Search Results

1755: on All Saints' Day, a violent earthquake, of 9 on the Richter scale (one of the strongest in human history), shook Lisbon, which was then hit by a tsunami caused by the tremors (around 40,000 victims out of Lisbon's 150,000 inhabitants). The Marquis of Pombal, Sebastião José de Carvalho, who was Prime Minister at the time, had the city centre rebuilt and became the promoter of an urban revolution inspired by the French Lumières with the aim of building a model city. 25 April 1974: Carnation Revolution (Revolução dos Cravos) which brought down the dictatorial regime (1933-1974) of General Salazar. The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic came into force on 25 April 1976 (2 years to the day after the Carnation Revolution). It establishes a semi-presidential regime. 🇪🇺 1986: year of Portugal's accession to the European Union, at the same time as Spain. To date, Portugal has 21 Members of the European Parliament. 1998: Universal Exhibition in Lisbon in the Parque das Nações district on the theme of "the oceans, a heritage for the future", which has preserved to this day the gardens, the observation tower, the funicular, the virtual reality pavilion and the Oceanarium (one of the largest in Europe) 🐡 🦈 12,3 km: length of the Vasco de Gama Bridge, inaugurated on the occasion of Expo 98. This bridge, the 2nd largest in Europe after the Crimean Bridge, commemorates the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the navigator Vasco da Gama in India in 1498. 🌉 Lisbon is also famous for its 25th April Bridge. The famous 2,277 metre long red suspension structure was opened to traffic on 6 August 1966 as the Salazar Bridge. It became the 25 April Bridge following the Carnation Revolution. It was built by the same company as the Golden Gate in San Francisco. The lower level of the bridge for train traffic was added in 1999. 2007: legalization of abortion in Portugal after a referendum in which 59.3% of voters said "yes", against 40.7% "no". 2010: Portugal becomes the 6th country in Europe and the 8th country in the world to legally recognize same-sex marriage at national level. 2011: badly affected by the financial crisis, Portugal is forced to ask the International Monetary Fund for help. January-June 2021: Portugal assumes the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the 4th time since joining the EU. 🗓 Among the most popular bank holidays: 25 April: commemoration of the Carnation Revolution (Revolução dos Cravos) of 1974. 10 June: National Day celebrating the Day of Portugal, Camões (died 1580) and the Portuguese communities. 13 June: Saint Anthony's Day celebrations in Lisbon. To learn more about the "Santos Populares" celebrations, read my dedicated post 🎉 5 October: bank holiday celebrating the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910. 🇵🇹 The flag of Portugal was created in 1910. The green and red colours symbolise hope and courage in battle. The sphere symbolises the land and the many conquests and explorations of this people of great navigators. The coat of arms with 5 blue shields represents the defeated Moorish kings. The white dots inside symbolise the 5 wounds of Christ. The red border with 7 yellow castles was added to the coat of arms after the annexation of the Algarve (southern Portugal) and the marriage of King Alfonso III to Beatrice of Castile in 1252. 1 December: bank holiday commemorating the Restoration of Independence in 1640. 🌍 A bit of geography: 92.226 km²: size of the country. Portugal is the 18th largest country in Europe and the 111th largest in the world. More than half of the inhabitants (67%) live in cities. 900 hectares: the extent of the largest forest park in Portugal. 🌳Read my post Discovering Monsanto Forest Park. 1,993 metres: altitude of the Serra da Estrela🏔, a mountain range where the highest point of mainland Portugal (Torre) is located. 10 343 066: number of inhabitants (2021 census) in Portugal. The Lisbon metropolitan area alone has 2.2 million inhabitants. If you want to know more about the main foreign communities living in Portugal in 2022, read my post on the subject. 🤰🏻 1,4: fertility rate in Portugal. Well below the 2.1 required for generation replacement according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report. 23% of the Portuguese are over 65 years old, 38% are between 0 and 24 years old, 64% are between 15 and 24 years old. 🤷🏽‍♀️ 85 years: average life expectancy for women in Portugal. 🙆🏻‍♂️ 80 years: average life expectancy for men in Portugal. Average life expectancy worldwide reached 72.8 years in 2019 (an increase of almost 9 years since 1990). Source: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). 🗣260 million people speak Portuguese on the 5 continents. The Portuguese language is recognized by UNESCO as one of the main languages of communication, the most spoken in the southern hemisphere and the 5th most used in a digital context. 🗳 About politics: 2015: António Costa becomes Prime Minister (Socialist). The Prime Minister officially resides at the Palacete de São Bento in Lisbon. The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (conservative), has been in office since 2016. Elected for a 5-year term, renewable once, the President of Portugal officially resides at the Palacio de Belém in Lisbon. 2026: next legislative elections in Portugal. 💶 Day-to-day data: 760 euros gross/month: the Portuguese minimum wage for 2023 (compared to 705 euros in 2022). The Portuguese government's objective is to reach 900 euros gross/month by 2026. 66 years and 4 months: legal retirement age (in 2023) in Portugal. 🏡🏠 According to the HousingAnywhere International Rental Index data published by the Portuguese newspaper "El Economista", Lisbon is the 3rd most expensive city in Europe to rent a house. In the last quarter of 2022, the average rental price of a flat in the Portuguese capital was 1,910 euros. Amsterdam (2,300 euros) and Reykjavik (2,000 euros) are the only cities more expensive than Lisbon, followed by Milan (1,853 euros) and Munich (1,800 euros). 🚎 1.50 €:price of the metro/bus/tram ticket in Lisbon. 5 €: price of the return ticket for the train journey between Lisbon Cais do Sodré and Cascais (a very pleasant route along the Tagus and the Ocean). 🥇 Nº1: Portugal is the largest producer of bicycles in Europe for the year 2022. The total value of exports 🚲 increased by 37% from €594 million in 2021 to €800 million in 2022. ☎️ +351: telephone code of Portugal. 🕰 GMT+1: time zone 🇵🇹.

