On the Menu...Restaurante 100 Maneiras, Lisbon (Portugal)

If you venture over to Lisbon's trendy Bairro Alto neighborhood, make sure you visit one of the city's new hip restaurants, 100 Maneiras, which is Portuguese for "100 ways." The Bosnian-born chef Ljubomir Stanisic has won over both customers and critics alike with his modern interpretation of Portuguese cuisine.

He uses only the freshest ingredients, which are sourced daily from the local market. The menu offered is a 10-course prix fixe tasting menu that is sure to delight any foodie. The restaurant's intimate atmosphere, professional wait staff and inventive menu offerings are sure to leave you with a true dining experience. Be sure to make a reservation, since this small restaurant is sought out by many, and you won't want to be turned away.

Rua do Teixeira 35, Bairro Alto               Phone: (21) 099 04 75 Lisbon, Portugal                                  Web: Restaurante 100

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On the Menu...L'Estimat Restaurante, Valencia (Spain)

Paella is one of Spain's best known dishes and is served in restaurants throughout the country. But Valencia is the birthplace of this quintessential Spanish dish, so no visit to this city would be complete without sampling this local favorite.

L'Estimat Restaurant is a family owned restaurant that was established in 1927 and today is run by the 3rd generation of its founders. It is located on the Paseo Neptuno on Las Arenas beach. Here you will find so many different types of paella to choose from, that one visit may not be enough. If you're not sure where to start, the traditional Paella Valenciana, that contains chicken, rabbit, snails and vegetables, is a good choice, or you can opt for the Paella Marinera, that contains a variety of fresh seafood, including mussels, calamari and shrimp. Whatever type of paella you choose (seafood, meat, vegetable, or a combination), you will not leave hungry.

Paseo Neptuno, 16
Valencia, Spain
Phone: (963) 711 018
Web: L'Estimat Restaurante

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Next Stop...Guimarães (Portugal)

The picturesque medieval town of Guimarães is located about 30 miles northeast of Porto, in the heart of the Minho region. It is the birthplace of Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, and was the country's first capital. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and will be the European Capital of Culture in 2012.

On a hilltop just outside of town is a 12th C. Augustinian monastery that was built by Teresa, the mother of Afonso Henriques. There is also a Manueline church that still offers Mass on Sunday, along with extensive grounds and beautifully maintained gardens.

Today the monastery welcomes guests as the Pousada de Guimarães, Santa Marinha. It is one of the most impressive hotels in the Pousadas group, and was awarded the coveted Europa Nostra prize for its renovation and restoration. The Pousada has 49 rooms and 2 suites that are outfitted in traditional Portuguese style and have been equipped with modern amenities. Guests can enjoy the views of the city below from the beautiful outdoor swimming pool and gardens that surround the hotel.

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Time to Save...Barcelona Card (Spain)

For your next visit to Barcelona, don’t forget to purchase a Barcelona Card. This savings card features free travel on public transport, discounts and free offers at museums, cultural venues, leisure facilities, night clubs, shops, and restaurants, as well as other services and unique means of transport.

You can purchase a card for 2, 3, 4, or 5 consecutive days, and prices range from €27 - €45, so pick the one that best fits your itinerary. For more info on the card click here.

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On the Menu...Casa Lucio, Madrid (Spain)

Casa Lucio is located in the heart of Old Madrid, not far from the Plaza Mayor. Since 1974 it has been serving traditional Castilian dishes, such as Callos a la Madrileña (Madrid-style tripe), Cocido (Madrid-style stew). Cochinillo (roast suckling pig), Merluza de la Casa (hake in green sauce), and its signature dish, Huevos Estrellados ("broken eggs" mixed with potatoes). The charming atmosphere of the interior of the restaurant, with its tiled floors and white-washed walls, adds to the warm ambiance created by Lucio and his family, who still run the restaurant to this day.

Cava Baja, 35                                   Phone: (91) 365-8217
Madrid, Spain                                   Web: Casa Lucio

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Checking in...Hospes Palacio del Bailío Hotel, Córboda (Spain)

The city of Córdoba is a former Roman city that is best known for its Mezquita (mosque), as well as the narrow, cobblestone streets of its charming Jewish Quarter. Córdoba has the second largest Old Town in Europe, and visitors enjoy strolling through the picturesque streets, taking in the whitewashed houses with their beautiful patios and balconies.

Located in the heart of the historic center is the 5-star Palacio del Bailío Hotel. This traditional Moorish manor was built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and is designated as a Cultural Heritage monument. As you enter through the archway, you will be transported back in time. The buildings of the manor house are arranged around a series of patios, with one that has been restored to include a glass floor that reveals the Roman ruins that were buried beneath it.

The hotel offers standard Dreamers rooms that are adorned with velvet headboards, frescoes and hand-painted stucco walls, and larger Deluxe rooms that are each unique and include features such as vaulted ceilings or stone arches from the original palace. The Junior Suites include a sitting area, and the larger Suites include frescoes and original 18th C. paintings. The Grand Suite Loft located on the top floor is accessed via a private elevator, and offers panoramic views through its 14 arched windows that face the surroundings of the Dolores Convent.

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