Amazing Portugal
Portugal is located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is the westernmost country of mainland Europe. It is roughly 350 miles long and 117 miles wide. It has a temperate year-round temperature that is influenced by the Gulf Stream. It’s Atlantic position provides a much cooler climate in the north with a good amount of rainfall in the winter.
Portugal offers many attractions such as sub-tropical volcanic islands, lush green meadows and not to mention 528 miles of beautiful beaches. Rich in tradition and history, it is one of the oldest nations in Europe.
Architecture is just one of the many intriguing features. Especially the Gothic style called Manueline which reflects the country’s prosperity during the Age of the Discoveries. Be sure not to miss the beautifully glazed tiles called azulejos which decorate most of the country’s buildings and monuments.
If golfing is a favourite, Portugal offers more than forty top-class courses including San Lorenzo which was officially recognized as one of Europe’s best championship courses. Surfing, water-skiing, swimming, horse-riding, and cycling are just some of the sporting activities one can enjoy while visiting.
Portuguese cuisine is very distinctive and offers many different specialities that have evolved from local ingredients and Portuguese traditions. Much of the cooking is spiced based thanks to the accomplishments of Vasco de Gama and other navigators of his time. He and his men circled the globe in search of pepper, cloves, curry, nutmeg, and cinnamon. All of which serve as the base of today’s Portuguese cooking.
Portugal’s rich cultural heritage extends to it’s capital city of Lisbon. This gorgeous city is widely popular for it’s restored palaces, stunning churches, and an immaculate hilltop castle. It’s most popular shopping area is the Baixa, which is made up of several small streets including the traffic-free Rua Augusta. A short walk from there brings you to Rua de Santa Catarina or downtown. Here you’ll find several quaint boutiques and stores. You’ll also find the illustrious Meridien Park Atlantic Hotel. Other accomidations range from fabulous five-star resorts to your most basic rooms. The towns of Cascais ans Estoril offer a more relaxed alternative as apposed to the hustle and bustle of city life. Apart from the hotels, it is also possible to stay in the more personal setting of a manor house. Here the guests are encouraged to eat and interact with the family.
Portugal is full of so much history and culture. It is a place that should be explored little by little so not to miss anything this wonderful country has to offer.
The western part of the Iberian Peninsula, the part bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, the traditional rural Portugal. Long ago, the area between the north of Portugal and Spain are not very well defined and cultural aspects were very similar. But then Castrena culture made its first appearance with grass thatched huts in a circular formation in the north and then the Romans took over, separating the two areas. From the beginning of the fifth century Braga was named the capital of Portugal, so it was invaded by the Visigods and finally, since almost all the Iberian Peninsula, the Arabs moved in, leaving a huge impact, especially their architecture, culture and were governing.
Lisbon
Algarve
Faro
Albufeira
But all this is quite old, and although it is interesting to know when you visit Portugal
And its capital city, Lisbon, many people are looking for the actual entertainment and fun places to visit along with historical ones.
Lisbon, Portugal proud Capital
In Lisbon, where most of the tourist start their visit after arriving at the airport, there are various excursions to do around the city. There are museums of all kinds – do Chiado Museum, which is located in one of the most enchanting areas in Lisbon. Here you can find Portuguese and French art. It is open on Tuesdays 02:00 to 06:00 and all other days except Mondays fom 10:00 to 06:00 – Science Museum, which is located at the main entrance to the Science University has as main objective to be training with more than 60 interactive themes using physics, chemistry and mathematics. It is open from Monday to Friday from 10 am until 1 pm and from 2 to 5, and not open on Sundays. – Museum do Carme, which is installed in the ruins of the monastery and has an excellent archaeological collection from many different periods. – National Museum of Ancient Art, found in the area called Belem near the river in the Palace of evil earnest. It is the most important museum in Portugal with 65 halls, which in a lot of Portuguese painters and sculptors and all combinations, the Portuguese made when it had all its colonies. Extremely interesting and takes time to see. Open 10:00 to 18:00 from Wednesday to Sunday and Tuesday 02:00 to 06:00 Sundays are free.
And Lisbon is also known for its open air entertainment: – Eduardo VII Park is right next to Marques de Pombal Square. This park was created to celebrate the English King Edward VII visit to Lisbon in 1903. The Gym Pavillion Carlos Lopez is beautifully decorated on the outside with tiles. And Estufa Fria (greenhouse), where you can find all kinds of plants from around the world who were brought to Lisbon and has been adapted to the climate change that. – Tapada da Ajuda is a 200 acre park once used for hunting, but now there are various activities such as a children’s park, recreation area and a Astronomy Observatory. – Botanical Gardens which was founded in 1873 and is considered one of the best in the whole of Europe. There are more than 2,500 species, including palms and banana trees. Being as it is situated on a hill, the second level associated with step makes its beauty even more strength and lovely to behold. It is open in winter 09:00 to 18:00 and in summer 09:00 to 20:00 and weekends 10:00 to 08:00
Lisbon needs a few days to visit it, so if you need some ideas on hotels, here you go. The Four Seasons, Ritz is the tops with beauty gardens and agreat view of Eduard VII Park. Or maybe Carlton Hotel, a 19th century palace with tropical gardens. Coming down a little Comfort Principe panoramic restaurant and good service and quality. On the busy Ave. Liberdade in a small neoclassical Moorish palace called Veneza, nice pensions to Hotel Lisboa, which is a 17 room restored old house from the 18th c. Museum of Ancient Art and for those who just want to put their heads down, some nicely kept campsites or hostels.
But when you are in Portugal you need to take full advantage and see places like Sintra, Porto, Albufeira in the Algarve region and an extra special get away to Madeira and the Azores. It’s all lovely.