Travel to Portugal for some Whale Watching

Do you have vacation time coming up and want to get away? Far away? Why not travel to Portugal for some whale watching? Okay, so Portugal isn't exactly the other side of the world, but it is easily a five hour flight from the closest airport on the east coast of the United States.

Portugal has much to offer travelers. Tourism is one of Portugal's most profitable industries so they are sure to have a lot for a traveler to do. One of the most popular things to do when you travel to Portugal is whale watching off of the Azores Islands.

The waters that surround the Azores are a well known migratory route for whales and dolphins. Until 1987, whaling was a large industry in Portugal. The remains of the whaling ports still exist, as do the vigias (watchtowers) where men would watch for whales and then send messages to the whalers telling them where the whales are. These vigias are still in use today, but for the purpose of telling whale watchers where to go to get the closest look at approaching whales.

Before you depart on your whale watching trip, be sure to visit the whaler's museum located at Lages do Pico. It may calm your nerves a bit to see the extremely small boats that whalers used to hunt whales. This is calming especially if you first had the opportunity to see the rubber rafts you will be using to get as close as 50 meters to whales. Yes, your travel to Portugal will bring you closer than ever to the whales.

The rubber rafts used are called RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats). They really are quite a bit more than a rubber raft, but if this is your first travel to Portugal to whale watch, they may look a little intimidating. These are small but very powerful boats that don't make a lot of waves and noise on the water, which might alert the whales of your presence. They are also very adept at staying afloat and upright if, perhaps, the whale decides to say hello by slapping his tail fin on the water.

The Whale Watching Code of Ethics suggests that 50 meters is the closest you venture to the large mammals. This distance will seem very close, but is far enough away that you will be safe. If you travel to Portugal to swim with the dolphins, RIBs can maneuver right up to a school and you can dive in and swim among them.

If you travel to Portugal, plan on taking a whale watching excursion. Include a licensed diver if you want to swim with the dolphins. Packages can run as low as £38.50 for a three hour tour. Don't worry, though, Gilligan, shipwrecks are rare. For the same price, you can take along the Professor and Maryanne, too. Go away. Far away. Travel to Portugal.

'ICT Finance Marketplace investment forum', Lisbon, Portugal - Cordis News

'ICT Finance Marketplace investment forum', Lisbon, Portugal Cordis News An event entitled 'ICT Finance Marketplace investment forum' will take place from 25 to 26 March 2012 in Lisbon, Portugal. The event will be a chance for entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their business in front of an international network of ...

Portugal's Supreme Court rejects 2nd US appeal to extradite fugitive George Wright - Washington Post

Fox News

Portugal's Supreme Court rejects 2nd US appeal to extradite fugitive George Wright Washington Post LISBON, Portugal — Portugal's Supreme Court has refused a second appeal by the US to extradite American fugitive George Wright. A court ruling provided to The Associated Press on Wednesday showed judges confirmed a decision last month to deny a US ... Strike disrupts Portugal public transport systemBoston.com Once again, Portugal denies US appeal for fugitive returnFox News all 212 news articles »

Portugal PM Gives Further Assurances Investors Are Safe - Wall Street Journal

CNBC.com

Portugal PM Gives Further Assurances Investors Are Safe Wall Street Journal LISBON (Dow Jones)--Portugal's Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho Monday reaffirmed that Portugal will fulfill all its financial commitments, adding that whatever happens to Greece, it won't derail that target. "A country like Portugal that has ... Portugal's debt sustainable, similar to Ireland's-PMReuters Portugual Bond Laws In Focus As Debt Worries Persist -JPMorganFox Business Portugal Says It's Not Considering Restructuring DebtCNBC.com all 18 news articles »

Portugal easily raises $2 billion in debt auction despite fears over economic ... - Washington Post

Financial Post

Portugal easily raises $2 billion in debt auction despite fears over economic ... Washington Post LISBON, Portugal — Portugal comfortably raised €1.5 billion ($1.97 billion) in a short-term debt auction Wednesday despite recent market jitters about its fiscal soundness. Portugal has one of the 17-nation eurozone's feeblest economies and needed a ... Portugal borrowing costs fall after ECB actionFinancial Times Portugal heads for short-term borrowing testReuters Market losing faith in PortugalFinancial Post New York Times all 274 news articles »

Portugal's PM wants easier bailout terms for banks, says credit crunch dooming ... - Washington Post

The Portugal News

Portugal's PM wants easier bailout terms for banks, says credit crunch dooming ... Washington Post LISBON, Portugal — Portugal's prime minister wants his bailed-out country's banks to be given more leeway to meet their capital requirements because an acute credit crunch is dooming viable companies. Austerity measures introduced in return for a €78 ... Bank Of Portugal Head Says Banks Well Protected By Bailout FundFox Business Reuniting Spain and PortugalFinancial Times Transport strike paralyses Lisbon underground, ferry trafficMonsters and Critics.com all 24 news articles »