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An American In Portugal…by Thomas J. Sullivan MA (Professor) The Country and the Portuguese PeopleWhen I discuss my travels to Portugal with my American friends, I am amazed that so many of them know so little about Portugal. So I will try to provide a little information about the country, its' culture and its' people. Climate and SeasonsIn view of its geographical position, Portugal enjoys a temperate climate the whole year round, though somewhat less so in the north. During the winter, the north receives plenty of rain and it can be a bit chilly. You will notice many palm trees in the Lisbon area and north at least to Coimbra area. The spring is very pleasant. Temperatures were in the 70F to 80F, but there was no humidity and the air was extremely clean. In the fall the rainy season starts at the end of October, and while there was some rain on most days, a whole day was never completely lost. The yearly temperatures range from 80F to a low of 50F. In our visits to Portugal, we have driven over 8,500 miles of the country and we never get over the diversity and the beauty that the country has to offer. From the North with its green pine forests and mountains to the very South with its Moorish architecture and breathtaking beaches with modern facilities, Portugal is a fairyland. It seems that just around every bend in the road is a wondrous new surprise. The microclimates of Sintra near Lisbon and Monchique by the Algarve are perfect examples of this. The advantages of the Portuguese climate make it a perfect location for a vacation. This is a fact that many Western Europeans have known for years. The People and the LifestyleThe Portuguese people are very friendly, polite, and eager to help you. The one thing that we have taken away with us from our trips has been the quality and sincerity of the people. There is an Old Portuguese saying "Come to Portugal a stranger -- leave Portugal a friend". I can absolutely say that this is a very accurate saying. One American friend who has been living in Portugal said, "Portugal is like the U.S. was 15 or 20 years ago". This statement was not made in a negative way. The Portuguese still carry on a life style that so many others have forsaken. To the Portuguese -- respect... honor... tradition... family... faith... is a canon that they live by and pass down through generations. A good example of the friendliness is the experience that we had in the city of Porto. The first time that I entered Porto I got hopelessly lost. I stopped and asked a Portuguese family the directions to the hotel. They didn't speak English and I couldn't translate their directions. Finally they realized this. They got into their car and said follow us, and drove three miles out of their way to show me the hotel. That is what I mean about the friendliness of the Portuguese people. MoneyThe Euro made its appearance in Portugal starting on January 1, 2002. This will be primarily in Banks and Stock Exchanges. The Euro rate is fixed at 200.482 Portuguese Escudos. Portuguese drive on the right and vehicles approaching from the right have the right of way at junctions. Seatbelts are compulsory and you might even be required to buckle up when ridding in a taxi. Gas is a major expense in Europe, costing three times what it does in the U.S. Also remember gas prices may be deceptive for Americans. They are posted by the liter, which is slightly, more than a quart. All the rentals that I have had - use unleaded which is called sem chumbo. In and around the large cities, I've see any number of 24hr BP stations. In the smaller villages it is best to fill up early. I have also had the car delivered to my hotel when I was ready to leave Lisbon. Parking is horrible in Lisbon and with all of the various types of transportation available, you really don't need a car to see the city. It has become increasing difficult to get a car delivered to your hotel especially on a scheduled basis. You may have to take a cab to the rental agency deliver point. For delivery of your car to your hotel and extra fee will be charged. The language barrier really is not a problem. Either the person speaks some English or they will find someone who does. English is the second language and is widely understood, except in some of the remote areas. I found that all the people are very friendly and will go out of their way to help you. Most of the time when I tried out my very poor Portuguese, the reply that I got was "Sir, do you speak English?". I found that it was very interesting and helpful, if you learn a few Portuguese words The food through out the country is extremely good, very reasonable and served with generous portions. My wife likes seafood and was in her glory on all our trips. She tried everything from the Bacalhau to the grilled Sardines and a few things in between. I prefer meat and I also had a good selection of very fine food. We ate in some very notable restaurants and also in some lesser-known local restaurants. In all the establishments that we ate in, the food was delicious. The cost (for two) ranged from 15 dollars to 50 dollars. You will find some of the best value restaurants in Europe. Wine is important to the Portuguese so you should sample some of their famous wines with your meals. Most Hotels and Restaurants automatically add an amount for service to the bill. Still 10 percent is a normal tip in Portugal. I don't play golf but my sons and son-in-laws do. So for them and the other 50 Million golfers in the world, I will give you a little information about golf courses in Portugal. The golf tradition in Portugal dates back to 1890, when a group of wine exporters set up the first golf club close to Espinho with a nine-hole golf course. Today, there are 43 courses in the country, 36 of them are in mainland Portugal, of which 19 are in the Algarve. A further 14 are in the Greater Lisbon area, and are easily accessible from the city. The Algarve accounts for 44% of the courses followed by the Lisbon coast 32%, the North of Portugal 12% and the islands (Madeira, Azores 12%). Demand is highest in spring and autumn as a consequence of Portugal's exceptional climate for playing golf. Portugal is well known for its Lusitanian pure-breed horses. The Thoroughbred is mainly used for the Gineta, competitive exercises for which it is famed, hunting or bullfighting. On a recent visit, we were privileged to see just such a show. As we arrived at the Palácio de Seteais in Sintra, the Portuguese Riding School was putting on a wonderful show on the front lawn. It was very impressive to watch. Another Portuguese tradition is the Ervideira Stud. During its existence this stud has won many prizes and awards. For more than 100 years the Ervideira herd has grazed on the Fonte Boa estate near Évora. You can visit this beautiful estate and appreciate these fine horses for yourself. It is located on the road to Redondo. One of the best ways to explore Lisbon's surrounding countryside is by horseback. You can hire horses at the Quinta da Marinha Riding School in Cascais. Sailing and deep-sea FishingYou can hire sailboats and sail on the River Tagus. For deep-sea fishing call the Sesimbra Tourist Office for more details. The BullfightBull fighting in Portugal is a battle of wits with horsemanship being the key to a matador's success. The bull isn't killed as it is in Spain. If you are interested, it is at the Campo Pequeno bullring outside Lisbon. The season runs from April - May. Bullfights are also held in other areas of the country. Watch for the colorful bull fight posters. |
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