Discover Lisbon while driving a GoCar

Lisbon can now be discovered by visitors with the help of a three-wheeled, two-seated yellow touring car guided by a GPS system. These "GoCars" were pioneered by an American company, GoCar GPS Guided Tours, and are available in Lisbon's Baixa neighborhood. The mini-cars rent for 20 euros per hour and come equipped with guidance systems in Portuguese, English and French. German and Spanish will soon be added. The on-board guide will point out landmarks and points of interest. The GoCar is environmentally friendly and has been used in San Francisco and Miami. http://www.gocartours.eu/index-new.php?lang=en

Mushrooms Fall Festival at Convento de Belmonte

Each October to December Chef Valdir Dudek Lubave walks the forest paths in search of wild mushrooms - boletos, sanchas, and míscaros. And the guests at the Pousada do Convento de Belmonte in the mountains of the Centro Region, reap the fruit of the harvest. Now, small groups of 6 people can learn the tales of the hunt for the wild mushroom, and how to cook them, in the traditions of Central Portugal. What will one learn, well imagine a mushroom Cappuccino with a foam of aromatic herbs, a fresh cod on a bed of beurre blanc and Agaricus, veal scallops win a sauce of Morquela, and to finish pineapple of the Azores with mushroom, and a glass of mushroom brandy. Book a chef’s table today and explore the world of the mushroom. http://www.conventodebelmonte.pt/

Alqueva - Tour boat cruises in Europe's largest artificial lake

Portugal’s new Alqueva Lake, located in the southern region, is attracting many tourism development projects. Known as The Grande Lago, it is the biggest artificial lake in Europe, at 250 kilometers wide (155.34 miles) and 83 kilometers (51.57 miles) long. The Portuguese Government set up large areas around the lake as nature reserves (Reserve Ecological National). At the same time the area has been declared the 5th Tourist Region of National Interest. More than 120 tourism projects have been presented in the Alqueva Region and 30 projects have been approved. The most ambitious project is “Alqueva Parque,” the development for the tourism of Campinho, a peninsula at the lake, with a total investment of one billion euros. Apart of the Alqueva Parque, big companies like Sonae, Pestana, Banco Espírito Santo and Amorim have already started projects around the lake. Gescruzeiros is the only operator on the newly formed on the Alqueva Lake with a boat that accommodates 25 to 120 passengers. From the Amieira Marina, one can cruise swim, fish, scuba dive and relax. Visitors can choose to moor on an islet or visit the surrounding villages the village of Luz, in the past swallowed up and then identically rebuilt on the bank of the Grande Lago. Visitors can also see the Alqueva dam, an amazing piece of work inaugurated in 2002. The nearby international Airport of Beja (formerly a very large military airbase) will be reconstructed in 2007 and open in late 2008. The airport will low-cost and charter connections from the Alqueva Lake to the major destinations of Southwest and South Central Portugal. Also Amieira Marina is now offering tour boat cruises of Europe's largest artificial lake. For 35 euros, the cruise includes a full course meal and a great view. Children under 12 travel at half price. www.amieiramarina.com

Several new trendy restaurants in Lisbon

Olivier Avenida - located at the Tivoli Jardim Hotel this restaurant reopens with a new concept where the highly regarded Chef Olivier promises to surprise the most demanding of diners. with an original, innovative and eclectic menu. The mixture of Mediterranean ingredients with internationally recognized dishes results in unique and distinctive flavors.

Bocca - located in Lisbon’s Amoreiras section this restaurant is now under the direction of Chef Alexandre Silva, who previously served at the Ritz Four Seasons, Tivoli Hotel and the famous Bica do Sapato. Silva's new menu will change daily and more than 60 wines will be served by the glass.

Tavares - it is probably the oldest restaurant in the city of Lisbon, and the new chef Jose Avillez is adding all his expertise to make it one of the best in town.

OHCOD - Opened in April 2008, this new place is completely dedicated to Cod (bacalhau) where is even possible to experience a true Cod Rodizio prepared the well known Portuguese chef Michel da Costa. Tel. +351 21 3901 022

Terraco - Opened in July 2008, at the top floor of Tivoli Lisboa Hotel this restaurant offers delicious traditional Portuguese cuisine especially prepared by the contemporary Portuguese Chef Luis Baena, while enjoying a stunning view out over Lisbon. The wine list is overseen by the also renowned expert Aníbal Coutinho. Open from 07.00 to 23.00.

Unique and authentic wine, cheese and olive tour through the Alentejo region

Every year, since1994, TurAventur's annual adventure package offers the chance to discover the Alentejo along exceptionally beautiful trails, together with the tasting of the finest wines, olive oils, cheeses, cured and smoked meats and sweets, selected directly from the producer in each region visited. It has taken place in a different part of the Alentejo every year and is open to jeeps, motor bikes and quad bikes and has the reputation for being a pleasant pretext for meeting friends and friends of friends who enjoy the emotions of off-road orienteering as much as the fine gastronomy of the Alentejo. For more information click here.

Vilalara Thalassa Resort one of the top five Thalassotherapy centers in the world according to Conde Nast Traveller

Conde Nast Traveller named the Vilalara Thalassa Resort one of the top five Thalassotherapy centers in the world, noting its "two seawater pools, three freshwater pools and seaweed and marine mud treatments.” The magazine also cited the on-site restaurant, featurine low-calorie cuisine, as the only one in the country. The Vilalara Thalassa Resort is a five-star hotel and reservations are available at http://www.vilalararesort.com

Azores will have four new natural parks

Natural Reserve Parks are being created on four of the Azores islands; Santa Maria, Graciosa, Faial and Corvo. This will add to the already existing natural reserves on Miguel and Pico. The National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations recently named the Azores islands as the world’s second most appealing islands destination in it fourth annual Destination Scorecard survey. The Azores received the title of “Authentic, unspoiled, and likely to remain so.” www.visitazores.org