a pool of rose water and lemonade.

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Do not miss:Ateshkadeh (Zoroastrian Temple)

Amir Chakhmaq Complex Jame Mosque

Bagh-e Dowlatabad

YazdThe desert city of Yazd is as picturesque as Middle Eastern cities come. It is a

well-preserved mud brick old town, with distinctive badgirs, or wind-catchers, dotted around the skyline, and numerous historical sites.

Yazd’s architectural centrepiece, the Amir Chakhmaq complex is located in the heart of the city, in a square of the same name. The imposing three-storey façade flaunts a number of beautifully symmetrical iwans, which light up and glow after sunset. It is one of the largest hosseiniehs in the country (buildings used in the commemorative ceremonies for Imam Hossein’s death). The surrounding square has a number of good sweet and ice cream shops. Zoroastrianism, an ancient monotheistic religion that dates back to around 3500 years ago, was the principal religion in Iran before the Islamic conquests, and the community still lives on in some parts of the country. Yazd is the centre of Zoroastrianism in Iran, and is home to several sites of religious and historic interest. The Ateshkadeh, or Fire Temple, is the most important, containing a central fire that has allegedly been burning since the 5th century A.D.

Thank you Nazli!

Amir Chakhmaq Complex, Yazd

With an abundance of fountains, cypress trees, and pomegranates, the Bagh-e Dowlatabad can be said to capture the quintessence of the Persian garden. The 18th-century residence offers an abundance of shade and some beautiful buildings, attracting tourists all year round. The 33-metre central badgir, as well as the kaleidoscopic array of stained-glass windows, make for a magically idiosyncratic aesthetic, the likes of which you won’t find elsewhere or soon forget. In Yazd you can be introduced to a new architecture called Badgir. You won’t see any kind of air conditioners in Yazd architecture but inside will be at the perfect temperature and it is all thanks to the way the buildings were designed.

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EsfahanOn the tip of every Esfahani’s tongue is an old Persian proverb: Esfahan nesf-e jahan – Esfahan is half the world. Once the magnificent capital of Shah Abbas’s

Safavid Empire, Esfahan is brimming with historic delights, some of which date back to pre-Islamic Iran.

Naqsh-e Jahan Square (also known as Imam Square) is the overwhelmingly impressive central attraction of Esfahan, which features a number of architectural wonders. At the southern edge of the square, which stretches over half a kilometre in length, is the Imam Mosque (or Shah Mosque). Intricate blue-tiled mosaics, splendid Quranic calligraphy, glittering iwans, towering yet delicate minarets, perfectly geometrical floral motifs – the dazzling aesthetic unity of this structural masterpiece is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. Si o Seh – literally meaning “33” – Bridge is so named due to its 33 arches that stretch across the Zayandeh River. Beautifully symmetrical, and especially atmospheric when

Si o Seh Bridge, Esfahan

Do not miss:Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

Si o Seh Bridge Naqsh-e Jahan Square

Chehel Sotun Palace Beriani (beef with bread)

lit up at night, Si o Seh Bridge is one of Esfahan’s most recognisable landmarks and a fine example of Safavid bridge-building. The adjacent teahouse is one of the only ones left along the river and well worth a visit. Try the traditional ice cream in Isfahan. Although the traditional ice cream can be found everywhere, I believe Isfahan offers the best. The traditional Ice cream is a saffron ice-cream with small pieces of pistachio and frozen cream in it. Trust me, no gelato can compete with this.