AVEIRO | COIMBRA | LISBON | PORTO |
Portugal , in Southern Europe, shares the Iberian peninsula at the western tip of Europe with Spain. Geographically and culturally somewhat isolated from its neighbor, Portugal has a rich, unique culture, lively cities and beautiful countryside.
Although it was once one of the poorest countries in Western Europe, the end of dictatorship and introduction of Democracy in 1974, as well as its incorporation into the European Union in 1986, has meant significantly increased prosperity. However it may be one of the best value destinations on the Continent. This is because the country offers outstanding landscape diversity, due to its North-South disposition along the western shore of the Iberian peninsula.
You can travel in a single day from green mountains in the North, covered with vines and all varieties of trees to rocky mountains, with spectacular slopes and falls in the Centre, to a near-desert landscape in the Alentejo region and finally to the glamorous beach holidays destination Algarve. The climate, combined with investments in the golfing infrastructure in recent years, has also turned the country into a golfing haven. Portugal was recently named "Best Golf Destination 2006" by readers of Golfers Today, a British publication. Fourteen of Portugal's courses are rated in the top 100 best in Europe. If you want a condensed view of European landscapes, culture and way of life, Portugal might very well fit the bill.
Portugal is 900 years old, and even though it has a relatively small area, it played a crucial role in world history. During XVI century Portugal started a major chapter in world history with the New World Discoveries ("Descobrimentos"). It established a sea route to India, and colonized areas in Africa (Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde...) and South America (Brazil), creating an empire. The Portuguese language continues to be the biggest connection between these countries.
In 1910, the Republic was established, abolishing the Monarchy. However, this Republic was fragile and a military dictatorship was implemented, which lasted for 40 years, plunging the country into a marked stagnation. In 1974, Portugal became a free democracy, and in 1986 it joined the current European Union, quickly approaching European standards of development.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Almost all major airlines fly to Portugal (British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa), besides the country's own TAP Portugal. However, there are some cheap fares to be had from the no-frills airlines, like Aer Lingus, Monarch, easyJet, Ryanair and Vueling who have recently started flying to Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO) and Faro (FAO) at good prices. There are three international airports in the mainland: Lisbon/Portela (in the north of the city, and not far from the centre),near Loures; Porto/Pedras Rubras/Sá Carneiro (also north of the city and relatively close to it), in Maia; and Faro, in the Algarve. The Madeira and Azores Islands also have international airports, Madeira/Funchal(FNC); Ponta Delgada (PDL)(São Miguel island). From the United States, US Airways offers many flights to Portugal via Philadelphia, SATA INT./AIR AZORES, from Boston, an Providence(seasonally), TAP/Air Portugal from Newark. If arriving by plane in Lisbon, it is better to use public transport to your hotel or final destination, instead of taxis. The airport information desk at Lisbon airport can provide you with all the required information. Taxi drivers at the taxi stand at Lisbon are very infamously unreliable and if they can rip you off, they will. If you do not speak Portuguese or if you don't know the shortest way to your destination, do not use a taxi. If your final destination is less than 1 mile from the airport, taxi drivers will refuse to take you although they are not allowed to refuse destinations. If you insist in taking the taxi, the driver might abuse you verbally and try to rip you off.
By train - Trains reach most larger cities from Lisbon to Porto,Braga,Aveiro,Coimbra,Evora,Faro. Lisbon is connected to Madrid, Spain; Porto to VigoSpain; Vilar Formoso to Spain, France and the rest of Europe. In the South it is not possible to enter Portugal from Spain. There are no train connections from i.e. Sevilla to Faro. The only option is to use buses, there are many. Southeast Portugal is connected by international train (linha do Leste and linha de Caceres) [Elvas/Caia,Portugal & Bagajoz,Spain] or [Marvao-Beira, Portugal & Valencia de Alcantara, Spain.] For more information, contact: CP , Portuguese Railways.
By car - Roads are generally good, and you can reach almost all major cities with ease, either by motorway or by good, modern roads. The biggest cities are well served by modern highways (most have tolls), and you can travel the full North-South length of the country without ever leaving the highway, if you choose to. However, some secondary roads are ill-treated and may be dangerous if proper care is not taken. Also, Portuguese driving can seem erratic and, frankly, scary to the uninitiated. The country shares with most southern european countries something that the successive Portuguese governments have been trying to fight: terrible road behaviour from some drivers. In order to fight this, road laws changed recently in order to punish with great severity speeding, driving without license, driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, etc.
