Orbit Blog

Portugal is located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is the westernmost country of mainland Europe. It is roughly 350 miles long and 117 miles wide. It has a temperate year-round temperature that is influenced by the Gulf Stream. It’s Atlantic position provides a much cooler climate in the north with a good amount of rainfall in the winter.

Portugal offers many attractions such as sub-tropical volcanic islands, lush green meadows and not to mention 528 miles of beautiful beaches. Rich in tradition and history, it is one of the oldest nations in Europe.

Architecture is just one of the many intriguing features. Especially the Gothic style called Manueline which reflects the country’s prosperity during the Age of the Discoveries. Be sure not to miss the beautifully glazed tiles called azulejos which decorate most of the country’s buildings and monuments.

If golfing is a favorite, Portugal offers more than forty top-class courses including San Lorenzo which was officially recognized as one of Europe’s best championship courses. Surfing, water-skiing, swimming, horse-riding, and cycling are just some of the sporting activities one can enjoy while visiting.

Portuguese cuisine is very distinctive and offers many different specialties that have evolved from local ingredients and Portuguese traditions. Much of the cooking is spiced based thanks to the accomplishments of Vasco de Gama and other navigators of his time. He and his men circled the globe in search of pepper, cloves, curry, nutmeg, and cinnamon. All of which serve as the base of today’s Portuguese cooking.

Portugal’s rich cultural heritage extends to it’s capital city of Lisbon. This gorgeous city is widely popular for it’s restored palaces, stunning churches, and an immaculate hilltop castle. It’s most popular shopping area is the Baixa, which is made up of several small streets including the traffic-free Rua Augusta. A short walk from there brings you to Rua de Santa Catarina or downtown. Here you’ll find several quaint boutiques and stores. You’ll also find the illustrious Meridien Park Atlantic Hotel. Other accomidations range from fabulous five-star resorts to your most basic rooms. The towns of Cascais ans Estoril offer a more relaxed alternative as apposed to the hustle and bustle of city life. Apart from the hotels, it is also possible to stay in the more personal setting of a manor house. Here the guests are encouraged to eat and interact with the family.

Portugal is full of so much history and culture. It is a place that should be explored little by little so not to miss anything this wonderful country has to offer.

Lisbon, Portugal’s Proud Capital

In Lisbon, where the majority of the tourist start their visit after having arrived at the airport, there are various excursions to do around the city. There are museums of all kinds: - Museum do Chiado which is located in one of the most enchanting areas of Lisbon. Here you can find Portuguese and French Art. It is open on Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and all other days except Mondays fom 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Science Museum which is located at the main entrance to the Science University has as its principal objective to be education with over 60 interactive themes using physics, chemistry and maths. It is open from monday to friday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and from 2 to 5 and not open on Sundays. - Museum do Carme which is installed in the ruins of the monastery and has an excellent archaeological collection from many different periods. - National Museum of Ancient Art which is found in the area called Belem near the river in the Palace of onde Alvor. It is the most important museum in Portugal having 65 halls taking in a lot of Portuguese painters and sculptors and all the combinations that the portuguese made when it had all its colonies. Extremely interesting and takes time to see. Open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday, and Tuesday from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sundays are free.And Lisbon is also known for its open air entertainment like: - Eduardo VII Park found right next to the Marques de Pombal Square. This park was created to commemorate the English King Eduardo VII’s visit to Lisbon in 1903. The Gym Pavillion Carlos Lopez is beautifully decorated on the outside with tiles. And the Estufa Fria ( greenhouse) where you can find all kinds of plants from all over the world which were brought to lisbon and have been adapted to the climate change there. - Tapada da Ajuda is a 200 acre park once used for hunting but now there are various activities like a children’s park, recreation area and an Astronomy Observatory . - Botanical Gardens which was founded in 1873 and considered one of the best in all Europe. There are over 2,500 species including palm and banana trees. Being as it is situated on a hill, the different level connected by steps makes its beauty even more enhancing and delightful for the eye to see. It is open in winter from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and in summer from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Portugal’s nice lodging

Lisbon needs quite a few days to visit it so if you have need some ideas on hotels, here you go. The Four Seasons-Ritz is the tops with beauty gardens and agreat view of Eduard VII Park. Or maybe Carlton palace Hotel which is a 19th century palace with tropical gardens. Coming down a little the Comfort Principe with a panoramic view restaurant and good service and quality. On the busy Ave. Liberdade in a small neoclassical moorish palace called Veneza, nice pensions like As Janelas Verdes which is a 17 room restored old house from the 18th c. near the Museum of Ancient Art and for those just wanting to lay their heads down, some nicely kept campings or youth hostels.
But once you are in Portugal you have to take full advantage and see places like Sintra, Porto, Albufeira in the Algarve region and an extra special get away to Madeira or the Azores Islands. It’s all lovely.

Cork is produced from the famous tree of Portugal Oak Tree.50% of Cork production is done via Portugal’s Oak Tree.It is one of the premier products of Portugal.Oak Tree is widely used for production of Cork.Portuguese Cork is a site which provides vast information on Portugese’ Cork.You can find information related to Cork Industry in Portugal.The bark of Quercus suber, or Cork oak, is used to produce wine stoppers (corks). This species grows in the Mediterranean Sea region, with Portugal producing most of the world’s supply.