Lisbon

Ivy Tjok recently visited Lisbon, where she stayed at the beautiful Lapa Hotel. Built in 1870, Orient-Express Hotels' Lapa Palace, served as the private residence of the Count of Valencas and his family. One hundred and twenty-two years later, the Palace opened as a hotel, yet the royal décor remains in the marble stucco, carved wood and richly patterned azulejos tiles. Overlooking the Tagus River, amidst tranquil gardens, ornamental fountains and streams, the Palace (also a Leading Hotel of the World) is close to the center of Lisbon and just a short distance from five golf courses. Inside, you'll discover 109 guestrooms, including 18 Suites, the Presidential Suite and the famous Tower Room. Don't miss the Gastronomical Restaurant "Ristorante Hotel Cipriani".

Ivy toured Lisbon along with Sintra & Estoril. Spreading out along the right bank of the Tagus, its downtown, the Baixa, is located in the 18th-century area around Rossio. East of the arcade Praça do Comércio, are the medieval quarters of Alfama and Mouraria, crowned by the magnificent St. George's Castle. To the west lie Bairro Alto and Madragoa, with their typical streets, and on the western extreme is Belém, with its Belém Tower, (the sentinel over the Tagus river that protects the entrance into Lisbon), the Jerónimos Monastery (masterpieces of Manueline architecture and classified in UNESCO's International Heritage list) and the Cultural Center of Belém.

Estoril renowned worldwide as an important tourism spot (casino, golf course and racing track). The Verdades-Farias Museum which hosts an important collection of musical instruments related to popular music, assembled by Michael Giacometti. The beautiful Santo António Church stands out in this cosmopolitan resort, which also boasts an exciting nightlife.

In the center of Sintra stands the National Palace, with its beautiful painted rooms and huge pair of conical chimneys, the Village's ex-libris. Other palaces: Pena, Seteais (18th century and currently a luxurious hotel) and Monserrate, renowned for its gardens and water courses. The churches of São Martinho (Romanesque origin), Santa Maria (Roman-Gothic) and São Pedro of Penaferrim (15th - 16th centuries). Nearby are the church of Santo António do Penedo (16th century) and Peninha Hermitage (Baroque tile works).

Ivy continued onto Amsterdam, where she boarded the beautiful River Cloud sailing the Dutch waterways. The RIVER CLOUD is the worthy ambassador of the legendary SEA CLOUD on interior waterways. Like no other river cruise vessel, the first lady of Europe’s rivers, built in 1996, combines the nostalgic charm of the 1930s with the highest degree of comfort and luxury, service and culinary delight. If you are a lover of art, this itinerary is a great way of seeing all the master painter's works like Van Gogh & Rembrandt. Another big attraction for Holland are the Keukenhof gardens, where every spring (mid March thru mid May) millions of people flood the gardens to see the tulips in bloom. It is truly spectacular!

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