Portugal in one week

Interview with Oliver from weltreiseforum.com

Oliver from weltreiseforum.com is one of the “fathers” of the German blogger's scene. In May, on HostelsClub.com's invitation, he traveled across Portugal and in this interview he describes his impressions of the westernmost country of Europe.

1. If you had to describe Portugal in three words, which would you pick and why?

This is not simple task. I found, that most striking is the calm in the country. There was almost nowhere noise. People don't jostle and are very patient with other people. This silence shows itself even in the traditional music: Fado sounds rather sad and doesn’t suggest at all to dance. Second, I noticed how much the Portuguese appreciate their traditions. In the famous University of Coimbra ad example students are still running around in black robes and in TV people like to draw analogies with past centuries. There are also numerous villages and towns, which look exactly how they where in the past. The third word that comes to mind is "hilly". All villages that I visited are lying on steep small hills, I was happy I had rented a car, at least for the first half of the trip.

2. What would be the most important advice from personal experience to give to someone who is planning a trip to Portugal?

The most important piece of advice would please you: stay in hostels! Portugal has some of the most enchanting hostels in Europe with unbeatable prices. The Porto Wine Hostel for example, could easily pass as a boutique hotel and the Sunset Destination Hostel in Lisbon is so exciting because it is situated in the former administrative offices of a train station and you can feel the history of the building in each room. At this point, once again many thanks to HostelsClub for the invitation! Otherwise, I have only the tips that apply to all other countries: take enough time. Although Portugal is not particularly large country there's really much to see. I was only a bit longer than a week there, but alone in the capital one could easily spend one week.

3. Did you have any bad trip breakdown or any crazy experience during your trip?

No. Portugal is actually quite easy and safe to travel. The only mishap that happened to me: In the Alfama, the historical center of Lisbon, I got lost hopelessly on the way to my hostel. Under a glaring sun, I had to draw up my suitcase by sloped cobblestone streets. But luckily the people were very helpful and showed me the way through the labyrinth. When I finally found the hostel, I had to take a shower immediately.

4. Do you have some “secret” tips for Portugal?

In the town of Evora, there is the little-known “Capela dos Ossos” (Chapel of Bones). The walls in this chapel are covered completely with human bones and skulls. The Franciscan monks who built the chapel wanted to remind visitors of their mortality on this way. I must say, pretty creepy. But also very interesting and surprisingly esthetic. Also worth a visit is the old University of Coimbra, which I already mentioned. If one behaves quiet and is not wild running with the camera, it is possible to sneak into the old walls under the students. It felt a bit like a Portuguese version of a Harry Potter.

5. What souvenirs did you bring from your Portugal trip?

I'm not one of the people who takes souvenirs. The only one thing I brought from Portugal, was a toothpaste. The next few months brushing my teeth I will therefore remember the supermarket Pingo Doce, where I bought the tube. Otherwise, I have mainly shot lots of pictures and brought a lot of stories that I will publish in the coming weeks on my blog. So you may be curious!