5 hours of heavy rain during the night of 25th November 1967 caused the biggest flood Lisbon has ever seen. The raise of the water claimed a toll of 700 losses. Only during the next day the general population became aware of the dimension of the tragedy.

Salazar government tried to minimize the situation before the public opinion, but the news crossed borders and a international relief movement was raised. Donations came from UK, Monaco, France (including General de Gaulle with a private donation). The sanitary relief (vaccinations) came from France, Switzerland and mostly Spain.

A few months after the floods, Salazar suffered a major brain stroke and stepped sown from his position.

Portugal has long tradition in receiving international relief in moments of tragedy. The 1st organized international movement of this kind followed the hearthquake of 1st November 1755. Of course when the 1st help arrived to Lisbon one month later, the dead were buried and the survivors were fed, but it is reassuring to know that our friends stand by us.

More tips to follow if Fodors is kind enough to accept this kind of inside tips.

http://dn.sapo.pt/2007/11/25/tema/nu...o_como_67.html (Portuguese newspaper)

To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the launch of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the creation of the euro, all euro-area countries will issue a commemorative 2-euro coin with a common design (copied and pasted from the site below).

The selection is open to all EU citizens and residents (sorry to the others, but that's fair)

Everybody can see the 5 different designs in
http://www.eurodesigncontest.eu/index.cfm?lang=en

My non-vote on the €2 commemorative coin is "none of the above".

It's raining heavily since yesterday. The transport system is a total mess but there are no personal injuries reported so far.

Sorry to report that yesterday rains claimed the lives of 2 sisters when their car was dragged into the river.

I didn´t forget this thread. Just happens that nothing is happening (which could be positive)

Well, it is snowing like crazy here and we also have lots of ice.

We are all buried in our houses.

I would just like to point out that Sher does not live anywhere near Lisbon, in case the unwary reader thinks there are snowstorms and ice there.

If there were, that would be a Lisbon inside tip worth knowing.

Hi Nikki. Thanks for pointing that out.

This is a small world. We are all close to each other :-)

Apassionata horse show is in Lisbon on 28th and 29th this month in Campo Pequeno bullring (no bulls involved).
Special participation of Opera singer Arndis Halla

From tomorrow to 13th April, there will be the Lisbon Fish and Shellfish festival in Terreiro do Paço in Lisbon.
The entrance is 15 euros, including a welcome menu and a glass to drink as much wine as you wish. Additional menus cost from 5 to 8 euros.
The working hours are 12:00 to 23:00 (Monday to Friday) and 11:00 to 23:00 (Saturdays and Sundays)

The new bridge over Tagus will be built between Chelas (North Bank) and Barreiro (South Bank).
It will span in between the existing 25th April and Vasco da Gama bridges.If will serve the car traffic and train networks. The train travel Lisbon to the Algarve will be shortened in 30 minutes. When it is concluded in 2013, Hispania's capital cities will be connected by fast trains (TGV). This bridge will serve as well the new airport to be built in Alcochete area.

Sorry to say I'll miss the fish & shellfish feista. We are arriving on April 14th. Any other interesting things going on in Lisboa the week of the 14th? Haven't been back for a few years and we are excited to be in Lisboa again.

tico

A great tip is eating at Ponto Final resturant across the Tagus River. Looks out at Lisbon, plus great food. Here is an article for you:

http://seeportugal.org/2008/03/24/po...oss-the-river/

We are planning to be in Lisbon for a few days but not until the end of November in 2009 but have enjoyed reading all the entries on this thread.

I've already learned that I can easily take a cab from my downtown hotel out to the airport (assuming the Metro extension from Oriente isn't open yet; there will be lots of smoke in Fado places; Chrsitmas lights will probably already be up; it will probably rain the whole time we are there; I'll wish we had more than three days.

smoke inside was banned from Jan 1st

Dukey

Three days will probably do it
for the FIRST trip.

Let us know how your itinerary plans are coming along.

Hey Dukey --

When in "late November" will you be in Lisbon? We're going to be there in "late November" too (probably the 22nd through 25th, give or take a day).

If the Christmas displays are up in Baixa at that time that will be good too!

Well, remember, I said this was November <b>2009</b> although i wish it were going to be sometime THIS year.

As I look at my records I see we are actually not arriving until December 1st and will probably fly out on the 4th..apologies for that error.

I have this odd feeling (already) that we are going to wish we had more time and we won't even have a chance to see the rest of the country....sigh