Choose Portugal
Portugal is served by international
flights daily major airport in Lisbon, Porto, Faro. Faro is a two and
a half hour flight from London or Amsterdam and seven hours from the
east coast of the US.
Facilities
Any region of Portugal find fully-equipped,
often in particularly prestigious places, which are efficiently organized.
In addition to the traditional convention centers and hotels with congress
facilities, and resorts, set in magnificent seaside locations.[top]
History
since 1143, an independent kingdom,
Portugal established its continental frontiers in 1297 and is one of
the oldest nations in Europe. Situated on the west side of the Iberian
Peninsula, its geographic location along the Atlantic coast has determined
its relationship with the sea. In 1415, the Portuguese set sail on an
epic voyage that would make them the first to discover the ocean routes
to India, Brasil, China and Japan, and at the same time founded settlements
on coasts of Africa.
People
Portuguese became one of the most widely
spoken languages in the world, while the Portuguese people were exposed
to many different civilizations. The monumental, artistic and archaeological
heritage of modern Portugal is a tribute not only to its seafaring, but
also to the many ancient tribes which settled on its shores, including
Celts, Romans and Moors.[top]
Landscapes
Portugal is a sunny country, with all
the ensuing natural advantages. It has diverse geographic features, from
green river valleys, to dry inland ranges, through to white sandy beaches
on the shores of the Atlantic. An ideal place for playing golf, due to
its mild weather conditions, Algarve is all year round destination.[top]
About Portugal
Capital: Lisbon (Lisboa) (2,000,000
inhabitants)
System of Government: Parliamentary
democracy
Area: 88,889 square kilometres
Estimated Population: 487/sq. mile[top]
Portugal has a population of about 10 million. The population density
is at its greatest in Lisbon, the capital and its suburbs, where about
2. million people live. The second largest city in Portugal is Oporto
in the north. Generally speaking, there are more people living in the
country's coastal regions than in the inland areas.[top]
A member-country of the European Union since 1986, Portugal currently
enjoys steady economic growth.
Size
Portugal is situated at the south-west
point of Europe and also includes the Madeira and Azores archipelagos
in the Atlantic Ocean. Mainland Portugal is 218 km wide and 561 km long,
with 832 km of Atlantic coast and a 1,215 km border with Spain. [top]
The Azores are situated in the Atlantic Ocean between Europe and North
America (two hours flight from Lisbon). They have an area of 2,355 km
sq.and consist of nine islands – São Miguel and Santa Maria
in the Eastern Group, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial
in the Central Group and Flores and Corvo in the Western Group.[top]
The Madeira Archipelago has an area of 741 km sq. and lies in the Atlantic
Ocean about 500 km from the African coast and 1,000 km from the European
continent (1hr 30 mins. flying time from Lisbon). It consists of the islands
of Madeira and Porto Santo and the uninhabited Desertas and Selvagens
islands, which are nature reserves.[top]
Language
One of the Latin languages, Portuguese
is the third most spoken European language in the world and the native
tongue of about 200 million people, due to its presence in Brazil and
some other ex-colonies in Africa. In Portugal many people speak excellent
English, and good Spanish. [top]
Climate
The climate in Portugal is mild all
year round, due to its geographic location in Southern Europe, while
also benefiting from the waters of the Gulf Stream. Summers are dry and
clear, with warm sunshine extending long into autumn. Winters are moderately
cool and are the rainiest time of year (except in subtropical Madeira,
where it rarely rains). Midsummer temperatures range around 70?F, while
winter temperatures tend to be around 50?F.[top]
Time
Continental Portugal and Madeira Island
are on Greenwich mean time (GMT). The Azores Islands are 1 hour behind
the Portuguese mainland.
