Press Release Summary = The Portuguese capital will host, for the second time in history, the start of Dakar. Come visit and discover what is so special about the city.
Press Release Body = Lisbon 12th December 2006 - The 29th edition of the Dakar rally is scheduled to start, for the second year running, in Lisbon, but this time after New Year, on the 6th of January. The 14 stages will cover 6 different countries, ending on the 20th of January in Dakar, Senegal.
Drivers and bikers will cover a number of stages before reaching Dakar. They are: Lisbon, Portimão, Malaga, Nador, Er Rachidia, Ouarzazate, Tan Tan, Zouerat, Atar, Tichit, Nema, Tombouctou, Kayes, Tambacounda and Dakar. The traditional podium ceremony will be held on the 21st of January in a closed circuit on the beach, for the first time at Grand Prix du Lac Rose.
Belém, in Lisbon, is again the chosen location to host the start of the race, proceeding 3 days of technical verifications. On the 6th, leaving the capital, the contestants will pass the Portuguese planes, Alcácer do Sal, Grandola, Monchique, Silves and finely reach the marina of Portimão, from where they will take the ferry to Morocco.
From Morocco, the participants will drive through Mauritania, Mali and Senegal, a carefully selected itinerary to avoid incidents such as the death of two children during last year's rally. Besides safety issues, navigation, GPS, has also been contemplated in the new procedures and rules, suffering a couple of alterations.
The GPS functions will be far simpler. The screen won't be revealing the ideal course and the pilot's position, whereas the WPM - Way Points Masqués - will only appear on the GPS when the pilot is in a 3 km radius from the location. The only way to reach the WPM is to follow the indications found in the road-book. Unblocking the GPS to access additional information is subject to penalties and may lead to disqualification.
About Dakar
The Dakar is a race, the toughest rally in the World: over two weeks of hard work and thousands of kilometers over various tracks. Each year since 1979, crews including men and women, enjoy an intense rivalry in the middle of the desert. The final result always rewards an incredible winner. Indeed, more than elsewhere, success on a Dakar comes from a synthesis between performance, determination and regularity.
Beyond the borders of victory, the real essence of a Dakar is the challenge. A competitor battles both with the others but also with himself, in a context where humility is just as important as going beyond oneself. With objectives that match their capabilities, the candidates in this adventure have in common this search for balance.
As a link between two countries, the Dakar takes off to meet African countries with a specific attraction for the desert. As the traditional city to host the finish, Senegal's capital is historically and sentimentally linked to the rally. However the competitor's will to discover new places has regularly brought the Dakar organizers to change the race course, with for example finishes in Cape Town (1992), Cairo (200) or Sharm-el-Sheik 2003. Out of total of 53 African nations, the Dakar has visited 21.
In 2007, the rally will start for the second time of its history in Portugal. The race will then head through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Senegal.
Source: Dakar official website
About Lisbon
All year around, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Lisbon is sure to keep you up and about no mater what your taste, preference or pleasure!
The capital o Portugal offers you a magical combination of history, bohemian lifestyle, luxury shopping, divine menus at the most fascinating restaurants, theaters, exhibitions, beaches, and many, many other incomparable places do go see and discover.
Lisbon spreads along the right bank of the Tagus, its downtown, the Baixa, is located in the 18th-century area around Rossio. East of the arcade Praça do Comércio, are the medieval quarters of Alfama and Mouraria, crowned by the magnificent St. George\'s Castle.
To the west lays Bairro Alto and Madragoa, with their typical streets, and on the western extreme is Belém, with its Belém Tower, (the sentinel over the Tagus River that protects the entrance into Lisbon), the Jerónimos Monastery (masterpieces of Manueline architecture and classified in UNESCO\'s International Heritage list) and the Cultural Centre of Belém.
Spend New Year's Eve at an ARTEH® Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal, and catch the start of Dakar on the 6th of January in Belém.
As Janelas Verdes
Open the windows and let in romance from an epoch gone by.
Next to the Ancient Art Museum, in the historical and romantic Rua das Janelas Verdes, there is an austere and discreet stately house, dating from the 18th century, to behold. This is a house where one wants to discover every detail, feel its romantic and welcoming atmosphere and relive the stories of a past Lisbon.
The hotel As Janelas Verdes neo-classical interior features a living room that exalts the fireplace, the ancient piano, the furniture, the books, the paintings and the small artworks. An elegant spiral staircase leads into the large, cheerful and sunny rooms. From the library a romantic garden is visible, the iron tables and chairs, the small fountain and the climbing plant wound into the iron stairs climbing into the balconies of the rooms all catch the eye.
