Postcards from... Booklet 2022

There's no doubt that Bairro Alto is one of Lisbon's most luxurious hotels. Named after the lively and fashionable Barrio Alto district in the heart of downtown, the boutique hotel is overlooks Luis de Camões - Lisbon's main square - in a restored 19th century building resplendent in primrose yellow, with wrought iron balconies and stunning views of the River Tagus. The hotel's décor is a juxtaposition of glamorous urban style with traditional architecture and furnishings from Portugal. The Pick of Lisbon Hotels Highly recommended 5-star luxury hotels with very different appeal in prime locations Luis de Camões Square, Bairro Alto Glam Boutique Built in the 19th century for a noble Portuguese family, this is Lisbon’s most luxurious and sumptuously furnished hotel. Located in the diplomatic quarter, Lapa, between the Bairro Alto and Belem districts, the palace is set in beautiful landscaped gardens which slope past the large outdoor heated swimming pool, towards the River Tagus below. The gastronomic ‘Lapa’ restaurant serves classic Portuguese and Mediterranean dishes in elegant surroundings, while ‘Le Pavillon’serves light dishes by the pool in summer and the ‘Tejo’bar terrace is a wonderful place to relax with a drink overlooking the river. Olissippo Lapa Palace Bairro Alto Hotel Tagus To Do’s When you read these essential facts you really have no sensible reason not to put a visit to Lisbon on your city break bucket list - unless you want egg (well custard) on your face! Bairro de Lapa Fit for an Ambassadour elegant residential neighbourhood Bairro da Lapa is home to foreign embassies, expensive town houses and Portugal’s largest museum, the National Museum of Ancient Art. The central district of Baixa is the traditional shopping centre, whilst Bairro Alto is famed for its nightlife. In the evening head to a bar or restaurant where traditional fado is performed; a music genre recognised by UNESCO and an essential part of Lisbon’s heritage. Within 20 and 40 minutes of the city centre, and incorporated into the public transport system lie the towns of Cascais and Sintra respectively. Historically, Cascais was the summer retreat of the Portuguese nobility, and today the town is an elegant fusion of its illustrious heritage and the expectations of the modern visitor. The beaches close to town are glorious but venture northwards and they become more rugged as the wild terrain of the Serra de Sintra takes hold. In contrast the town of Sintra deep within the pine clad hills of the Serra de Sintra has always been a popular and cooling escape from the summer heat with plenty of interesting buildings including whimsical palaces, extravagant villas and the ruins of a 10th-century Moorish castle. With so much going for this wonderful city at the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, and with so many more flights becoming available from all across the UK one might be foolish not to visit now before Lisbon becomes too noticeable - You have been warned! Radu Bercan / Shutterstock.com