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[Odler]

It is not difficult to decide that Lisbon looks like the average Western European city. It has traits of Zurich, its populations reminds of Amsterdam´s, its squares are similar of Milan´s.

In this quiet city of three millions, where traffic jams are scarce, the motto seems to be "small cars only". The eyes accommodated to the American scene promptly notice the absence of any mid-size vehicle (not even the size of an Accord or a Camry). Of course, SUVs are not expected.

Literally, in these days, every street corner and bus station is

plastered with posters of the most popular man in the country:

national hero, Luis Figo. The great advertises for an energy drink:

"Energia positiva para vencer" explains the title.

It is the dead of winter in Lisbon, but no one worries about snow.

It never snows in the south of Portugal. Portuguese who want to

enjoy Portuguese snow travel to Sierra Estrella in the northwest.

The highlights of the city itself are many. You will drive across the

Tragus on the April 25 Bridge built in 1967. It was, at the time of

its inauguration, the longest suspension bridge in Europe (1.5

miles). Today, however, it is upstaged by the 7-mile Vasco da Gama

Bridge inaugurated in 1998.

Belem is on the other side of the bridge from the city center. It

harbors the magnificent Monument of Discovery, the famous Tower of

Belem. Not so far away, stand the Monastery of the Jeronimos and the National Coach Museum.

This coach museum is the largest in Europe.

Flanking the entrance of the monastery church, are the tombs of explorer Vasco da Gama and of poet Luis de Camoes, the latter extolling the ventures of the former.

You will also stroll in the small streets of Alfamar, the Arab

neighborhood spared from the destruction wrecked on the city by the

1755 earthquake, its most devastating catastrophe ever (the fire of

1988 came second.)

Then you will go down the majestic Avenida da Liberdade, explore

its magnificent squares, each one telling its own story, and the

story of its pigeons.

At Rossio Square, the most impressive of all the squares, you can

catch a train down to Sintra, the summer residence of the royal

family.

Sintra is a Montmartre moment, minus the Sacre-Coeur, but with three

castles. Aside from its side-street cafes and souvenirs shops,

Sintra shows off, Cabo de Roca, the westernmost point of Western

Europe.

About Sintra, an old Spanish saying states: " To see the world and

yet leave Sintra out, is, verily, to go blindfold about." Bad

English, but you get the point.

Sixty miles away from Lisbon is Fatima, a town made famous by a cameo

appearance of Virgin Mary. Please, stop by.

(The Traveller, Sunday, February 10, 2002)