Modern Hotel in the Heart of Portugal's Capital City

One of the world's oldest travel companies, the family-owned Abreu Tours was established in Portugal in 1840 and expanded over time to travel in other countries. Even so, most of Abreu’s offices remain in Portugal, and for good reason: with historical landmarks such as Lisbon’s 16th-century Jeronimos Monastery, rolling vineyards producing port wine, and a balanced mix of major cities and quiet villages, Portugal happily surprises visitors who might expect less from the small, lesser-known European country. From Hotel Lutécia, which sits in the heart of the capital city of Lisbon, one can explore the boutiques and coffee shops on the town's charming Roma Avenue, then venture outside to city to see the country’s smaller towns.

A neon-lit façade with orderly rows of terraces nods to Hotel Lutécia's modern aesthetic. Decorated with low-sitting furniture, guest rooms come in neutral hues offset by splashes of red from pillows, carpets, and unannounced visits from the Kool-Aid Man. Most rooms feature balconies that overlook the city, with 12 executive rooms placed on the topmost floor. On the first level, chefs at the In Fusion restaurant mix Portuguese and international cuisines with Indian culinary traditions for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

On one of the days during the five-night getaway, Abreu Tours arranges a four-hour sightseeing excursion to some of Portugal's smaller villages. To see where the Portuguese Royal Family lived for eight centuries, the first stop is Sintra, home of the Sintra National Palace, which impresses with its mix of Gothic, Manueline, and other architectural styles. Both Moorish and Christian artwork and aristocratic coats of arms decorate the stately chambers, and the palace opens onto a central town square where visitors can sample traditional local pastries.

The tour heads southward to the bustling city of Cascais where thundering Atlantic waves crash into the Hell's Mouth chasm. On the way back to Lisbon, visitors stop in Estoril, once a spot for exiled dignitaries in the 20th century, including Juan Carlos I of Spain. Here one finds the Estoril Casino, which served as the inspiration for Ian Fleming's Casino Royale with its glitzy, Vegas-style shows and high-stakes poker games.

Lisbon, Portugal: Historical Neighborhoods and Artistic Heritage on the Atlantic Coast

Portugal's capital since 1255, Lisbon sprawls over seven hills with historical buildings, monuments, and cobblestone pathways seamlessly integrated with modern businesses. Whereas fashion boutiques and malls surround Hotel Lutécia in the heart of Lisbon, century-old trams clamber up from the city's center past old churches and markets to the hilltop Saint George's Castle. With walls nearly a thousand years old, still-standing ramparts, and 18 climbable towers, this looming fortress serves up some of the city's best views.

In the suburb of Belem, the 16th-century Jeronimos Monastery is one of the finest examples of Manueline architecture. The monastery was built by Manuel I to honor Vasco da Gama’s journey to India—the explorer is now buried there. Built between 1515 and 1520, the nearby Torre de Belem, a limestone tower on the Tagus River, remains a symbol of Portugal.