Released on = January 17, 2007, 9:08 am

Press Release Author = Candice Machado / ARTEH - Hotels and Resorts

Industry = Entertainment

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

ARTEH® - Hotels and Resorts is a soft brand independent Hotel Chain with a Luxury
Collection of Charming & Exclusive Boutique Hotels and Resorts, with Golf and Spa.

ARTEH® offers a different lifestyle, in an exquisite and charming environment, be it
to get away from daily stress, for a relaxing weekend, prolonged vacations or even a
business event.

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been so simple. Your destiny is only a Click away.

For further information on ARTEH® please visit ARTEH®.



Web Site = http://www.arteh-hotels.com/

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