Bargain Lisbon has a lot going for it - top quality golf included

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Lisbon's famous April 25 Bridge is an American creation

Castelo de Sao Jorge is a Lisbon landmark, parts of which date from the 8th century

The Belem Tower was the departure point for many of Lisbon's great explorers

15th century Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, was built as a tribuite to Vasco da Gama

Destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, Lisbon's Baxia district was quickly rebuilt using an 18th century grid format

Lisbon's restaurants and nightlife keep going into the wee small hours

A summer retreat for Portuguese Royalty, Sintra is a fairytale excursion, not to be missed

Cascais is a lively beach resort cum fishing village only 30 minutes from Lisbon

Lisbon can be easily explored by public trams

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Portugal, with a total population of barely ten and a half million inhabitants, may be one of Europe's smallest countries, but there is no other that has been blessed with as much variety and appeal to visitors. Portugal's lack of size is in fact, one of its many charming attractions -- it's a very manageable country. Far from being overwhelming and intimidating, as are so many others, Portugal immediately makes every visitor feel welcome and very comfortable.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the capital of Lisbon, an intriguing city that never fails to capture the heart of any visitor. No larger than Seattle, Lisbon is literally packed with a wealth of rich history, colorful culture, fascinating sightseeing, wonderful dining experiences, monuments, architecture and an amazing collection of two dozen world-class golf courses, all located a short 30 minutes from the city center. Only adding to Lisbon's unique appeal is its very agreeable climate, making out-door activities, including golf, a year round pursuit -- Seattle should be so fortunate!

And there's more to tell -- Portugal has always provided visitors with one of the very best values of any European country, a situation that has only become even better over the past six months. Back in April of this year, a euro, the common European currency used in Portugal, cost $1.60. Just six months later, the same euro costs only $1.26, providing the good old greenback with a dramatic increase in buying power of well over 20%. There is no other European country able to offer quite this much bang for the buck -- it's a return of the Almighty dollar that some had given up for dead.

The real mystery is how a city as alluring as Lisbon has managed to fly beneath the radar of so many from this side of the Atlantic for so long. Europe consistently ranks as our favorite overseas vacation destination, attracting more than 12 million American visitors each year and it's the European capital cities that have always been the most popular. London Paris and Rome are regularly at the very top of the list of "must-visit" capitals, but these are super expensive choices with prices that make New York seem like a bargain basement. Perhaps we should be wondering why we didn't look for someplace more reasonable. In comparison, Lisbon sits there, in all of its glory, practically unnoticed and with prices that approach fire-sale levels.

But far beyond the amazing value Lisbon holds for all visitors, it's the richness of this charmer's history and culture, every bit as colorful and enticing as any other European city, that has always been the main attraction.

Lisbon has been Portugal's capital since around 1255 and its true origins date back to even before Phoenician times, over 3,000 years ago. Always strongly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean that washes its entire coastline, it was during the 15th and 16th centuries, The Age of Discovery, when Portugal with Lisbon as its capital, became a true world power. These were the glory days when Vasco da Gamma, Magellan and other great Portuguese navigators, set sail from Lisbon to discover Africa, Brazil, new trade routes to India, and Magellan made the first circumnavigation of the globe. Lisbon became Europe's grandest and most opulent city.

The death of Henrique, The Cardinal-King in 1580, without an heir, led King Philip II of Spain to claim the Portuguese throne and Spain ruled for 60 years. A Portuguese revolt in 1640 became a 28 year long war of independence, during which time Portugal was forced to rely economically on her dwindling overseas territories.

In 1755 a devastating earthquake, followed by fire and tidal floods, destroyed much of Lisbon's central district. The reconstruction of the city took place rapidly under the leadership of the Marquis de Pombal, Chief Minister to the King, and a remarkable grid of parallel streets was already underway within a month. Further wars with Spain and France, the loss of it's prized possession of Brazil, and other valuable overseas territories to independence and the eventual overturning of the Portuguese monarchy in 1910, is still only the tip of the iceberg that is Lisbon's amazing and often complex history.

Since its beginnings, Lisbon has been occupied by (among others) the Phoenicians and the Romans; it has been influenced by 500 years under Moorish domination and 60 years of Spanish rule. It has been invaded by Napoleon, witnessed religious wars, experienced ultimate world power and enjoyed the riches brought through its own global empire.

Write a screenplay of Lisbon's rich heritage and it would be dismissed as fiction, but it's all reality and perhaps the most colorful of any city in the world. Spend even a few days here, but be prepared to be totally infatuated, then seduced by a shameless flirt who won't take no for an answer -- she's irresistible. Having gained your attention, Lisbon then brings everything to life through her centuries old buildings, churches, museums, cobbled streets, monuments and a never-ending variety of historic, character-filled neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive part of the story to tell.

But for all of its rich past, Lisbon is also a city of today, with wonderful shopping opportunities, art galleries, boutiques and an excitingly vibrant nightlife. And because this is Lisbon where good food, fine wines and leisurely meals are an essential part of everyday life, there's a plethora of restaurants. The dining choices are endless, offering everything from delectable regional cuisine to gastronomical dining experiences to impress even the most fastidious gourmand.

And if all of the excitement and wonders contained within the city limits, doesn't satisfy, there is even more just outside, literally within minutes of the city center. The ancient hillside town of Sintra, with its fairytale collection of historic palaces, elaborate gardens and manor houses, used as a summer retreat by Royalty and nobility since the 14th century, is a must see for every visitor. The chic beach resorts of Estoril and Cascais, located just a 30 minute drive to the west, have a charm - and more than a few golf courses -- entirely of their own.

Drive an equal distance south of the city, across the mighty Tagus River and there are wonderful, pristine beaches, enchanting small fishing villages, breathtaking views of Lisbon, and still more of Lisbon's famous golf courses.

You could spend a month in and around this great city and still not have time enough to see and experience everything that demands attention - and you will need 3 weeks longer to play each of the 24 excellent golf courses that call The Lisbon Coast, home.

Irresistible, charming and filled to overflowing with character and personality, Lisbon works her way onto every visitor's list of favorite cities and most discover that one bite of the apple just isn't enough. Chances are that you too will be coming back for more. For a few ideas and suggestions on how to get the most out of an escape to Lisbon, both on the courses and off, click here.

©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Golf International -- Providers of quality golf travel arrangements since 1988.