Portugal Traditions

Religion: Roman Catholic (97%) and Protestant (1%).

Slowness - a national trait of the Portuguese, so many events are not held on schedule, to which constantly need to be ready. The traditional "siesta" from 12.00 to 15.00 respected no less carefully than in Mediterranean countries. At this time, most schools closed and even the phone call no one answered. Portuguese dinner rather early, some restaurants have closed in 21.30-22.00.

The criminal situation in the country is very quiet, but growing number of pocket thefts and fraud, particularly in airports, railway stations, public transportation, museums and tourist areas.

An interesting feature of holidays in Portugal is living in "pouzadah" - old castles and fortresses, carefully renovated and converted into luxury hotels (out of 300). Stop in pouzadah "is considered prestigious, but organized tours are more informative than conventional care, so the seats should be booked in advance.

Beaches of the country quite clean and very well maintained, but the proximity of the sea lanes to the beaches of mainland Portugal is making itself felt. If the coast exhibited red flags, it means that navigation in this area is prohibited, yellow - you must be careful and if green, then bathing in this place safe. On the islands, this problem hardly occurs.

Portugal has a yawn and stretch in public places, in a conversation should not discuss issues relating to families and especially children. And please, do not put into question the historic grandeur of the country - the Portuguese are justly proud of their past, especially against the background of a modest place, which the country is today. Also, never compare the Portuguese and the Spaniards - despite the undoubted similarity of languages, customs, national cultures and characters of the Portuguese perceive this kind of comparison is very painful.

Holidays
January 1 - Feast of the Virgin Mary, the New Year.
25 April - Freedom Day.
Good Friday - the date varies depending on the church calendar.
May 1 - Labor Day.
June 10 - Day of Portugal.
August 15 - Assumption, Ascension.
October 5 - Proclamation of the Republic.
November 1 - All Saints' Day.
December 1 - Day of Restoration of Independence.
December 8 - Immaculate Conception.
December 25 - Christmas.
Also, there are many local festivals and calendar dates.

Festivals and Holidays:
Number of ongoing celebrations is huge. The reason for the celebration can serve as a commemoration of countless saints, pilgrimage, fair, etc. In the north, anyone, even the smallest village has its own holiday traditions with music, dancing, fireworks, and specific rituals. On holidays in many cities of the country necessarily arranged corrida - one of the favorite sights of the Portuguese (conditions less brutal than in Spain - the bull is not killed).

The port on the square Praca da Liberdade in the night of June 24 is the celebration in honor of the Apostle John. In late June, festivities take place in Braga Sao Joao, lasting two days and collected numerous processions huge number of believers. In Obidos in October is Early Music Festival. In Coimbra in May is a student festival Quemoy dos Fitush. Every year in late April - early May in Madeira being noisy and cheerful carnival of colors, and in September - a colorful vintage festival (celebrated in 1419). Winter Madeira carnivals are luxurious, colorful fairs and village festivals, and fireworks over the bay of Funchal.

In the Azores, at San Miguel, on the first Sunday after Easter is arranged so-called "Procession of patients" on the road, strewn with flowers. In the fifth Sunday after Easter processions take place and a big national holiday in Ponta Delgada. On the day of St. John (June 24) carried out the largest and most popular holiday in the Azores - Feast of St. John with celebratory bonfires and colorful processions. In the last week of August, a week has passed whalers in Lazhish do Pico, in Faial - Week of the Sea (first Sunday of August), in Santa Maria - Music Festival d'Agostu-Mare (late August), in Sao Mateus - holiday Bon Dzhezhush (6 August), and in the Peak - Feasts of the Holy Spirit (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after the Spirit of the day).