Things to avoid for a great trip to Portugal

Things to avoid in Portugal to guarantee a great trip

Don’t count calories. You will want to try everything, so enjoy the meal, sweets, snacks, treats, soups, and cheeses. You can count calories another time. You will eat the food pyramid, so don’t worry about gaining a lot of weight. Walking will help you work it off. Appetizers are often placed on the table, but are not free. The cost is reasonable, but it's nice to know. You will have to ask for a check because the waitress doesn't want to rush you out. Travel is not the time to worry over a calorie.

Don’t wear new shoes. You will walk a lot and on uneven surfaces. Lots of walkways are cobblestone and can be slippery. Wear comfortable shoes or sneakers. I prefer to wear breathable socks with my Clove sneakers. Remember rainy days, the sidewalks are slippery.

Don’t cross the street unless you are on a white crosswalk. Portuguese drivers will stop immediately if you are in a painted crosswalk, but won’t stop if you are on the street in an unpainted area. Drivers are courteous but follow the law.

Things to avoid for a great trip to Portugal

What to do to fit in with the locals

Don’t be a tourist

Eat, drink, and enjoy Portugal, but try to find the local spots to eat and hang out in so you can taste the real Portugal. The best food and homemade wines are in the local restaurants and pensaos (inns). Avoid fancy hotels for meals. Try something new; you might like it.

Never swim alone. The water is cool and unpredictable. Beaches have colored flags to inform you whether you can swim. Red means no swimming. Yellow means swim with caution. Green means swim and enjoy the water.

Don’t be underdressed

Most Portuguese dress for comfort and the weather, but they do not wear shorts or tank shirts to church or a formal restaurant. Women wear dresses, skirts, or pants. Don’t walk around with your shirt off. You will stand out like a sore thumb.

Don’t feel obligated to leave a tip at a restaurant. Tips are not expected. If you want to leave a tip, leave a coin or two.

Don’t yell in public.

Unless it's an emergency, keep your voice at a reasonable level so you don’t upset anyone or rub anyone the wrong way.

Don’t forget a sweater or light jacket for cool evenings

The days can be comfortable year-round and even hot in the summer, but the nights can be cool. In northern Portugal, coats are needed from October through April. Sweaters are needed in the evenings.

Don’t Be in a Rush.

THE PORTUGUESE ARE KNOWN TO MOVE AT A MUCH SLOWER PACE THAN OTHERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE SMALLER TOWNS AND VILLAGES. THEY TAKE THEIR TIME TO ENJOY THEIR FOOD RATHER THAN RUSH THROUGH THEIR MEAL. IN A RESTAURANT, THE WAITER WILL NOT GIVE YOU THE CHECK UNTIL YOU ASK FOR IT. IT WOULD SEEM THAT THE ONLY THING THEY DO AT A FASTER PACE IS DRIVE.

Don’t try to accomplish anything between 1-3 pm on any day of the week

Eat, drink, and relax between 1-3 pm. Most stores and municipal buildings close for lunch. If you are creating an agenda, eat or drive during this time. Many truckers eat early so they can drive when most folks eat lunch.

Lots of shops are closed on Saturdays or after 12 noon

Portugal uses a 24-hour clock

Important Phrases

Você fala inglês? (voh-SEH FAH-lah in-GLAYSH) – Do you speak English? (Your safety net)

Eu não entendo (eh-oo nah-ow en-TEN-doo) – I don’t understand (Honest and endearing)

Não falo português (nah-ow FAH-loh por-too-GAYSH) – I don’t speak Portuguese (Your get-out-of-confusion card)

Pode falar mais devagar? (POH-deh fah-LAR mice deh-vah-GAR) – Can you speak slower?

Estou perdido/a (esh-TOH per-DEE-doo/dah) – I’m lost (Men say ‘perdido,’ women say ‘perdida’)

Pode ajudar-me? (POH-deh ah-zhoo-DAR-meh) – Can you help me?

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13 Things to Avoid When on a PORTUGAL Trip- TRAVEL TIPS- What to Pack for the Perfect Trip

If you stay for an extended period

Bring these items with you

fly swatter

washersheets to collect color so the wash does not discolor

slippers

deep hair conditioner

Reusable shopping bags

phone chargers

Ice cube trays

Plastic bags for sealing food

Books to read in English

Road maps

Cell phone charger

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How to blend in

• Leave expensive items at home like watches, jewelry, name-brand sunglasses, expensive handbags

• Blend in with the crowd.

• Do not take photos of yourself in a crosswalk while cars are waiting

• Don't be underdressed- wear clothing to cover your knees and shoulders for church

• Don't flash money around

• Don't get a ride with a stranger

crazy drive around Portugal

UNESCO Sites in Portugal

UNESCO

• Alto Douro Wine Region (2001). This area is vast in land mass. It's easy to get lost

• Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores (1983)

• Convent of Christ in Tomar (1983)- It is incredible to imagine being built so many hundreds of years ago

• Cultural Landscape of Sintra (1995)- the curves and edges are an amazing sight

• Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications (2012)

• Historic Centre of Évora (1986)

• Historic Centre of Guimarães (2001)

• Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar (1996)

• The landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (2004)

• Monastery of Alcobaça (1989)

• Monastery of Batalha (1983). The details are indescribable

• Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon (1983)

• Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde (1998, 2010)

• Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park (Tapada) (2019)

• Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga (2019), the walk down the steps and the view from the top are worth the trip

• University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia (2013)

• Laurisilva of Madeira (1999)

• https://en.unesco.org/countries/portugal

Packing- Traveling

What to Pack for Summer

shorts, bathing suits, tank shirts, dresses, sneakers, flip flops, sundresses, beach coverups, sandals, sunglasses, hats, socks, suntan lotion, light jackets

What to pack for Fall/ Spring

shorts, capris, tee shirts, sneakers, socks, sandals, dresses, bathing suits, sweaters, jeans, bandages, comfortable socks, and sneakers

What to Pack for Winter

dresses, sneakers, jeans, sweatpants, hoodies, sweaters, jackets, sneakers, dresses, blouses, shirts, hats, scarves, boots, warm socks,

FYI

The further north you go, the cooler the nights are

Road signs

Get to know the meaning of road signs

If you plan to drive in Portugal

We have driven most of N2, and it has been a joy

My husband usually drives us around, or we take a bus. The signs can be tricky. Get to know them. I don't like that most roads don't have guardrails. It makes me too nervous to drive.

If you choose to drive in Portugal, here are a few suggestions:

• Stay to the right when you drive

• Use your turn signal when you change lanes

• Wear your seatbelt

• GNR Policia will be on the side of the road. They will wave you over. You can get a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt, not having the correct paperwork, or speeding. If you receive a ticket, you have to pay for it on the spot.

• Most roads do not have rail guards

  
  

Travel Itinerary Idea

Include

Day of the week, Time of the day

Include these 5 Important things in your Plan/ Itinerary

*Time to spend at the site

*Place/Address

*How to travel there

*Amount of time to spend there

*cost$$

Break the day up into 6 time periods

Breakfast, AM, Lunch, Pm, Dinner, Evening

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