History and symbols of Portugal
Until the 12th century, Portugal was part of the Iberian Peninsula with Spain and was for a long time the scene of multiple occupations on the part of the Celts, Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Greeks. Its name comes from Terra Portucallis, which designates two towns located at the mouth of the Douro: Portus (current Porto) and Cale (current Vila Nova de Gaia).
The regions of Algarve and Alentejo are covered with plains and hills that head towards the ocean. Between the “golden plain”, the Algarve mountain range and the rugged coasts of the southwest, the country conceals countless beautiful secret roads. Much of the country’s architecture dates from the 1500s to 1800s, when Portugal was a powerful maritime empire.
The Portuguese people, recognized as one of the warmest in Europe, will offer you a family welcome and generous gastronomy.