Regional info

 
Portugal

Portugal

Portugal has seen different civilisations throughout the years and has colonies worldwide.  This was mainly due to great sea explorers sent by the Portuguese King Henry the Navigator to discover new worlds.  They went on to discover Africa, Asia and South America with Portuguese still being spoken in Brazil today.  In Lisbon, along the river Tagus, is an impressive monument that was built in 1960 in honour of King Henry's after his death.  It displays the king leading a group of well known explorers. Among these is Vasco da Gama, who gave his name to the large bridge that was built for the World Expo in 1998.  Another huge suspension bridge over the Tagus is called the '25th April' after the 'dianthus revolution' in 1966 that led Portugal to becoming a democracy once more.  The bridge was originally a gift from the US after the second world war and looks like San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.  Another famous bridge is in the city of the Porto. The Maria Pia bridge was constructed in 1877 by Gustave Eiffel and crosses the Douro river.  Today the 170km stretch of Portuguese southern coast known as the Algarve is one of the most popular beach destinations in Europe.

 

 Luxe campingvakantie in Portugal huur een stacaravan of bungalowtent bij Vacansoleil

Typical Portugal

Portugal is famous for its 'fado' – the desperately sung songs of life of the fishermen's wives from Lisbon. There's also another fado, sung by students in Coimbra (south east from Porto) dressed in black capes. Fado started in Lisbon in the beginning of the 19th century in the poor slums. Today the best artists are contracted by hotels and night clubs for good money. But sometimes you may encounter a new talent in the small city bars singing the stars from heaven. Just follow the sound.

 

In Porto you must taste a glass of Port in the old Ribeira area along Douro river cay. Coimbra is a pleasant student city, and also the Christian pilgrimage Fatima is worth a visit. When visiting Lisbon do not forget an old rack tram or tramline trip through the beautiful city centre. Along the Algarve coast are impressive rocks and romantic beaches between Faro and Lagos. But the inland is also nice and still unspoilt.

 

campsites in Portugal »
Kamperen op camping in Portugal betaalbare kampeervakantie in stacaravan of bungalowtent Camping boeken met zwembad in Portugal huur een tent of stacaravan voordelige gezinsvakantie