Currency
Portugal is one of 12 European Union
countries whose common official currency is the euro (€). 1 euro
is divided into 100 cents. The coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5,
10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 euros. The notes are differentiated by
their size and colour and come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100,
200 and 500 euros.[top]
VAT and Tax Refunds
Visitors from non-European Union countries
can request reimbursement of the Value Added Tax (VAT) they have paid
on any of their purchases over €59.36. The VAT rate charged on most
items in Portugal is 21%.[top]
In order to be reimbursed, when you make a purchase you should ask the
shop for a declaration detailing the amount you paid, the items bought
and the amount to be reimbursed. You can request the reimbursement at
the airport, either in cash, by credit card, or by international cheque,
provided that you show the items in question to customs beforehand.[top]
Opening Hours
Banks open from 8:30 am to 3 pm from
Monday to Friday; closed on bank holidays. Shops open from 9 am to 1
pm and from 3 pm to 7 pm (working days). On Saturdays, most shops close
at 1 pm. The shopping malls in larger towns are normally open 7 days
a week from 10 am to 11 pm. Museums open from 10 am to 12:30 am and from
2 pm to 5 pm and are closed on Mondays. [top]
Electrical Current
The electric current in Portugal is
230/400 volts at a frequency of 50 hertz. Sockets comply with European
standards. You will need a 230 volt transformer and an adaptor to use
American-style flat-prong plugs.
Where in Portugal
Cities/destinations offered
We can organize your meeting, conference
or event in Lisbon, Oporto, the Algarve, and also in Spain – Huelva
area that is served by Faro airport,
Getting to Portugal
A valid passport is the only requirement
for US citizens and European citizens.
International airports are located
at Lisbon, Oporto, Faro, Funchal (Madeira), Ponta Delgada (Azores), and
Lajes (Azores). The national airline is TAP-Air Portugal. The regional
air company, SATA, flies connections to the Azores Islands. There are
also air links between Funchal (Madeira) and Porto Santo. Portugalia (www.pga.pt)
and Air Luxor also operate schedule flights to and from Portugal in Europe.
Every day, international trains run between Paris and Lisbon (Sud Express)
and Lisbon and Madrid (Lusitânia), and from Madrid to Sevilla, that
is 2 hours by car from Faro [top]
Algarve
With gorgeous beaches, warm water and
glorious sunshine all year-round, Algarve is a dream destination. Situated
in the extreme south of Portugal, this part of the territory was the
last to be conquered from the Moors by the Portuguese king Dom Afonso
III, in 1292. Traces of the Moorish presence are still seen in its unique
terraces, chimneys and whitewashed houses. The Algarve has idyllic temperatures
(average temperature in winter of 14°C and 24°C - 57°F and
75°F – in summer, rarely going below 12°C - 53°F – during
winter and reaching as high as 28°C or 30°C - 82°F or 86° F – in
July and August), which are ideal for playing golf and other sports.
In the northern part of Algarve, the
ranges of Espinhaço de Cão, Monchique and Caldeirão
shelter the coast from strong winds. This brightly colored region, with
its fig trees, orange groves and almond trees in blossom, is also the
most verdant and fertile. The southern coastline consists of a long stretch
of fabulous sandy beaches, broken up by extraordinary rugged red cliffs
and fantastic grottoes.
Apart from the wealth of available
water sports facilities (the marinas of Vilamoura, Alufeira and Lagos
deserve special mention, amongst the various ports and harbours), there
are other alternatives, such as tennis courts, famous golf courses, luxury
hotels or quaint holiday resorts and an exciting nightlife.
Places of interest: Faro - the capital
of the region, with a medieval wall and a large number of monuments, Lagos
- a 15th century walled town, with a Manueline window, old slave market,
and a charming marina, The famous thermal spa of Monchique and Fóia
(2959 ft high), overlooking the hills and the ocean, The fishing towns
of Olhão and Portimão, Tavira one of oldest towns in europa
with a nice river, castle and churches
Lisboa
Lisboa, the capital of Portugal since
1255, was conquered from the Moors by Portugal's first king in 1147. It
lies on the right bank of the Tagus river and in a region that offers
a rich landscape diversity, from broad blue estuary and fertile river
plains, through to the broad expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Lisbon is
an enchanting capital. The city originally sprang up around a fortress,
which is now circled by neighbourhoods drenched with medieval charm and
houses whose facades are decked with ornate ceramic tiles. As the dusk
turns to night, the yellow electric tramcars continue to wind their way
up and down the hills of the old capital, while the sound of traditional
Fado songs enlivens many a candle-lit dinner table in restaurant or home.
