Portugal
Monday, 24, Jul 2006 04:28
Often mistaken as a poor man's Spain, Portugal boasts a culture all of its own. Its former stature as one of the most prosperous, innovative nations in the world, at the forefront of the exciting era of trade and exploration, has instilled it with a national pride distinctive from its neighbours.
Its sunny southern beaches are where most tourists flock to, but its wide mountainous northern stretches offer more than enough to make hikers and nature lovers weep with joy.
Meanwhile, ancient relics of the past, some ruins and some still jaw-droppingly resplendent in the glory of their heyday in Roman, Moorish, and imperial times, are scattered among the smallest towns but are concentrated in more than a few places for tourists to enjoy in a manageable amount of time.
Destinations in Portugal
Coimbra Home to the oldest and most prestigious university in Portugal, Coimbra boasts an atmosphere both venerable and lively, buoyed by its storied campus buildings and its jubilant, alcohol-fuelled college students.
Évora One of the best sites in the country to witness preserved history, Évora's ancient monuments range from Roman to Moorish backgrounds and remains a popular attraction each year.
Faro The hive of the beach-crazed Algarve region, this city nevertheless boasts many relaxing, idyllic places to spend your time, whether or not you plan to continue on to Portugal's beaches.
Guimarães The birthplace of Portugal as a country boasts a rich display of medieval architecture, bestowed by the riches of Portugal's earliest royal family.
Lisbon The capital of the country is filled to the brim with cultural, historic, and leisurely attractions, offering sights and experiences that echo its glorious golden age as Europe's major trading port and most beautiful city.
Porto The second-largest city in the country boasts a thriving business and commercial centre and nightlife, complete with some charming city streets and passageways.
Getting to Portugal
The cheapest and quickest flights to Portugal usually land in three of the country's airports. Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) serves the capital Lisbon in the middle of the country. Airlines such as British Airways, TAP Portugal, and EasyJet frequent the airport. Porto Airport (OPO) in the north is served by such airlines as British Airways, TAP Portugal, and Ryanair, while Faro Airport (FAO) in the very south runs flights from British Airways, TAP Portugal, Ryanair, EasyJet, and others.
To get to Portugal by train, take Eurostar lines from the UK to Paris, then take TGV to Portugal.
Travel by bus is cheaper but takes between 30 and 40 hours to reach your destination, with one or two stopovers in France and/or Spain. The consortium Eurolines' member companies run regular services to Portugal.
No ferries operate directly to Portugal, but those with a car can take a car ferry from Plymouth or Portsmouth down to Bilbao or Santander in northern Spain using P&O Ferries or Brittany Ferries. From Bilbao or Santander it's about 1,000 kilometres or over 600 miles to Lisbon.
When travelling within Portugal, bear in mind that trains tend to cost less than buses but can also be much slower. Train tickets can be ordered from Portugal's national rail service, Caminhos de Ferros Portugueses. A number of small, private bus companies run an extensive network of national and services through the country. Some of the larger bus companies include Rede Expressos and Rodonorte. Most cities except for Lisbon and Porto are small enough to not require municipal buses or taxis for transportation.
Portugal essentials
Capital - Lisbon
Major cities - Porto, Aveiro, Faro
Places of interest - Sintra and the Algarve
Time Zone - GMT +0
Language - Portuguese. To learn the basics of Portuguese visit www.bbc.co.uk
Portugal currency - Portugal uses the euro. One euro is worth around 68 pence. For up-to-date exchange rates see: www.xe.com/ucc