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Holiday Destination To Look Forward To : Portugal
Portugal is a beautiful palimpsest where several cultures have written their histories without fully erasing the old one. The country stands on the edge of the Iberian Peninsula, like its guardian deity in its grandness. Portugal is one of the oldest of European civilizations, and its Coa Valley Paleolithic engravings, that have recently been rescued, is 22000 year old. The evidence of human life in the area goes back to 500,000 years. Celts were here about the time of 750 B.C, and after that came Romans, followed later by Visigoths, Greeks, and Moors from 8th century to 13th century. Every culture that walked this country has left its indelible footprints on the sands of time.
However, the present day culture that the country sports is a legacy from the rule of Salazar who was in full control of the country's economic, political, and cultural destiny for nearly four decades in the mid 1900s, and the identity of the country is inseparably mixed with this inheritance.
Mainland Portugal is divided by its main river the Tagus. Douro valley is one of the warmest valleys or Portugal and meanders a full 125 miles beside a river of the same name. Rows and rows of vineries dot the edge of this beautiful valley. The Douro wine region is said to be the oldest in the world. Tourists can cruise the entire length of the valley and the starting point of the cruise is Porto. Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal. The city of Lagos in this area, where Roman ruins can still be seen, is ideal for sun bathing.
Travel Portugal in the Atlantic
Away from the mainland, off the Atlantic Coast, are two clusters of islands, which are part of Portugal. Of these, the Azores Islands group is 907 miles from the coast. A paradigm of natural beauty, it has undulating green hills, sandy beaches, and turquoise lakes. History's landmarks here are ruins of 15th century forts, cathedrals, and monasteries. The other island group is the Madeira archipelago, of which only the Madeira Island and Porto Santo Island are inhabited. Much of the rest is volcanic archipelago. For tourists there are enough of ancient monuments perching precariously on cliffs by the seaside, and resorts and facilities that cater specifically to their needs. These islands in the Atlantic Ocean are easily accessible from the mainland.
Tips to the Savvy Traveler
Population of the country is predominantly Catholic, amounting to about 97%. Afternoon closure of shops and pharmacies and banks are an important tradition of Portugal. These commercial institutions do not work from 1 PM to 3 PM, and museums are also closed form 12:30 PM to 2 PM. Saturdays are half-days, and practically everything, except museums, winds up by 1 PM, and Sunday, of course, is full holiday. Tourists should take note of these timings before planning visits, outdoor activities, and booking rooms to fit in with these programs.
Hiring taxis has to be done with care and after proper negotiation. Though fares are calculated based on the meter within the city limits, outside the city limits, and late at night, you may be charged something in addition to what is chargeable by meter.
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