Porto Travel Information

Porto Travel Information

Historically interesting Portuguese city built on hills at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto is a scenic city with popular cultural and historical attractions. Apart from the historically interesting city center and the spectacular beaches of the coastline around Porto, this vivid seaside city offers you also wine tasting, shopping, golf, lively nightlife and much more.

Boat in front of Porto city

Porto, city of wine, entertainment and scenic coastal landscapes

Seaside city with hillsides covered with red-roofed white houses, Porto is a pleasant sight. It is a culturally important city with 2,000 years of history, thanks to which the old part of the city center of Porto has plenty of fascinating historical sights to offer, from churches and cathedrals to fountains and monuments.

Famous for wines. Porto is also a globally appreciated wine city, with UNESCO World Heritage -nominated Douro River wine producing area found in close surroundings of the city. So, if you would like to try wine tasting in Porto, you are very welcome. The same goes for nightlife in Porto, which is very active, making this seaside city one of the best known party places of Portugal. Shopping in Porto is another activity suitable for travelers.

Red roofs in Porto

Nature and sports. Porto is located along the spectacular Portuguese coastline and has some enjoyable beach resorts located in its close surroundings. Many come here to test the beaches of Espinho, and try their luck in local casinos. Just outside the city, you will find also traditional fishing towns such as Povoa de Varzim that today hosts also touristic facilities. More than that, the area has a rich gastronomic history, with especially local seafood being internationally appreciated. Also of interest to tourists are the golf courses in Porto that are proud representatives of famous Portuguese golf traditions. Another good alternative for sportive people is surfing in Porto, for which purpose you can find suitable facilities in the city area. Other water sports can also be tried on the coast of Porto.

City center of Porto

Practical information for your trip to Porto

Climate in Porto is characterized with hot summers and mild winters. However, local climate is cooled down by the closeness of the Atlantic Ocean, thanks to which summers in Porto enjoy cooling breezes that make the weather in Porto seem quite pleasant. Average monthly high temperatures during the Porto summer are around 20-25°C, and wintertime temperatures are commonly between 10 and 15°C.

The most popular time for travelling to Porto is between May and September.

Oporto Bridge, Porto, Portugal

How to get there. Located in northern part of Portugal, Porto is best reached by air, with flights to Portoavailable from several destinations worldwide. You can also travel to Porto by train or bus from Portugal, Spain, and France.

Moving around. There is an efficient subway system in Porto with five lanes running across the city. You can also find a good amount of local buses, taxis, and services for car rental in Porto. Many visitors like to test also the cableways and cruises that are good not only for transport, but also for sightseeing tours in Porto.

Buildings by the river, Porto

Visitor services. Porto is one of the most popular travel destinations in Portugal. It is also a city of well over 200,000 inhabitants, with a million more living in the greater metropolitan area around the city. Porto has good tourist services available, with hotels in Porto ranging from high class places to cheap accommodation. Restaurants in Porto are considered classy, and especially some local seafood places have gained plenty of reputation. English is not very commonly spoken here, though. While pick-pocketing and theft are not unknown in Porto, it is generally a safe destination where you can enjoy your holiday without major safety problems.

Afghanistan Travel Information

Afghanistan Travel Information

Afghanistan is a beautiful mountainous country that has unfortunately had to suffer almost 30 years of warfare and authoritarian regimes. Afghanistan is definitely not an easy or a safe country to travel to. Nevertheless, if you are still going there and take the necessary precautions, you may find impressive historic sites, hospitable people, great trekking possibilities, interesting cultures, and inexpensive guesthouses and souvenirs in this troubled Asian nation.

Troubled country located in southern Asia Northwest from Pakistan and East from Iran, Afghanistan is a landlocked, dry country with high mountains and plains. Afghanistan is a culturally diverse nation with many ethnic groups, all with their own culture and traditions. It has been an important area of trade and migration routes since the ancient times and is home to plenty of impressive historic attractions. Afghans are mountain people who are proud of their religion, country and independence.