By boat - The country is served by numerous sea ports that receive a lot of foreign traffic, mostly merchant but also passengers boats (mainly cruisers).
STAY SAFE
Portugal is generally a safe country to travel, except when driving or crossing the streets. Driving is reckless. You are advised not to rent a car or take coaches as sadly, road accidents are an integral part of daily life on Portuguese roads.
As regarding violent crime, Portugal is generally safe. This does not mean that you should throw caution to the wind and let down your guard. In particular, there is a refreshing lack of boozy stupidity at the weekends, despite the profusion of bars open to all hours in the major cities. Also, there are no internal conflicts to speak of, and no terrorism-related danger.
Like any big city, there are some areas of Lisbon and Porto that you might want to avoid, especially at night. Also like in any other tourist areas, you might want to have in mind that pickpockets do tend to target tourists more frequently - but some common sense should be enough to keep you safe. Wear a money belt or keep your documents and money in an inside pocket. Public transport places and queues are the most usual places for pickpockets.
Especially aboard the Metro in Lisbon, gangs of gypsies are becoming more and more famous for pickpocketing anyone aboard. When the metro gets crammed, they too, pack themselves in and while one may bump into your really roughly, up to three more people may be waiting in the wings to grab your camera, wallet, or anything else you carry. Many are under 18 and take advantage of the non-harsh laws on minors. If you try to run them down, you will often be met with a large group of the gypsies outside the metro station, and a fight may be neccessary to get your items back. -Dont keep anything valuable in your back or side (cargo) pockets on the Lisbon metro -Put your backpack or fanny pack in front, and keep your hands on it at all times -If it is at all possibly try to sit (anywhere) or stand as far from the doors as possible.
Currently (mid-2008) gang violent crime has been on the rise, mostly aimed at ATMs, shops, banks and motorway service areas. Primarily gangs of gypsies have been known to 'jump' people after they have put in the PIN and select 500 euros (the max amount) to withdraw from the ATM. If you are attacked do not react, give what you're asked to give and stay alive and well. Don't use weapons even for self-defense, the legal system will be harsh on you.
RESPECT
The really worst thing to do if you travel in Portugal is to mix up Portugal with Spain, Portuguese culture with Spanish culture or Portuguese Language with Spanish Language. Some travelers even get to the point of thinking Portugal is a province of Spain. This is regarded as extremely offensive by Portuguese and Spanish people alike; never even suggest you mix up the two coutries. Also, if you can not speak Portuguese, it is better to use English, French or even Italian, rather than Spanish (unless you come from a Spanish-speaking country).
As in other countries, travel with an open mind and avoid pre-conceptions and generalizations. There is no such thing as the "Portuguese national character". The country and its people are as diverse as any other and you will meet all kinds of people, lifestyles and opinions when in Portugal, be they good and pleasant or bad and unpleasant.
At the very least starting a conversation with portuguese, then switching to English can be a successful technique to obtain this type of help.
When visiting churches or other religious monuments, try to wear appropriate clothes. That means that shoulders and knees should be covered.
Smoking in public enclosed places (taxis and transport, shops and malls, cafés and hotels, etc.) is not allowed and is subject to a fine, unless in places showing the appropriate blue sign.
It is not unusual for women to sunbathe topless in the beaches of southern Portugal, and there are several naturist beaches too. Thong bikinis are acceptable throughout the country's beaches.
It is said that the Portuguese are a formal people, independently of their social or economic status. Some will notice if your behavior, manners or dressing do not adequate to the circumstance, though they will be benevolent towards foreigners.
As any other country, do not be arrogant to the locals, do not slander and try to be courteous and polite. As in any other country, locals do not appreciate abuse. Do not, in any case, be rude to a waiter or counter staff. Stay calm because losing your temper will get you nowhere.
Ask as many questions as you like, but keep your political, social and religious opinions to yourself for as long as possible or, at least, until you are better acquainted with the person you are speaking with.