One of my favourite places in Lisbon, still quite preserved from tourists, the Jardim do Torel. A real little haven of peace with a magnificent view of the Margem Sul, the Tagus, all the way to Marques de Pombal. Parakeets in the background, nice flower beds. Ideal for lounging, reading and enjoying the view. To eat in the immediate vicinity: Xuventude de Galicia (R. Júlio de Andrade 3) close to the park entrance.

For my last trip from Lisbon to Albufeira, I travelled with a Flixbus coach. Economy fare: journey of about 2h45 for less than 10€, with 1 hand luggage and 1 luggage of 20kgs in hold included. Advantages of the Flixbus solution compared to the train journey: more time options during the day and arrival in the centre of Albufeira and not at the more outlying Ferreiras station. Departure from Lisbon-Oriente bus station, direct route with first stop in Albufeira. Final stop: Faro. For more information: https://fr.flixbus.be/voyages-car/lisbonne-albufeira

There is no lack of magnificent views in Lisbon: from the Miradouros da Senhora do Monte and Monte Agudo, the Arch of Triumph on the rua Augusta or from the top of the imposing Cristo Rei on the south side of the Tagus. One of my favourites remains the panoramic roof and the magnificent dome of the Basílica da Estrela. I highly recommend accessing the terrace via the 114 steps of the narrow spiral stone staircase for €4. In the right arm of the transept, the basilica houses one of the largest cots in the world with more than 500 statues. It was created in 1781 by Joaquim Machado Castro. Many elements of the decoration are made of Alentejo cork. 🌿 A stone's throw away, the Jardim da Estrela ("Garden of the Star") dating from 1842 - also known as Jardim Guerra Junqueiro - calls for relaxation. It is very pleasant to walk along its shady paths, to take a picnic break and to come across the famous statue of the Lion and Neptune. For the little story, a real lion brought back from Mozambique was the star of this park from 1869. It is claimed that 10,000 curious people came to admire the mammal, named "Panhel", on the sole afternoon of 17 May 1869! Another curiosity in the same area,🪦 the English Cemetery. One of the most beautiful in Lisbon, also nicknamed "cypress cemetery" in reference to the obligation made by the Inquisition court to erect a wall of cypress trees around its enclosure to prevent Catholics from seeing the graves of Protestants. This place was then called the "ground of heretics". Many of the mausoleums date from the second half of the 18th century. Enjoy exploring these sites!

