Portugal: Country of Culture!
Portugal: Country of Culture!
Whether you're staying in a hotel or one of the many villas in Portugal you will need to know what there is to experience. Portugal is a country with lots of culture and there is just so much stuff to do. You'll want to try out the many traditional dishes, go explore Portugal's history and look at some historical buildings in the main cities, or just soak up the atmosphere as a guest of a festival.
Portugal is a country where you can really feel the Mediterranean vibe. Wherever you go you will find exotic food and many different dishes to suit your taste. Since the 15th century Portugal has been known for its seafood being that many of their big cities are on the coast. The national dish of Portugal is the Bacalhau which is dried cod, a dish which has been prominent since the 16th century. It came about by sailors having to dry their fish in order to make sure that it lasts a whole trip. There are over 300 different ways in which you can cook the fish. They also have another national dish but this one is for meat lovers, Cozido Portuguesa is a culmination of meat (usually pork as that is their favourite kind of meat for this dish) and vegetables mixed into a stew. You can experience these dishes in the many traditional restaurants all over the country, but if you want to try these out for yourself then the ingredients are cheap and easy to find, so if you are staying in a villa in Portugal, be sure to try it yourself.
A good way to know about Portugal is find out about its history. This can be done by exploring the country and visiting the many attractions it has to offer. The key cities of Portugal each show a different side of Portugal
There are a lot of historical buildings in Portugal that tell you about the country. In Lisbon there are a few monuments and castles such as the Castle of So Jorge which is located on the highest hill in Lisbon and the Belm Tower initially built to bolster defences for the country. Just west of Lisbon is the Palaces of the Estoril Coast. The Queluz palace which was the summer palace of the royals and the Mafra palace that was built in the18th century and is one the largest buildings around Europe.
Porto represents classic mixed with modern as it is a city that shows both. Clrigos tower was the tallest tower when it was built and is a distinctive feature of Porto's skyline. Just opposite of it the Cordena Gardens which were updated and feature statues and sculptures. Casa da Msica is a modern concept hall with a unique look and has become a modern icon for the city.
In Algarve there is a wonderful nature park which takes away the illusion that Algarve is only good for Beaches. It is a park where buildings are banned and nature is left to bloom. But you can't discount the coastline and beaches as they are beautiful and one of the main reasons why Algarve is a top tourist destination, they are the reasons why people usually choose Algarve when they want to own privately owned property
One of the best ways of getting a feel of Portuguese culture and to sample all the previous aspects is by going to a Portuguese festival. It is said everyday there is a festival of some sort in Portugal; festivals are the best way if you want to get to know the locals better. Most of the towns have strong Catholic faith, which is almost always the theme of the festivities. It grants them the belief of miracles, magic and saints.
The key festival times are Christmas and New Year's Day obviously this is an important day everywhere as it is the turn of the year. In Madeira, they show off the most with them having the biggest fireworks display in the world. In February there is a festival called Carnaval, it's a festival that is similar to the world famous Rio carnival. Easter around this time will be heavily religious with festivals and are mainly associated with the local churches these are festivals such as Domingo De Ramos, Semana Santa and Pascoa. There are often other local Easter festivals, so it's always good to check. At the beginning of May is Labor Day, so it's a public holiday. Also in May another religious festival happens nationwide and that is Ascension Day, a Christian Holiday which celebrates Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven according to Christian belief. They also celebrate other religious holidays such as All Saints Day. There is also Festivals that celebrate important days that changed history for Portugal such as becoming Republic and Independence Restoration Day.
There are loads more attractions which show how cultured Portugal such as the historic villages and the Roman structures but it would be better for you to find them out yourself. Which is the Perfect Halloween Mask For You? Golden Triangle Tour With Goa Jewish Singles Washington DC is an Event You Won't Want to Miss Buy Christmas Gifts on a Smart Budget! Find Cheap Airline Tickets for Your Budget Travels Top International Tourist Spots Helpful Gold Credit Card Comparison Spring Into Gear With A Holiday In Devon Luxury Holidays in Barcelona! Incredible India Tours- A Dream Visit to Destination of the Millennium Uk Retail Economy - Christmas Looking Numbers Drastically Down Thanks To Snow How Backpackers Are Solo Travelers Weekend Spa Breaks Relax, Enjoy And Rejuvenate!