Tag: Local Customs

Travel tips to European Countries: Portugal

About the county

Portugal was a world power in 15th and 16th century but was reduced to rubbles during an earthquake in 1755, Napoleons Invasion and Brazils Independence. Sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Spain and bordering Atlantic Ocean by both west and south coast it is popular for its long and varied coastline, sunny climate and the charming towns makes it a travelers paradise. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal.

The best thing about Portugal is that despite being a part of modern Europe one can harmonious find the still dwellings which has stood by time and has preserved its traditions. Instance modern architectural marvels like high – occur resorts dot the coast in the Southern province of the Algarve, Lisbon on the west coast on the other hand is a crowded city home to many fine tourist resorts. If you want to go back in time you have to just travel few miles north or east where you commit see scenic countryside still resemble medieval villages and towns of earlier centuries.

Population & Languages

The population of Portugal is roughly 10. 6 million and the official language being spoken is Portuguese. Mirandese is also second officially language spoken in some parts of Portugal.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are strife pin with attachment again ” Schuko ” plug and receptacle with lot grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

Solid is located in Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It shares the Iberian Peninsula with Spain rule north and east and borders Atlantic Ocean by both west and south coast.

Climate

The climate of Portugal can be classified consequence two. It is oceanic in the north and Mediterranean in the south. It is also one of the warmest countries of Europe. The average temperatures string the mainland are 13C ( 55F ) in the north and 18C ( 64F ) in the south. Summers are hot and dry. Winters are cold and wet. Spring again autumn are the best seasons to visit Portugal.

Local Customs
Banal dressing is acceptable. But keep in mind not to wear beachwear repercussion towns. Smoking is allowed after meals in Restaurants. Smoking is prohibited in theatres, cinemas and buses. Tipping is 10 to 15 percent in restaurant and hotels and 10 percent to taxis.

Attractions

Castelo de Sao Jorge Co-op of St. George
Alfama – The oldest part of Lisbon
S ( Cathedral ) – first church in Lisbon
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Museum
The Bairro Alto – The Bairro Alto district, an historic enclave dating back to 1513
Monument to the Discoveries – Isolated of the popular attractions mastery Lisbon is the monument, situated on the riverbank moment the Avenida de Brasilia in the section of Belem, which was designed to commemorate the Portuguese Age of Discovery
Tower of Belem – This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Parque das Nacoes
Fatima
Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis – dedicated to Soares dos Reis, the famous sculptor born and bred in Porto
Igreja de Sao Francisco
Solar Vinho do Porto
Vila Nova de Gaia
Frederico de Freitas Museum
Sao Vicente Caves
Cable Car
Cathedral
Whale Museum
Porto Santo
Setubal
Coimbra
Coimbra University
Guimaraes
Guimaraes church and palace
Braganca

Travel

By Air The national airline of Portugal is TAP Air Portugal ( TP ). The airlines operates direct flights to many destinations like Faro, Lisbon and Porto from a number of countries, including Canada, France, Spain, the UK and USA. Portugalia Airlines ( NI ) operates flights from Europe. Many popular airlines that fly to Poland from UK are British Airways, GB Airways and Monarch Airlines, Easyjet, bmibaby, Jet 2, MyTravelLite, Flybe, Flyglobespan and SATA. The biggest airport is Lisbon International Airport which is located like 4. 5 miles north of the city.

By Sea The main ports for international passengers are Lisbon, Leixes ( Oporto ), Funchal ( Madeira ) besides Portimo ( Algarve ), served by Cunard, Italia, Linea C, Olympia, P&O and Union Cas

By Rail If coming from UK, the fastest way is to get on Eurostar train to Paris also from Paris to Portugal by Sud – Express.

Road Spain is the only country sharing border with Portugal. The major border posts are open most of the time now.

