Portugal
shares the Iberian Peninsula with Spain, and is bordered
by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. Its long,
varied coastline, sunny climate, and the relaxed lifestyle
of the inhabitants of its charming towns and villages
have made it a sought after holiday destination. The
delight of Portugal is that, although it is undeniably
part of modern Europe, it retains some rural enclaves
where time has stood still and traditions flourish.
In the southern province of the Algarve, modern high-rise
resorts line the coast and buzz with all the trappings
of a package tour destination; the capital city, Lisbon,
on the west coast, is a bright, busy, crowded metropolis
surrounded by bustling tourist resorts. Travel a few
miles north or east, however, and discover a largely
undeveloped picturesque countryside full of medieval
villages and towns where life has changed little over
several centuries.
The
Portuguese have a close affinity to the sea; for centuries
their famed mariners led the way in the exploration
of Africa and the Americas, and opened trade routes
to the East. The country became a strong colonial power,
and remained so until the mid-20th century, resulting
in distinctive foreign influences on the local culture
and architecture. From Africa, for example, was imported
the now traditional, sentimental fado music, which is
one of the country’s unique experiences for visitors,
particularly in the cafés of Lisbon.
In
recent years Portugal, long overlooked on the list of
the world’s top vacation stations, has been investing
time, money and effort into ensuring it is discovered
by the world’s travellers, just as once it was
the Portuguese who discovered the world. This new age
of discovery is paying off, as increasing numbers of
visitors arrive each year and hotel and resort construction
has exploded. From the visitor's point of view the compactness
of the country makes it easy to take in all the best
elements: sandy beaches, scenery, history, wonderful
cuisine, lively entertainment, charming handcrafts,
thrilling nightlife, country fairs, excellent sporting
facilities and warm, friendly people.
From
the cobbled winding streets of Lisbon’s medieval
citadel to the cork forests in Alentejo, and from fishermen
mending their nets on remote beaches to the shopping
malls and sophisticated glitzy resorts, Portugal is
a country well worth discovering.
LISBON:
The
capital of Portugal has experienced a renaissance in
recent years and has reclaimed its rightful place as
the 'golden city' of southern Europe. After slumbering
for decades, the city's modern, vibrant and cosmopolitan
identity is today much similar to that which it enjoyed
in the 15th and 16th centuries during the age of the
great discoverers, when Lisbon was the centre of trade
with the East and the starting point for maritime exploration
of the globe.
The city
fathers of Lisbon elected to invest in some rejuvenation
in the 1990s, and this ongoing focus on the future has
made the most of the city's attributes and attractions,
both old and new. Infrastructure has also been improved,
with additions like the impressive Vasco da Gama Bridge
across the River Tagus, which links the city's airport
to a network of national motorways and has facilitated
access to other parts of Portugal. There is also a new
showcase railway hub, the Gare de Oriente, which is
the pride of a new modern suburb on the east bank of
the Tagus, called Santiago Calatrava, linking Lisbon
to the rest of Europe.
OPORTO:
Bridges and port wine are what characterises Oporto,
Portugal's gracious northern capital and second largest
city after Lisbon. Oporto sits astride a great gorge
at the point where the River Douro enters the Atlantic,
and although it is mainly industrial, the city centre
has plenty of charm with some art treasures, medieval
cathedrals and museums, along narrow streets sporting
wrought-iron balconies and bright splashes of potted
geraniums.
The
main reason tourists visit Oporto is to sample its legendary
port wine, processed, blended and aged in the various
lodges of the Vila Nova da Gaia district across the
river from the city, via the spectacular two-tiered
Dom Luis bridge. Visitors can tour the lodges and finish
up with a tasting session. The city also has an historic
riverside district called Ribeira, which is undergoing
restoration and has been classified as a Unesco World
Heritage Site.
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Time:
Local
time is GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday
before last Sunday in October).
Electricity:
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin
plugs are used.
