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[HQM]∎ [PDF] Portugal North and South eBook David Spiller

Portugal North and South eBook David Spiller



Download As PDF : Portugal North and South eBook David Spiller

Download PDF  Portugal  North and South eBook David Spiller

Between 2004 and 2010 I spent four months travelling the length and breadth of Portugal, staying in some 60 different towns and deciding where to go on a day-by-day basis.

I journeyed by train wherever possible and filled in the gaps by bus. I preferred normal working towns to tourist haunts, and developed a healthy repugnance for the Algarve. At every opportunity I talked to people along the way, trying to discover what life was like for the Portuguese in their own country.

Portugal North and South eBook David Spiller

I found this book to be very bland. The author has certainly travelled well but I think he has missed out on what is the essence of the Portuguese People. I agree with him about the Algarve and I have no reason to want to go there. But although he said he was not going to write about the history, Portugal is about the history and there is so much of it. There are so many wonderful places that he has missed in his travels and a lot of them have to do with the history. Yes I also agree that after the dictator Salazar the Portugues are still recovering as he did not educate many of his people. But in his visits he has missed many of the festivals that are abound in Portugal especially in the villages. I can't believe that he never saw many people on the beaches in summer. The beaches are crowded in summer not only in the Algarve but on the coast near Lisbon as well. I also can't believe that he went to Belem and no mention was made of the large cafe that has many rooms and is tiled in the beautiful blue and white tiles typical of Portugal, the Portuguese custard tart originated from there and you can still smell the wonderful smell of the warm tarts topped with cinnamon throughout the cafe. People line up in a long queue on the weekends waiting to taste these wonderful delights. He seems to have missed out on the many small places that have the thermal waters that the Portuguese love and believe in. while in some cases the food is bland he has missed out on the many regional dishes that have a depth of flavour. There is no mention of the red wine Dao region, which makes a red wine that in my mind is one of the best that I have ever tasted. This region also houses many small vinyards that produce excellent wines. He only mentioned the Vinu Verde and yet he was in Moncao where there is a celler that has the champagne of vinu verde and no mention is made of that. While I enjoyed the book it became a bit boring towards the end. It makes me think that one day I will write my own book on Portugal, it is a forgotton place where many people would enjoy a holiday.

Product details

  • File Size 1901 KB
  • Print Length 226 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN 1326075950
  • Simultaneous Device Usage Unlimited
  • Publisher David Spiller; 1st edition (May 15, 2011)
  • Publication Date May 15, 2011
  • Sold by  Digital Services LLC
  • Language English
  • ASIN B00513N95O

Read  Portugal  North and South eBook David Spiller

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Portugal North and South eBook David Spiller Reviews


Many travel books 'explore' the history, culture, and scenic beauty of a given country. Mr. Spiller does a wonderful job of teaching about the people who actually live in the country. His observations and character sketches are engaging, insightful, and entertaining. He is one of those rare travelers who eschew the Fodor guides and learn about a country from the people. I've just read the first few chapters and I certainly will write a more detailed review, but I just wanted to thank Mr. Spiller for sharing his journeys and encourage those interested truly understanding the Portuguese to read this book.
I found this book to be very bland. The author has certainly travelled well but I think he has missed out on what is the essence of the Portuguese People. I agree with him about the Algarve and I have no reason to want to go there. But although he said he was not going to write about the history, Portugal is about the history and there is so much of it. There are so many wonderful places that he has missed in his travels and a lot of them have to do with the history. Yes I also agree that after the dictator Salazar the Portugues are still recovering as he did not educate many of his people. But in his visits he has missed many of the festivals that are abound in Portugal especially in the villages. I can't believe that he never saw many people on the beaches in summer. The beaches are crowded in summer not only in the Algarve but on the coast near Lisbon as well. I also can't believe that he went to Belem and no mention was made of the large cafe that has many rooms and is tiled in the beautiful blue and white tiles typical of Portugal, the Portuguese custard tart originated from there and you can still smell the wonderful smell of the warm tarts topped with cinnamon throughout the cafe. People line up in a long queue on the weekends waiting to taste these wonderful delights. He seems to have missed out on the many small places that have the thermal waters that the Portuguese love and believe in. while in some cases the food is bland he has missed out on the many regional dishes that have a depth of flavour. There is no mention of the red wine Dao region, which makes a red wine that in my mind is one of the best that I have ever tasted. This region also houses many small vinyards that produce excellent wines. He only mentioned the Vinu Verde and yet he was in Moncao where there is a celler that has the champagne of vinu verde and no mention is made of that. While I enjoyed the book it became a bit boring towards the end. It makes me think that one day I will write my own book on Portugal, it is a forgotton place where many people would enjoy a holiday.
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