Carris (main transport operator in Lisbon) offers city tours on open-top buses. €14 each hop on/hop off (every 40 min) tour valid for 24 hours so you can start any time of day/evening and valid for other forms of transport too on day of purchase. They do a circuit of a route marked by set stops and give a commentary of points of interest via headsets.
Other tours including trams are not on/off but 1-2 hours in duration. €17
Most city bus/tram tours including Aerobus (airport to city) for 48 hours costs 30€.
Save a lot of time and money and buy at the aairport (at the post office) as many passes are not on buses and only at metro stations.
Starts at Praca do Comercio at the bottom of town near Information centre.
www.carristur.pt
Look out for pickpockets - one trick is to hop on the metro, stand in the doorway (look confused) whilst 2-3 conspirators close in behind and go through you stuff as you try to get by before the doors close (when they make a fast exit and you're minus your valuables). Similarly crowded trams can be a problem and notices warn the unwary.
metro tram buses
Four-star accommodation but booked as part of a package, it's affordable and comfortable. Very modern, clean and staff make you feel welcome.
Close to Oriente Metro/station and Parque dos Nacoes.
Av Joao II Lte 1.18
1998-028 Lisbon
(351) 210020400
www.viphotels.com
A little off the beaten track of lanes in the town but worth finding. Interesting and varied menu (especially compared to a lot of that on offer elsewhere in town) and very reasonably priced.
Staff delightful, very friendly and helpful. After your meal the bar is a fun relaxed place to continue an evening.
From the port follow Matoyianni street and where you see Nautica (restaurant) on the corner, turn left into the lane.
ph 2289026217
A compact but very illuminating visit to what life was like in communist era Germany. Reveals many artifacts of the era in the form of mock-ups of an apartment, a Trabant car etc, some of which you can handle. English and German commentary on the displays.
Great Winter diversion but light content, near cafes / aquarium near Alexanderplatz, open late to 8pm (10pm Sat).
By the river side at Spreepromenade
an der Liebknechtbrücke
Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1
10178 Berlin
Phone: +49 (0)30/847 123 73-1
Informative and entertaining walking tour of Third Reich spots of interest; kept us captivated for three and a half hours in cold and rain!
Start at Brandenberg Gate at 1 pm or pick up from Zoolischer Garten (12.30). €10 no need to book. Tues/Fri/Sat/Sun.
One of many well-priced tours including Red Berlin tour and to Sachsenhausen Concentration camp.
Overview tour is free. Information books in Starbucks.
Sandemans New Berlin
www.newberlintours.com
030 25293460
Local to Wittenbergplatz and, as the name suggests, a great place to eat from breakfast to dinner and later.
Vibrant decor in red and sort of mod with a bit of retro. Appetising and interesting meals served by very accommodating staff.
Motz Str 28,10777 Berlin
Tel 030 23635702
www.more-berlin.de
It’s another of Gaudi's very different designs (an apartment block) and in my book more impressive than La Pedrera (Casa Mila) further up the Passage de Gracia. Although an extensive renovation rather than design and build, it wowed me on my second visit to Barcelona as much as La Pedrera did on my first. More expensive at 16 euros for a full tour but worth it. A work of art.
Beautiful curvy and colourful designs, light and airy rooms, crafted woodwork, ceramics, glass and light fittings ahead of their time age (1905-7). The view of the exterior from the street alone is amazing (lit at night) and free if you are in a hurry.
Nr 43 Passeig de Gracia, 08007 Barcelona; L'Eixample distrct nearest metro: Passeig de Gracia
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