A wide range of wonderful experiences awaits the visitor to the Estoril Coast. Furthermore, Lisbon is only about half an hour away by car or train. One of the oldest and most fascinating capital cities in Europe, it has everything a city can provide: a unique atmosphere, good shopping, entertainment of all types and a wealth of cultural activities.

If you drive out west of Lisbon, you will notice a mountain rising up majestically, casting a shadow of romantic mystery over the town of Sintra, nestling in the foothills to the north of it.

Sintra’s rich cultural heritage includes the Moorish Castle, Pena National Palace, the Sintra National Palace, and many other buildings of historical interest which, together with the mountains and the Sintra– Cascais Natural Park, are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
North of Sintra lies an unspoilt area of traditional farms and villages. As expected in rural Portugal, the cooking is delicious, with a range of local specialities including the famous Negrais suckling pig.

The town of Mafra lies at the northern edge of the region. The huge walls of the vast 17th century National Palace and Convent of Mafra seem to rise up out of nowhere. An enormous church with famous bells and an exquisite library are among its many attractions. The grounds, formerly the royal hunting grounds, are now a wildlife reserve where deer graze in freedom. Visitors can learn about the ancient art of falconry, and participate in orienteering and other adventure sports.

Nowhere else in the world can such dramatic changes of scenery and such contrasting atmospheres be experienced in as small an area as the Estoril Coast. The region offers a concentration of different experiences all within a half hour’s drive. Apart from an enormous range of sights attreactive to any visitor, a number of more specialised interests can also be pursued.

Facilities

The meeting will take place in Hotel Cascais Miragem.

Accessibility

Portela Airport (Lisbon) is an international gateway with flights departing and arriving from almost anywhere in the world and is only 7 km away from the centre of Lisbon and 29 km from Estoril. Major companies such as AirFrance, Air Luxor, Alitalia, Air Berlin, British Airways, Continental, Iberia, Lufthansa, TAAG, TAVC, TAP Air Portugal, among others, fly to Boston, New York, Toronto, Luanda, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Johannesburg, Caracas, and most European capitals and intercontinental hubs (London, Amsterdam, Zurich, Paris, etc.). There are several buses that run to Lisbon city centre (tickets cost €1.10). Taxi ranks are situated at the arrivals and departures curbside. Taxis are affordable, with a typical ride from the airport to the conference hotels between 35 and 45 euros.

The best way to get to Estoril from the Airport is by taxi, taking approximately 25 minutes. Alternatively, you can use public tranportation that will take aproximately 1h30m. Instructions are available here.

Here's a map of how to get from the Airport to the Hotel:

Climate / Season

Owing to a Mediterranean microclimate, Lisbon has mild winters and an ideal summer temperature. During the month of May, the average temperature ranges from 16 to 25 º C. There is hardly any rainfall during this time of year.