Transportation
Transportation in Portugal made a major headway during the 1990's. The country has 68,732 km (42,708 miles) of highways and 2000 km (1240 miles) of freeways connecting most parts. The seaports dotting the coastline also play an important role in the country's transportation. Equally important are the airports, namely those of Lisbon, Faro and Porto. In addition, there are subway systems in the two principal cities of Lisbon and Porto, both with more than 35 kilometers (22 miles) of commercial lines. 1. Air TAP Air Portugal, the national operator flies to many international destinations. 2. Bus There are private bus companies such as Rede Expressos, Renex, EVA, and the recently privatized Rodoviaria that offer services in addition to Eurolines. 3. Car Cars can be hired at ease. However, the car can be hired only by people who are above 21 years of age. Third party insurance is compulsory. Cars can also be imported here for a period of six months. 4. Ship Transportation by ship is available from all major ports, the important ones being Lisbon, Leixoes (Oporto), Funchal (Madeira) and Potimao (Algarve). 5. Taxi Taxi services can also be availed of and cabs are to be paid in accordance with the distance. Most of the taxis are painted in beige color. Standard meter fare is applicable within city limits but beyond that the charges are according to the kilometers covered. A return fare is also charged when the taxi is required to leave city limits. Luggage incurs additional expenses as a surcharge. About ATMs and credit cards The national ATM network, MULTIBANCO, makes the withdrawal of cash possible 24 hours a day through foreign and international network credit cards. The highest amount that is allowed to be withdrawn per transaction is EUR 200. Credit cards are widely accepted throughout the country. Popularly accepted credit cards include MasterCard, American Express, Eurocard and Visa. What a Dollar Will Buy You Meals at middle class restaurants are available at $ 2.5. Meals at fast food joints like McDonalds cost about $3.20. The cheapest coffee can be found at the rate of $ 0.64. One can buy table wine for as low as $ 1.26. Cab Fares Cab services are available around the country. The standard rate or ‘bandeirada' for the first 260 meters of the journey is 1.75 euros. Thereafter for every 158 meters covered, fares are calculated at 0.05 euros. In case you call for the cab over phone, an additional surcharge of 0.75 euros is charged. Luggage is also charged extra. The usual cab fare from the airport to the city is around 10 to 15 euros. What to Wear Light cottons and linens are best suited for the summer; light layers are appropriate for spring and fall while warm clothes are recommended for the winters. Women are generally seen dressed in pants, suits or shirts with long sleeves. Stylish jewelry can be used to complement the outfit. It's quite a casual place and you needn't be in a suit and tie to fit in, simply dress to be comfortable.
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Tennis is a popular game and courts are found in many places in the country. All tourist facilities of repute have either hard-surfaced or clay tennis courts within their complexes. Some hotels and guesthouses provide in-house tennis coaching by a resident coach for those tourists who may like to pick up the game. These outdoor sports can be enjoyed throughout the year, as the climate is quite mild towards the south. Several resorts offer flood lit courts so that visitors can enjoy a leisurely game at night too. Places such as Vilamoura and Estoril also provide tennis racquets and balls on hire for a small fee. The main tennis complex in Lisbon is located in the heart of Monsanto Forest in rural locales.
Golf is another sport that is very popular in the country. Some of the finest European golf courses are found in Portugal. Coaching is available for golf enthusiasts and most resorts are helpful in arranging for a coach. Algarve and Estoril Coast boast of the best golf courses in Portugal. However, new golf courses are coming up in the lesser-known regions of the west coast and the northern parts of the country. Portugal has been a much sought after locale for visiting golfers, ever since the first course was set up near Oporto in 1890. As the country has varied topography, each of the courses in Portugal offers a different type of golfing challenge. Madeira and the Azores are well known for their lush green courses that provide unrivaled landscapes. Estoril Coast on the other hand boasts of a unique microclimate that guarantees suitable ambience for golf throughout the year. Each of the leading course designers such as Sir Henry Cotton, Frank Pennink and Robert Trent Jones have created unique courses in the country that are popular throughout the world. Golf links at Madeira Island are located at a height of 500 meters, which is a rare golfing destination. Santo da Serra course affords breathtaking spectacle of the ocean and the surrounding scenic beauty. The recently opened golfing links in Palheiro golf course in October 1993, has established the country's reputation as a first class golfing destination. In all these places you can play online casino freely with good mood. Bull fights and football Another popular sport that has caught fancy of the tourists is bullfighting, which is different from its more famous Spanish counterpart. In the Portuguese version, the bullfighter enters the ring mounted on a horse and does not aim at killing the bull. The horns of the bull are also generally sheathed to protect the horse. Football is yet another popular sport with the locals as well as the tourists. Football enthusiasts include both spectators and players too. Team sports like basketball and roller hockey too are quite popular. There's a lot of emphasis on access to sports facilities and annual carnivals and parades that keeps tourists busy. It's a good idea to find out more about dates and plan your Portugal trip during such seasons because you'll find fellow tourists galore, and can make use of holiday catalogs and brochures to determine what events you want to attend. |
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