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Portugal is one of the oldest states in Europe. It can trace it’s history to A.D. 1140 when, after a nine year long fight against the King of Leon-Castile, Afonso Henriques, became the country's first king. Afonso and his successors moved southward, capturing Lisbon from the Moors in 1147. The present-day boundaries were secured in 1249 by Afonso III.

Places to Visit in Portugal

• Lisbon, Great town for walking but rather hilly (either step up going to the gym before you go or take the street cars..I prefer the second option!!)
• Cascais Seafood, great shopping and lovely beaches.
• Algarve, Crowded but worth a visit as it is considered by some to have the best beaches in Europe.
• Lagos (an exotic walled town)has probably one of the best beaches of the Algarve.
• Porto, famous for it’s Port Wine (visit the wine lodges in Gaia) Lovely old town with winding streets and if you like Baroque decor, then a visit to the church Sao Francisco is in order.
• Sintra a historic city with it’s own Royal Palace. If you are on a cruise ship you will probably tour here. Expect crowds.
• Braga some think Braga is the “Cultural” capital and may be Portugal’s most beautiful city.

My favorite things

Creamy soaps from Claus Porto
“Carnaval” (in February)

Driving tips/rules.

It is mandatory to carry in your vehicle a reflective danger vest (yellow, orange or Red), Reflective warning triangle, spare bulbs and the tools to fit them, spare tire (and tools), child seats for children under 12. (Also children under 12 may NOT be in the front of the car).

You may NOT drive using headphones and listening to music/books on tape etc. Mobile phones may only be used with a hands free device.

You may NOT have a radar detector or any other device used to evade the police.

Dogs must be restrained in the car. Use headlights in tunnels always. It is illegal to overtake on the right. Motorcycles may not carry a passenger younger than 7. You MUST stop to help injured persons and call the police if involved in an accident.

Speed limits are:
120 for cars on a motorway and main trunk roads.
50 km in built up areas and rural and secondary roads.
The legal limit for drinking and driving in Portugal is 0.5g/l Fines can be between 250 Euros and up to 1250 Euros with a license suspension from one month to a year if found between 0.5 and 0.8. Levels over 0.8 face fines of 500-2500 Euros and license suspension. 1.2g/l and above ...you can expect to face up to 1 year in prison and a 3 year ban on driving.

Interesting facts

• Portuguese is the official language of 9 countries.
• The people of Madeira were given a special right to sell wine to Britain and all her colonies, by Charles II.
• The oldest alliance in the world, still in force, is the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, signed in 1373.
• The Vasco da Gama Bridge of Lisbon is the longest bridge in Europe.
• Portugal set up the world's first commercial wave farm to produce electricity, in the year 2006.

Local food/drink

• Couverts (think Spanish Tapas) is like an appetizer served at the beginning of the meal. (some places charge for these and some don’t,). Couverts are usually bread, cheese and an olive dipping oil.
• Octopus or the Baked Veal at Casa Aleixo in Porto.
• Skewers of beef with garlic (called Espetada).
• The unusual combination of Pork and Clams (Porco a Alentejana).
• Anything from a Cataplana...a wok type dish that closes tightly to seal in the flavors..very typical in Algarve.

Weather

Cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south. Expect very hot weather in July and August

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