House of travel Spain, Portugal, Greece & Turkey 2017 | Page 24

Experience
Portugal
T he Portuguese were once famed for their seafaring and trading, so perhaps they
Fast Facts
Country Name: Portugal
Population: 10.6 million
Capital: Lisbon
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: 11 hours behind New Zealand
(except during daylight saving)
Electricity: Current is 220V
Plug is a 2 point round-pin adaptor
Festivals and Events 2017
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19 Mar Lisbon Half Marathon
30 Mar-09 Apr Lisbon Fish & Flavours
08-16 Apr Semana Santa (Holy Week), Braga
01 May Sines Leg of the Tall Ships Races
13 May Fatima Pilgrimage 100th anniversary
23 Jun Festa de Sao Joao do Porto
29 Jun St Peter’s Day parade, Evora
have a natural affinity with travellers, even though for decades they were somewhat
neglected by visitors to Europe. That is changing now, and for good reason, as
people discover the distinctive culture and landscapes of olives, almonds, cork
trees, vineyards, windmills and unspoilt villages.
In Lisbon, its capital, take time to wander through the narrow streets of Bairro Alto
or Alfama. Beyond Lisbon lies Sintra, known as one of Portugal’s most beautiful
towns, with its Moorish palace, crumbling villas with wrought-iron balconies
festooned with flowering vines, and verdant forests.
There are also kilometres of beaches (the most famous of which are along the
Algarve and Costa do Sol), medieval monasteries and hills dotted with castles and
wild flowers. Braga, with its Baroque churches, is known as the Rome of Portugal.
To the north is Porto, on the River Douro, where the country’s most famous export,
port wine, is stored in warehouses known as lodges before it is dispatched all
around the world. Take a cruise along the river or visit a tiny fishing village along
the coast. Fresh fish, especially sardines, are a staple of Portuguese cuisine, along
with olive oil.