??Welcome To Portugal! Travel Tips, Hospitality, And More
Portugal, located next door to Spain, is a smaller but equally attractive country where people choose to spend their vacations. Many people choose Portugal instead of Spain because they seek a calmer, quieter atmosphere and that s just what you will find in Portugal.
The Portuguese people welcome the opportunity to share their country and culture with foreigners. In fact, to make your vacation easier, Portugal offers a chain of Tourism Offices at various sites across the country. Bilingual guides provide assistance to tourists by giving them maps, Portugal travel tips, and by simply making them feel welcome.
Safety Not A Concern
Safety tips for travel in Portugal aren t an issue for most tourists because travel in Portugal is typically trouble free. Occasionally, a pick pocketing incident may arise, especially in major tourist cities such as Algarve. However, cities are monitored by the Policia de Segurancia Publica (PSP). In rural areas, security is maintained by the Guarda Nacional Republica. The Brigada de Transito monitors traffic.
In case an emergency does occur, an important travel tip is to know Portugal s emergency number, which is 112. This number will connect you to the fire, police, and anbulence services provided by Portugal. Emergency Treatment Centers are located in each city and are usually open twenty-four hours a day.
The Language Barrier
Portuguese is a beautiful language, similar to both Spanish and Italian. For travel in Portugal, one tip is to make an attempt to speak the language. Although the Portuguese typically understand Spanish, it is best to avoid this language due to touchy historical relations between the two countries. If worst comes to worst, most Portuguese people can understand English fairly easily.
Life And Culture
Knowing some of the basics about the daily life and culture of Portugal is an excellent travel tip for vacationers. Such information can help to prevent any potential social blunders that might occur.
The shops and businesses in Portugal are typically open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is difficult for many foreigners to accustom themselves to, as it means they usually aren t able to go anywhere or purchase anything after 7 o clock. When tipping at a restaurant in Portugal, it is customary to round the bill to the nearest Euro.
Although the Portuguese are known for their hospitality, they do have a law that states foreigners must present some form of identification upon request. Knowing this law, it is advised that you carry some form of identification with you at all times.
Picking Portugal
Of all the places that you could choose to go on vacation, why not pick Portugal? Besides being exotic and beautiful, it also offers safe travel and a warm welcome.