Portugal Travel at Antor.org

In The Portuguese, author and photo journalist Marion Kaplan says a foreign film producer found the perfect symbol for Portugal in a Lisbon bar � a clock on the wall ticking its own way � backwards. Here, like nowhere else in Europe, the past is intertwined with the present and is cultivated and encouraged. Old-world elegance and charm is evident not only in the abundance of monasteries, medieval castles, and palaces � icons of past centuries � but even in the Portuguese language, sounding as soothing as the swishing waves of the ocean.

Portugal is one of Europe's most rewarding travel destinations. Its warmth is legendary, and its richness and variety are unmatched in the world. Almond trees bloom in southern Algarve; cork forests and fields of golden wheat wave in central Alentejo; ranches sprawl in northern Ribatejo. Vineyards, azaleas, and canna grow for miles on end. The sound of fado music drifts out of small cafe's; windmills clack in the Atlantic breeze. Sardine boats bob in the bays, and whitewashed houses and timeless tiles glisten in the sun.

Portugal is a fairyland, a small country about the size of Indiana. Around every bend in the road is a marvelous new surprise. Spring and fall are ideal seasons to be a her guests; many of the country's festivals, holidays, pilgrimages, and celebrations occur during these months. Near the end of June, Porto's townspeople honor their local saints, singing traditional song in a torchlight procession. In Braga, international travelers join Portugal's Catholic community for the Holy Week pilgrimage and festival in late June. The pilgrimage honoring Our Lady of Agony at Viana do Castelo, where the Virgin Mary is symbolically carried out to sea, is a late-summer event. In Vila do Conde, a midsummer festival brings out a colorful procession of lacemakers in traditional costumes; and from mid-summer until mid-fall, the Douro Valley (�Gold�) sees several wine harvest festivals each year.

Year-Round Warmth is Hallmark of Portugal's Weather, Wine, and Hospitality

Portugal's weather is favorable for sightseeing and outdoor pursuits. To avoid tourist crowds, plan trips for the middle of April to the end of May, when the weather is beautiful. As October nears, so does the rainier winter season, which may spoil the spectacular views for part of each days. To narrow trip plans further, coordinate travel dates with regional 'hot spots', cultural events, holidays, and romantic locations.

Golf traditions dates back to 1890 when a group of wine exporters set up the first golf club and links close to Espinho. Portugal is a now a golf holiday destination. There are 43 courses in Portugal with more coming fast! Lisbon will soon unveil a new championship golf course at Belas, and Viseu will inaugurate the 18-hole Montebelo course. A second 18-hole golf course will open soon on Sao Miguel Island in the Azores. Demand is highest in spring and fall, when Portugal's weather is perfect for putting the greens. Many challenging courses are on or near the hospitable estates of Pousadas, a perfect golf-vacation combination.

The Pousada Dos Loios in Evora is one of 32 historic inns. There are two types of Portuguese pousadas: historical and regional, and the former are generally the more costly. Historic pousadas are located in castles, exquisite palaces, or other historically important buildings. They are also frequented for their excellent regional cuisines and wines. Manor Houses are a less expensive but similar accommodation. Stay as a guest of a count or an ambassador with traditional Portuguese hospitality. For budget-minded travelers, Portugal offers a wide range of choices in boarding houses, inns, hostels, motels, apartment hotels, and even youth hostels.

The Atlantic defines Portugal much as the Pacific does California, making the country brooding and contemplative and delightfully out of step with other Mediterranean countries. Stretching along the Atlantic north of the Estoril Coast are the so-called Silver Coast and still farther north, Green Coast. Sandy beaches, remote pine forests, purple vineyards, and even hillside caves characterize the area and form the setting for Portugal�s second and third largest cities: Porto on the Green Coast and Coimbra in the Silver Coast area.

Portugal's food, a balm against the cold ocean, is sustaining and comforting. Soups thickened with potato are laden with garlic and cabbage. Sausage, pork, and beef or sole simmered in cream with spinach and cheese, appear at nearly every meal. Even clam dishes are fortified with pork. Bacalhau, salted cod once eaten out of necessity, is now consumed with nostalgic affection. Delightfully indifferent to soaring cholesterol levels, the Portuguese adore eggs, particularly the yolk, and they use them whenever possible. Soup Alentejana is a combination of broth plus bread plus fried egg. Custards and frothy souffl�s are particularly eggy and rich. Strands of egg yolk spun with sugar garnish many desserts, and children are treated to confections of sugared egg yolk that have the caramelized taste of cotton candy.

An International Traveler's Testimonial

There is an Old Portuguese saying, "Come to Portugal a stranger -- leave Portugal a friend", a saying that reflects both the sincerity and hospitality of its people. To the Portuguese -- who carry on a lifestyle largely forsaken -- respect, honor, tradition, family, and faith is a canon they live by and pass down through generations. Their helpfulness goes beyond 'the extra mile' -- as revealed in the story below.

"I entered Porto and then 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 my hotel."