Lisbon has just won the European City of the Year 2012 award from the Academy of Urbanism based in London. That’s an autonomous, politically-independent organization made up of a diverse group of people involved in the development of towns and cities, and the award results from the votes of over 500 members. A total of 15 European cities were considered after visits of assessment this summer.

Lisbon was singled out for its local character and distinctiveness, environmental and social sustainability, and most improved urban environments.
According to the Academy, Lisbon is a city which has survived two millennia, facing enormous challenges over time. It’s now a unique setting for the expression of Portuguese culture while attracting influences from Portugal’s links to Brazil, Africa and other world regions.
Among the projects analyzed in the Portuguese capital were the renovation of the historic Mouraria quarter and of the riverfront.

Tiles are used for everything in Lisbon, from street signs to door numbers, to covering entire façades to cool down the interior. But apparently someone also decided to use it for a personal message. It reads: “I’m better now, thanks.” It’s found on a wall outside one of the exits of the Baixa-Chiado metro station, and the more logical explanation is that it must be part of some kind of artistic project.

Another tiled message is found on a hilltop, the Senhora do Monte viewpoint. This one says “Have a good trip, Lisbon waits for you.”

Whoever created it, didn’t have the type of dirty mind that will misinterpret this sign at first glance. It’s found in a neighborhood park used for working out, and it’s just one of many indicating the type of exercise to be done on that spot. In this case that’s progressive jumps across a bar.

Lisbon has just won, for the second consecutive year, the title of “Europe’s Leading City Break Destination” at the World Travel Awards, the so-called “Tourism Oscars.”
The votes come from travel industry executives and agencies who apparently feel that currently Lisbon is an unbeatable destination in Europe.
The Portuguese capital certainly does have its strong points, from an international airport in the very center of the city to where all the major airlines and low-cost carriers fly every day, to travel-friendly weather throughout much of the year.
Then there’s the quality of the accommodation, with 3 and 4-star hotels being of a high standard, and the possibility to stay at a 5-star for less than 100 euros.
Budget travelers will also find what are classified as the world’s best hostels year after year, as well as the choice of beautifully-furnished apartments in the center of the city.
Lisbon’s attractions are also outstanding, with World Heritage monuments from the Age of Discovery and their singular architectural style, to surprising museum collections, to the breathtaking views from the top of hills and major landmarks.
For young travelers another plus is the nightlife, with cheap drinks and all-night socializing on the streets which are also generally much safer than other European capitals.
Everything is also still much more affordable than in the rest of Western Europe, and in not too many other cities will you find such a variety of activities, from beautiful beaches to golf.

European travelers have chosen Lisbon as Best Destination 2010. Competing in a list of 10 finalists (the others were Barcelona, London, Bilbao, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Lyon, and Helsinki), Lisbon was singled out by the European Consumers Association based in Brussels for having been able to preserve its soul and cultural riches. Other factors that weighed on the judging was quality of life and infrastructure, as well as cultural and touristic attractions.
The European Consumers Association distinguishes several products of different categories every year, but this was the first time it singled out cities. Special judges and European consumers make the evaluations.
This is not the first major travel distinction received by Lisbon in the past few months, having won Europe’s Leading Destination, Best City Break, and Leading Cruise Destination at the World Travel Awards last October.
More information about the European Consumers Choice Award: European Consumers Choice Award: Best Destination – Lisbon

I haven’t been to Lisbon for 10 days now – normally I go every weekend but last week I had to travel first to Amsterdam and then to the Caribbean island of St. Maarten

But the travelling made me think of airports in general and then of Lisbon airport in particular, and I thought I’d post a simple tip for travellers arriving there, one that I always used to use when having to take a taxi.

Whatever flight you arrive on, don’t go immediately outside the arrivals terminal to the taxi ranks. Instead, as soon as you’re through customs, take a right and then go up the stairs to the departures area and then left to go out the front doors. In front of the main doors you’ll see 2 or 3 lines of taxis.

In my experience, these taxis are the best ones to take because, unlike the ones outside the arrivals hall, they haven’t been waiting hours for unsuspecting foreigners and are less likely to rip you off. I’m not saying this is a common trait amongst Lisbon taxi drivers, but it does happen like it happens all around the world. And you simply have a better chance of it not happening if you take the taxis waiting outside the departure hall.