The Algarve enjoys year-round gorgeous weather, but you might want to think twice before donning your skimpiest bikini to wander round town. It can be easy to forget that Europe is so diverse in terms of its culture and customs, and many awkward faux pas can be avoided if you learn a little bit about the place you’re visiting before you go. We’ve compiled some useful information about Portuguese customs and etiquette to make sure you fit in and avoid offending anyone. Greeting People In terms of greeting people in Portugal, it is usual to shake hands with anyone you are not familiar with, including children, whereas friends and family tend to engage in an embrace and a back pat for men and a kiss on each cheek for women. Don’t assume that you know someone well enough for the embracing or kissing greeting too soon, as this may cause an awkward situation. While many shopkeepers and business owners in the Algarve speak English, not all will, so it is polite to ask whether or not they do by asking ‘Você fala Inglês?’ (‘Do you speak English?’) before launching into a conversation. Even if you can’t speak fluent Portuguese, the […]
Spain’s Costa del Sol is rich in tradition and steeped in history and heritage, and it has many customs and rules of etiquette unique to the country. To avoid causing offence and to help you fit in on your holiday to the Costa del Sol, we’ve put together a collection of the key things to remember before you jet off. Family and Religion The first major point to note is that Spain is all about family. Be careful not to criticize any aspect of a Spaniard’s family on your trip, as this will be considered deeply offensive. Also, remember that your own family is considered an extension of yourself, so be sure to inform them of these etiquette tips so that your entire group is prepared to interact with the Spanish locals. The majority of people in Spain are Christian, and many people, especially adults, take their religion extremely seriously. If you’re going to be visiting some of the Costa del Sol’s many churches and cathedrals, be mindful of what you wear. At the very least, both men and women should keep knees and shoulders covered, and nothing too revealing should be worn inside a church. Make sure children know […]
Everyone has a budget, whether it is dealing with millions of dollars a week or you are down to your last five dollars for the next twenty days, you are on a budget. But when you are traveling or taking Rome tours and you only have a couple of dollars to spend each day, this can make you feel like you just have nothing you can do! After all, everything costs money right? Well… wrong. You can get away with having a brilliant day in Rome and only spend some money on food, and not even a lot of money! The key is to know where to go. Get to Know the Community This is especially crucial if you are staying for longer than a month in Rome. Introducing yourself and getting to know the people around the area not only exposes you to the environment and the world around you but if you hit it off well with some people you can bet that you will end up spending some time with them, which could entail things like free meals, drinks, or even being shown around to all the really juicy spots to see how other people that live in the […]
When you are traveling alone, it can be a scary but liberating experience all at the same time. After all, you should never hold yourself back from traveling because a partner, spouse or friends do not want to go along. If you stand tall and appear confident when you go, you will not have any problems. Lots of people travel alone, and you can too. All you need to do is make a decision that you want to travel alone, book your plans and go for it! Walk With Confidence When you are traveling alone, hold your head high! If you walk around with your head down, people will portray you as a non-confident person. Walk down the street and own your power by holding your head up high and facing the people you see. Square up your shoulders, stand up straight and move ahead acting like an experienced traveler. Make Eye Contact Look people directly in the eye when you see them. Think about where you are first, because in some cultures, it is rude to look people in the eyes. In most cases, you do not want to look away from people. You have a more confident appearance […]
Leaving home, on your own, on a plane, to a foreign country – travelling solo makes for a pretty daunting prospect when deconstructed. However, it’s not without its benefits and there are a number of reasons why so many people prefer to go their own way when it comes to travelling. If you’re thinking of travelling by yourself, you’ll be aware of what comes with the package. Sure, you’ll have to book your own room rather than cutting costs by sharing. Not only this, it’s all on you to find somewhere to eat, sleep and drink on every occasion. It can be hard work at times, but it’s through these exact experiences that you learn more about yourself and become more independent as a result. Doesn’t everyone aspire to be like this? Decisive and self-dependent, should the time arise? Exactly, and that’s one of the many reasons why people travel alone. If you wouldn’t mind knowing what else might be in it for you, read on.. You see what you want, when you want No compromises here – it’s all tailor-made – this can be from the boring decisions like choosing the right single trip travel insurance, to what to pack and take with you. Travelling alone allows you to call all the shots. You can spend […]
If tourists from around the world can relate to one greatest factor about Cyprus, it is partying. Cypriots love to party and invite the whole world to their backyard to join them. This is pretty much evident by the number of festivals held here, which run all year long one after the other. If you want to catch them all, you really need to drop your anchor by a Cypriot port and simply forget about lifting it. Spring Festivals The Carnival The Limassol Carnival is one of the most celebrated festivals of the culture. The 11 day long festival is held in late February and early March. Deep rooted in ancient pagan traditions, marked by the Grand Carnival Parade, which honors the Carnival King the first day, and masquerade as a part of the celebrations, probably reflective of the Venetian rule of the city. Lent Monday Green Monday or the Kathara Deftara immediately follows the Carnival and involves large and lavish family feasts. The Lent celebrations last for 50 days, till the midnight before the Easter Day. The festival is marked by countryside picnics and kite flying competitions. Musical Sundays Musical Sundays are held on Sundays from January all the […]
Peru is not the largest country in the world but its entire length is full of natural and manmade wonders that have no match around the world. But nothing is more remarkable than its archeological wonders. Peru had been the heart of the great Inca Empire that lasted from the early 13th century to the second quarter of the 16th century, when the Spanish conquered it. Peru is full of remains of the Inca empire which speak of its glory even today. But Peru is home to more than one civilization and if you are planning to visit the country for exploring its amazing archaeological attractions and culture, then this is the route you need to take. Lima Since Lima is the starting point of the tour of most of the people, you can cheer up since you will find plenty of attractions of interest here. Lima features a number of museums including Museo Nacional de Arquelogía, Antropología e Historia del Peru and is noted for having the Tello Obelisk and Raimondi Stella from Chavín de Huantar. Others include the Museum of Natural History, Museum of Gold, Larco Museum and Museum of the Nation. Caral Caral, also known as Caral-Supe, […]