Tourism attractions in Afghanistan: historic sites, ruined cities, lakes and mountains

Afghanistan is a large country with many places to explore. The capital city Kabul has historic buildings, lively parks and even a golf course. The famous stone Buddhas in Bamiyan were once considered one of the wonders of the world but were destroyed in purpose by the Taliban administration in 2001. However, the Bamiyan valley and its World Heritage Site still remain beautiful and impressive. The five lakes of Band-e-Amir near Bamiyan are beautiful mountain lakes with turquoise waters with high mineral content.

The Blue Mosque in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan

Historical attractions. The old Minaret of Jam, dating from the 12th Century, is a World Heritage Site situated in a remote valley that was revealed to the world just 60 years ago. The city of Herat has an impressive medieval fortress and a beautiful minaret, and the ancient ruined city of Balkh in Northern Afghanistan has witnessed several civilizations from Persians and Alexander the Great to Mongols, Uzbeks, and Arabs. In the North, Panjshir Valley is a beautiful mountainous home of Tajik people that offers great trekking possibilities, and the Uzbek city of Mazar-e Sharif has a famous Blue Mosque.

Afghanistan travel information and practical tips

The climate in Aghanistan is continental with cold winters and hot summers. The weather in Afghanistan is at its best in spring and autumn. In summertime the temperatures are very hot everywhere except in the mountains. In wintertime snow is common in most parts of the country. Travel in the mountains is particularly tricky at this time. There is a minor rainy season in Afghanistan during the early spring, but mostly the weather is very dusty and dry.

Former site of a Buddha statue in Bamiyan, Afghanistan

How to get there. The international airport in Kabul receives flights from many Asian and Middle East countries, and there are also frequent domestic flights between Kabul and other large cities in Afghanistan, such as Herat, Mazar-e Sharif and Kandahar. Public transport inside Afghanistan is handled mainly by minibuses and there are also many taxis and shared taxis that travel between towns. Rental cars with local drivers are also available in Kabul. Afghanistan has a few railroads, and new railways are being planned. Non-Muslim foreigners are officially forbidden to travel by land without an armed escort.

Visitor services. There are hotels and basic guesthouses available in major towns and around historic sites.

Many educated Afghans can speak English. The civil wars and Taliban rule left Afghanistan in ruins, but some infrastructure is now being rebuilt with new highways between the major cities and destroyed historic monuments being repaired. The countryside is unfortunately still dotted with landmines, and any trekking in Afghanistan should be done only with a reliable local guide.

Mountain landscape in Shadud, Afghanistan

Safety issues. Afghanistan is currently not a safe country to travel to. Large areas of the country, especially in the South and the East, are very insecure with ongoing military operations and high risk of political violence and kidnappings. There is a threat of terrorist attacks and kidnappings in every part of the country, including Kabul, targeting especially at foreigners. Afghanistan is also dotted with land mines and unexploded ammunition left in the terrain. Traveling alone or at night or participating in political gatherings is very risky. Hiring an armed escort or traveling with an experienced guide are essential for your safety if you should visit Afghanistan.

Lake Band-e-Amir in Afghanistan

Short history of Afghanistan

Afghanistan has a long history since the ancient times, during which it has witnessed various civilizations and conquerors. The modern state of Afghanistan was founded by Ahmad Shah Durrani who unified Pashtun tribes in 1747. The country fought three wars against Great Britain and acted in the late 19th century as a semi-independent buffer state between the Russian and British Empires. Afghanistan was as recognized as a fully independent kingdom in 1919. A brief period of democracy in the country ended in 1973, and in 1978 Afghanistan became a communist state. The Soviet Union invaded the country in 1979 to support the communist regime, which led to a long period of warfare against the anti-communist rebels that were supported internationally.

Ruins of a Soviet tank in Herat, Afghanistan

Recent turmoil. The Soviet Union withdrew its forces from Afghanistan in 1989, leaving a power vacuum that was followed by a series of civil wars during the 1990s. The Islamist Taliban movement took the power in 1996 but was toppled in 2001 by other local movements with the help of the United States and its allies, fed up with Taliban government sheltering international terrorists. Rebuilding the country was started soon after, a new constitution was adopted and presidential election was held in 2004, followed by the National Assembly elections in 2005. UN and NATO troops are still in Afghanistan, assisting the new government in maintaining the law and searching for terrorists.

