From the charming city of Porto to the brilliant city of Lisbon, the sunny and picturesque beaches of Algarve and the quaint villages found across the country, it is not hard to see why Portugal is such a popular vacation destination. Add to that the traditional cuisine (Pastel de Nata is only the delicious beginning!) and the kindness of its people, and your experience in Portugal is sure to feel authentic and enriching.
Portugal is an ideal destination any time of the year, as it has a fairly mild and pleasant climate year-round. If you are thinking about visiting Portugal this summer, but don't know where to go, consider one of its two flagship cities: Lisbon or Porto. Both are ideal for soaking up Portuguese culture through the streets, squares, and architecture — characterized by distinctive tile-covered buildings — and some of the country's most famous monuments. The official language is Portuguese, but don’t fret if it is not one of your spoken languages, as English is commonly spoken in tourist areas.
For your visit to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, you will need several days to explore. Take in all the sights and sounds of the Praça do Comércio, visit historic Castelo de São Jorge, take a walking tour through the Alfama district, or take some breathtaking panoramic photos from the top of the Santa Justa lift. If your schedule allows, Sintra and Cascais should not be missed on your list of activities – plan a day trip for each.
In Porto, considered the capital of the north, the lively atmosphere of this World Heritage city will grab you from the very first moment. After visiting the church of Santo Ildefonso, buying wine in some local shops, and strolling through the gardens of the Crystal Palace, an excursion to the foot of the emblematic Pomte Dom Luís I to watch the sunset on the banks of the Douro River is a must.
On the other hand, if you feel like traveling to an exotic destination, you can do so without leaving Portugal. Thanks to its geographical location in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores will allow you to spend your vacation discovering the biodiversity, traditions, and landscapes unique to Portugal.
What to know before heading to Portugal
As of July 1, 2022, all COVID entry requirements for Portugal have been lifted. Travelers entering Portugal are no longer required to show proof of vaccination, a valid recovery certificate, or a negative PCR or antigen test. Passenger locator forms are also no longer required prior to departure.
What can visitors expect?
- The majority of mask mandates have been reduced but keep your mask handy. You will still need to wear one in health facilities, on public transportation, and at certain outdoor events.
- It's no longer required to present proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter bars and clubs, eat indoors at restaurants, visit tourist establishments, stay at local accommodations, or attend events.
- If you test positive for COVID-19 while in Portugal, you will be required to quarantine for five to seven days.
For additional information, visit visitportugal.com.
Travel Insurance for Portugal
All international tourists who require a Schengen visa to enter Portugal must have a valid travel medical insurance plan. If you can travel to Portugal visa-free, then travel insurance is not mandatory.
However, as mentioned above, if you test positive for COVID-19 while in Portugal, you will need to quarantine, which could mean additional expenses and travel delays. Having a travel insurance plan with Trip Delay and Trip Interruption coverage is your best bet in this situation, as it will provide coverage for transportation, meals, lodging, and any lost days of your trip due to quarantine.
We recommend purchasing a comprehensive trip cancellation insurance plan. It will help protect the investment you made into the trip and provide the coverage you need should something unforeseen happen while traveling. See our Travel Insurance for Portugal page for additional information.
Ready to head to Portugal? Get a no-obligation quote for travel insurance today.
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types worldwide. We offer various travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance. Our company's mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. Contact us at 888-301-9289 or info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 20 Jun 2022
In the U.S. and many other countries, June is Pride Month, a time for the LGBTQ+ community to come together and celebrate. Parades, marches, and events honor the progress made for LGBTQ+ rights and shed light on other areas where improvement is still needed. What began as a march in June 1970 to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 in New York has become a month of all things Pride.
One area that has seen progress is LGBTQ+ travel. In 1964, before Stonewall and the first Pride marches, Bob Damron hopped in his car and traveled the coast of California to find safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community to gather while traveling. He collected his findings in a pocket-sized guide and called it The Address Book. It quickly became the go-to guide for LGBTQ+ travel and opened the doors for the LGBTQ+ travel industry.
Fast forward almost 60 years to 2022, and a quick Google search delivers pages and pages of travel information, agencies, and companies catering specifically to the LGBTQ+ community. Travel companies like Atlantis, Vacaya and RFamilyVacations.com can help you plan your adult-only or family-friendly adventure. You can also find many cruises and cruise lines welcoming LGBTQ+ travelers. Among them, Celebrity Cruises' annual Pride Party at Sea, Royal Caribbean, a cruise line with a long history of being LGBTQ+ friendly, and relative newbie, Virgin Voyages, also known for its welcoming atmosphere.
Much has changed since The Address Book was published, but unfortunately, even in 2022, safety is still a concern for LGBTQ+ travelers. One benefit of working with LGBTQ+-focused travel companies and agencies is that they do the research and know the areas that are safe. Of course, vacations do not have to be LGBTQ+-only to be safe and enjoyable. If you are more of a DIY traveler but have safety concerns, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) provides free travel resources and information to help you plan a worry-free vacation, including travel guides and links to travel partners.
Not all Travel Insurance is Created Equal
Travel insurance should be your next purchase once you have planned your ultimate vacation. There are many options, but trip cancellation plans offer you the best, most comprehensive benefits. In addition to providing coverage if you need to cancel your trip before you even have the chance to depart, trip cancellation plans include benefits for travel medical, travel delay, trip interruption, baggage delay, and more while you travel.
Most travel insurance companies offer trip cancellation plans, but not all are created equal. There are a couple of definitions to understand when deciding which trip cancellation plan to buy: Traveling Companion and Family Member. On Trawick International trip cancellation plans, a Traveling Companion is someone who has coordinated travel arrangements or vacation plans with you and intends to travel with you during the trip. This person does not have to be on the same travel insurance plan as you. A Family Member includes you or your Traveling Companion's legal or common-law spouse or domestic partner, children (natural, adopted, or step), in-laws, parents, grandparents, and other immediate and extended family members.
This is important if, for example, you are planning a trip with a friend. You buy your plane tickets, book your hotel, pre-pay for some activities, then buy trip cancellation insurance and insure all your pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs. You are ready! And then, something happens. Your friend's Domestic Partner who is not traveling with you becomes ill. The trip is canceled, and none of the trip expenses you paid are refundable. In this situation, a Trawick International trip cancellation plan could reimburse you for those pre-paid, non-refundable deposits because your friend is your Traveling Companion and your Traveling Companion's Domestic Partner is a Family Member.
Trawick International trip cancellation plans treat everyone equally. We understand that Traveling Companion and Family Member do not look the same for everyone, and we want to help you enjoy your time together without worrying about what if something happens.
Ready to plan your trip? Get a travel insurance quote today.
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types worldwide. We offer various travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance. Our company's mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. Contact us at 888-301-9289 or info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 14 Jun 2022