If you are looking for an enchanting break in the heart of the Algarve, close to the ocean, the fabulous sandy beaches of Falésia, the most beautiful golf courses and the lively atmosphere of the famous Vilamoura Marina, don't miss out on the discovery of the splendid 5-star Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Hotel. 🍸🧁🧖🏽‍♀️ Whether sipping a cocktail on the terrace of the beautiful The Argo bar overlooking the Marina, enjoying the delicate pastries of the Glee Boutique Café (with a special mention for the macaroons, millefeuilles and truffles), relaxing at the Spa or planning an overnight stay, you will be seduced by the location, the decoration and the attention to detail. The extensive renovations completed in 2023 will allow you to enjoy bright, warm and well-kept areas. The 383 rooms (including 21 suites) with a marine atmosphere and a large balcony offer a breathtaking view (Marina or Ocean). 🌺The meticulously maintained green spaces frame the superb outdoor pool adjacent to the Azur bar (the hotel also has an indoor pool and a second outdoor pool) 🏊🏽‍♂️ 🧑🏼‍🍳🍴The refinement is also reflected in the variety, quality and presentation of the food offered. The hotel offers a wide gastronomic spectrum in its various restaurants: 🥩 The Pepper's steakhouse for meat lovers, 🍝 The Oregano to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine, 🦐 The Purobeach for a meal by the ocean, a stone's throw from the beach paillotes, 🥐 The Chilli restaurant to start the day with a fabulous breakfast buffet. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Other highlights of the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Hotel: 🌊 Direct access to the beach from the hotel with the possibility of reserving sunbeds and "chapéus de sol" (umbrellas in Portuguese) to enjoy a good swim in the ocean. ⚓️ Cruise ship Condor of Vilamoura anchored 100 metres from the hotel. I highly recommend this sea trip. For more information, see my post "Discover the Algarve coastline on board the magnificient condor of Vilamoura". 🛍 The privileged location of the hotel allows you to walk around the marina, visit the shops and enjoy an ice cream while admiring the boats in port. 💼 The Algarve Congress Centre adjacent to the hotel allows the organisation of exclusive events and international conferences. 🐩 If you plan to stay at the Tivoli with your pet, they are very welcome in this pet-friendly hotel. ⛳️ Golf enthusiasts will be delighted with a dozen courses within 20km of the hotel. ℹ️ For more information: Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort Apartado 65 Marina Vilamoura, 8125-401 Vilamoura, Portugal. e-mail : marinavilamoura@tivoli-hotels.com website : https://www.tivolihotels.com/fr/tivoli-marina-vilamoura

