Food
& Drink
Seafood is very popular, especially in Lisbon, but can be
quite expensive. Soup is a main dish and Typical Portuguese
dishes include sopa de marisco , caldo
verde (green soup made with finely shredded green
kale leaves in broth) and bacalhau (dried
cod, cooked in over 100 different ways). Caldeirada
is a fish stew with as many as 9 kinds of fish, cooked with
onions and tomatoes. Also typical is carne de porco
á Alentejana, in which bits of fried pork
are covered with a sauce of clams stewed with tomato and onions.
Puddings include arroz doce (rice pudding),
Madeira pudding and nuvens (egg custard).
Portugal’s sweet pastries are also worth a try.
Portuguese wines have changed beyond recognition during the
last 10 years. Many of the new, modern wines are indigenous
varieties with distinctive flavours. Sparkling rosé
wines are mainly produced for export. Mateus Rosé
is a famous lightweight rosé. Portuguese brandies are
also very good and the best are produced around Oporto,
where Port wines originate. There are no
licensing hours in Portugal.
Nightlife
Larger towns in Portugal offer every kind of entertainment
with many nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, stage shows, folk
dancing and music performances. The traditional Fado
can be heard in many restaurants, and performances begin at
about 2200 hrs. The theatre season runs from October to May.
Gambling is authorised and Alvor, Espinho, Estoril,
Figueira da Foz, Monte Gordo and Vilamoura
have casinos. The elegant Estoril Casino
is the most renowned.
Shopping
Items include leather goods, copper, ceramics, handcrafted
silver and gold, embroidery and tapestry, woodcarving, cork
products, porcelain and china, crystal and glassware.
Shopping hours: Generally Monday-Friday
0900-1300 hrs and 1500-1900 hrs, Saturday 0900-1300 hrs.
Shopping centres are usually open Monday-Sunday 1000-0000
hrs.
Special Events
Portugal has many festivals and for a complete list, contact
ICEP/Portuguese Trade and Tourism Office.
The following is a selection of special events occurring in
Portugal in 2005: |
|
|
January 20 |
Festa das Fogaceiras,
Santa Maria da Feira. |
| February 5 - 8
|
Carnival, Torres Vedras,
Sines, Loulé, Sesimbra, Nazaré and Funchal;
Madeira Mardi Gras. |
February 21 -
March 7 |
Fantasporto (International
Fantastic Film Festival), Porto. |
| March 21-28
|
Holy Week Festivities, Braga |
| April 1-4 |
Algarve Portuguese Golf Open,
Portimão. |
| April 9-10 |
Madeira Flower Festival |
| May 3 |
Feast of the Cross/Feast
of our Lady of the Castle, Monsanto. |
| June 1-30
|
Atlantic Festival, Madeira |
| June 9-11 |
Super Bock Super Rock (music
festival), Lisbon. |
| June 12-13 |
Feast of St Anthony, Lisbon |
| July 4-18 |
Almada International Theatre
Festival, Lisbon |
| July 28-30 |
Vilar de Mouros Music Festival,
Porto e Norte |
| August 17-20 |
Paredes de Coura Festival,
Porto e Norte. |
| August 19-21 |
Our Lady of Agony Feast,
Viana do Castelo |
| September 2-4 |
Madeira Wine Festival |
| September 5 |
Portuguese Moto GP, Estoril.
|
| September-November |
Porto Jazz Festival |
| October-November |
National Horse Fair, Golegã. |
| November 17-20 |
2005 Algarve World Cup (golf
tournament). |
|
|
Social Conventions
The way of life in Portugal is leisurely, and old-fashioned
politeness is essential. Warm, Latin hospitality is very much
the norm. The country has a deeply individual national character
with each province having its own traditions and folklore.
Casual wear is widely acceptable, although beachwear should
not be worn in the towns.
In restaurants, it is usual to smoke only at the end of the
meal. Smoking is prohibited in cinemas, theatres and on the
buses.
Tipping
Generally 10 to 15 per cent. Taxi drivers are tipped 10 per
cent. |
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