Travel Insurance - Just in Case

A realm of multiple charms

Traveling in Spain is much more than just discovering a country. There are many human, geographical and cultural realities that make up our Iberian neighbour, a state composed of several autonomous regions, whose history, uses and customs have been shaped, since the dawn of time, by the countless peoples that there they passed - Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths or Moors. But in addition to culture and history, there is another equally important and perhaps even more seductive characteristic, the unique pleasure of living for its people, materialized in traditions such as bulls, flamenco and the famous movida. As the American writer Ernest Hemingway said, himself passionate about Spain, where he came to live: ""There is no nightlife in Spain (...), they just delay the day.”

A country at different temperatures

The climate in Spain is divided into three main types: the Mediterranean, which extends along the coast, from the Pyrenees to Andalusia, with a mild winter and a long summer, the continental, in the center. , in the region known as Meseta Central, with large temperature differences between day and night and the Atlantic, in the Northwest area of the country, which covers the area between the west of the Pyrenees and the coast of Galicia and Cantabria, where the winter is mild and the summer, although hot, is much more pleasant than in the south.

From tapa to tapa

The tapeo or picoteo is a true institution in Spain, which consists of jumping from bar to bar with friends, to drink a glass accompanied by a small portion of food, which in some cases is offered as a courtesy. There are several explanations for this custom, which, according to legend, was established in the 13th century, by the king of Castile Afonso X, who, on medical advice, had to drink a glass of wine daily and to lessen the effects of alcohol, accompany the drink with small portions of food. The most traditional tapas are potato tortillas, garlic prawns, potatoes, stuffed peppers, croquettes, calamari or Galician octopus, which in themselves allow you to take a true gastronomic tour of Spain at the counter of a single bar.

Like at home

Spain, like most European Union countries, has the euro as its official currency and, with a few exceptions, such as restaurants, prices do not differ much from those charged in Portugal. The ATMs are scattered all over the place and are the best option to withdraw money, both with debit and credit cards, although the latter pay a small commission.

Along the road

Due to the size and variety of landscapes in the country, one of the best ways to travel around Spain is by car. The road network is excellent and most motorways do not even pay tolls, in addition to the price of fuel being much cheaper than in Portugal. One of the advantages of this option is the possibility of getting to know natural landscapes and small historic locations that are not included in the main tourist itineraries."

The center of Europe

The main city of Belgium is one of the most cosmopolitan in the world, if it wasn't also the capital of the European Union and home to several international organizations. Among the must-visit places are the imposing Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, or even emblematic monuments such as the Atomium or the Manneken Pis, the famous yours of the boy peeing.

Temperate but rainy

Due to its location, next to the North Sea, the climate in Belgium is usually temperate and quite rainy, which makes sunny days are celebrated as very special moments, with people invading parks and gardens to enjoy them. In summer, the maximum temperatures oscillate between 20 and 30 degrees, while in winter it is common to drop to values below zero.

Like home

As Belgium is part of the Eurozone, debit cards issued by Portuguese banks also allow withdrawals from ATMs at no additional cost.

My Brazilian Brazil

Aquarela do Brasil is one of the most popular Brazilian songs of all time. Written by Ary Barroso and sung by names like João Gilberto, Tom Jobim, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa, Elis Regina and even Frank Sinatra, it portrays much of what is the soul of the largest country in South America. Immeasurable, diverse, sensual, an excess of identities, climates and landscapes, Brazil is an amalgamation of African, indigenous and European cultures, between beaches of fine sand and natural sanctuaries such as the Pantanal, the Atlantic and the Amazon - the great lung of the planet and the largest tropical forest in the world. All this to the sound of a samba, the soundtrack of an entire country, which cannot live without a good drumming.
“Esse Brasil lindo e trigueiro / É o meu Brasil brasileiro / Terra de samba e pandeiro.”

