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Portugal

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Barbados 50

Description & main attractions

Spread across the steep hillsides that overlook the River Tagus, Portugal’s capital is a jumble of medieval monasteries, grand palaces, Gothic cathedrals and riverside docks.

For those who wish to discover the soul of this vibrant city, it is in the narrow lanes and quaint back streets where the true Lisbon is hidden. Bright yellow trams wind their way through steep streets to old quarters with cafes tucked away in tiny squares. In the hilltop district of Bairro Alto, the streets are lined with restaurants, bars and night clubs, but the places to seek out are those where original fado is still being played, the traditional melancholic singing that leaves no heart untouched.

On arrival in the Portuguese capital, the fleet will sail past the distinctive Monument of Discoveries. One of the most famous Portuguese explorers was Vasco de Gama and the World Exhibition Expo 98 was held in Lisbon in 1998 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of his voyage around the Cape of Good Hope.

Host marina / Port information

Marina Parque dos Nações

Barbados 50 will be docked in the marina built for Expo 98 and now part of a large complex, Parque dos Nações, which contains an interactive science museum, shopping centre, cinemas and the very special Oceanarium, housing one of the largest aquariums in Europe.

This marina was inaugurated by the arrival of the Expo 98 round the world rally which marked the start of the World Exhibition, while the Millennium Odyssey, another one of our round the world rallies, departed from here on the final day of the exhibition. The marina has excellent connections to the centre of Lisbon, where a host of attractions are waiting to be discovered, from a tour in an old tram up the steep and narrow lanes of the old quarter to spending an evening in one of the famous fado clubs.

Website: www.marinaparquedasnacoes.pt

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