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| Destinations : Portugal - Spain - France - Italy - Andorra - Morocco - Tunisia - Brazil - Macao - Philippines - more | ||
Portugal Travel - Hotels, Sightseeing Tours, Attractions |
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Portugal has a rich seafaring past, great beach resorts, beautiful towns and a
stunning landscape covered in olive groves, vineyards and world heritage
sites. Portugal’s bright capital, Lisbon, is bordered by river and coastline. The city is littered with monuments, Art Nouveau buildings and picturesque mediaeval quarters. The seaside resort of Estoril and hills of the Serra de Sintra are only a drive away. If you’re looking for a few days relaxation then visit the tropical island of Madeira. Set within a spectacular landscape, which includes the largest evergreen forest in the world - Laurisilva Forest, top-quality hotels and excellent service means everybody feels comfortable. The Algarve also has much to offer, with its beaches among the best in the world. It also hosts 30 golf courses. Porto, in the north, has a rich and fascinating history. The mountainous region owes much of its character to the River Douro whose vine-filled valley is today classified as a world heritage site. Much of its heritage is based on shipping and trade, making it a bustling and passionate city. |
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 Lisbon
and Fatima Combine a sightseeing tour of Lisbon with a visit to one of the most important places of pilgrimage in the Catholic World - Fatima. Visit the sights where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared, and learn more about this incredibly spiritual place. This tour is seasonal and operates from April to October only. |
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| Portugal has a rich seafaring past, superb beach resorts,
wistful towns and a landscape wreathed in olive groves, vineyards and wheat
fields. Littered with UNESCO World Heritage sites and graced by one of
Europe's most relaxed and attractive capitals, it also remains refreshingly
affordable. Savoring life slowly is a Portuguese passion, and much of the best is humble - traditional folk festivals; simple, honest food drowning in olive oil; music that pulls at the heart strings, recalling past love and glories; and markets overflowing with fish, fruit and flowers. Four decades of dictatorship sidelined the country from modern progress and Europe's power centers, but like its neighbor, Spain, it has spent much of the last 20 years trying to move in from the periphery, forging new ties with the rest of Europe, restructuring its economy, and struggling to maintain what is best in its national culture despite the sudden onslaught of international influences. |
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Travel to Lisbon - Lisbon is best explored on foot, as driving and
parking are difficult, to say the least. Some of the hills can be taxing to
climb, but in most cases a funicular or tram is available. Much of the
appeal of the city is to be found wandering up and down the streets.
Examples of both Moorish and art nouveau architecture are common, as well as
beautiful mosaic pavements. One of the highlights of Lisbon is the Castelo de
Sao Jorge, perched high above the city, and yet quite close by. Originally
built in the 5th century, it has undergone many extensions, and
modifications. It has been used as everything from a royal residence to a
prison. The panoramic views are magnificent. If your tastes are a little
more upbeat, then the area to visit is Bairro Alto. This area has long had
the reputation for containing the best restaurants and nightclubs in Lisbon.
Alternatively, if you want to go upmarket, then the shopping district for
you is Chiado. Lisbon also contains a number of excellent museums. The Museu
Calouste Gulbenkian contains what was originally a private collection of
classical and oriental art. The very generous benefactor left his collection
to the people of Portugal, along with a very generous charitable foundation.
Lisbon is the type of city that you can try to sample in a day, but it takes
much longer to truly appreciate all of its many and varied delights.
more .... Recommended Hotels Lisbon - Lisbon Hotels - Lisbon Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions
Travel to Madeira - Madeira, famous for its gentle, sunny climate,
fabulous flowers and good wine, but the island has a little-known link to the
darker side of European history.
Travel to the Algarve - The Southern coast of Portugal known as the
Algarve is a popular summer and winter holiday destination for thousands of
visitors each year. The Algarve is quite peculiar in that it borders both the
Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. A long fishing, sailing and Moorish history
contribute to the charm and warmth of the Algarve. |
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Portugal - a golfers paradiseEasily reached, Portugal is a paradise where the golfer can play almost every day of the year. Every course offers new and surprising landscapes, backed up by excellent services and facilities. more ... |
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Aparthotel Vip Eden
Facts for the Traveler |
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Full country name: Portugal Area: 92,391 sq km Population: 10.4 million Capital City: Lisbon (pop 535,740) People: 99% Portuguese, 1% African Language: Portuguese Religion: 97% Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant, 1% other Government: parliamentary democracy |
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| Visas: None required for EU nationals. Nationals of Canada, New
Zealand, Australia and the USA can stay for 90 days visa-free. Everyone else
needs a visa. Health risks: sunburn (In the tropics, the desert or at high altitude you can get sunburned quickly and seriously, even through clouds. The southern reaches of the continent suffer from scathing ultraviolet, so be extra careful there. Use a strong sunscreen, hat and barrier cream for your nose and lips. Calamine lotion and aloe vera are good for mild sunburn. Protect your eyes with good-quality sunglasses, particularly if you will be near water, sand or snow) Time Zone: GMT/UTC 0 Dialling Code: 351 Electricity: 220V ,50Hz Weights & measures: Metric |
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When to Go |
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| Peak tourist season is roughly from mid-June to September, except in the Algarve where it really only quiets down in the dead of winter. Carnaval and Easter are two holidays celebrated with gusto all over the country and are worth going out of your way for. |
Faro Airport Shared Arrival Transfer If you're staying on the Algarve coast, why not pre-book a transfer and let all your worries fly away? Worry no more as you are picked up from Faro International Airport and transferred to your hotel, bags and all! Begin your holiday without a care in the world, as you relax on Portugal's stunning Algarve coast! More Airport Transfers in Portugal |
Events |
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| Portugal abounds with romarias (religious pilgrimages), festas
(festivals) and feiras (fairs) that bring whole towns to a
standstill. At the core of many are religious processions. The further north
you go, the more traditional and less touristy these celebrations get.
Carnaval is one of the biggest events, featuring partying, parading and
painted faces about six weeks before Easter. There are vast and colourful
processions during Braga's Easter or Holy Week Festival. The Festa
de São João in June is biggest in Porto where everyone dances through
the streets, amicably hitting each other over the head with leeks. The
Feira de São Martinho (Golegã, November) showcases all manner of horses,
riding contests and bullfights. Public Holidays New Year's Day - 1st January
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