Introduction:
Your holiday in the North of Portugal will be a really enjoyable experience. It is a smaller country to its neighbour Spain and therefore has a more personal and endearing character. Throughout Portugal there is a chain of Tourist Offices manned by bilingual staff to assist you.
As the Portuguese are by nature hospitable they are keen and proud to share their country with foreign visitors. The city of Oporto is no exception, and has strong links with the UK… the Bristol / Oporto Association is a fine example.
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Commercial Hours:- The normal shopping hours are from 09.00 hrs. until 19.00 hrs Mondays to Fridays.
Saturday is from 09.00 hrs. until 13.00 hrs.
- Some shops will extend their hours and their days of opening.
- Shopping Centres are open from 09.00 hrs. to 23.00 hrs all week except certain
Public Holidays.Electrical Current:
- The current all over Portugal is 220 volts AC, and connection is made by a two-pin
plug.Emergency:
- By calling anywhere on Portugal on 112 you will be connected to the Emergency
Services (Fire, Police and Ambulance).
- Chemists can give advice on simple health problems, and suggest appropriate
treatment.
- A green cross on a white background denotes a chemist (farmacia).
- Also they are permitted to sell many medicines without a doctor’s subscription.
- In most towns there are Emergency Treatment Centres (SAP) that will provide
medical assistance 24 hours a day.
- Security in cities and towns is handled by the “Policia de Segurança Pública” (PSP),
rural areas by the “Guarda Nacional Republicana” (GNR),
and the traffic by “Brigada de Trânsito”.
- On motorways and several major roads there are SOS phone boxes for help in
accidents or breakdowns.
- Tourist Support Free No: 800 296 296 - Airport Enq: 229 413 260Golf:
- You must have Travel Insurance during your stay in Portugal.
- Do you need special Insurance while playing your Golf Event?
- You must have your Club Handicap certificate with you to play the golf course
(men 28, women 36).
- Soft Spikes are required on most courses … come prepared.National Holidays (2005):
- 1st January - 8th February - 24th February - 25th March - 25th April
- 10th June - 15th August - 5th October - 1st November - 1st December
- 8th December - 25th December -National Holidays (2006):
- 1st January - 28th February - 25th April - 1st May - 10th June
- 15th June - 15th August - 5th October - 1st November - 1st December
- 8th December - 25th December -It is traditional for each Municipality, to reserve one annual day as a holiday for its commerce. This day is used as an excuse for local events and celebration. You will find restaurants open but normally most commercial shops are closed.
Language:
When written the Portuguese language has a visual relationship to both Spanish and Italian. When spoken it takes on another character, and the educated form can be likened to “Dickensian English” in its style. It is courteous in content and suitably flowery in description.
Spoken Spanish can be understood by the Portuguese but is best avoided. Anybody with knowledge of some Portuguese history will be able to understand the reason.
The inhabitants have a wonderful ability to learn foreign languages and you will find that the English language is normally readily understood. This has been helped by the fact that all foreign films on TV and Cinemas are shown in their original language with subtitles.
The word “Correio” denotes a Post Office or services. First class mail is called “correio azul” and normally associated with the colour of blue. From Post Offices there is an express service named “EMS” that also records delivery.
These offices are normally open from 08.30 hrs. until 18.30 hrs. from Monday to Friday. In bigger towns they may also be open on Saturday.
The local currency was Escudos until the 1st of March 2002. As from the 1st of January 2002, the national currency was changed, over a period of two months, to Euros as with most other members of the European Community. Back to top of page
Banks:Money can be changed at Banks, Bureau De Change (Cambio) or at one of the currency exchange machines in the streets. These facilities will offer a better rate than in Hotels and Receptions.
Euro-cheque is a cheaper method than a Travellers Cheque to obtain cash.
All well-known Credit Cards are usually universally accepted.
Banks are open Monday through to Friday, from 08.30 hrs. to 15.00 hrs and closed on Saturdays and Public Holidays.
Bank charges vary from different Banks for the same item or service.
Value Added Tax:This tax is the same as VAT in England, and is known as “IVA” in Portugal, and varies per product or service, between 5% and 19%. Persons from outside the European Community (EC) and when visiting for less than 180 days, can reclaim this tax by requesting a form named “Isençâo de IVA”. This form is presented to customs when leaving the country.
Museums / Galleries:
Although the majority of the museums and art galleries are State owned there are a number of private Foundations and individually owned exhibition places.
State Museums charge a small entrance fee that is usually waived on Sundays and Public Holidays.
They are open Tuesday through to Sunday and pensioners receive a 40% discount on the entrance fee.
Sometimes there is no charge at all for pensioners on showing your ID.
Opening times are normally from 10.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs, but sometimes closed during lunchtime … you need to check.
Private Art Galleries exist throughout the country, exhibiting contemporary art for sale for all tastes and pockets. There is normally no charge to enter these galleries.
Time to Visit:
It is safe to suggest that the whole year is a good period to visit. Mainland Portugal has an attractive climate with long hot summers, and mild pleasant winters.
