Portugal Diary

The Beauty of Horseback Riding in Portugal

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:59:59 +0000

You do not have to be a horseback riding expert to appreciate the equestrian culture of Portugal. One visit to the country alone will show you the beauty of horseback riding. Horses, as they are, are intelligent, caring and ultimately breathtaking animals. Whether you ride for sport or for fun, there is no denying the thrill and enjoyment that one can only get from horseback riding. If you have never ridden on a horse, but would like to experience this amazing feeling; you can choose from the many Portuguese riding centers in the country. More than a learning experience, this is an adventure.

Appreciating the Lusitano Horse

The most common horse you will find in this country is the Lusitano horse. It is strong, beautiful, smart and agile. Very few other horses are as elegant as these, for a starting rider, it is a privilege to be able to ride on a Lusitano horse. Of course, before you jump straight into a training program, you should take time to get the proper attire for horseback riding that will be comfortable for you. Take note that the proper riding equipment is made to keep you safe, so don’t take it lightly.

Where to Get Your Riding Gear

Portugal, being a country with a rich horseback riding tradition, has plenty of options and choices for visitors looking for horseback riding clothes, accessories and equipment. In fact, there are many riders all over the world who go the Portugal just to get this specially made equipment. Proper horseback riding apparel can be found easily. You can just ask the local trainers about their recommended shops. Of course, if you are looking for the highest quality gear, then get nothing less than the Lusitano Brand riding apparel. They offer the most exquisitely crafted riding gear you will ever find. Equip yourself with the appropriate riding material. This will not only help you perform better, but this is also a sign of respect to the horse by wearing the appropriate get up.

Wine Tours in Portugal

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 21:32:41 +0000

Anyone who has a taste for wines would not want to miss a wine tasting party or event. Major airlines that serve only the finest wines on board have their catering departments sponsor regular wine tasting events, while just about all the major wineries in wine producing countries have them. Apart from savoring the fine subtle aroma of exquisitely aged wines of various production years, wine tasting events offer ample opportunities for different folks of the same interests to meet and where new business partnerships and alliances can be forged.

For many wine connoisseurs and dilettante wine lovers on vacation, taking part in wine tasting events in the countries they visit never fail to enrich their holiday experience. When having holidays in Europe and you have that urge to sample the wines of the continent, add Portugal to your itinerary. You could have most of the wine tasting experience in France, but Portugal has a unique tradition of wine making that would put a deep hole in your wine tasting experience if you missed it.

Portuguese Wine Regions

Visiting Portugal for the wine lover won’t be complete without touring the many wine producing regions of the country. Wine lovers know what a Port Wine is. It’s short for the city of Porto from where the wines are shipped for export. Genuine Port Wines come only from the wineries of the Douro Valley region of Portugal with wine exports to England dating back to 1679. The region is now protected as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Next comes the Vinho Verde from the Minho region which produces grapes that rarely require much ageing and are next to the Douro region in exporting wines. Another notable variety produced in the region is the white wine Vinho Alvarinho.

One of its more popular wines is the Madeira wine that has a liqueurs quality and produced in the Setubal Peninsula of which the Madeira Island produces the most. Other wine making regions include the Alentejo and Ribatejo, each producing its distinct wine flavor and character and are tourist destinations on their own with their vast vineyards over rolling hills and plains.

One of the most expensive Portuguese wines are the Colares wines produced from the sandy regions outside of the capital Lisbon. They are located between the Sintra and Roca Cape foothills which, because of urbanization growth, have reduced much of the vineyards that resulted in demand exceeding production. Hence, you have them highly priced.

(Before proceeding, if you have a stronger preference for other European languages, Portugal Web is translated in other languages including French.)

Gourmet Cooking in Portugal

admin — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:11:19 +0000

Ask any traveller and they will tell you that food is one of the best ways that a country can represent itself. Food is made to be consumed, to replenish strength, to satisfy hunger and to pleasure the palate. No other cultural product is as pure and straightforward as cooking.

