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Travel Portugal
Why Visit Portugal
The rich and turbulent history of Portugal shaped the country
from the days of discovery started between the 15th and
16th century, till the autocratic leadership of Estado
Novo beginning from 1932 to 1974. While you are traveling
to Portugal, you will find that the country is home to
many World Heritage Sites that include both natural and
cultural marvels. It is a country that boasts of amazing
diversity, excellent weather, and friendly and welcoming
people. So during your trip to Portugal you will enjoy
the warm hospitality of the Portuguese people.
The picture-postcard scenery with pristine
beaches, craggy windswept coastline, fishermen villages,
fairytale castles, gleaming whitewashed houses and cobble
stoned streets promise to turn you awestruck.
Visit the famous places in Portugal like
the historic cities of Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra and Braga;
mingling with the colorful crowds in any of the sophisticated
beach resorts; wander through the medieval parts of the
various Portugal cities, and many more. For exploring the
more remote beauty of the country, a romantic night stay
in a pousada - a converted monastery, farm or manor house
for enjoying a wonderful pastoral setting - would be the
perfect idea.
Places of Interest:
Alcobaca - is home to the biggest church
in Portugal and tourists must travel here to visit the
abbey,
also known as Cloister of Silence embellished with 18th
century designs.
Batalha - in Portugal is known for its magnificent
abbey. It is one of the greatest Gothic masterpieces of
Europe and is a world heritage site. Tourists must travel
this city in central Portugal, which is also known for
its monumental buildings and architectural wonders.
Lisbon - the capital of Portugal is a popular
travel destination. It is the largest city of Portugal
and has a number of sites that tourists can travel. There
are some fine sandy beaches in Portugal along the Lisbon
coast which the tourists cannot miss in their travel to
Lisbon and the prominent ones which you must visit during
your travel are beaches at Estoril and Cascais.
Porto - in Portugal is also a popular travel
destination. Tourists must not miss the opportunity to
travel Vila Nova de Gaia, the winemaking region of Portugal
in Porto and taste different varieties of wine.
Sintra - is one of the most wonderful places
to travel in Portugal. It has beautiful green landscape
and offers a marvelous view of the coastline of Portugal.
Sintra is home to the three national palaces, which are
important in the history of Portugal.
Tomar - One must travel to Tomar and visit
the Convent of Christ during their travel to Portugal.
It is an important landmark in the history of Knights of
Templar. It is a 12th century monument, now included by
UNESCO as a world heritage site.
Getting Around in Portugal:
By
Land:
Portugal
Motorhome Rental
We
can help you with your Portugal Motorhome or Campervan
hire, McRent
Motorhome Hire has a depot located in
Lisbon ( Sintra ), Leiria and Porto
Portugal
Car Leasing
If you wish to travel by car, we have the following Car leasing in Portugal
suppliers to choose from, Renault
Leasing, Peugeot
Car Leasing, Citroen
Car Leasing
By
Car:
Portugal
Car Rental
Would
you like to try Car Hire in Portugal ?, We can help
you with that too. Portugal
Car Rental .
Portugal
Rail Passes
Travelling
by Train is your preference, we help you with your
Rail passes, check our Portugal
Eurail Passes rates here.
By
Water:
Portugal
Canalboat Rental
If
your desire is to explore Canals of Portugal Nicols bases
is located in Grande Lago Amieira
Portugal Climate:
Summers are hot and dry throughout Portugal, particularly
in the Algarve, which experiences very little rain. However
refreshing sea breezes make for pleasant conditions.
Winters are cold and wet, particularly in the northern
and west coast regions. Spring and autumn are good times
to visit with cheaper rates at hotels and less crowded
beaches, restaurants and golf courses.
Portugese Cuisine:
Portuguese
cuisine is characterised by rich, filling and full-flavored
dishes and is closely
related toMediterranean
cuisine. Mutual influence between Portuguese and Spanish
cuisine is common. The influence of Portugal's former
colonial possessions is also noted, especially in the
wide variety of spices used. These spices include piri
piri (small, fiery chili peppers) and black pepper, as
well as cinnamon, vanilla and saffron.
Olive
oil is one of the bases of Portuguese cuisine both
for cooking and
flavouring meals. Garlic is widely used, as are herbs
such as coriander and parsley. Breakfast is traditionally
just coffee and a bread roll. Lunch, often lasting
over an hour is served between noon and 2 o'clock or
between
1 and 3 o'clock, and dinner is generally served late,
around or after 8 o'clock.
There
are three main courses, lunch and dinner usually include
soup. A common soup
is caldo verde with potato, shredded cabbage, and chunks
of chouriço sausage. Among fish recipes, bacalhau
(cod) dishes are pervasive. The most typical desserts
are rice pudding (decorated with cinnamon) and caramel
custard, but they also often include a variety of cheeses.
The most common varieties are made from sheep or goat's
milk, and include the queijo da serra from the region
of Serra da Estrela.
Many
of the country's typical pastries were created by nuns
in the 18th century, which they
sold as a means of supplementing their incomes. Many
of their creations, often with a high content of
eggs and sugar in the composition, have related names
like
barriga de freira (nun's belly), papos de anjo (angel's
chests), and toucinho do céu (bacon from heaven).
A popular pastry is the pastel de nata, a small custard
tart sprinkled with cinnamon.
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Portugal
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