Portugal

Overview

For such a small country, you have many options from which to choose: A San Francisco-esque city, spreading over seven hills which descend into the Rio Tejo (Tagus River)- Lisbon is perhaps Europe's most pleasant and affordable city. Its fantastic architecture, diverse population, delicious seafood, intriguing tile-work and non-stop night-life bring together the best elements of Portuguese life. Don't miss an evening bar-hopping in the Bairro Alto listening to contemporany hip music and Portuguese blues-fado!

Tour beautifully restored towns and well-preserved architecture of UNESCO's World Heritage sites in Evora , Batalha and Alcobaça . If you are interested in monuments, Evora and Coimbra are must-sees.

The most beautiful natural areas lie in the Minho , Lima, and Douro valley. You can explore the verdant beauty and rural customs of the Minho Valley, or check out the spectacular gorge in the Douro valley .

The city of Oporto is located at the end of the Douro Valley, on the sea, and is famous for its port wine. It is an excellent base for exploring the region.

If it's the beach you are after, the Algarve coast offers highly developed stretches of beach. The rest of the coast (with the exception of the area near Lisbon and Porto) remain relaxing, totally Portuguese and isolated. Great stretches of sand are there for the relaxing, especially along the northern Costa Verde , near Viana do Castelo . The beaches near southern Alentejo are the most remote and least populated.

Transportation and accommodation are excellent and very reasonable, perhaps the...more

History

The history of Portugal can be divided into seven broad periods. The first begins in the Paleolithic period and extends to the formation of Portugal as an independent monarchy. During this period Lusitania that portion of the western Iberian Peninsula known today as Portugal experienced many waves of conquest and settlement by Iberos Phoenicians Greeks Romans Swabians Visigoths and Muslims. Of these successive waves of people the Romans left the greatest imprint on present Portuguese society.

The second broad period of Portuguese history runs from the founding of the monarchy in 1128 until the disappearance of the House of Burgundy Portugal's first dynasty in 1383. During this period the monarchy was established and expanded by reconquering territory from the Muslims and populating those lands with Christian settlers. Consolidation and economic development were furthered by policies designed to increase agricultural productivity.

The third period begins with the founding of the House of Avis Portugal's second ruling dynasty. During this period Portugal experienced a dynastic struggle that brought the House of Avis to the throne a series of wars with Castile that threatened the independence of the new kingdom a social revolution a second dynastic struggle and the assertion of royal supremacy over the nobility.

The fourth period begins in 1415 when the Portuguese seized Ceuta in Morocco thus beginning Portugal's maritime expansion. During this period Portugal explored the west coast of Africa discovered and colonized Madeira and the Azores opened the passage to India around Africa built an empire in Asia and colonized Brazil.

The...more