Monsanto Park is the largest forest park in Portugal. It covers 900 hectares and extends over 7 freguesias (parishes) of Lisbon (Benfica, São Domingos de Benfica, Campolide, Campo de Ourique, Belém, Ajuda and Alcântara). A little bit of History... In 1934, Decree-Law no. 24625, issued by Engineer Duarte Pacheco, Salazar's Minister of Public Works, proposed the creation of Monsanto Park and set a deadline of 6 months for the preparation of the project. In 1938, the architect Francisco Keil do Amaral (author of the plans for the Lisbon metro stations in 1959) was commissioned to design the park. The afforestation project was then entrusted to the engineer Silv. Joaquim Rodrigo, under the direction of Jorge Gomes de Amorim, head of the parks & gardens department of the Lisbon City Hall. 🚶🏻‍♂️My suggestion for a walk to discover part of Lisbon's "green lung": the "Volta do Planalto" walk 🍃🍁 - Easy 7 km hike through the Mosanto Park. - Indicative duration: 1h30. - Starting and finishing point: car park 🚘 located to the north of Bairro da Serafina, near the new Infinity Tower in Campolide (80-metre high apartment building with 27 floors, 195 flats and construction to be completed in 2023). - The itinerary is marked with dark blue paint. Starting point of the walk from the upper left corner of the car park. - The walk alternates between shaded and more open areas, always amidst lush vegetation and with the delicate scent of the magnificent eucalyptus trees. 👀 Points of interest on the trail: - Right at the beginning of the route, you will come across the remains of part of the Aqueduct das Águas Livres. This grandiose 18th century structure (built between 1731 and 1799 and classified as a National Monument in 1910) was a vast water collection and transport system for Lisbon. - Miradouro Panorâmico de Mosanto: from this former abandoned restaurant, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Lisbon. Vasco da Gama Bridge, Estrela Basilica, Cristo Rei, 25th April Bridge, Tagus... in sight. This 5-floor circular reinforced concrete structure, with a 270º panoramic view, dates from 1967 (end of construction). Originally designed by the architect Keil do Amaral in the 1930s, the building was commissioned by General França Borges, mayor of Lisbon, in 1961. He chose the architect Chaves Costa to design the building. 💡My recommendations: - Don't forget to take a picture of the park map and the route when leaving the car park. The trail is generally well marked but a few intersections can cause doubt! - Slightly on the edge of the "Volta do Planalto" itinerary, shortly before the last few kilometres, I advise you to discover the charming "Parque do Alto da Serafina". A place for children's birthday parties in the summer, the garden has several playgrounds, large picnic tables and a small restaurant. At the top of the park, there is another view of Lisbon from the Miradouro Mercado de Belém. Mosanto Park is also an ideal place for running, cycling and picnics. There are several signposted paths for 🚴🏽‍♀️ and🚶🏻‍♂.

Located just a few steps away from the pleasant Jardim da Parada and Campo de Ourique Market, 🍴Amélia Lisboa offers a sweet and savoury menu ideal for brunch or for a break at any time of the day. Service is provided on site weekdays from 8:30am to 10pm and weekends from 8:30am to 10:30pm. Takeaway is also available. 🐕 It is worth noting that animals are welcome! In keeping with the restaurant's logo, which features, Amélia, a mischievous royal poodle. 🦴 At Amélia's: quality and freshness of the products, careful and colourful presentation, cosy and exotic setting, large covered terrace offering plenty of light. A taste of the dishes proposed on the spot: tacos, burgers, tapiocas, comfort bowls, pancakes, bagels, mixed salads, eggs prepared in all their forms, brownie, pavlova and many other sweets... In this month of November, we enjoyed: the braised tuna salad, black rice, spinach, mango, tomatoes and pumpkin seeds, the bowl of chicken, avocado, poached egg, sweet potatoes served on a bed of black rice with miso sauce. Two tasty and copious dishes. A perfect pre- or post-walk break in the beautiful Jardim da Estrela, 500 metres away (see my post "Let's take a walk in Lisbon: Estrela Basilica, Jardim Guerra Junqueiro and English Cemetery"). 📍The address: Amélia, R. Ferreira Borges 101, Lisboa @The website: https://www.ilovenicolau.com/en/our-locations/amelia/ 💡Good to know: Opened in 2018, Amélia is part of a group of 6 restaurants following the same thread of home-made food in a comfortable setting. So you can also discover: Nicolau Lisboa (1st restaurant opened 6 years ago) rua de S. Nicolau 17, Baixa. Basílio Lisboa, rua dos Bacalhoeiros, III. Nicolau Porto, opened in 2019, Largo Alberto Pimentel 4. Olivia Lisboa, Avenida Marquês de Tomar 69A, Avenidas Novas neighbourhood. Nicolau Cascais, opened since April 2023, R. Freitas Reis 26 A, 2750-357 Cascais. Enjoy the food in the company of the various members of Nicolau Lisboa's family (👈🏽 see his effigy).

