My husband and I are going to Lisbon in the end of November for four days and we would like to hire a private guide (English speaking)to show us around Lisbon and some atractive places near Lisbon. Do you know about such a person? Maybe with e-mail contact? <BR>We have a reservation at the Real Parque Hotel. Do you now anything about it? <BR>What to wear this time of the year? <BR>Best regards to all of you who like to travel and are able to help.

Regina, We were in Lisbon in Nov last year and through our hotel, Hotel Metropole, we hired a great guide, John, for half a day for 15,000 Escudos. Nice, clean, new Mercedes, good English, very accommodating. He didn't have e-mail last year but the hotel can contact him. If you want to pursue this, let me know and I'll get the hotel fax #. They're very good about responding to faxes. As to weather, I took a trench coat, minus the zip out lining, and it worked well. We will be arriving in Lisbon on Nov 6, this year but won't be home before you go so won't be able to give you an up to the minute weather report. Enjoy!

Hi B. <BR>Thank you for your information. John sounds great, if you would get us contact information we will be very greatful. <BR>What do you consider "must see" in and around Lisbon? <BR>Thanks again <BR>Regina

Regina, The Hotel Metropole fax # is 101135113469166 (this # includes prefix, country and city codes). I have checked all my guide books on Portugal and can't find your hotel. Hotel Metropole is on Rossio square in the city centre. We have enjoyed it very much. There's an old post of mine here about what to do in Lisbon for four days. I will try to find it and get back to you.

Regina, In the Portugal forum, do a search on trolley car #28 . This was a Dec 10, 1998 post of mine. Just a suggestion - see St Georges Castle on your own, either by taking a cab from your hotel or trolley car #28 from downtown. There's no point wasting time and money on your guide while you explore the castle. John has a good tour and it's great to be able to spend as little or as much time as you want at each site. Enjoy!

Hello Betty Ann <BR>Thank you for all your suggestions. Any more please feel free to e-mail me directly.Regina

hello Regina, <BR>I work at portuguese national tourism board in lisbon. Reading your messages, i'd like to "clarify" the hotel question and give one advise: <BR>1. both hotel are 4 stars and good but in different styles - Metropole is a renovated Art Noveaux and very central - Real Parque is a new hotel, located near Saldanha Square - quiter area, 10 min. to Rossio by subway or bus. <BR> <BR>2.In case you haven't booked yet, be aware that telephone numbers will change next 31 st october - the prefix number of every town, will have a 2 instead of the 0 - so <BR>hotel metropole <BR>tel:351 21 346 91 64 <BR>Fax:351 21 346 91 66 <BR>Hotel Real Parque <BR>Tel:351 21 357 01 01 <BR>Fax:351 21 357 07 02 <BR>to rent a limo with driver, or any other info, you may go to our Tourism office, in Praça Restauradores (2 m walking from rossio square) - it is openned everyday from 9h00 am to 8h00 pm. <BR>During winter there are cold and rainy days, even in Portugal...better to bring a warm coat and umbrella - when I say cold it means minimum 5ºC - max 16ºC <BR>Wish you a pleasant stay!