Portugal is a charming European country with a rich history, distinctive culture, picturesque landscapes and extremely hospitable people. Everyone who goes on a tourist trip will want to share a piece of their impressions with loved ones. The best way is to make a present that personifies this country and conveys its atmosphere. If you are wondering what to bring from Portugal, this article will help you get some ideas.
Cork Items
Contrary to popular belief, cork oak is not only used for the production of bottle corks. This is an unsurpassed material from which various unique souvenirs, accessories and garments are made. The most common of them are all kinds of wallets, handbags, wallets, cases for glasses or mobile phones, cosmetic bags, coasters for hot dishes, hats and shoes. Also in souvenir shops you can find lighters, ballpoint pens, notebook covers, key rings, business cards, postcards, magnets and even jewelry. The list goes on and on, as cork products are not just original souvenirs, but quite practical things.
This superior material has a number of features, such as moisture repellent, water resistance, lightness, environmental friendliness, and resistance to mechanical damage and fire. In addition, it is pleasant to the touch and has a long service life. Thanks to special processing technologies, cork oak serves as a raw material for creating very high-quality products.
A significant part of the total volume of such products on the world market is produced in Portugal. You can buy them in special shops, at exhibitions or fairs. The average price for small cork products, such as wallets or notebooks, varies from 5 to 10 euros.
Azulejo
Ceramic tiles decorated with ornate tiles are extremely unusual. The appearance of the first blue and white painted walls dates back to the depths of the Middle Ages, when the lands of Portugal were ruled by the Moors (Arabs and Berbers). At that time, painters painted only decorative elements: ornaments, symbolic patterns and geometric shapes, since the image of living beings contradicts Islamic standards. Later, the influence of Arab culture gradually lost its power, and artists began to embody various mythological plots and episodes of historical events on the walls of buildings.
Despite the fact that azuleje is just ceramic tile, in Portugal it has turned from ordinary facing material into real masterpieces of art. As a souvenir, you can buy small clay or ceramic exquisitely painted square tiles in blue and blue.
Souvenirs with marine symbols
Marine decorative items are widely distributed on the Iberian Peninsula. Here you will find dolphin figurines, sea knots in glazed frames, plates with the image of ships, miniature caravels, fish trays, shells and objects made from them. Such souvenirs from Portugal are very symbolic, as they combine a piece of the country's cultural heritage and the vast ocean abyss.
Rooster barcelos
Portuguese rooster is considered one of the national symbols. He personifies justice, honesty and decency. There is a medieval legend according to which a wanderer from Spain who was unjustly convicted and sentenced to death used the right to the last word and decided to prove his innocence in a very unusual way. Since all previous exhortations and attempts to justify themselves were unsuccessful, during his stay in the judge’s house the defendant exclaimed in despair that God's punishment would suffer all the accusers. He then pointed to a roasted rooster on the dining table and said that the injustice of the accusation would be proved when the bird came to life and crowed. None of those present emphasized his words. But when the prisoner was brought to the gallows, his prophecy came true, the roasted rooster came to life and thereby saved the wanderer.
If you have not figured out what to bring from Portugal as a gift to your loved ones, choose the original figurine of the aforementioned cockerel. You can buy it at any souvenir shop or ceramics store.
Ceramic tableware
In addition to tiles and cockerel figures, souvenir shops have a variety of Portuguese ceramics: tea and coffee sets, figurines, plates. The dishes are made in various styles. Here you can find both plain plain products and unusual salad bowls in the form of a leaf of cabbage or pineapple. All kinds of plates and trays painted in the Azulejo style are very popular. There are also dishes with the image of architectural structures of various cities.
Embroidery
Textiles with decorative embroidery do not occupy the last place in the list of the best souvenirs and will certainly be appreciated by art lovers. Handicraftsmen of Madeira Island personally decorate napkins, tablecloths, aprons, kitchen potholders and towels, applying images of national symbols and unusual ornaments to them.
Filigree Jewelry
Filigree - the art of creating exquisite jewelry from the finest gold or silver wire. Local masters have largely succeeded in this matter and create truly unique and unique works of art. Prices vary by manufacturer and materials. Of course, gilt jewelry will be cheaper than gold.
Alcoholic drinks
Portuguese wines, whose names are known around the world, will be a wonderful gift.
Port wine is a fortified wine that is produced in the north-eastern part of the country. This name can only be a drink prepared according to a certain technology from grapes harvested in the Douro Valley. More than 80 grape varieties are grown in this area, but only a few of them are used to make port wine. Exposure lasts from two years to several decades. During this period of time, the wine is stored in oak barrels, special fermentation tanks or bottles. Different grape varieties, ripening methods and aging conditions characterize the abundance of port wine styles, each of which has its own unique features.
The palate for taste belongs to the port category Vintage. For the production of this wine uses selected grapes of the best harvest. Vintage port is aged in oak barrels for two years, and then bottled, where it ripens for several years, gaining a delicate, unique aroma and mild taste.