😭📣⚠️ DEFINITIVE CLOSING OF THE SHOP SINCE WINTER 2023!!! 🚨 For ice cream lovers! 😊 While passing in Lisbon, I highly recommend the artisanal ice cream shop "A Fábrica do Gelado",📍Rua do Forno do Tijolo 26B (close to the Anjos Metro). In this small neighbourhood shop, the ice cream is produced from an artisanal and family recipe. The philosophy of the place is: - to work with the freshest ingredients, the best fruit, the best milk and the best cream, - to use local and seasonal products in order to boost local trade and reduce the ecological footprint. Among the fine flavours that will be proposed by the very welcoming Elisabeth: 🇵🇹 - 🇬🇧 Limão = lemon Lima-hortelã = lemon-lime mint Banana de Madeira = Madeira banana Manga = mango Dióspiro = persimmon Caramelo salgado = salted caramel Avelã = hazelnut Castanha = chestnut Nesperas = medlar Goiaba = guava ... and much more to discover throughout the seasons! 🍋 🍓 🥭 🍌🍫 🍒 🍈 🍍 🍐 To find out the opening days and hours, visit their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fabricadogelado

Open every day except on Sundays, this restaurant located at the heart of Faro city centre is a good place to enjoy traditional Portuguese dishes for lunch or dinner. The menu includes suggestions such as: - bacalhau à bras = dried and salted pieces of cod, cooked with potato, onions, eggs and parsley. - bifinhos de frango = chicken strips. - bacalhau à lagareiro = cod cooked in olive oil, with garlic, accompanied by potatoes. - atum algarvia = tuna with lots of onions. - polvo à lagareiro = octopus cooked in olive oil, with garlic, accompanied by potatoes. - lulinhas fritas = fried squid. - bife na pedra = steak cooked on stone. - dourada, robalo, salmão, atum = fresh fish of your choice: sea bream, bass, salmon, tuna. 💶 Prices range from 12 to 19€ - April 2023 prices - for the above dishes. The restaurant's assets: - pleasant terrace in front of the restaurant, - great selection of regional wines, - nice presentation and generous portions, - central location: Largo do Dr. Silva Nobre 4, 8000-442 Faro. 🇵🇹 The final word: "Pitéu" quesako = Portuguese argot for delicious food!

Built in 1987, the Condor is a very comfortable 34 metre sailing yacht. A replica of an American fishing schooner, the Condor is moored in the Algarve, in the Vilamoura Marina, just next to the Tivoli Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. The day trip (from 10am to 5pm) allows you to discover a beautiful part of the Algarve's coastline and to take a pleasant swim and picnic break on a beach only accessible by a small boat. 📸 In particular, you will have a beautiful view of: the imposing ochre cliffs of Falésia, the charming little beaches of Olhos de Água, São Rafael, Coelha, Castelo, Albandeira, Carvalho and their rock formations, the vast sandy areas of Galé, Salgados and Armação de Pêra, the very "photogenic" arches (⬇️) of Marinha beach, not far from the famous Benagil sea cave. The crew is really attentive and the organisation is very well run. Within a short time, the parasols and the tent to prepare the lunch are installed. On the menu: grilled sardines, pork, tomato salad, fruit and drinks. I have never been disappointed by this sea trip. On this really spacious boat, the atmosphere is quite peaceful and family-like. 🐬 In summer, it is not uncommon to be able to enjoy the "dolphin show" around the 2 mast. I recommend that you bring a pair of binoculars so that you don't miss a single moment of the panorama. For the full day cruise with a barbecue break on the beach, the prices are as follows (in 2023): 60€ per adult; 55€ for over 65s; 30€ for 5-10s; 45€ for 11-15s. The Condor also offers a 3-hour boat trip option. The The prices for this option are as follows (in 2023): 27€ per adult; 25€ for over 65s; 14€ for 5-10 year olds; 20€ for 11-15 year olds. Boa navegação !

