Posts filed under 'Portugal'
Cancelled and delayed flights are sure to have cost airlines millions of £ and $ but I wonder what the long term effect will be on travellers in Europe? The low cost airlines with their cheap air fairs have become such a normal part of travelers lives between London and Spain, Greece and France that it will be a Hugh blow to tourism should that change.
I recon that all low cost airlines like easyjet and bmibaby are going to have to increase their prices simply to cover the extra cost of security since these latest terror threats at Heathrow last week. Budget airlines depend on things like quick turnaround time to keep their costs down and that is not going to be easy anymore. I wonder when we will start to see the impact of last weeks events?
I recon we should start looking at taking the ferry to Spain or France. Make the holiday about the total journey not just about bums on beaches. You could take a ferry from Plymouth to Santander (Plymouth also services France) or Portsmouth to Bilbao. Bilbao is a great option if you want to see Northern Spain, south western France and Portugal. It may take longer to get to your destination but it beats being blown out of the sky or held up at the airport for hours on end or having your flight cancelled all together.
My daughter just happened to be travelling on ‘the’ day of the heightened security at Heathrow and two things she observed of interest was: As busy as the airport was with queues going for miles and miles and waiting times well over 3 hours in some instances to check in and board a plane, she says that people were amazingly calm and even become more human and friendly towards one another. The other observation was that it was such a pleasure to board without hand luggage. There was no congestion in the Ilse and all the passengers found it pleasant and stress free to get on the plane and be seated in record time. I recon the airlines can learn something from this. Get rid of the whole hand luggage thing. In most cases hand luggage is not necessary at all! I am personally in favour of less stress, hand luggage free flying!!
What do you think?
by Doreen B.
August 15th, 2006
Now I have a bee in my bonnet about finding destinations for the less able traveler. Since we have a less able family member about to travel for the first time (the first time with his disability that is), it has heightened my awareness about people having to travel with a disability. I have looked a little further into holidays for the Disabled traveler or the less able traveler.
The Algarve is the first one of interest that I came across. This site is owned and run by a guy who is wheelchair bound. He lives in the Algarve and knows it intimately. Take a look at his site ‘Wheeling around the Algarve‘. It offers valuable information on transport, equipment hire, sports and leisure activities and properties for sale, all designed around the disabled traveller.
For more information on the Algarve including Faro, Albufeira, Vilamoura, Alvor, Carvoeiro, Lagos and Tavira, our website gives you tons of information to chew on before you decide where in the Algarve you would like to visit.
My mother-in-law visited the Algarve two years ago with her bowling club and she recons it was the most memorable holiday she has ever been on - and she has travelled extensively!
If you have other suggestions for our readers, please shout.
by Doreen B
April 24th, 2006
I have a friend who’s mother has a major fear of flying. The funniest part is that they actually own a travel agency in Oxford. Although she does manage to fly is it a very very stressful time for the family. Sometimes she gets to her destination but when it comes to flying back home her fear kicks in big time. The last trip they did was to Portugal. I often wonder why they don’t just travel by train. It takes a lot longer but at least it will be stress free for the family and once you get there, Trains in Portugal are a great way of getting around the country.
Portugal has a good network of trains for those traveling around the country, its just a matter of getting to Portugal from London. Our site on Portugal has advice for those thinking of traveling by train. You will need to go via France but the train services are great between France, Spain and Portugal. You can take the overnight train and enjoy the scenery on route. The journey will take around 20 hours but at least you will be relaxed and see parts of these three countries you would not normally see by flying.
If you prefer to drive once you have reached your destination, then there is always the Car Hire option. Rates for Rental Cars in Portugal are one of the lowest in Europe.
For your journey to Portugal, I found this great site for you. Just Click Here. This site has all the necessary information about trains, times and the accommodation on the trains.
Give us your feedback on this section?
Doreen B
March 23rd, 2006
by Doreen B.
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While Lisbon is well known today for things like its football teams, or their music and wonderful museums, it may surprise you to know that it was once the main trading post in Europe for Tea from China.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to experience the delights of tea in 1560. At the time Portugal had a technologically advanced navy, and thus started the first right of trade with China. They developed the trade route which they used to ship tea to Lisbon. From Lisbon tea was shipped to France, Holland and various Baltic countries and it was the Portuguese who introduced the Brits to tea. Apparently the Portuguese Princess Catarina de Braganca brought her dowry with her when she married King Charles II in 1662 and in it she had Chinese tea leaves. Thus the custom of tea drinking began in Britain.
