Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for portugal
Paradores and Pousadas
By Linda Tancs
If the usual tourist class hotel accommodations are getting a bit old, why not consider something more exclusive and off the beaten track? Spanish Paradores and Portuguese Pousadas are intimate settings often located in historic buildings such as monasteries, castles, and fortresses. Consider Santa Marinha Pousada, a monastery perched on a hill overlooking Guimarães, known as the “cradle of Portugal” as it’s the birthplace of the nation’s first king, Afonso Henriques. Or sleep like royalty in Pontevedra, Spain in a palace that was formerly the residence of the Counts of Maceda. Best of all, you don’t need a rock star’s wallet to afford these gems; find a property to match your budget and desires.
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Portuguese Capital of Culture
By Linda Tancs
Inland from Porto, Portugal, Guimarães is a 2012 European Capital of Culture. The city is known as the “cradle of Portugal” as it’s the birthplace of the nation’s first king, Afonso Henriques. The area is well known for its linens and embroidery, too. In the vicinity is Mateus Palace, whose picture graces the wine label of the same name. The kick-off for festivities is 21 January with a theatre and multimedia open-air show. The year’s events focus on four themes: City, Community, Thought and Arts.
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The Pleasures of Portugal
By Linda Tancs
Portugal is synonymous with port, but don’t neglect the Gothic and baroque masterpieces, delectable delights and impeccable river views throughout its ancient cities. Learn more at at Travelrific® Radio.
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Lisbon Airport Travel
By Linda Tancs
Airport transfers are one of the most vexing aspects of travel unless it’s been pre-arranged for you. Should you take a bus? A taxi? A private car? Rail? Here’s a primer on transfers out of Lisbon Airport in Portugal. Taxi transfers are not as costly as in other cities, such as London. The metered rate is also negotiable unless you buy a taxi voucher at the airport for a flat fee (currently 17 euros) and avoid the haggle. Alternatively, you can take the AeroBus for only 3 euros; just make sure your hotel is somewhere along the stops. Your bus ticket is good for the day; make the most of it by visiting all the sites you can along the bus and tram routes.
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Stretching the Dollar
By Linda Tancs
Between rising fuel costs, exchange rate woes and failing airlines, you know your travel dollars will be stretched to the limit. So where can you get the most bang for your buck? The Portimão area of Portugal looks pretty good. You’ve got 5 beaches, 4 golf facilities, and the tourist mecca of Alvor, together with room rates as low as 83 euros through May. Hire a boat from Alvor to Ria de Alvor, an estuary giving sanctuary to a number of migrating birds and flowering plants amidst the sand dunes, mud flats, and freshwater and saltwater marshes. Top off your adventure with the local specialty of grilled sardine. Did you know that the Portguese eat more fish than any other Europeans? Now grab and bag and start packing. Desejo-lhe umas boas férias!
If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg, or bookmark it on del.icio.us. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com!
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Cruise Ports Unite in Marketing Alliance
By Linda Tancs
In a bid for attention among the better known (and used) ports of the Mediterranean and Baltic, fifteen European ports have united to market their appeal to cruise travelers. Calling themselves the Atlantic Alliance, the fifteen members of this cooperative are: Hamburg, Bremerhaven, IJmuiden, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Cherbourg, Saint-Malo, Brest, Nantes, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Santander, Vigo and Lisbon. More West European ports are expected to join in the future.
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