Portugal Travel Information

Portugal Travel Information

Attractive sandy beaches, beautiful nature, and interesting culture connected with the friendly Mediterraneanclimate are the main reasons to visit Portugal. For a small country, Portugal offers diverse attractions from the sunny beaches to the lively cities, remote Atlantic islands, and forested mountain areas, which makes the country all the more interesting. Portugal is also a golfer’s paradise with a multitude of green fields available for the lovers of this outdoor sport.

Beach in portugal

Beaches, sea cliffs and outdoor sport facilities: Attractions of Portugal

The most popular travel destination in Portugal is its lively capital city, Lisbon. This large city is a mixture of fascinating cultural and architectural attractions with vivid nightlife. Built on seven hills located on the Atlantic coast, Lisbon is a scenic city offering not only memorable experiences, but also lots of beautiful landscapes to admire. The Portuguese capital is located close to some of the best golf courses of Portugal. The nearby Estoril and Cascais are popular beach resorts.

Lisbon in Portugal from above

Golf and nature destinations. Algarve in the south of the country invites many with its sandy beaches and sunny climate, which are made even more interesting by the presence of many golf courses and beautiful landscapes with sea cliffs and green countryside. Another popular travel destination, Madeira is an Atlantic island with dramatic green landscapes suitable for long walks along the levadas of the mountainsides, as well as for golfing. Azores are a scenic group of Portuguese islands in the Atlantic Ocean offering the joys of hiking, whale watching, and sailing.

Architectural wonders in Mafra, Portugal

City destinations. Porto is a popular city in the North of the country with the best nightlife in Portugal, whileBraga on its behalf offers interesting historical sights including the popular baroque stairway, Bom Jesus de Monte. Coimbra is famous for its medieval architecture and for one of the oldest universities of Europe.

Practical information for your trip to Portugal

Located in Southern Europe by the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is easily reached by air from most corners of the world. The main airport of the country is located in Lisbon, which is located in the western part of the country. You can also travel to Portugal by train or bus from the neighboring Spain, or take a cruise there. Traveling around Portugal is easy thanks to efficient bus and train services and good roads of this South European country that hosts diverse landscapes from high mountains to coastal plains and river valleys.

The climate in Portugal is Mediterranean with mild winters and warm, sunny summers. Wintertime average high temperatures in the country are around 15°C, thanks to which Portugal is a year-round destination. However, if you are looking for a place in the sun, the best time to travel to Portugal is in the summertime, when average monthly high temperatures in Portugal easily reach 25-30°C.

Belem near Lisbon

Visitor services. Portugal is a quite popular tourism destination with some 13 million overseas visitors a year and modern tourist services available all around the country. The main touristic areas of Portugal offer all-year-round open hotels and plenty of inviting restaurants to serve hungry visitors. Nightlife in Portugal is lively, with diverse facilities from traditional fado performance to karaoke bars pleasing many tastes. The most popular shopping places of Portugal are found in the capital Lisbon, but also all other main tourist areas of Portugal host shops offering you commercial temptations. English is spoken mainly in touristic areas of Portugal. Portugal is a safe travel destination that is popular also among families traveling with children.

Evora- historical city in Portugal

Short history of Portugal

Portugal’s history as an independent country goes back to early Middle Ages, when the country gained a status of a European maritime and colonial power, hosting several overseas colonies. During later years, Portugal lost much of this wealth and experienced battle losses and natural disasters, the latter of which destroyed also much of its capital city Lisbon in 1755. These difficulties made nearly two millions of Portuguese citizens leave the country in the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries for a better life in the new continent, namely in Brazil or in the United States. After the military dictatorship that ended in the 1970s, Portugal has gained back much of its wealth and became a founding member of the NATO and more recently a member of European Union.