Language:
Portuguese is the official language, but English is
widely spoken and understood.
Health:
There are no health risks attached to travel to Portugal.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary
for entry for anyone travelling from an infected area
and destined for the Azores or Madeira. Health facilities
are good and reciprocal health agreements exist with
most European countries, including the UK, whose citizens
receive free emergency care at state hospitals on production
of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Dental care
and repatriation costs are not covered under this agreement.
Medical insurance is therefore advised.
Tipping:
Service charges are usually added to hotel and restaurant
bills, but it is customary to leave an additional 10%.
Bar staff and taxi drivers also expect tips, which are
usually the rounding up of the bill to the nearest Euro.
Safety:
Travel to Portugal should be trouble-free, but there
is a rising incidence of petty theft and pick-pocketing
in tourist areas, so reasonable care should be taken.
Communications:
The international access code for Portugal is +351.
There are no area or city codes required. The outgoing
code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
0044 for the United Kingdom). Portugal is well covered
by three GSM mobile phone networks. Internet cafes are
available in most towns and resorts.
Airports:
Lisbon
Airport (LIS)
Location:The airport is five miles
(7km) north of Lisbon. Time: GMT (GMT +1 between the
last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last
Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +351 (0)218 413 500.
Arrivals information: (0)218 413 700. Transfer to the
city: The Carris Aerobus no 91 runs every day between
7.45am and 8.45pm, connecting Lisbon Airport to the
city centre. Tickets at €2.85 giving a day's use
of the bus and tram network can be purchased on the
bus. A shuttle bus service also operates between the
airport and the resorts of Estoril and Cascais. The
fare is €7.50 and the service operates between
7am and 10.30pm. Taxi stands are situated outside departures
and arrivals. The meter should read €1.95 and the
commencement of the ride. Fares are 20% higher on weekends,
holidays and at night.
Facilities:
There are a range of passenger services at
Lisbon Airport including ATMs, bureaux de change, showers,
a post office, left luggage, baby care facilities, meeting
rooms and a help desk in both Arrivals and Departures.
There are a wide variety of restaurants and shops, including
a duty-free. Disabled facilities are good; passengers
requiring wheelchairs should contact their airline.
Website: www.ana-aeroportos.pt/ANAIngles/Lisboa/HomePage.htm
Faro
Airport (FAO)
Location: The airport is two miles (4km) west
of Faro. Time: GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March
to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Contacts:
Tel: +351 (0)289 800 800. Transfer to the city: Buses
and taxis are available outside the terminal building
to take passengers to all areas of the Algarve.
Facilities:
The airport has several restaurants, bars and
shops, including duty free. ATMs and currency exchange
services are also available. Website: www.ana-aeroportos.pt/ANAIngles/Faro/HomePage.htm
Currency:
Money: Portugal is a member of the
European Union and its official currency is the Euro
(€), which is divided into 100 cents. There are
numerous banks, bureaux de change and ATMs available
in main cities and tourist destinations. Foreign currency
can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and automatic
currency exchange machines. Banking hours are generally
8.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday. Major credit cards are
widely accepted, as are travellers cheques.
Visa
& Passport Requirements:
Entry requirements for Americans: No
visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for UK nationals:
British citizens do not require a visa for a stay of
up to 180 days.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians
do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for Australians:
No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for South Africans:
South African nationals require a valid passport and
a Schengen visa.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New
Zealand nationals do not require a visa for a stay of
up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish
nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 180
days.
Passport/Visa Note: All visitors must
hold tickets and/or documents for their return or onward
journey, and at least EUR 74.82 plus EUR 39.90 per day
of stay, unless holding proof of paid accommodation.
(Equivalent in convertible currency accepted.). Portugal
is a signatory to the Schengen agreement and is incorporated
in the 'borderless' region of Europe that issues a standard
Schengen visa.
Note:
Passport and visa requirements are liable to
change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check
their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
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