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 […]
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 […]
Spain is one of Europe’s most resplendent travel spots, and it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations for good reason. The country is graced with idyllic weather, endless coastlines, remarkable cities and a vibrant culture. Spain offers something for everyone. There are discotheques for younger visitors, attractions for history fanatics and sites that appeal to the whole family. Visitors are always treated to a taste of Spanish culture, including the country’s traditional music, late dinners, tapas plates and festivals. From Basque Country to Barcelona, here are a few of the most popular tour itineraries that cover every portion of this country and parts of Portugal and France. Just pick your itinerary, and book a flight to Spain to plan an unforgettable holiday. The Great Cities of Spain Experience the history, architecture and gastronomic culture of Spain on a tour that jumps from Barcelona to Seville and Madrid. Fly into the coastal city of Barcelona for an introduction to Spain before taking the high-speed train to the southern city of Seville and visiting the capital city of Madrid. Each city is renowned for its cultural attractions and rich history. Spain has more than 1,400 museums, and many of the country’s […]
If you’re the type of person that prefers “action-packed” rather than “laze on the beach”, we recommend you certainly need to visit Abruzzo and experience an exhilarating skiing holiday in the picturesque Appenine mountainous region, where beautiful stretches of white beaches are only a short distance away if you want to enjoy the best of both worlds. When you think of ski destinations, Abruzzo is a place that probably doesn’t come to mind. In fact, with Abruzzo having a Mediterranean climate on the Adriatic coastline, it’s surprising to hear that the region can also offer an exceptional winter climate. With very few people knowing about the delights on offer, Abruzzo is still relatively undiscovered by tourists and so has been able to maintain its traditional way of life, meaning you will be able to experience skiing in Italy at its very best, at a very reasonable price compared to a similar holiday in the Alps. The Abruzzo ski season runs from December until April, so whether you prefer an end of year winter getaway or a stress relieving spring break, renting a luxury Villa Ducale villa and skiing in the picturesque Abruzzo is the ideal way to spend your holiday. […]
Has your spouse or partner been complaining of late that the two of you don’t spend enough time together? Well, the truth is that no matter where you live, the rush of urban lifestyle has made it difficult to express your true love for your partner. The perfect antidote to this problem is to take some time out and head for a great romantic getaway to let your partner know how much you care for him or her. The best apart about planning a romantic getaway trip is that there are so many elegant options to choose from without having to bust your budget. Here are three amazing destinations where you can spend some quiet and romantic moments with your partner and nurture an unbreakable relationship: Jamaica The island of Jamaica has plenty of romantic spots to add more zing and zest into the relationship between you and your spouse. While natural spots such as YS Falls and Reach Falls offer couples the perfect opportunity to get close to nature to enjoy intimate moments of love, the island also has many luxurious resorts and hotels to help you pamper your special one. Goldeneye is another all-time favorite spot for romantic […]