Page 362 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

360  THE IBERIAN PENINSULA

Shopping & Entertainment but you will also see sites devoted
to antiques, pottery, lace, rugs,
Traditional arts and crafts flourish in Portugal. A wide range of clothes, and local crafts. Most
interesting pottery can be found in all parts of the country, markets are held in the morning
while in the north embroidery, lace, and gold-filigree jewelry only, but in tourist areas they
from the Minho region make unusual presents. Many visitors may go on until late afternoon.
come to Portugal for the sporting facilities, principally the golf
courses of the Algarve. Watersports, both in the Algarve and Food and Drink
on the wilder west coast, are another great attraction. Tourists Some visitors may want to buy
are usually encouraged to sample fado, Lisbon’s native folk regional produce, such as Serra
music, and there are also classical cultural events to be cheese from the Serra da Estrela
enjoyed in the big cities and at annual festivals. mountains. However, more are
likely to bring back a bottle as a
souvenir – most probably of
port. It is not especially cheap,
Where to Shop examples come from towns in but you will never have the
Although it is not difficult to find the Minho such as Viana do opportunity to sample so many
stores that seem a little behind Castelo, also famous for its styles and vintages as you will
the times when compared with brightly printed shawls. on a tour of the port lodges of
other European countries, Embroidered bedspreads are Vila Nova de Gaia (see p355).
modern shopping malls are now made in Castelo Branco in the When it comes to table wines
a common feature of most cities. Beira Baixa, and colorful carpets you might enjoy the young,
In Lisbon, Amoreiras shopping are sold in the Alentejo. slightly sparkling vinho verde
center led the way, with 247 Filigree jewelry (filigrana) from from Minho in the north, an
shops, underground parking, the Minho is typically worn at aged red Dão, or one of the
movie theaters, and restaurants. local festivals. Gold and silver southern wines from Alentejo.
Colombo followed, and is threads are worked into intricate
Portugal’s largest mall. brooches, earrings, and pendants.
Cascaishopping, between Sintra Woven baskets, produced Entertainment Listings
and Tickets
and Estoril, is similar in style. throughout the country, make
Opening times for shopping delightful souvenirs. Cork Tickets for almost all events in
centers are usually from 10am from the Alentejo is used to Lisbon can be bought in FNAC
until 11pm daily (including make articles such as mats stores, or be reserved by visiting
Sunday). Ordinary stores open at and ice buckets. or phoning the Agência de
9am or 10am and close at 7pm, Bilhetes para Espectáculos
though smaller stores and those (ABEP). Pay in cash when you
in quieter areas usually close for Ceramics collect them from the kiosk.
lunch between 1pm and 3pm. In most cities, you can buy as Some movie theaters and
well as commission ceramic tiles theaters take phone or
and panels. Portugal has a long- credit-card reservations.
Reclaiming Tax
standing tradition of ceramics, Previews of forthcoming events
Value Added Tax (IVA) can be both for decorative purposes and listings of bars and clubs
reclaimed by non-EU residents and for home use. Styles range appear in several magazines
who stay for less than 180 days. from elegant Vista Alegre Atlantis in Lisbon. English-language
Ask for an Isenção de IVA form or porcelain to simple glazed publications include the monthly
invoice in triplicate, describing brown earthenware, plain or Follow Me Lisboa, which is
the goods, quantity, value, and painted with simple patterns. available free from tourist offices.
buyer’s identity (best done where Antique azulejos are highly
you see the “Global Blue” signs). sought after and very expensive, Classical Music, Opera,
Present the forms at customs but you can buy reproductions
on departure. of well-known historic designs and Dance
at places such as Lisbon’s Museu Lisbon’s top cultural centers
Nacional do Azulejo (see p342). are the Fundação Calouste
What to Buy Gulbenkian and the vast Centro
Portugal is not expensive when Markets Cultural de Belém. These host
compared with the rest of national and international events,
Europe, and prices are very A social and commercial including ballet, opera, and
reasonable for traditional crafts, occasion, the street market is concerts. The Portuguese
especially away from the big integral to Portuguese life. It is national opera house is the
cities and tourist centers. The usually held in the town’s main Teatro Nacional de São Carlos.
Portuguese are well known for square. Most markets sell a wide One of the best Classical music
their delicate embroidery and range of goods, from food to festivals is the summer festival in
fine lace. Some of the finest household items and clothes, Sintra (see p350).

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