Page 58 - May-June 2025 Life In Naples Magazing

Portugal is the New Italy!

by Lisa Spiller, Luxury Travel Advisor more authentic experiences that allow you to Wine: The Douro Valley in Portugal
affiliated with Preferred Travel & Company. connect more with the local culture without is the birthplace of Port wine. Only true
Lisa@PreferredNaples.com the overwhelming crowds. port wine comes from this region. The best
www.preferrednaples.com Affordability: Portugal is generally more experience is to embark on a scenic cruise up
budget-friendly in terms of accommodation, the Douro River and make several stops along
dining and attractions. the way to bike, hike and visit the charming
Accessibility: There are 42 airlines that fly generationally run Quintas, or wine estates.
veryone wants to go to Italy, right?
from the US to Portugal, the most popular Unique Traditions: Portuguese tile art is
But have you heard about Portugal?
route is a direct, nonstop from Newark to a visual feast and can be found all over the
EPortugal is Europe’s best kept secret!
Lisbon with an average flight time of only 7 country. Take a tile painting class and bring
If you are looking for a classic, European
hours. home your custom souvenir.
experience including quaint seaside villages
with red-tiled roofs and white-washed stucco Diverse Landscapes and Stunning Coastlines: Fado Music: Only in Portugal can you
architecture, quaint cobblestone alleyways, Portugal offers a variety of photographic experience live Fado, traditional Portuguese
historic castles and churches, lush foliage, gems, from the dramatic red sand cliffs and vocal & guitar music themed around love,
verdant wine country, spectacular coastlines beaches of the Algarve Coastline to the pain and hardship. Don’t miss the opportunity
and photographic landscapes, unique rolling vine-draped hills of the Douro Valley to sneak into a small Fado house for a soulful
culture and world-class golf, make Portugal and the historic cities of Lisbon and Porto. performance reflecting the country’s culture
your destination! Choosing Portugal as an The diversity appeals to different interests and and emotions!
alternative to Italy can offer a unique and one can cover it all in two weeks. Gastronomy: Portuguese cuisine is diverse,
enriching experience for many reasons: Rich Culture and History: Portugal’s featuring very unique styles of cuisine not
Fewer Crowds: Portugal tends to be less maritime past, sumptuous Manueline-style regularly featured on global menus. The
touristy than popular Italian destinations such architecture, and unique traditions only found Francesinha is a classic hearty sandwich from
as Rome, Florence or Venice. This can mean in Portugal are educational and enriching. Porto made with layers of cured meat, sausage
and steak covered in melted cheese and spiced
tomato and beer sauce. The Pasteis de Nata
is a famous Portuguese custard tart dusted
in cinnamon and powdered sugar. Grilled
sardines, octopus and salted cod, creamy
sheep’s milk, piri-piri chicken and Arroz de
Marisco, a rich seafood rice dish, are national
favorites that you will want to at least try
while in destination.

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