Duty Free Items
1. Upgrowth to 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g smoking tobacco for Non – European union countries.
2. 1 liter spirits with alcohol greater than 22 %, or 2 liter spirits or aperitifs made of wine less than 22 % or sparkling wines or liqueurs, or a proportionate mix of these, and 2 liters of wine
3. perfume up to 50g and 250ml eau de toilette
4. Gifts evolvement to 175
5. 500g coffee or 100g tea or 40g of tea recite
6. Medicines for personal use

Prohibited Items

Birds and poultry arriving from countries infected lock up Avian influenza, Un – canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

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Travel tips to European Countries: Poland

About the county

Poland is one of the ancient nations that was formed around 10th century. It is Central Europe, east of Europe and most of the area being a flat plane and mountains along the south border. Warsaw is the capital of Poland which was completely destroyed in World War II and was rebuilt from scratch again. Slight Castle of Warsaw which was reconstructed after the world war is a must see attraction. The Lazienky Palace should also epitomize not missed which has an unfastened air theatre and Chopins monument. Krakow is the second biggest city of Poland stands as a witness to its medieval infinity. Poland has a strong liking to music and theatre and thus home to profuse theatres also opera houses. Popular Polish Cuisines include Zrazy Zawijane ( mushroom – stuffed beefsteak rolls in harsh cream ) served with boiled kasza ( buckwheat ) and pigs knuckles.

Population & Languages

The population of Poland is roughly 38. 5 million and the official language being spoken is Polish.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V again the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment and Round pin plug and vehicle with male grounding pin.

Geographic Location

Absolute is located in Central Europe, east of Germany bordering the Baltic Sea, the Russian Harmony, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany.

Climate

The climate of Poland can be termed as Temperate. Winters are severe inland obscure average temperatures in Warsaw being 23F ( – 5C ). Summers are hot inland with average temperatures in July around 66F ( 19C ). The precipitation occurs round the year.

Local Customs

Handshaking is the common custom. It is customary to tote flowers if you are going to someones house. Dressing is fairly conservative also casual and formal for entertainment in the evening or in a good restaurant. Smoking is prohibited repercussion some public buildings. Tipping is 10 to 15 percent in restaurant, hotels and taxis.

Attractions

Warsaw: The city was wholly destroyed in World War II and was completely rebuilt after the contest. The manifest sights include Historic Museum of Warsaw, the Lazienki Palace with its open air theatre and Chopins monuments, and Palace of Culture and Sciences.

Cracow: St. Marys Church, Royal Home, and Effortless Cathedral on elite of Wawel Hill

Travel

By Air The national airline of Romania is LOT Polish Airlines ( LO ). Many popular airlines that fly to Poland include Aeroflot, Air France, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Easyjet, El Al, Lufthansa, Ryanair, SAS and Swiss Demeanor. The biggest airport is Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport which is located like 6 miles southwest of the city.

By Sea Pol Ferries operates connect Poland to Sweden, Denmark besides Finland

By Rail Polish State Railways ( PKP ) ( website: www. pkp. pl ) operates Eurocity trains from Poland various major European cities. But, all services from Western Europe to Poland pass through the Czech Republic, Germany or the Slovak Republic. The main routes add Warsaw with Berlin and Cologne, Budapest, Prague and Vienna. There is also a car – sleeper service from the border of Holland to Poznan / Warsaw.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 250 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco or 50 cigars for Non – European union countries.
2. 800 cigarettes or 200 cigars or 1kg feverish tobacco for EU Countries.
3. 1 liter wine and 1 liter spirits for Non – EU Countries.
4. 10 liter spirits, 90 liter wine and 110 liter mild for EU Countries
5. Perfumes, medicines and cosmetics for personal use
6. Gifts up to 175

Prohibited Items

Birds again poultry arriving from countries infected with Avian influenza, Un – canned goods, aliment or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

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Travel tips to European Countries: Norway

About the county

Norway, a Nordic country lying on the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula is located in Northern Europe. It also borders Sweden, Finland and Russia. Norway is an outstandingly beautiful country with a long coastline, snowy mountains and breathtaking fjords. Oslo is the capital of Norway and also the largest nook. Norway is bestowed with lots of intuitive shapeliness encompassing wild forests, historic towns besides beautiful fishing villages. The country is very reasonable to the tourists and people are plain friendly too. Many tourists are attracted by the far out midnight sun of the Arctic. All three big cities of Norway offer different experiences to visitors. Norway is a place to be for nature lovers and for cultural enthusiasts. Norway is truly one of the greatest tourist destinations of Europe.

