- Things to do before any international trip
- The most important thing is to plan everything well in advance, at least 3-4 months just to avoid last minutes confusion and problems.
- Plan your trip based on your budget. For this trip, we spent almost 5-6 lakhs.
- Keep your passport ready [the most important tool for travel abroad]. If you are planning to apply for a new passport or want to renew an existing one, I would suggest doing that 3 months prior to planning a trip.
- Most countries need a visa for Indian visitors. So make sure to be prepared for that, keep all documents in hand. You may need to visit the Visa office for some countries, but in the case of Singapore they provided E-visa for 30 days [in 2016], Thailand gives visa on arrival, and for Malaysia to you need to show documents [passport, proof of accommodation, return flight tickets, photograph].
- Don't forget to store all your images in Google photos or on your laptop/Pc. If you don't do this you will end up losing almost all of them [Like me]. Do clean your phone storage before you travel anywhere.
If it is your first trip abroad and you plan to visit with your family, I would suggest taking the help of a travel agency, why? they take care of everything:
Spots to visit, especially the places where you need to buy tickets Hotels to stay Flights to take Food to eat [for vegetarians you need to be cautious, you never know the food you are eating can be made of fish oil.There are many options for travel agents: Kesari travels, Thomas cook, Veena travels, SOTC and many more [from Mumbai], but choosing the best is absolutely necessary.
We chose Thomas Cook. They took care of everything except our lunch. Any other expense? If you buy some artifacts, souvenirs, or something that is not mentioned in their itinerary.
Portugal is a small country of 10,300 square kilometres and a population of 10 million. Situated on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal shares the Iberian culture and animates on the coastal southwestern galaico and spain and covers on many regions: on Alentejo on the interior Norte Onisii on Poloskerne.
Portugal has a rich history of revolutions, discoveries and scientific accomplishments, as well as a wealth of architectural treasures from its many different periods. What's the best way to uncover Portugal's past? By taking a walking tour of Lisbon! In this article you'll find a list of the best landmarks on a walking tour that cover Europe's earliest buildings up through the 19th century.
As a country, Portugal has a lot to offer - from picturesque ocean-side towns to eclectic capital cities. In recent years, the Portuguese have been recognized for their primary contributions in art and architecture. The country is also globally known for its delicious cuisine.
"For many, Portugal is still seen as Europe’s deeply underrated country. There are usually ample excuses for this point of view: the country is too poor, too slow, non-existent in football terms or far too close to Spain. But there are overwhelming reasons to visit this extraordinary country, promising an exceptional experience.
Portugal is a beautiful country in Europe that is perfect for a summer holiday. Have you booked your flight yet? You might think that Portugal would be an expensive place to visit, but actually, Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Europe right now! Read this blog to find out more about when the peak season to visit Portugal is, what currency you can bring with you when visiting Portugal, and other great places to visit when in the Algarve region.
Top things to do in Portugal
Portugal’s rural landscape is home to many pine forests and pastures, mountains in the centre of a vast, flat expanse that extends to the south, like an open book. The country features eight or nine major rivers (depending on how they are counted) which opened up the history of Portugal to exploration by searching for precious metals by engineering bypasses. Along their banks lie colourful contraband-traders’ homes.
Top destinations in Portugal
Incoming Tourists in Portugal
- 70% for 3rd country tourists and 30% for European Citizens
Tourism in Portugal in general
- In 2016, a total of 36.9 million people visited Portugal
Natural wealth
- The country is famous for its natural beauty and preserved landscapes. One example is the Alqueva Dam, the largest in Western Europe, which provides the region with hydroelectric power and attracts lots of tourists from around the country and abroad.
Portugal is a really beautiful country with lots of history. There are over 500 sites to visit, but one can't miss Sintra, Aveiro and Caldas do Rainha. These are three places that represent the culture while highlighting the nature Portugal offers.
Since the trip started in Portugal, we only had 1 day to visit the famous places in Portugal. After that, we spent our time in Spain.
- Day 2
On day 2 of our travel to Portugal, we visited some cool places.
1. Cabo da Roca - The westernmost point of continental Europe for a must-do photo-stop. Cabo da Roca, also known as Cape Roca, is a cape that marks the westernmost point of the Sintra Mountain Range, mainland Portugal, continental Europe, and the Eurasian landmass. It is located in the municipality of Sintra, near Azóia, in the district of Lisbon's southwest.
2. Sintra - The municipality is a popular tourist destination known for its scenic beauty, with several historic palaces, castles, scenic beaches, parks, and gardens. The mediaeval Moorish Castle, the romanticist Pena National Palace, and the Portuguese Renaissance Sintra National Palace are among Sintra's landmarks.
4. Belém Tower - Belém Tower, also known as the Tower of Saint Vincent, is a 16th-century fortification in Lisbon that served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers as well as a ceremonial gateway to the city.
5. Royal Palace the church of St. Jerome Monastery -The Jeronimos Monastery is the most striking representation of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. It was built in 1502 by King Manuel I on the site of a hermitage founded by Prince Henry the Navigator, where Vasco da Gama and his crew spent their final night in Portugal praying before departing for India. It was constructed to commemorate Vasco Da Gama's journey and to thank the Virgin Mary for its success.
Let me know if you are planning to visit Portugal soon.
Already in Portugal or if you previously visited Portugal, let me know your favourite place.
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