Unlike art, literature, architecture, religion or politics, food can never subverted. It could never have underlying meanings. Food is food, and food is good. Gourmet cooking elevates food to another level of aesthetics. Gourmet is the fruit of humanity’s advancement, we are able to consume food to nourish both our bodies and through the art of gourmet cooking, our souls.

The Portuguese Take on Gourmet

If there is one element that food lovers will take note of in Portuguese gourmet, it is the abundant inclusion of cheese. There are many different kinds of cheese used in Portuguese foods, thanks to the many agricultural lands of the country; they are able to raise cheese producing cattle at bountiful rates. Cheese, in their land, is a staple in the dining table. Fish is also commonly found in Portugal, this is mostly due to the fact that there are many coastal regions in the country and fishing has been the way of life for some Portuguese families for many, many generations.

Some Special Portuguese Foods

If you ever find yourself in Lisbon, prepare yourself for a treat for your palate. This Portugal city has some of the best foods all over the world. Combined with great wine and a fantastic city, you are sure to be able to enjoy your every meal. If it is your first time to visit the country, be sure to order the Cozido, which is the official dish of Portugal. You should also be on the lookout for menu entries of bacalhau, francesinha, pastel de Belem, feijoada and caldeirada. Try any of these and you are sure to enjoy yourself.

The Lusitano horse

admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:43:18 +0000

The best known Portuguese thoroughbred is the Lusitano, an ancient breed that shares many traits with the Spanish Andalusian horse. Having originated in the Iberian Peninsula, both are also known as Iberian horses. Until 1960, both breeds were classed together under the Spanish Stud Book and were later separated as Portuguese breeders strengthened and re-emphasized its distinct qualities over the Andalusian horse. In America, International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA) have both registered together.

Characteristics

The Lusitano breed is noted for its courage with its temperamental urge to lunge forward on whatever it perceives as a threat. But ironically it also exhibits a calm disposition while under saddle control. Lusitanos are also reputed as intelligent with a level-headedness that easily bonds with its masters. They show great balance and a noble gait when striding.

The Lusitano horse profile exhibits a Romanesque nose (Convex) profile with long legs and a thick main and tail. They generally have a compact body typically standing 15 to 16 hands with powerful hindquarters. They are quite powerful, mainly due to their relatively massive hindquarters and long legs. Most Lusitanos turn gray as they age and come in various colors. Buckskin, Palomino and cremello are the most sought after due to their rare hair colors.

Brief History

The Lusitano derives its name from the word Lusitania, a name the ancient Romans gave the region that is basically modern Portugal. They were bred initially as military horses and then later used for bull fighting on horseback. Portugal continues its bullfights on horseback with the Lusitano thereby preserving its unique cultural heritage in the sport.

The native original Iberian horses existed in primitive times as can be seen in cave paintings at La Pileta (Malaga, Spain) dating from 20.000 B.C. and at Escoural (Alentejo, Portugal) dated 17.000 B.C. It’s interesting to note that the ancient Greeks have a legend referring to the horses from the Lusitania banks of the Tagus River. It has been told that they have been fathered by the wind – a metaphoric allusion the speed and agility of the Iberian horse.

Subsequent invasions from Carthaginians and Romans that brought their own horse stock resulted in inter-breeding with the local Iberian horse, as well as from the Germanic Visigoths. The conquering Arabs brought with them their Berbers and Arabian horses which also interbred with the Iberian breed.

But it was not until the 18^th century when the Alter Real Stud farm was created did we see a breed of superior horses with the character of the modern Lusitano. The Royal Portuguese family who have known and have gotten inspiration from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna started it all.

The new stallions bred from the Alter Real were used in the Picaria Real Equestrian school since then. In 1942, veterinarians from the National Stud named the breed born and raised in Portugal as Lusitano for those with the character that made them part of the Portuguese Stud book.