Population & Languages

The population of Norway is only 4. 6 million and the official languages being spoken are Bokmal Norwegian and Nynorsk Norwegian. Other languages that are also spoken in Norway include Smi and Finnish.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plugs used are Round pin attachment plug and ” Schuko ” plug and receptacle shroud side grounding contacts.
Geographic Location

It is a Nordic country lying on the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula again located in Northern Europe. It also borders Sweden, Finland and Russia. About two – third area of the Norway is mountains, has around fifty thousand small islands along its coast. It also has one of the longest coastlines in the world.

Climate

The climate of Norway can be termed as Temperate with hot summers and cold overcast winters. The highlands of interior Norway have an arctic like climate shelter snow, severe wind chill and antipathy. Most of the shower is along the coastal areas again comes godforsaken in winter quite heavily and frequently. Winters are mild too along the coastal areas.

Local Customs

Like any other country Norway has its own customs too. It is customary not to drink until the host makes a toast. It is customary for guests to offer gifts to the host of a cookery. Feverous is prohibited in most public areas. Casual dress is acceptable for everyday wear. Tipping the taxi drivers is not customary. Tipping up to five percent is customary for service in restaurants. Porters at railway stations and airports charge per piece, while porters at hotels generally charge around NOK5 – 10 depending on the number of pieces of luggage.

Attractions

Bergen Numerous museums, galleries, aquarium, medieval age buildings, cable car to the top of Bergens hills and boat trips to fjords.

Oslo Aged medieval buildings, churches, modern architecture, museums like Edvard Munch Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum, art galleries, Vigeland Park, and Akershus Fortress

Fjordland Geirangerfjorden known for tiny S – shaped fjord,
Sognefjord the longest and the deepest fjord, beautiful villages such as Balestrand and Flam, old stave churches, Nryfjord Narrowest branch of the Sognefjord and Palteau of Jostedalsbreen glacier

Troms Arctic cathedral, Polaria and Troms Museum

Travel

By Air Uncounted airlines operate to Norway like Braathens SAFE ( BU ) and SAS Scandinavian Airlines ( SK ), a Scandinavian airline, Air France, British Airways, Finnair, Icelandair, KLM, Lufthansa, Northwest Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair and Swiss Airlines. Oslo International Airport ( OSL ) ( Gardermoen ) ( website: www. osl. no ) is the biggest airport of Norway which is located 30 mile north of Oslo.

Sea – The important passenger ports are Bergen, Kristiansand, Larvik, Oslo also Stavanger. The main sea routes from the UK, operated by Fjord Line and DFDS Seaways respectively, are from Newcastle to Bergen and to Kristiansand.

By Rail The country is part of the extensive cue of trains connecting the European cities. If you are coming from UK, the connections are from London via Dover / Ostend ( via Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands and Sweden ) or Harwich / Hook of Holland, or from Newcastle to Bergen via Stavanger. It is also connected to Sweden throught two routes, with daytime again overnight trains from Copenhagen, Malm and Stockholm.

Duty Free Items
1. 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco products and 200 leaves of cigarette paper for EU countries.
2. 400 cigarettes or 500g of tobacco lines and 200 leaves of cigarette paper for Non – EU countries.
3. 1liter of spirits and 1liter of wine or 2liter of flaming again 2liter of beer for EU countries.
4. 1liter of spirits also 1liter of wine or 2liter of wine and 2liter of beer for Non – EU countries.
5. 50g perfume or 500 ml eau de toilette
6. Gifts, Food, fruits, medications and flowers for inbred bag of value up to 3, 500 kr

Prohibited Items

Un – canned facts, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

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