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Portugal is a country favored by the sun. The Atlantic shore stretches across a length of over 800 km. At the same length the shore roads invite the riders to explore them. The country sides behind it usually stand in the shadow of the well-known seaside resorts; wrongfully!
Portugal’s north is hilly and owing to its many rivers it is luxuriant green. The grapes for the famous port wine thrive in the valleys. Here’s the home of historic master houses and idyllic wine cellars.
Lisbon is a vibrating city. But already in its suburbs it shows, that the Portuguese appreciate a more quiet life. At Belém one can look back at the nation’s high time as successful seafaring people, which ruled about half of the world 500 years ago. The monumental Jerónimo-monastery and the Torre de Belém are witnesses of that time.
It is also an expedition to travel the wide plains of the Alentejo. One will find sun flowers which swing in the wind, fragrant thyme, huge wheat fields, cork plantations and olives groves one both sides of the roads. The city Évora tells stories about the time of the Roman, Maures and Christians.
There are not too many people still living in the eastern mountain regions. But there are plenty of roads, which lead to the half forsaken mountain villages and idyllic nature parks. Along the Spanish border one finds stately castles. They witness from an at times difficult neighborhood.
Typical Portuguese dishes are Sopa de Marisco (soup from crustaceans with wine), Caldo Verde (green soup from green cabbage), Bacalhau (dried cod), Caldeirada (fish stew from nine different kinds of fish, onions and tomatoes) and Carne de Porco Ampere Alentejana (roasted pork with a sauce from mussels, tomatoes and onions).
The Portuguese table wines are not only recommendable, but also low priced. Bica is a small cup of very strong, black coffee.
Some geography:
Portugal stretches over an area of 89,000 square kilometers. The self-governing island Madeira and Azores belong to it in addition. In Portugal live 10.3 million people. The large majority of them are Catholics. National holiday is celebrated on June 10th. |
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