Portugal Vacations

The Wonder of Portugal Vacations - From Sea to Ancient Street

The country of Portugal is often called the “nose” of Spain, as it sits directly adjacent to Spain, barring the rest of Europe from the ocean. Nearly every family in Portugal has or has had a family member that was a fisherman or seafarer simply due to the close proximity to the ocean. As such, many of Portugal’s cultural traditions incorporate the nation’s relationship with the ocean. Thus, Portugal vacations offer breathtaking coastal scenery, rich culture and some of the best weather in all of Europe.

Portugal is one the oldest nations in Europe and is also well-known to be one of the warmest European countries. Europeans enjoy Portugal vacations because they offer a chance to get away from what is perceived to be the "mainland" of Europe in order to spend time in retreat on the coast. The country is also one of the hardest of the European nations to get to. Therefore, the majority of vacationers tend to be affluent.

Just as with most other countries, the height of tourist season in Portugal is during the summer months, between the spring and fall. It is at this time of year that there are the most activities designed especially for tourists, such as festivals and concerts. During the summer, months hotels, restaurants and attractions tend to be rather crowded and often are more expensive than the rest of the year.

Festivals and Heritage

There are a wide variety of things to do while on a Portugal vacation. Due to the location, many tourists find themselves engaged in water sports or hiking along the coastal cliffs. Others enjoy getting involved with the festivals, such as the annual Carnival. For those vacationers looking to do nothing, the beaches provide rich sands and little commitment.

Destinations within Portugal

Portugal vacations generally feature an element of culture, regardless of the vacationer’s intention. With a nation so old and deeply rooted in its heritage, the culture is everywhere, from in monuments to simple architecture. Because Portugal is one of the oldest nations in Europe and has been rather isolated from many of the European wars, the nation has endured very little destruction. Homes date back for thousands of years and provide rich archeological hot-beds for artifacts form the ancient Portuguese civilizations.

Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal and has been ever since the Moors were conquered in 1147. The city is world renown for having some of Europe’s finest hotels for both leisure and business activities alike. Due to the hospitality of the city and the beauty of the location, Lisbon is a popular destination for European and International conferences.

For those planning a Portugal vacation, it is important to be able to rely on transportation to see all that the country has to offer. While Portugal has only one main rail artery into the country, the network of transportations systems once inside is quite sophisticated. There is a public transportation system available for travelers such as buses, an underground railway system and trams and taxis.