Portugal

Lisbon is one of the most atmospheric cities in Europe, but this small, highly historic country is far from done yet. There's the balmy resort region of Algarve, the green north, home of Port wine, including Porto, the Douro Valley, Coimbra, and Braga; the fairytale palaces of Sintra, the Atlantic islands Madeira and the Azores; and much more.

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Fado, the soulful musical heart of Portugal

Portugal PathwaysThe soulful urban music of Portugal is often described as the country’s musical heart. The word itself comes from the Latin fatum, meaning “fate,” and the music is inseparable from the Portuguese emotional concept of saudade—a deep, almost nostalgic longing for something lost or unattainable. Since the 19th century, fado has been the sound of Lisbon’s old neighborhoods, echoing through taverns and candle-lit restaurants where singers pour intense feeling into spare, haunting…

Started by María José

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7 scintillating sites in Sintra

Dmitrij Rodionov Just a half hour by car or around 40 minutes by train from Lisbon, this municipality of roughly 386,000 residents feels a world apart. Nestled among the forested hills of the Serra de Sintra, its historic old quarter, has long been a retreat for kings, nobles, and wealthy merchants seeking relief from the summer heat of the Portuguese capital. Most of Sintra today consists of modern residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and former villages that have gradually become…

Started by Tripatini

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Fantastic value and ease of use are the hallmarks of intercity bus travel in Portugal

PortugalIts compact size, modern highways, and efficient coach operators make buses one of the easiest ways to travel through Portugal. Vehicles are typically clean, punctual, and comfortable, and the Portuguese intercity coach system is definitely one of Europe’s best values. The most prominent operators are Rede Expressos (above) and FlixBus. Sample routes/fares:Lisbon → Porto: Three to three and a half hours, €5–€15 ($5.50–$16.50 USD)Lisbon → Faro: Three to four hours, €10–€20 ($11–$22…

Started by María José

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How is the Portuguese of Portugal different from that of Brazil?

Many years ago, my girlfriend and I were on a mini-golf course on Cape Cod when I heard people behind us speaking in an unfamiliar language. I said to Lisa, "what is that, Hebrew?" Highly amused, she - a Portuguese major in college - replied "no, silly, they´re from Brazil!" (of course I did feel silly, but in my defense, at the time I was 19 and had not been exposed to many foreign languages beyond French, German, and Spanish). In the years to come, I too studied Portuguese a bit, and during…

Started by David Paul Appell

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Kim Walker April 26, 2011 at 8:56am

I know I'm in good company here, cauz I too adore Portugal! My husband and I lead a photo tour there last June and will go again in October--this time to explore the Douro Valley and the north. Can't wait!

Portugal has the friendliest people, and some of the most amazing architecture. I also enjoyed seeing some of the important cultural events--like the candellit procession at Fatima, the Agricutural Festival in Santarem and the bullfighting and courageous forcados! I recently posted a couple photo essays on both the bullfighting and Portuguese art and architecture on our blog UniqueTravelPhoto.com. I think Tomar's Convento de Cristo was my favorite architectural gem. What's yours?
David Paul Appell April 20, 2011 at 7:22pm

Now on the Tripatini blog: an informative rundown of Portugal's top beaches!
David Paul Appell April 16, 2011 at 6:32pm

I haven't read the piece, but I do think it's likely the author is not necessarily "advocating" running through Portugal with a checklist, but rather had in mind the unfortunate fact that many Americans, at least, rarely have much more than a week's vacation at a time. So especially with transatlantic fares being so high this summer, the mentality of many would be try to get the most sightseeing bang for the buck by packing in as much as they can into that precious week. The sad fact is that few Americans with jobs have the luxury of lounging leisurely around the way Europeans do on holiday if they want to experience a significant portion of another country. I wish it were otherwise, but if wishes were fishes...
Barbara Radcliffe Rogers April 16, 2011 at 3:37pm

They are right only in that you could physically go all those places in a week. But what would be the point of just running through? Portugal is a place to savor, as Buzzy does, not to run through with a checklist in hand, as AP evidently advocates.
Buzzy Gordon April 16, 2011 at 6:21am

What a joke. Sounds like the writer's idea of a "sampling" is taken from the movie "If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium."

I spent close to a week in central Portugal alone, exploring fascinating history and amazing scenery and terrific food -- and never even made it to Lisbon, or Porto, or the Algarve!
Northeast News April 16, 2011 at 4:26am

An AP article says that Portugal offers good value. Agreed. Then it says you can enjoy all of Portugal in one week. "One week in Portugal is plenty to sample Lisbon's historic wonders, then travel by train to Porto, another Atlantic Ocean port city, and squeeze in a visit to a winery. Within that period you could do sun and sea at the beaches in southern Algarve province."

Do you agree with that?
Portugal Dream Coast April 7, 2011 at 3:43pm

Erected at a height of 113 meters above sea level, as sign of gratitude of peace , Christ of King was thought by Cardeal D. Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira (the mentor of the project) .

D. Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira, after a trip to Christ Redentor in Rio de Janeiro (Brasil) in 1934 though on his construction, but only in 1949 started and ended in 1959, has a sign of gratitude to absence of Portugal in World War II . More information on Christ the King , clicking here .

Christ the King in near Almada, a city with more than 160.000 people , also famous for his bridge 25th April (2,7 kms). Has lots of known beaches like Costa da Caparica, Praia da Saúde, Cabana do Pescador, Fonte da Telha and lots of others. Golf, surf, bodyboarding or kitesurf are sports that we usually see at this part of the coast. Amazing locals for photography.
Portugal Dream Coast March 9, 2011 at 1:12pm

Seven hotspots on the Portugal Dream Coast, from north (Alcochete) to South (Sines), you have amazing options between practise on the Tejo River or in Atlantic Ocean . Take a look on the map.
joao cabral February 11, 2011 at 5:00pm

spectacular wild dolphins http://portugaldreamcoast.com/en/the-family-of-wild-dolphins/
Portugal Dream Coast February 9, 2011 at 8:52pm

Some flowers of Portugal Dream Coast, colours, nature , a land of dreams.