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Things to avoid in Portugal to guarantee a great trip
Don’t count calories. You will want to try everything so enjoy the meal, 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.
Don’t wear new shoes. Plan on walking a lot and on uneven surfaces. Lots of walkways are cobblestone and can be unstable. Wear comfortable shoes or sneakers. I prefer to wear breathable socks.
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.
Don’t call futebol soccer or you’ll never hear the end of it. The Portuguese love their football.
What to do to fit in with the locals
Don’t be a tourist
Eat, drink, and enjoy Portugal but try to locate 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 (inn).
Never swim alone. The water is cool and unpredictable. Lots of beaches have colored flags to inform you whether you can swim. Red means no swimming. Yellow means swim with caution. Green means swimming and enjoying the water. Lots of places have high cliffs and areas to swim in. Check out the area carefully. The waterways can be deep and have strong currents.
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. Lots of women wear dresses, skirts, or pants. Don’t walk around with your shirt off. You will stand out like a sore thumb.
DO YOU WANT TO BLEND IN WITH THE LOCALS?
If you don't want to stand out...
Don't wear shorts or tank shirts.
Don't be extremely loud.
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 you have some kind of 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.
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 worry about air conditioning because most restaurants or hotels do not have air conditioning.
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 IN THE COUNTRY. THEIR WALK CAN BE VIEWED AS A STROLL RATHER THAN A BRISK WALK. 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. WHEN IN PORTUGAL, NEVER BE IN A RUSH.
Never argue with a smoker in Portugal. Smoking is common in Portugal and can be seen everywhere. Even though smoking is prohibited in many public places in other countries, smoking is casual in Portugal and legal. If you smoke, don’t throw your butt out the window. Portugal is a dry country and endures many fires that destroy farms, houses, and businesses.
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. Lots of truckers eat early so they can drive when most folks are eating lunch.
Lots of shops are closed on Saturdays or close at 12 noon
Portugal uses a 24-hour clock
***Check out some informative and silly tiktok posts about Portugal
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13 Things to Avoid for a Great PORTUGAL Trip-TRAVEL TIPS- What to Pack for the Perfect trip
GLOBAL ENTRY update
I am so so So excited to announce that I was approved for Global Entry.
How do you obtain a Global Blue Card?
I applied online, paid the fee ($100), and completed the TSA in-person interview when I landed in the Philly airport. My AA credit card covered the cost of the application.
Which website do you use to apply?
Do I need an appointment to complete the application?
I didn’t need an appointment because the calendar was backed up for one year so they waived the requirement to have an appointment you can complete the interview at specific international airports in the US. The interview took about 15 minutes. I needed my NJ driver’s license and current passport. I was electronically fingerprinted. I answered a few questions.
How do you know if you are approved?
Two weeks later, I received an email that I was approved. I should receive my Global Entry card in the mail shortly. The card is valid for 5 years.
How do you use the card?
When you enter the US or fly domestically, you go to a Global Entry kiosk and scan yourself in. You don’t have to wait in line for TSA or passport checks.
It fast-tracks you in a few minutes.
I am so excited. I have waiting for hours in the TSA and passport lines over the past 36 years of traveling.
Do I still need TSA pre-check?
The agent also told me that I didn’t need a TSA pre-check. Global Entry gives you a recheck.
Who can apply for Global Entry?
Global Entry is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. legal permanent residents as well as citizens of certain countries with which CBP has trusted traveler arrangements, including Argentina, Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Canadian citizens and residents enrolled in NEXUS may also use the Global Entry kiosks.
Where can I find more information about traveling, tax-free shopping, airport details, sites to see, what to pack for a trip, and airline perks?
Check out my blog for other travel ideas
Washing using the hard water
I bring color block sheets and extra hair conditioner for my trip since the water is rough on
Trainline
Awesome train experience
270 lines throughout Europe
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 of time
Bring these items with you
fly swatter
washer sheets 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
How Can I not look like a Tourist?
leave expensive items at home like watches, jewelry, name brand sunglasses, expensive handbags
Blend in with the crowd.
down take photos of yourself in a crosswalk while cars are waiting
don't be underdressed- wear clothing to cover your knee and shoulders for church
don't flash money around
don't get a ride with a stranger
13 Things to Avoid for a Great PORTUGAL Trip-TRAVEL TIPS- What to Pack for the Perfect trip
European Travel Plug Adapter 2 Pack, TESSAN International Power Outlet Adaptor with 2 USB, Type C Charger from USA to Most of Europe EU Spain, Iceland, Germany, Portugal
13 Things to Avoid for a Great PORTUGAL Trip-TRAVEL TIPS- What to Pack for the Perfect trip
UNESCO Sites in Portugal
The year in ( ) is the year it was recognized as a UNESCO site
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)- absolutely incredible to imagine this being built so many hundreds of years ago
Cultural Landscape of Sintra (1995)- the curves and edges are an amazing site
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 to the top are worth the trip
University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia (2013)
Laurisilva of Madeira (1999)
Memory book for travel
Travel Journal Memory Book: Travel the World- Record Your Adventure Paperback – November 10, 2023
What to Pack for Summer
shorts, bathing suits, tank shirts, dresses, sneakers, flip flops, sundress, beach coverups, sandals, sunglasses, hats, socks, suntan lotion, light jacket
What to pack for Fall/ Spring
shorts, capris, tee shirts, sneakers, socks, sandals, dresses, bathing suits, sweaters, jeans, bandaids, comfortable socks, and sneakers,
What to Pack for Winter
dresses, sneakers, jeans, sweatpants, hoodies, sweaters, jackets, sneakers, dresses, blouses, shirts, hats, scarf, boots, warm socks,
FYI
The more 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
I have driven in Portugal one time. 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.
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$$
Break the day up into 6 time periods
Breakfast, AM, Lunch, Pm, Dinner, Evening
| Time | Place to visit/ activity | Address | How to get there | Amount of time to spend there | | $$Cost to enter the site |
Breakfast | | | | | | | |
Am | | | | | | | |
Lunch | | | | | | | |
Pm activity | | | | | | | |
dinner | | | | | | | |
Evening activity | | | | | | | |
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