It was September 2017. For the first time, we were crossing the border of Spain to Portugal, driving our car with our dogs in the back. We were in for one of the best trips in our lives, and we had no idea.
As Brazilians, we had no clue. Traveling to Portugal was quite different than we imagined. We were expecting a bucolic, little country on the corner of Europe. Portugal then punched us in the face and showed us we were so wrong.
First impression: hey, the roads here are really good. I mean, REALLY GOOD. Honestly, I have no idea why Portugal has a speed limit. I feel as comfortable driving there as I do in the German Autobahns.
Then, the landscape. After endless hours driving through Spain, Portugal feels like a fresh breeze! What a beautiful, lively view! The small cities nested in the mountains from eastern Guarda are just a charm. They slowly give place to a more beach-like panorama as you approach the coast.
Once we arrived at Figueira da Foz, we decided to grab something to eat. Another shock. The food was absolutely delicious.
I could still talk for hours about the weather, the beaches, the people, how happy our dogs were and everything that made us fall in love with Portugal, but let’s get to the point. Here they are…
9 things to know before traveling to Portugal!
There’s just so much to say, it was quite hard to narrow it down to 9, I’ll admit. If you want to know more about traveling, don’t forget to check our column YES! Traveling with Dogs!.
For more touristic information in a poetic impression, check also Under the skies of Figueira.
Want to stay up to speed with our news? Check us out on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 🙂
Have you been to Portugal? What did I miss on my list of things we should know before planning a trip to this beautiful, hidden gem of a country? Let me know in the comments below!
See you soon,
/R.
Sun with Style
Love the flow chart, and yes, the central Region has so much to offer.
Remember when we first drove to Portugal from Spain, we missed the service station where you bought the toll tickets and had to drive back after 60 kilometres to try again, but the scenery was worth it, although I do think the customs must’ve wondered what on earth we were doing!