Still Travels

Portugal is the destination that’s making its debut this year as a top 10 destination in our list of most visited and requested locations, and that’s for good reasons. It’s got a rich history, sweeping countryside, and stunning ocean views that make Portugal the vacation of a lifetime for travelers of all interest levels.

Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe and even predates Rome. They say Rome wasn’t built in a day. I can’t imagine how many days it took to build a porch. This spectacular country is a cultural and historical melting pot that combines various legacies from Iberian tribes, Celtic persons, the Roman Empire, and Germanic kingdoms. The country is steeped in a colorful tapestry of heritage, which is represented in its many, many landmarks, architecture, its stunning landscapes, and scrumptious cuisine.

Approximately the size of Indiana, Portugal is set on the Iberian Peninsula, with the majority of the country surrounded by glistening waters. Spain lies to the north and east and there are a lot of different islands to the South and West, which are considered all part of metropolitan Portugal. While this gem of a country has plenty to see and experience on its own, the accessible location makes it a great launching spot for various day trips.

I love the scenery because whether it’s the dramatic landscapes of rugged coastlines and majestic mountains, or the culture that exists and the architecture that is just breathtakingly startling, like Lisbon and Porto, it fascinates all who visit this magical country. The sunny climate abundance of nature and historical sites, along with a variety of culinary masterpieces, make Portugal a favorite destination. 

LISBON

Lisbon is Portugal’s Capital City and it’s often referred to as a European San Francisco. This city is where modern-day charm meets cultural history with numerous monuments, detailed architecture, and fame and museums. It is home to many landmarks and one of the things that I think is so cool is Livraria Bertrand which is known as the world’s oldest bookstore. The city also boasts an eclectic vibe with its trendy shops, Faiz, restaurants, and nightlife. You’ll find plenty of authentic cuisine, wonderful sandwiches, and delicacies throughout the restaurants and cafes. 

It’s known for its hilly terrain, Streetcars, Cosmopolitan melting pot feel, and a bridge that resembles the Golden Gate, its plentiful Sunshine, and warm weather. Lisbon is ideal for sun-seeking travelers, as there is sun in the forecast, about 300 days per year. 

This capital city is known for arts as well and offers a wide range of museums and entertainment venues enjoyed by almost half, a million plus inhabitants and thousands of tourists that isn’t yearly. Music has a strong presence in the city, with reflective songs, often filling cafes and pubs with its soulful, lyrics, and melodies. Travelers often note the congeniality and friendliness of the community, where Native Portuguese place priority on building relationships with those new and walk-wide standing in their community.

Right now, one of the many highlights of Lisbon is The Belem region, which offers a tranquil environment made up of parks, riverside walkways, and tree-lined clauses. The city also hosts many iconic buildings that exude the region’s detailed architecture, like a tornado, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the cold Haida scope of artistic masterpieces, such as Portugal’s, biggest art complex Centro Cultural De Belem.

Monasteries often seen on Lisbon Postcards, is also a must-see as it is a symbol of Portugal’s power and wealth during the age of discovery. This monastery houses the tombs of many Portuguese Royals explorers and writers.

Now, for those who travel with a voracious appetite, Lisbon is a foodie’s Dream Locale with seafood and Indian dishes to sausages from Austria and Pizza Gelato from Rome. The cuisine and Portugal is truly a melting pot that takes you on an indulgent culinary journey. Now, for those with a sweet tooth, favorite Delicacies include a scrumptious vanilla and sediment puff.

PORTO

Porto is also a must-see in Portugal. It is known as Azulejo Tile work that is showcased throughout the city. Porto considers these colorful tiles as one of the most distinctive art forms in the destination which can be seen on a myriad of structures including the city, buildings, palace, interiors and garden fountains, NASA along the Douro River Port. The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with winding streets, attracted, cafes and stately bridges with the Ribeira District. Porto is also famous for its sweet wine. If travelers are short on time, Portugal makes an ideal stopover when considering a visit to multiple destinations across Europe.

Now for travelers who want to add other countries to their European adventure, Tap Air Portugal offers a stopover program. This program permits a free stopover in Lisbon or Porto from 1 to 10 days on an outbound or returns flight for eligible destinations between the US and Europe based on availability. Travelers seem to want to go to the top 10, like Barcelona, London, or Florence, this program is a fantastic perk for travelers to enjoy sunny Portugal and add another passport stamp en route to another European destination, so, this is a great hub for day trips or a jumping off point for a road trip to hotspots like the Douro Valley wine region to the north and dramatic Algarve region to the South and easy access to the neighboring country of Spain.

