Preparing for Your Portugal Vacation

If you are considering a European vacation, you won't want to miss Portugal. A Portugal vacation can be the experience of a lifetime. With so much to do in Portugal, you will want to schedule at least a week there. You can visit the capital city of Lisbon and take a stroll in the square or visit the museums. You can cruise the archipelago of the nine islands of Azores or go whale watching. Tour the country as it was before it was inhabited by visiting one of Portugal's 33 natural parks and reserves. And, of course, there is soccer!

When you take your Portugal vacation, you should be prepared. Convert your vacation money to Euros, this is the currency of Portugal. You will want to take clothing for warm, breezy days and a sweater for the cooler evenings. Don't forget your bathing suit because you are sure to spend some time at the beaches. Long pants and comfortable hiking boots are a must when spending time at the nature reserves. Of course, you will need something to wear for your nights at the local hotspots.

You can travel to your Portugal vacation by air or by boat. The trip is about five hours from the east coast of North America by airplane. If you have time, though, many cruise lines offer wonderful deals on Mediterranean cruises that include stops in Portugal, though you won't be able to stay and take in all that the country has to offer this way. Unfortunately the cruise ship won't wait for you when it is time to sail off to the next port of call.

Once you get to Portugal you have several options for accommodations. You can certainly find a five star hotel either on the mainland or on the Azores islands. Less expensive hotels and resorts are in abundance, too. But if you are staying for more than a few days, Portugal is full of historic inns and bed and breakfast accommodations. It might also be worth looking into renting an apartment or vacation home for your time. You can find a one bedroom apartment that sleeps four for a mere 250/week in Euros. If you need, or want, something larger or more luxurious, a four bedroom, two bath villa that sleeps ten is available for around 3000/week in Euros, or the one on the golf course is only 1000/week more.

Portugal loves tourists and the people of Portugal are very accommodating. There is no shortage of restaurants, bars, tour guides, or taxi cabs to help you enjoy your Portugal vacation. If you hurry, you might make it in time for the Atlantic Festival held annually where you can watch the fireworks competitions every Saturday night in June. There is little more breathtaking than fireworks over the Atlantic. It doesn't matter what month you take your Portugal vacation, you will find plenty to keep you happy.

Portugal Needs ECB Action to Avoid Greek Fate, De Grauwe Says - Bloomberg

Bloomberg

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Portugal PM wants easier bailout terms for banks - Boston.com

The Portugal News

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Portugal Agrees to Sell REN Stake for 592 Million Euros - Bloomberg

Portugal Agrees to Sell REN Stake for 592 Million Euros Bloomberg Portugal's government agreed to sell a 40 percent stake in REN-Redes Energeticas Nacionais SA (RENE) for 592 million euros ($779 million) to State Grid International of China and Oman Oil Co. to meet the terms of a bailout accord. The price values REN, ... Portugal to sell REN stakes for 592 mln eurosReuters Portugal Closes Another Privatization At A PremiumWall Street Journal (India) Portugal to Sell Stake in REN to China State Grid03 Feb 2012Business China Wall Street Journal -Washington Post all 28 news articles »

Debt, austerity and recession threaten slow death for bailed-out Portugal's ... - Washington Post

Fox News

Debt, austerity and recession threaten slow death for bailed-out Portugal's ... Washington Post LISBON, Portugal — In a six-room Lisbon office where until last year more than a dozen people worked, engineer Joao Paulo Lopes sits alone in silence amid dark computer screens, patiently waiting for a bankruptcy lawyer to shut the company's doors and ... Strike disrupts Portugal public transport systemBoston.com Debt crisis threatens slow death for PortugalSydney Morning Herald Portuguese strike flops, workers fear for jobsChicago Tribune ABC News all 212 news articles »

Portugal BPI Bank Swings To 2011 Loss On Greek Exposure - Wall Street Journal

Portugal BPI Bank Swings To 2011 Loss On Greek Exposure Wall Street Journal The pension transfer has allowed Portugal to meet a budget deficit target imposed under its EUR78 billion bailout. Chief Executive Fernando Ulrich said the bank imposed a 64% haircut--or discount--on its holdings of Greek debt. Portugal Banks May Report 2011 Losses on Higher ImpairmentsBusinessWeek Banco BPI posts 2011 loss on Greek debt exposureReuters all 7 news articles »