Visas:
Nationals of the EC (European Community), Australia and New Zealand, require only their Passport or Identity Document, and may remain for a period of up to 90 days.
American and Canadian nationals may stay for up to 60 days.
Other countries are subject to Visa controls, and you would need to check with your Portuguese Consul.
Airports:
- The International airports are Oporto, Lisbon, Faro, and Funchal (Madeira).
- The airport is 11 Km from Oporto and there is a bus service to the centre, but we recommend Taxis, if you were not being collected by
Portgolf.
Coaches:- There is a national network and private operators, running service the length
of the country.
- Many operators offer more facilities on longer runs such as toilet, video,
air-conditioning and snacks. Check before boarding that these facilities
are available.
- In almost all cases tickets are purchased in advance.
Disabled Facilities:- The needs of the disabled are visibly evident with reserved parking space
in public areas, special toilets at airports, stations, and centres of entertainment.
- In Oporto there is a dial-a-ride disabled bus service (00351 226 006 353).Metro System:
- A very economical and reliable means of transport, into the centre of Porto.
- The metro system was first started in Oporto in 2003, and is still being expanded.
Trains:- The Portuguese railway system is State owned and provides a very reasonably
price transport within the country…. Fast, efficient and comfortable.
- There are Express trains (Alfa), and the slower regional system (IC) which are
slower and less comfortable than Alfa.
- 1st and 2nd Class seats are available, but only one class on the local trains.
- Alfa, and IC tickets can be purchased up to 20 days in advance.
- Its possible daily to go: Oporto – Lisbon, or Oporto – Vigo (Spain).
Towns:- Although a busy city, Oporto has a good Bus, and Taxi service.
- Taxis are normally painted cream, and rates are clearly marked inside the cars.
- In town they charge according to taximeter, but outside its charged by kilometres.Luggage over 30 kilos is charged at a fixed rate.
Driving:- License: A valid driver’s license or international driving permit is required.
- Traffic flows on the Right, and you “Give way” to the right.
- To rent a car you must be 21 years of age.Speed Limit:
- Built-up areas : 50 km/hour : 30 mph
- Other roads : 90 km/hour : 54 mph
- Motorways : 120 km/hour : 72 mph
- Note: Some Roads will have individual Speed Limit signs.Take Care:
- All seat belts must be worn at all times when seated in a vehicle.
- Roads and stationary vehicles are not well lit at night, so drive with caution.
- Children under 12 years old are prohibited from sitting in the front seat.
- Child seats are required up to the age of five.
- At the junction of two roads of equal size, traffic coming from the right has priority.
- Vehicles already on a roundabout have priority over those entering it.
- When travelling be extremely careful and patient. Many times you will find the
country roads occupied with horse-drawn carts and farm animals.
- Speed limits are enforced by radar traps and unmarked police cars.
- A driver’s blood alcohol level is not allowed to exceed 0.005 percent and the
penalties are extremely stiff and high amounts may include time in prison.
- Mobile phones are not allowed to be used whilst driving a vehicle,
without “hands free” kit.... something which is abused a lot at present !- CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) – if this is declined then the deductible
is between 2,500 Euros and 14,000 Euros.
- Theft Policy – if this is declined the deductible amount is 4,000 Euros.
- PAI (Personal Accident Insurance) – Coverage 6 Euros per day.
- Public Liability / Property Damage Limit – Unlimited Coverage.Glass / Tyre Policy – Glass and tyres are covered unless the damage
is due negligence.
CAR HIRE, and INSURANCE in Portugal:We can arrange Car Hire on your behalf, through a national Car Rental company, and PortGOLF will arrange to meet you at the Oporto airport with your car, and will pass back your vehicle after your holiday.
It should be said however, that our "Escorted Travel" deal can actually save you money, against the cost of a Hired Car.
- The minimum age to hire a vehicle is 21 years old.
- Named Driver must be the sole driver, or additional costs.
- Proof of identity, and current valid Driving License is required.
- Personal Insurance is clearly required, and is arranged on collection of vehicle.
- Vehicle Insurance, is arranged on collection of vehicle.
- Additional charges apply for any Damage caused by yourselves.
- Roof bars, or Child seats can normally be hired, if required.
- Vehicles are rented for complete 24 hour periods.
- To be returned with a Full tank of fuel.
- Ensure that all needed documents related to the hired vehicle
and the driver are always available in the vehicle, as Traffic Police often check these
legalities on roads.
TRAVEL INSURANCE, when in PORTUGALPlease ensure all the members of your party in Portugal, are covered with a Personal Travel Insurance Policy, for the duration of your Golf Event in Portugal.
www.Portgolf.com cannot be held responsible if you have not done so.
Regarding Health matters, Portugal and United Kingdom have an exchange Agreement, so you would never be refused medical attention if it was needed.
Any Medical Costs incurred would have to be covered under the Travel Insurance Policy above.
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