Why choose a holiday home in Portugal?
Discover Portugal!
Seafaring legends, tempting pastries, the finest cod recipes, Fado folk music, dance, art, fabulous beaches, the world's most notorious casino, and rich architecture are as famous as the friendly people of Portugal.
The "Republic of Portugal" is a land of over 10 million people. This largely Roman Catholic population values and sustains their past. Not only can Portugal brag about their modern, cosmopolitan cities; they can boast about their collection of old-world fishing villages, attractive beaches and resorts too. Lisbon is one of Europe's most striking cities.
In the ultra-modern capitol city of Lisbon you will find all the contrivances of any major American city but wrapped in a storied history. Vasco Da Gama is the man who discovered the trade route to India. If he were alive today he would welcome all who come to discover Portugal.
Lisbon claims all 60,000 feet of the longest bridge in all of Europe and it is named after Vasco Da Gama. Lisbon is also celebrated for its creamy limestone and shadowy grey basalt, three inch cubed, stones that form the distinctive black and white mosaic sidewalks of Lisbon.
A cold drink, surrounded by geese, strutting peacocks, and ducks, can be had in the gardens at Saint George's Castle overlooking all of Lisbon. The castle is named after the patron saint of England and served as the royal palace.
You will find Lisbon is spread out over seven hills. The result is a crazy mix of elevations that are reached in a very creative way. People transit via cable tramways, escalators, street elevators and funiculars. Try out the Santa Justa street elevator that is packaged inside a charming Gothic tower.
A footbridge in Lisbon leads to a breath-taking portal where you will find ocean habitats from around the globe represented in one of the planets largest aquariums. You need not scuba dive or sail to hobnob with 25,000 birds, fish, and mammals. Penguins march in the Antarctic pool while playful otters provoke smiles in the Pacific Ocean environment.
Portugal is a colorful country with a diverse mixture of industries that include tourism, wine, canning fish, oil refineries, and farming. Many people are employed at the factories producing textiles, metal, and wood products.
At the end of a working day many of these people are craftsman that create unique keepsakes available at the many markets and fairs throughout the country. Portugal is well regarded for making and using incredible painted tiles in floors and ceilings. This particular form of art is called Azulegos.
Madeira gained the right to sell wine to Britain and the people settling the colonies by King Charles the II and they continue to ship spirits to every corner of the world. Brace yourself! There is more to Portugal than Mateusz Rose!
Many are surprised at the wide variety of distinctive domestic flavors produced throughout the land now. The locals are experts at matching the perfect wine to their succulent regional dishes.
The preparation, consumption, and enjoyment of meals are a national pastime. Meals can last a couple hours and supper is normally around 8pm, which is typical in the Mediterranean.
A visit to Porto on the Silver Coast in Costa de Lisboa is when you order spicy pork sausages. Black sausage is popular with meals and there is a mouth watering garlic sausage made from chicken and turkey.
The doors to the biggest and oldest casino in Europe have been revolving since 1920. Estoril Casino was a reputed haven for espionage officers and exiled royals during World War II and was the model for Ian Fleming's "Casino Royale". Today, it's a sophisticated and wildly popular entertainment spot.
The Jeronimos site in Belem honors Vasco da Gama's profitable adventure and contains his tomb along with a couple of Kings and famous poets. The history behind it and the exquisite maritime sculptural intricacies on the structure helped it be designated a UNESCO World Heritage monument.
Nazareth began centuries ago and is now a well-liked summer resort town, powered by tourists who swarm the gift shops, cafes, and take pictures of the fishermen in checkered shirts and ebony stocking caps. Fishermen's wives often wear the traditional skirts that are short and feature many layered petticoats while mending nets or drying fish.
Where will your Portugal adventure take you? Scuba diving or reeling in world class tuna followed by the fabulous nightlife of Madeira will get your heart pounding. Maybe you want to relax on one of the famous or secret beaches of Costa de Lisboa. A few days in Lisbon allows you to sample sights outside of the capital city.
A digital camera with an extra memory chip is a terrific precaution when you inventory the culture and history of Algarve. The southern coast of Portugal is packed with pleasure from the shy villages of Vila Do Bispo to lusty Tavira near the border of Spain.
Seafood cooks from Lagos, Portimao, and Carvoeiro perform miracles with grilled sardines, lamprey, sea bass, and mackerel. You may discover a new favorite recipe trying ingredients like cuttlefish, crabs, prawns, lobsters, shrimps, clams, mussels, oysters, octopus and squid.
Many dishes are bathed in creamy sauces with olive oil, tomatoes, onions, potatoes and wine that are personalized with a variety of spices and herbs. Secret recipes are common throughout the land.
Exploring salty grottos in small boats, bouncing your way through carob farms in a jeep safari, and surfing perfect sets in golden coves will rev up your appetite in Algarve.
Try Cozida Portugesa for a robust meat stew. Algarve cured ham dishes and Monchique are seemingly prepared by magicians rather than chefs. The fun and excitement coupled with the quiet, reflective activities of the region will make you wonder why it took you so long to discover Portugal.
When you reluctantly depart after your holiday, there is a very good chance that you may refer to Portugal as your "home away from home". Or perhaps you may just slip and call it "home".
Contribution post: 12 August 2010