Bairro Alto Hotel
A reference to luxury in the historical and cultural centre of Lisbon.
With its eyes set on Luís de Camões Square and very close to the São Carlos National Theatre in Lisbon the luxurious and cosmopolitan Bairro Alto Hotel is implanted into the former Grand Hotel de l' Europe, where most of the renowned European artists once stayed during the 19th and 20th century.
In the cosy and sophisticated rooms and suites, as in all the hotel spaces, contemporary touches were combined with details from the thirties and fifties. The wood floors, the walnut furniture, the woollen rugs and the varied linen and silk fabrics are all of special note and are accompanied by frescoes on the walls.
At the restaurant exceptional cosmopolitan cuisine can be appreciated. On the terrace, the unique sunset over the city embraced by the Tagus River should be admired. In the evening, the surrounding bohemian Bairro Alto is proof that certain things never change.
Heritage Av da Liberdade
Discover the historical past and the cosmopolitan present of Lisbon.
In Lisbon, on the corner of the Avenida da Liberdade with the Largo da Anunciada, is a beautiful 18th century building, sober and discreet in its architectural style, which is home to the charming Heritage Av Liberdade hotel.
The building's 18th century façade was kept, as well as the masonry and the railings on the balconies. Inside, the Pombal age tiles, the wooden portals and pieces of antique furniture were restored. The outcome is a comfortable and refined environment with a cosmopolitan feel.
Located in the heart of Lisbon's historical centre, the hotel is very close to the city's typical areas. Walk down the avenue in the direction of Rossio and Chiado, climb the hills into the Bairro Alto, Alfama or the São Jorge Castle that has watched over the city for centuries. Hotel Aviz
Experience modern Lisbon with refinement of the past.
Well in the centre of Lisbon, the new Hotel Aviz maintains the spirit of the Picoas palace that had once been its home and symbolised the romantic 1940s Lisbon. Kings, movie actors, spies and the cream of society at the time all came through this hotel due to its reputation of having the most luxurious service and the best kitchen.
Currently the hotel exhibits a modern and attractive architectural style whilst retaining the charm of a classical and timeless decor. From the memory of the past, besides amassing a vast number of items from the estate of the old Aviz, its atmosphere, class and tradition of good hospitality were also recovered.
Some of the refined suites bear the names and details of the celebrities that made the hotel renowned like Calouste Gulbenkian, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner and Eva Péron, amongst others.
Hotel Lisboa Plaza
Experience the atmosphere, the character and the tradition of a hotel dedicated to wellbeing.
Located next to the cosmopolitan Avenida da Liberdade, its eyes set on the Botanical Gardens, is the classical Hotel Lisboa Plaza, an icon of hospitality and heritage in the city of Lisbon.
The façade is austere with an international style. The enveloping spaces are full of charm and comfort thanks to the classical design conceived by Graça Viterbo and the attention given to all the details. The hotel maintains its character, harmoniously combining the tradition of its history with the demands of modern times in a spirit of great versatility.
Palácio Belmonte
Enjoy reading a book while occasionally watching the city of Lisbon from its roof tops.
Lisbon's most ancient palace, the "Palácio Belmonte", is set in the historical city centre on the hill of the São Jorge Castle.
The suites were decorated with an individual and modern style. Each room was named after a culturally renowned Portuguese personality and antique furniture was brought into harmony with contemporary works of art.
Pestana Palace
Make yourself at home in an atmosphere of luxury, refinement and history.
Located in one of the most tranquil areas of Lisbon the Pestana Palace Hotel was born from the restoration and refurbishment of the former Marquês de Valle Flôr Palace dated from the 19th century and classified as a national monument.
In the impressive inner spaces the rooms and halls are ideal for parties, banquets or other prestigious events. The rooms and suites, located in a new wing, are of the utmost comfort and fully equipped. In the palace there are the luxury suites with a refined epochal decor.
York House
After a well spent day or before a night spent well, retreat to the garden to delight in a candle-lit supper.
By the Tagus River, in the centre of Lisbon, and receiving guests for over a hundred years, York House resulted from the adaptation of the early XVII century "Convento dos Marianos".
A small patio replete with trees, flowers, and plants is located at the centre of the building, and proves to be an ideal refuge to rest, relax and enjoy an evening drink.
The rooms, set around the patio, combine design with touches of elegance, in harmony with the style of the building, some of which offer a magnificent view of the river and the roof tops of the city.
About ARTEH® - Hotels and Resorts
Best Independent Hotel Chain - Publituris Awards 2004 and 2005
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