One country, several climates

Due to the enormous territorial extension, the Brazilian climate changes drastically from south to north, with different types of climates being identified. Suffice it to say that from Rio de Janeiro to Manaus it is 2,800 km, more or less the same distance as between London and Marrakech.
And if in the Amazon and in almost all the states of the North region, the climate is equatorial, with high temperatures (26-28°C) during most of the year, high levels of humidity and low thermal and abundant rains, in São Paulo, Santa Catarina, Paraná or Rio Grande do Sul, the climate is subtropical and has characteristics totally different from the rest of the country, with great thermal amplitudes between summer and winter.

The pleasure of a stupidly cold draft beer

If you like beer, don't forget that in Brazil you should order a “chope” (from the German schoppen, which means half-liter glass), served in smaller glasses because, with the heat, the beer quickly gets hot and misses the point. In bars, beer is also often served in a bottle and rarely in a mug. The exception is in the south of the country, where habits of German influence are observed. There is even a famous Oktoberfest (some say the second largest in the world, right after Munich) in Blumenau, a city in the state of Santa Catarina.

The low season trick

Contrary to what is often thought, Brazil is not a cheap destination. In fact, cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro can be quite expensive, especially in wealthy neighborhoods like Ipanema and Leblon. A good hotel or restaurant can be surprisingly expensive, at the level of a European city, and in high season, like New Year's and Carnival, prices can even double. To save money on transport and accommodation, you always choose to travel in low season.

Much more than Paris

Yes, France has Paris and that alone is reason enough to explain why it continues to lead the list of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, ahead of countries like Spain, the United States, China or Italy. read. It is true that the so-called “city of love” is something apart, but by itself it does not explain the almost 90 million visitors each year. From the landscapes to the beaches, from the forests to the mountains, from history to the ever-present gastronomy, there are many reasons to explain this phenomenon, but none will be as strong as that “je ne sais quoi” of unparalleled charm. French, which makes us always want to come back many more times.

Fairly seasoned

With the exception of the mountainous areas of the Alps and Pyrenees and the northernmost region of Alsace Lorraine, the climate is quite temperate throughout the year, so any time is welcome. perfect for visiting the country, although each season has its own unique charms. The small French meteorological variety can thus be divided into three climatic areas: the Atlantic, on the west coast, in the Normandy area, where the summer is mild and the winters are very severe, and the continental, which includes Paris, where the thermal amplitude, between winter and summer, can go from -10°C to more than 30°C and finally, the Mediterranean, which covers the southernmost regions of the country, such as Provence and the Côte d’Azur, with mild winters and hot, dry summers.

The cradle of haute cuisine

From cheese to wines, from the most traditional flavors to the refinement of Michelin stars, food is one of the biggest downfalls on any trip through the country that claims to be the birthplace of haute cuisine - even for the price. the almost absurdities of most restaurants. There are, however, some obligatory dishes for those who want to know more about French cuisine, such as cassoulet (feijoada with duck, pork, lamb and sausages), coq au vin (rooster cooked in red wine with mushrooms ), raclette (a kind of cheese fondue, spread over slices of bread or potato), boeuf bourguignon (beef stewed in wine with vegetables from Burgundy) or escargot (our known snails, here elevated to the status of a fine delicacy).

Save as much as possible

If the option is to wander around the country a little, it is advisable to have a large budget, as both transport, admission to museums and monuments, as well as accommodation and food can become more expensive. quite the trip. But even knowing in advance that France is not a cheap country, there are some tricks that can save you a few euros, such as purchasing the Paris Museum Pass (with prices ranging from 52 to 78 euros, depending on the number of days required), which gives access to more than 50 museums and monuments in the Paris region.

The bus alternative

The transport of choice in France is the railway, especially the fast, comfortable and punctual high-speed trains, which connect practically all the main points of the country. The only drawback, once again, is the price of tickets, especially when purchased the day before or on the day of the trip. A good alternative, which can reduce the amount spent on transport by almost half, are buses operated by companies such as FlixBus or Eurolines, although they are not as comfortable and more subject to delays.