Archive for the ‘Portugal’ Category

Aveiro

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Aveiro is a city in the Aveiro Municipality in Portugal, covering a total land area of 125 square miles. It’s the 2nd most populous city in the Centro Region of Portugal after Coimbra. However, Aveiro together with Ílhavo make one conurbation which has a overruling population of 120 thousand citizens. As of latest measurement the city has a population of 80 thousand people.

Locally it’s known as a perfect for anyone wanting to escape the big city life, Aveiro an rather small city situated about an hour away from Porto. The city has much to offer from tasty traditional cuisine to untouched beaches within 10 minutes from anywhere in the city. During the day you stroll around in the local shopping areas or enjoy your time and one of the many fine restaurants. After lunch, dinner or whenever enjoy a stroll around Barra beach or head in town to dance the night away. Along the banks of the river there’s several dance clubs/bars to choose from. After midnight, or around 2 am head over to Estacao da Luz located just a few miles outside city center which is open till sunrise.

When spending a few days in this tremendous city will make you forget completely about the city life, especially after seeing some of it’s great tourist sightseeing including; Aveiro Cathedral, Convento de Jesús, Aveiro Museum, Igreja de la Misericordia, Cámara Municipal, Capitania, Santo Antonio Park, Dom Pedro Children’s Park, Sao Gonçalinho Chapel, Museum of the Republic, Carmelite Church, the local Fish Market and Fisherman’s Wharf (Bairro de Pescadores) at seaside. For a complete day without worries head on to Costa Nova or Barra Beach.

Travelers to Portugal need a valid passport and visa. American citizens are being issued a 90 days visa upon arrival. The city of Aveiro is safe and tourist friendly, the best period to travel to Aveiro is in the summer months as well peak season between July and August.

Lisbon

Monday, December 22nd, 2008

Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal, it is also the capital of the Lisbon region. The Lisbon region is the wealthiest region in Portugal, its also the political center of the country, as seat of government and residence of the Head of State. Lisbon has a population of 550 thousand people.

The city of Lisbon is spread across its steep hillsides that overview the Rio Tejo. Lisbon offers the diversity you would expect of Portugal’s main tourist attraction. The many museums, Gothic cathedrals and majestic monasteries are all part of its colorful cityscape. Yet the real experiences lie in the discovery in the narrow lanes of Lisbon’s lovely backstreets.

In the other parts of town, travelers and locals chase the ghosts of Pessoa in old classy 1930s-era cafes or walk along the long stretched seaside. While the history is pretty much alive in centuries-old Lisbon, its spirit is youthful alive and kicking. In the hilltop district of Bairro Alto the bars and restaurants line up in the small streets. This area is a popular nightlife spot for locals and tourists, its many nightclubs and discotheques keeps people happily occupied till dawn.

Travelers to Lisbon need a valid passport and visa. American citizens are being issued a 90 days visa upon arrival. The city of Lisbon is safe and tourist friendly, the best period to travel to Lisbon is in the summer months as well peak season between July and August.