Worldwide Interest

Other than Portugal, many countries have shown avid interest in propagating the Lusitano horse breed. Most are found mainly in France, Brazil and Mexico. But other countries in Europe and the US also have a community of Lusitanos bred for various equestrian events. Some are found in the Philippines, Thailand, South Africa, South America and Africa.

Portuguese Saddles

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:20:43 +0000

Portuguese horse saddles enjoy a long tradition of exquisite craftsmanship dating back to ancient times. The saddle, as used over the centuries of horseback riding, has since evolved as the main accessory for dressing thoroughbred horses for equestrian activities, ranging from military cavalry requirements to modern sporting needs in various equestrian events in Portugal and around the world.

Various Types of Portuguese Saddles

There are number of Portuguese saddle styles and designs available in the equestrian markets worldwide. The traditional Portuguese saddle known as “sela Portuguesa” takes off from detailed craftsmanship of the 18th century saddle that can easily qualify as a baroque saddle. There are more contemporary design models on the Portuguese saddles such as Domingues saddle, Dinis saddle, Portuguese equitation and Ribatejo saddle – all fine specimens of the blend of traditional craftsmanship excellence and innovative designs that only saddle-making in Portugal can provide.

•Traditional Portuguese saddle
Better known as the Sela Portuguesa, the traditional Portuguese saddles under the Lusitano brand are handcrafted in Portugal and most of the current materials are the same ones used in the past. Their designs have taken off from the 18th century Portuguese saddles that are also known as baroque saddles. There are differences though like using maritime plywood for the tree saddle which gives it enhanced flexibility and resistance. The Sela Portuguesa comes in various sizes and in different colours dyed into its leather parts as well on the suede.

•Relvas saddle
One of the best known traditional Portuguese saddles is the Relvas saddle. It sports an elaborate design uniquely attributed to Carlos Relvas, a wealthy 19th century landowner, photographer, bullfighter and sportsman who fathered one of the most influential political figures of the 20th century, José Relvas. Like all saddle models in the Lusitano brand, the Relvas is handmade in Portugal and is available at the Portugal Shop.

•Portuguese Equitation saddle
The Portuguese equitation saddle is built around a structure specifically designed for Portuguese equitation while conforming with design principles found in traditional Portuguese saddles. They are handcrafted in Portugal and are available online at the Portugal Web online shopping site, Portugal Shop.

•Ribatejo saddle
The Ribatejo saddle combines the design elements from a couple of traditional models: the Relvas saddle and the Portuguese saddles. The Lusitano brand of Ribatejo saddles are also handcrafted in Portugal and are on sale at the Portugal Web online shopping site.

•D. Domingues saddle
The D. Domingues saddle is an innovative mix of traditional English saddle design and the Portuguese Relvas saddle that’s entirely handcrafted in Portugal.

•D. Dinis saddle
The D. Dinis saddle is another innovative cross between traditional and contemporary saddle making in Portugal. It is constructed with a structure conforming to the Portuguese equitation requirements and follows the outstanding design elements of traditional Portuguese saddles. The Lusitano brand is handcrafted in Portugal and is on sale in Portugal Shop.

About Portugal

admin — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:12:42 +0000

Geographic Brief

Officially known as the Portuguese Republic, Portugal is a country sitting on the edge of the Iberian Peninsula and sharing a common border with Spain in its north and eastern frontiers and faces the Atlantic Ocean on its western and southern fronts. It is one of the NATO founding members and among the first members of the European Union. The Azores and Madeira Atlantic archipelagos are part of its territory.

Portugal is one of the warmest European countries with a basically Mediterranean climate. This makes its soils a fertile ground for a variety of plants notably its olives and grapes. It has some of the most varied and finest vineyards that rival those found in the similarly warm regions of southern France and accounts for its world famous Madeira and port wines.

Historical Diversity as a Cultural Melting Pot

Portugal has seen a continuous stream of diverse cultures settling in the region since before recorded history. There are the pre-Roman civilization of the Lusitanians, Celts, and Gallaeci tribes that have had contacts with the Carthaginian and Phoenician traders.