The capital also provides ample opportunity for seeing popular celebrations,
for shopping, and for enjoying the nightlife along the river bank. With
the port and marinas situated nearby, water sports are a natural attraction
too.
Not far from the capital lies the town
of Sintra, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and previous royal residence.
The Atlantic coast around Lisbon is of surprising beauty: here the landscape
swiftly changes from high, sweeping cliffs to beaches of white sand, backed
by lagoons, and frequented by hundreds of windsurfers. Not far away, at
Cabo da Roca, lies Europe's westernmost point. Back in the Lisbon area,
many other places stand as witness to Portugal's rich historical and cultural
traditions: ancient monasteries and convents of the religious orders,
cosmopolitan seaside resorts and enchanting coastal villages, aristocratic
country-houses, and the Arrábida hills and nature reserve stocked
with ancient trees.[top]
In Lisbon, not to be missed are:
the medieval quarters of Alfama and
Mouraria, and the magnificent St. George's Castle, the Bairro Alto and
Madragoa, with their typical streetsthe Belém tower and the Jerónimos
monastery (masterpieces of Manueline architecture and classified in UNESCO's
International Heritage list), the Palaces of Ajuda and Fronteira, any
of Lisbon's fine museums, highlighting Lisbon's past as a great seafaring
nation and dominant culture, Lisbon's riverside discos and bars, particularly
vibrant during the summer months, the local seafood and wines
Nearby places of interest include
Alcobaça , the monumental Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria, founded
in 1152 and classified in UNESCO's International Heritage list , Batalha
, the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, a Portuguese Gothic
building begun in 1388 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site ,The stylish summer
resort Cascais and Estoril , The Marian pilgrimage center of Fátima
, The graceful town of Leiria with its striking medieval royal castle
and 16 th century cathedral , Tomar, a UNESCO's Heritage town with famous
cathedral and Templars' Castle (12th century)
Oporto
A UNESCO World Heritage site and the
North's most important city, Oporto lent its name to the famous port wine
and to Portugal. A stroll around its typical quarters (especially the
area on the waterside, the zona ribeirinha), and its bustling downtown,
is a must. The Stock Exchange Palace, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral,
the churches of Cedofeita, São Francisco, and Carmo, as well as
the Clérigos tower, all lend Oporto a special feel. The Port lodges
in Vila Nova de Gaia offer the chance to understand the process involved
in the making of port, finished with a free tasting! [top]
The Douro Region
The Douro river is the longest in northern
Portugal. It winds its sinuous way past mountains and cliffs until it
reaches the Atlantic near the city of Porto. Many dams have been built
to make the river navigable, which for the visitor means that plenty of
pleasure and cruise boats depart from Porto to the Douro region. Between
Mesão Frio and Pinhão lies the stretch where the valley
sides are lined with terraced vineyards that produce the famous Port wine.
This region is also famous for the ancient cave paintings in Vila Nova
de Foz Côa, made in prehistoric times. Elsewhere, medieval castles
and convents or Romanesque chapels dot the landscape. History, too, is
evoked by the manor houses, such as the Baroque mansion at Mateus, near
Vila Real, or in the great 17th century sanctuaries, such as Nossa Senhora
dos Remédios in Lamego.[top]
The Coastal Region
Along the coastline north of Porto
runs a coastal road linking Vila do Conde to Valença. It takes
visitors past beautiful beaches, summer resorts and enchanting villages,
such as Caminha and Vila Nova de Cerveira. Inland, lies the huge national
park area covering the mountains of Peneda, Soajo and Gerês.
Three towns that set the tone for this charming area of Portugal are
Viana do Castelo, lying upon the estuary of the Lima river; Braga, rich
in ecclesiastical history; and the medieval town of Guimarães.
Mansions and manorial houses in this region are available as venues, offering
visitors a rare privileged glimpse of aristocratic Portuguese traditions,
combined with the best of modern hospitality.[top]
