Travel tips to European Countries: Portugal
Travel tips to
European Countries: Portugal
About the county
Portugal was a
world power in 15th and 16th century but was reduced to rubbles during an
earthquake in 1755, Napoleons Invasion and Brazils Independence. Sharing the
Iberian Peninsula with Spain and bordering Atlantic Ocean by both west and
south coast it is popular for its long and varied coastline, sunny climate and
the charming towns makes it a travelers paradise. Lisbon is the capital of
Portugal.
The best thing
about Portugal is that despite being a part of modern Europe one can still find
the rural dwellings which has stood by time and has preserved its traditions.
While modern architectural marvels like high-rise resorts dot the coast in the
Southern province of the Algarve, Lisbon on the west coast on the other hand is
a crowded city home to many fine tourist resorts. If you want to go back in
time you have to just travel few miles north or east where you will see scenic
countryside still resemble medieval villages and towns of earlier centuries.
Population &
Languages
The population
of Portugal is roughly 10.6 million and the official language being spoken is
Portuguese. Mirandese is also second officially language spoken in some parts
of Portugal.
Electricity
The voltage is
230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with
attachment and "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding
contacts.
Geographic
Location
It is located in
Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It shares the Iberian Peninsula
with Spain in north and east and borders Atlantic Ocean by both west and south
coast.
Climate
The climate of
Portugal can be classified into two. It is oceanic in the north and
Mediterranean in the south. It is also one of the warmest countries of Europe.
The average temperatures in the mainland are 13C (55F) in the north and 18C
(64F) in the south. Summers are hot and dry. Winters are cold and wet. Spring
and autumn are the best seasons to visit Portugal.
Local Customs
Casual dressing
is acceptable. But keep in mind not to wear beachwear in towns. Smoking is
allowed after meals in Restaurants. Smoking is prohibited in theatres, cinemas
and buses. Tipping is 10 to 15 percent in restaurant and hotels and 10 percent
to taxis.
Attractions
Castelo de Sao
Jorge Castle of St. George
Alfama - The
oldest part of Lisbon
S (Cathedral) -
first church in Lisbon
Calouste
Gulbenkian Foundation Museum
The Bairro Alto
- The Bairro Alto district, an historic enclave dating back to 1513
Monument to the
Discoveries - One of the popular attractions in Lisbon is the monument,
situated on the riverbank in the Avenida de Brasilia in the district of Belem,
which was designed to commemorate the Portuguese Age of Discovery
Tower of Belem -
This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Parque das Nacoes
Fatima
Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis - dedicated
to Soares dos Reis, the famous sculptor born and bred in Porto
Igreja de Sao Francisco
Solar Vinho do Porto
Vila Nova de Gaia
Frederico de Freitas Museum
Sao Vicente
Caves
Cable Car
Cathedral
Whale Museum
Porto Santo
Setubal
Coimbra
Coimbra University
Guimaraes
Guimaraes church
and palace
Braganca
Travel
By Air The national airline of Portugal is TAP Air
Portugal (TP). The airlines operates direct flights to many destinations like
Faro, Lisbon and Porto from a number of countries, including Canada, France,
Spain, the UK and USA. Portugalia Airlines (NI) operates flights from Europe.
Many popular airlines that fly to Poland from UK are British Airways, GB
Airways and Monarch Airlines, Easyjet, bmibaby, Jet 2, MyTravelLite, Flybe,
Flyglobespan and SATA.The biggest airport is Lisbon International Airport which
is located like 4.5 miles north of the city.
By Sea The main ports for international passengers are
Lisbon, Leixes (Oporto), Funchal (Madeira) and Portimo (Algarve), served by
Cunard, Italia, Linea C, Olympia, P&O and Union Cas
By Rail If coming from UK, the fastest way is to get
on Eurostar train to Paris and from Paris to Portugal by Sud-Express.
Road Spain is the only country sharing border with
Portugal. The major border posts are open most of the time now.
Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200
cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g smoking tobacco for
Non-European union countries.
2. 1 liter
spirits with alcohol greater than 22%, or 2 liter spirits or aperitifs made of
wine less than 22% or sparkling wines or liqueurs, or a proportionate mix of
these, and 2 liters of wine
3. perfume up to
50g and 250ml eau de toilette
4. Gifts up to
175
5. 500g coffee
or 100g tea or 40g of tea extract
6. Medicines for
personal use
Prohibited Items
Birds and
poultry arriving from countries infected with Avian influenza, Un-canned goods,
meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants,
endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than
sixty per cent alcohol.
Travel tips to European Countries: Portugal
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Oleh
João Carriço
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