It became part of the Roman empire starting in the 2^nd century BC and underwent the Christian Germanic onslaughts and eventual settlement of the Visigoths and Vandals thereafter. Then, with the Muslims spreading its zeal over most of the Middle East into the Mediterranean, the Iberian Peninsula came under Moorish conquest in the early 8^th century. With the Crusaders eventually reclaiming most of the territories occupied by the Moors, by the 13^th century, most Moors had been pushed south of the Iberian Peninsula and Portugal was able to reassert itself as a Christian country to this day with ethnic Moors remaining in its southern provinces. This long and storied past accounts for the rich cultural diversity one finds when traveling across Portugal.

Historical Highlights

Portugal became a political, economic and military power to reckon with between the 15^th and 17 centuries. It rivaled Spain in exploring and conquering lands beyond the Atlantic and European shores to the east. At the height of its global empire, Portugal has territorial possessions in Africa, Asia and mostly in South Americas where to this day, the Portuguese cultural heritage can be seen and felt in the Brazil and other South American countries.

Soon after the Napoleonic Wars of the early 1800s, Portugal’s territorial empire started to decline with the declaration of independence of many South American and African states starting with Brazil.

Economic Highlights

Portugal is one of the developed countries in Europe with the world’s 19^th highest quality of life despite having the lowest per capita income among Western EU members. Its economy is largely based on services and industry such as computer software development and automotive industries. With its increasing role in the EU and incursions into Eastern European markets, Portugal is slowly emerging from a low-labor cost producer to one with a strong focus in exports, investments and high tech manufacturing.

With the Atlantic bordering much of its frontiers, fishing is a major economic activity. But it’s also strong in agricultural products accounting for 4% of its GDP. Portugal is among the world’s largest wine and cork producers.

Portuguese wine

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:05:14 +0000

Portugal is a popular destination for travellers because it has a multitude of attractions for tourists. Its rich heritage combined with its wonderful culture has put this country on the map as millions of people flock this European nation every year. However, one of the things that have made this country so popular has to be the exceptional wines that they are able to produce. There are all sorts of fine wines that come from all over the world but it would be safe to say that Portuguese wine has to be one of the best.
Perhaps the most popular wine to come out of this country is Vinho Verde. A lot of people are familiar with Vinho Verde and one does not have to be a connoisseur to have a pleasant experience of tasting this wonderful product. One thing that has made this drink so prevalent is the fact that it does not need to age. This is because it is made from grapes that do not contain too much sugar in them. Due to its low alcohol content and gassy taste, Vinho Verde is an excellent companion for seafood dishes. However, because of the low sugar content it is advisable to consume this drink while it is still young.
Aside from Vinho Verde there are a few other wines that have made the Portuguese famous among the world’s top connoisseurs. A popular companion for game and meat dishes is Douro wines that are produced in the Porto region. Douro originally had a bitter taste but has recently been developed into fine table wines. Bairrada is another world-renowned wine from this nation and it is known for having a very rich taste because of its full body.
Bairrada is produced in a region where the soil is mostly clay. The grapes used to produce Bairrada are exposed to sunlight and are allowed to mature. Lastly, there is also Alentejo which comes from the southern region of this country. Both the red and white variety of Alentejo has become a mainstay for the Portuguese themselves as they are considered to be of the highest quality.
Above are just a few examples of Portuguese wine that are available in the market today. Surely, there are more that may taste better for some, depending of course on the sophistication of one’s tongue. Nonetheless, it is needless to say that Portugal is definitely one of the best sources for top class wine.

Writing about Portugal

admin — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:09:11 +0000

Having a blog is a good way to communicate by writing. When you think about your own country it is easy and it is difficult to write about it. It is easy as you know your country better than someone who have never been there. However writing about your own country might be a bit difficult as when you are inside of something one might lack a distant view which makes easier to see the bigger picture. Anyway Portugal is my country and its my intention to write about it. What to write about? Well a bit of everything like places that I have been, products I like and interesting events.