The Ribeira districts, electric and artistic, five, the charm of the Douro Riverfront walk and pristine beaches, draw scores of travelers every year.

Then, of course, you can’t forget about the magnificent, magnificent architecture the buildings adorned with colorful ceramics, and the plethora of historical landmarks and churches. Please don’t forget about the food. The cuisine is so spectacular. You’ll even want to try the canned sardines. It’s no joke, they’re delicious pork.

HOTELS

There are numerous properties to choose from when staying here in Lisbon and I will give you a couple of examples of their ideal location their impressive suite of amenities, and their authentic Portuguese atmosphere.

• Atlas Grand Hotel – I love the contemporary feel of this five-star property, which is situated within walking distance of Liberty Avenue in the heart of Lisbon. In addition to the prime location, the hotel has elegant Rooms, restaurants, three bars, wellness spa, which makes it a top pick when staying in the capital city.
•  Hotel Portugal – This boutique hotel is centrally located in the heart of Lisbon, next to Rossio and Baixa Pombalina, only five minutes from Comércio Square and the Tagus River, and with St. George’s Castle only a hillside away. This pedestrian-friendly neighborhood allows guests to easily access plenty of shopping, restaurants, and attractions, with detailed architecture and 53 modern rooms. This property boasts a premium wine cellar and stylish bar for cocktails in the evening, or breakfast, and outdoor dining to start the day. 

Just to name a few

EXCURSION 

Pena Palace Sintra – located in the foothills of the Central Mountains, this resort town of Sintra is a favorite of travelers. The breathtaking and Brightly hued Pena Palace is the top highlight of this excursion, thanks to the unique structure and architecture of the castle of color so vivid, it can often be seen from Lisbon.

Then onto Cascades with its mix of historical buildings and stunning beaches where the cliffs and grottoes of this breathtaking town are on full display. You can hike along the mountains, explore the beautiful gardens is gaze at the dazzling views of the Portuguese Coastline. So, this is a small group opportunity that allows your clients to see and explore the best of these experiences that the wonderful country has to offer.

Medieval Village of Obidos – which is a private day trip, the adventure begins in the medieval village of Obidos, where travelers can feel transported back in time in this unique walled town with enchanting shops and winding pedestrian streets.

Head from the mountains to the Sea for Majestic Views of the Atlantic Ocean, into the fishing port and surfer hotspot that is known as a favorite of foodies.

Tires – this is where you will explore architectural masterpieces like Santa Maria De Victoria’s Month to stare at Fatima Sanctuary, which is one of the most revered shrines in Catholicism.

Douro Valley Region – While the Douro Valley region is a wine lover’s paradise, you can’t forget that taking in the lush countryside is a must-see, regardless of what you’re drinking that day, whether it’s water to wine and anything in between. The Douro Valley is the first demarcated wine region in the world. That sprawling landscape is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This Douro Valley Wind tour offers travelers the opportunity to experience the authentic culture of this truly spectacular region while enjoying plenty of tastings.

Coimbra – You can visit the riverfront city of Coimbra, which is a top recommendation for a day trip or overnight stop between Lisbon and Porto. This medieval old town is home to the historic University Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe. There are plenty of monuments, historic architecture, the monastery of Santa Cruz, as well as plenty of shopping, and beautiful outdoor sites, the Botanical Gardens, and of course, you’ll have some wonderful cuisine to dig into as well.

Tips and tricks as an insider in the industry

• Portugal is more cash than credit card friendly, so be sure to have those Euros on hand.
•  Tipping isn’t expected, yet it’s a good practice to round up or leave an extra euro or two for good service. Just to give you an idea of pricing in Portugal, a cappuccino costs about €2 and a typical meal is around €15. There are plenty of options for fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants if you want to splurge. 
•  Portugal is a year-round destination thanks to its excellent climate with scores of beaches and resorts to the south.
•  Spring and fall months are the best time to travel so you can enjoy the sunshine without the crowds. 
•  The country is very pedestrian friendly, yet quite hilly. so good walking shoes are a must.

Please visit Portugal.