For people who are trying to avoid the hustle and bustle of popular tourist destinations like Spain but still want the history, culture, sun and sea type holiday, Portugal is perfect. The weather is brilliant, the people are sooo friendly and the country oozes old world charm combined with contemporary living, most especially in the capital city of Lisbon.
The Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belem in Lisbon is a great place to start your sight seeing in Lisbon. These two building were added to UNESCO’s world heritage list in 1983. The Monastery dates back to 1502 and is a prime example of Portugal’s great architecture. The Tower of Belem was built to celebrate the great Vasco de Gama.
Lisbon has a great public transport system and it is easier to get around by public transport than trying to negotiate a hired car around the city streets that were designed more for the horse and cart than cars. If you are driving then take a trip over the Vasco de Gama bridge, which is the one of the longest in the world and the longest in Europe.
If you need more convincing to visit Lisbon or Portugal, let me know?
February 9th, 2006
The best ‘BIRTH’ day gift you can buy for someone near and dear to you, is a bottle of Port Wine. Did you know that the best way to celebrate the life of a child is to buy a bottle of Port Wine? The Wine will age pretty much the same way the child does. They say that Port goes trough the same mile stones as a person does and by the time the child is 21, the Vintage Port Wine will be fully mature, just like the person. Most people know where port comes from – Portugal and guess what? I only found that out the other day and … my Grandad was born in Madeira - how dumb am I.
If you plan to visit Portugal, take a trip to Porto. Try and time it so that you can be there for the ‘Porto Gastronomy Fair’ which usually takes place in June, and is held by the Alfândega Congress Centre, on the banks of River Douro. Other activities of interest to Wine lovers will be the ‘EXPOVINIS’, an International Wine show and the ‘IV International Wine Contest’ “Cidade do Porto”. For the kids, if you have any, you can take a boat cruise with Porto Tours on the River Douro, or a helicopter ride, or a bus tour which includes a personalised guided tour to world heritage areas. These tours take place during the EXPOVINIS. Porto is based in the northwest corner of Portugal. It is in the heart of Vinho Verde country and is a short drive to Port country. You will leave Portugal having experienced some of the most beautiful and spectacular landscape in the world, not to mention with a huge hang over from all the wine drinking.
December 19th, 2005
We took my son and his friend to Spain last year and all we needed for the minor travelling with us was a valid passport to enter and exit the country. The little friend had to return on his own (we were staying longer than he could) but that was not a problem. The airline was informed and they arranged an air hostess to accompany him back home. The only stipulation the airline had was that his parents were to meet him in the UK with proof of identification. When I enquired about taking the same type of trip to Portugal, I was informed that I would need to have a notarised letter from the minors parents / guardian in order to take him with us. Apparently they can prevent the minor from leaving Portugal without this notarised letter of authority. Anyone had a similar experience or some more info?
December 13th, 2005
The Portuguese where the first pioneers of overseas colonisation. Did you know that? Well now you do.
Portugal’s Vasco Da Gama was the first European to sail round the west coast of Africa and the Cape of Good Hope and then onto India. I am of Portuguese decent an grew up in Africa but never wanted to be seen as being Portuguese. This was due to ignorance I guess. All I ever knew about the Portuguese was that they owned the local fish shops or grocery stores and spoke a strange language. Now I wish I had made more effort to learn about my culture. I found this site user friendly with helpful info on portuguese culture:
http://www.answers.com/topic/culture-of-portugal
Is there anyone out there with comments or questions?
December 6th, 2005
We often escape the cold English weather over Xmas time. To escape both the cold and the crowds, why not try Madeira? There is lots of activity during December and January and it is a lot less crowded than the Algarve or Spain in general. Did you know that it is an independent region and has its own flag? My Grandad was born and raised in Madeira but left with the clothes on his back when he was 16 years old because of the war. He taught our family how to enjoy life. He made his own whisky and wine and never let a day go by without eating fresh garlic. The healthy relaxed lifestyle seems to still be the same as when Grandad walked the land many years ago and not much has changed because Madeira still knows how to enjoy the festive season. Do you have a story to share about Madeira? Oh and I found this site pretty useful:
http://cruises.about.com/cs/europe/a/madeira.htm
December 2nd, 2005
My wife is Portuguese and has never been there. This is on my (Steve) list on places to visit. The journalist who wrote this was Cate. Such a talented journalist in my opinion. Please add your comments as to what else we should add to this section of the site - thanks.
December 1st, 2005