The "Agenda for Decent Work" ("Agenda para o Trabalho Digno" in Portuguese) was approved by the Portuguese Parliament on 10 February 2023 (with only Socialist Party (SP) votes), and it is estimated that the new rules will come into force on 1 April 2023. Portugal intends to tighten its legislation in particular on undeclared domestic work. What's new from 1 April 2023? - Individuals will have 6 months to declare their domestic workers to the social security and pay the corresponding contributions. - The criminalisation of undeclared work will apply to both companies and individuals. - Offenders will face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 360 days. - The declaration of the domestic worker to the social security system must be made within 6 months of employment, by e-mail or by post, and implies the payment of the corresponding contributions, even if the work performed is only for a few hours in a week. Summary of the employer's obligations towards the domestic worker to date: - In addition to the agreed remuneration, the following must be taken into account: social security contributions, holiday and Christmas bonuses, and accident insurance. - Whether they work full time or only a few hours a week, all domestic workers are entitled to social protection. - Domestic workers must have an employment contract. The contract must contain the identification of the employer and the employee, the duration of the service, the tasks, the place where the work is carried out, the amount of remuneration and the rules concerning holidays and holidays. The contract must be signed by the employer and the employee, who must keep a copy. The salary can be agreed per hour, day, week or month. - The holiday bonus and the Christmas bonus are equal to the monthly salary. - The employer must also take out accident insurance, which covers accidents suffered by the domestic worker during work or on the way to and from work, among other things. - Another administrative obligation is the filing of Form 10 (Modelo 10), via the Finance Portal (AT Portal das Finanças), before 24 February, declaring the amounts paid to the employee during the previous year, as well as the contributions paid to social security and, if applicable, the deductions made for income tax purposes (IRS). - How is the payment of social security contributions calculated? This depends on the type of earnings declared. It may be monthly, daily or hourly, but the rate payable is always 28.30%, of which 18.9% is the employer's share and 9.4% the employee's share. The contribution must be paid between the 10th and 20th of each month for work done in the previous month. You can pay it at social security offices, through your bank's home banking service or at cash machines (Multibanco).

🎒🏞 If you want to discover the Setúbal peninsula and enjoy the beautiful views from the Serra da Arrábida (located on the north side of the Rio Sado estuary), I recommend you to follow one of the following walking routes : ⚠️ Note that these routes are well signposted. About the Alto do Formosinho hike (PR2): You can easily park in the free car park in front of the Tourist Office in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão (Praça da República 48). Hiking boots are essential as the ascent is quite steep and includes many rocky outcrops. Once you reach the top of the Serra da Arrábida, at an altitude of 501 metres, you will enjoy an exceptional view of its northern slopes (orchards, pine trees, olive trees) and southern slopes (Atlantic Ocean and Troia peninsula). The descent towards the Convento da Arrábida is also quite sporty with passages between large rocks. This itinerary is for experienced hikers only and should be undertaken in good weather, both to enjoy a clear view and to avoid slipping on slippery ground. Recommended time of year: September to June. Recommended route direction : from Vila Nogueira de Azeitão ➡️ Portinho da Arrábida. Cumulative elevation gain: 1129M (544+/585-) 🚖 Warning: remember to plan your return option as VTCs (Uber, Bolt) do not usually come to Portinho da Arrábida. ℹ Useful information for exploring the surroundings: 👀 I recommend visiting the municipality of Azeitão, about 40 minutes drive from the centre of Lisbon. The municipality owes its name to the cultivation of olive trees ("olive" is called "azeitona" in Portuguese) : 🍷 Azeitão is famous for its wine production (you can visit the Quinta da Bacalhôa https://www.bacalhoa.pt/pt/homepage and José Maria da Fonseca https://www.jmf.pt/index.php?id=95) and for its sheep's milk AOC cheeses. 🍰 For gourmands: don't miss the pastry shop with French specialities "Aux fins gourmets", right next to the Tourist Office. The perfect place to savour delicious éclairs, flans or even tuna/olive and goat/nut cheese fougasses. 👀 The charming locality of Portinho da Arrábida is also worth a visit. There are several bars and restaurants right on the beach, as well as an Oceanographic Museum (https://natural.pt/protected-areas/parque-natural-arrabida/infrastructures/museu-oceanografico-do-pn-arrabida?locale=pt) located in the Forte de Santa Maria. 👀 Going up towards the Convento da Arrábida dating from 1542, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the ocean and may come across some of the local wildlife (eagles, foxes, hares...). 🪲🐌 The pink emerald weevil Cneorhinus serranoi and the snail Candidula setubalensis are 2 species exclusively recensed in the Serra da Arrábida. 👀 A member of the World's Most Beautiful Bays Club since 2002, Setúbal has won several national and international awards for bathing areas and facilities, such as Galapinhos Beach, voted Europe's Best Beach in 2017 by Europe's Best Destinations.⛱🥇