Madera - a unique fortified wine that is produced on the island of Madeira. For production, only four grape varieties are used: Sersial, Boal, Malvasia and Verdello. There are many varieties of Madeira: from dry to dessert, from light amber color to dark red. The production technology involves heating in special furnaces to a certain temperature and aging in barrels, which gives the drink a unique fullness of taste.
Vinho Verde - Vinho Verde, which is translated from Portuguese as "green wine". It owes its name not to color, but to a short exposure period. This is a dry white wine made from unripe grapes in the north of the country, in the province of Minho. A light, slightly sparkling drink with a fresh aroma does not exceed 9% strength. It is desirable to uncork this unique green wine shortly after the acquisition, until it has lost its freshness. It is served chilled and used mainly as an aperitif.
Exotic fruits
Cherimoyya is one of the most delicious exotic fruits. The delicate juicy pulp of a ripe fruit combines a whole gamut of delicious taste shades. You can taste the pineapple, strawberry, banana, papaya, mango and cream. In frozen form, it resembles sorbet in consistency, due to which this fruit got its second name - "ice cream tree". However, remember that cherimoya seeds are poisonous. Used in cut form with a teaspoon. It is also widely used in the manufacture of desserts, drinks and salads.
When buying fruits, it is advisable to give priority to solid, slightly unripe fruits. This is especially true for those residents of Russia who plan to bring the fruits safe and sound. After all, the flight Moscow - Lisbon takes more than five hours.
Banana is a tropical fruit of a creeper known as "monstera." It grows mainly on the island of Madeira. Locals call it Fruto delicioso, which is translated from Portuguese as "exquisite taste." The aroma and taste resembles a banana with pineapple.
Portuguese products
Portuguese olive oil in its characteristics and taste is not inferior to Spanish and Italian. This is an integral part of the national cuisine. Olive trees of different varieties are grown in six regions. Local residents add it to almost all dishes, using it as dressing for salads, for frying meat, vegetables and cooking other dishes. If you plan to purchase it as a presentation, it is recommended to choose a metal box. Firstly, it will facilitate the transportation process, and secondly, such packages have a beautiful gift design.
It is believed that among the Europeans, the Portuguese most consume coffee. Almost every local resident drinks 4-5 cups of strong coffee daily. If you have not decided what to bring from Portugal, coffee is an excellent choice. In quality, it is not inferior to its Latin American counterparts. You can buy it at any supermarket. However, if you find yourself in Lisbon, it is best to go to the Carioca store.
Seasonings are indispensable ingredients in Portuguese cuisine. It is all kinds of spices and spices that give the national dishes sophistication and originality. Therefore, if you want to recreate one of the culinary masterpieces at home and please them with your loved ones, you can not do without seasoning.
In addition to the above, seafood, canned fish, cheese, olives are also very popular. The prices here are average European, as the rest of Europe uses the same currency as Portugal (euro).
National sweets
Portugal is famous for exquisite goodies. The selection of sweets is very huge. The most famous pastries are pasta de belene and pasta de nata. Also in Portuguese cafes, known as "pestelaria", you can buy macaroons, bolo de mel (honey cake) and other sweets. The main ingredients from which most types of cookies and pastries are made are sugar, egg yolks and almonds. You should not worry about transportation and preservation of delicacies during the trip, as for tourists cakes are packed in special cardboard packaging.
Soap
Another interesting idea of what to bring from Portugal is handmade soap. This is not just a natural hygiene product with cosmetic and medicinal properties, but a real brand. Some companies have been manufacturing these products since the 19th century, bringing production technology to perfection. In addition to being a genuine Portuguese soap with natural oils, it has a delicate floral or fruity aroma, it comes in stylish packaging. Gift sets may also include scented candles, ocean salt, body scrubs, liquid soap, perfume water, and shaving cream. It is advisable to purchase such products in specialized stores.
Clothes and shoes
This country produces the highest quality items. Many designer and branded products are not inferior in quality to their Italian and French counterparts. At the same time, prices in Portugal are more affordable than in other European countries. Here you can buy warm woolen sweaters and hats, leather bags, gloves, handmade shoes, hats, silk shawls with hand embroidered and much more.
General information
Anyone who is going on a trip, it is advisable to speak one of the languages common in the country: Portuguese, English or Spanish. There is also a regional language - Miranda, belongs to the Romanesque branch, has the status of the second national language of a country such as Portugal. The euro is the main currency introduced in 2002, but there are also local banknotes called "Portuguese euro coins."
Those planning to find low-cost Moscow - Lisbon tickets should take care of this in advance. One of the best ways to save money is to choose connecting flights with a change in one of the European countries.
In addition to the above items and products, there are quite romantic and non-standard ideas. For example, in the western point of Europe, Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca), you can get a personal certificate that you have visited the edge of the earth. It is almost impossible to give a definite answer to the question of what to bring from Portugal. Each traveler will find something unusual and memorable for himself.