Well, reading the newspapers there are four big stories in connection with Portugal this week…and far and away the most worrisome are the financial and political crises, a solution to which would seem to be closely linked.
Markets have long seen Portugal going the route of Ireland and Greece with a request for a bailout from the EU almost a certainty. Prime Minister Jose Socrates has said that the rejection of his latest set of austerity measures by the opposition - this even though European leaders praised them - is making matters worse and has threatened to resign if they don’t accept them. If he does resign, it will be interesting to see how a follow-on government copes with this problem…
Then of course there is the good news: two lots of British Royalty will make their presence felt in Portugal!
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are to undertake an official visit to Portugal (as well as Spain and Morocco) from 28 March to 6 April 2011. The tour will start in Lisbon where, among other things, the Prince and The Duchess will celebrate the long-standing relationship between the Portuguese and the British Navies. Historically Portugal is Britain’s oldest ally, an alliance that has lasted for no less than six centuries.
Then the country is to be honoured by that ‘King of the West End’, Andrew Lloyd Webber – or at least his music!
Evidently the national tourist agency has announced that it is to book what it calls a “succession of popular British entertainment shows and acts” in order to attract British tourists to the Algarve. This will include The Phantom of the Opera, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar plus a British band, a British jazz singer and electronic trip-hop musicians from Manchester. This entertainment scheme, called Allgarve Nations, will evidently highlight the culture of a different nation annually, with the UK first on the list. This in an endeavor to attract tourists - I don’t know about you, but frankly, if I wanted to see British theatre I would see it in the UK. As a tourist I would prefer to se something local – or maybe that’s just me?
Anyway, what may well attract more tourists is that the budget airline, Jet2, will be adding new routes to and from Faro to airports in the UK. This summer, travellers in the north of the country will have easy, inexpensive access to the Algarve for the first time, with low-cost carrier Jet2 launching services from seven northern UK destinations including direct flights from Blackpool, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle. Flights start from as low as €39, which should certainly encourage more tourists to visit as well as making the UK easier to visit for the many expats who now live in Portugal.
Property professionals in Portugal are also hoping that this will help to resuscitate the local property market, which has suffered badly in the recent depression. Hopefully, with accessibility being of primary importance, this will encourage investors who want to buy second homes and let them to holidaymakers, and indeed encourage holiday makers to visit the area. Certainly if you are thinking of buying property in the area it is good news, both as a visitor and indeed if you are planning on letting out your property.
How are your plans coming along – are you still thinking of buying in Portugal?
Best wishes for the week and warm greetings,
Carol.
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
Thursday 24 March 2011
Thursday 17 March 2011
Cheers! Or should I say Saúde?
Sitting sipping a glass of Portuguese wine a few evenings ago I found myself wondering exactly how old the Portuguese wine industry is – “Get a life!” can I hear you say? It must be all those foodie/wine/travel programmes on TV that I have been exposed to …!
Anyway, what I didn’t expect to find when I researched this is that it stretches right back to the days of the Roman Empire – can you believe it? Indeed, if one wants to be really accurate I have seen the date 5.000 BC mooted – but let’s not get ridiculous! And strangely enough, wine continued to be made in Portugal during the Moorish occupation, in spite of alcohol being forbidden.
Exports of Portuguese wine to England can be traced back to the early twelfth century but it was only in 1703, with the signing of the Treaty of Methuen, that this trade really flourished. The treaty was signed in order to grant Portuguese wines preference over French wines – wouldn’t you know that even back then there was a distinctly frosty atmosphere between France and England? The government of the time was trying to put a stop to this lucrative trade with France – I wonder how far that got?!
And of course it is not only wine but fortified wines like Port and Madeira that Portugal produces too. I am one of that number who is totally rejected by those pompous wine aficionados, who look down their noses at anybody who likes even a remotely sweet wine. However, somebody loves me, and to my joy I have found quite a few really good semi-sweet wines too amongst the Portuguese wines.
Portugal exports many of their finest wines for you to sample at home but you will find the prices far better in Portugal than in the UK, plus there are many other wines to be found locally that don’t find their way to our shelves, so do have a look when you are there.
Also, I don’t know whether you have discovered this for yourself, but there are a number of small, private wine makers that produce some very acceptable wines –at this stage I hastily add that I am of the ‘I know what I like’ school and by no means an expert…but the ones I have bought have been great! Rather quaintly you can sometimes see clues as to where to buy these wines: a picture of a wine jar on a house wall or a farm gate may give an indication in the smaller, more rural villages. Word of mouth is good here too – locals will happily point you in the direction of some of these smaller producers. Just remember not to keep the bottle too long after you have opened it as it doesn’t keep to well…as if that needed saying!
Two of the main wine producing regions of the country, namely the Douro Valley and Pico Island, have been declared world heritage sites by UNESCO so that’s pretty prestigious and shows you how seriously wine making is taken in Portugal – indeed it is the world’s seventh largest wine-producing country. One of Portugal’s best wine making regions is in the Alentejo and - with some of my very favourite towns to be visited in the area such as Castelo de Vide and Marvao - a wine tasting visit here could be a great option.
And when I tell you that Sir Cliff Richard produces wine from his estate on the Algarve… well, you’ll know you are in good company…yes? Have you found any of the lesser known Portuguese wines that you particularly like? If so you may want to share the name with us…?
All for now – see you next week – and cheers!
Carol
The Overseas Guides Companyhttp://www.portugalbuyingguide.com/
Anyway, what I didn’t expect to find when I researched this is that it stretches right back to the days of the Roman Empire – can you believe it? Indeed, if one wants to be really accurate I have seen the date 5.000 BC mooted – but let’s not get ridiculous! And strangely enough, wine continued to be made in Portugal during the Moorish occupation, in spite of alcohol being forbidden.
Exports of Portuguese wine to England can be traced back to the early twelfth century but it was only in 1703, with the signing of the Treaty of Methuen, that this trade really flourished. The treaty was signed in order to grant Portuguese wines preference over French wines – wouldn’t you know that even back then there was a distinctly frosty atmosphere between France and England? The government of the time was trying to put a stop to this lucrative trade with France – I wonder how far that got?!
And of course it is not only wine but fortified wines like Port and Madeira that Portugal produces too. I am one of that number who is totally rejected by those pompous wine aficionados, who look down their noses at anybody who likes even a remotely sweet wine. However, somebody loves me, and to my joy I have found quite a few really good semi-sweet wines too amongst the Portuguese wines.
Portugal exports many of their finest wines for you to sample at home but you will find the prices far better in Portugal than in the UK, plus there are many other wines to be found locally that don’t find their way to our shelves, so do have a look when you are there.
Also, I don’t know whether you have discovered this for yourself, but there are a number of small, private wine makers that produce some very acceptable wines –at this stage I hastily add that I am of the ‘I know what I like’ school and by no means an expert…but the ones I have bought have been great! Rather quaintly you can sometimes see clues as to where to buy these wines: a picture of a wine jar on a house wall or a farm gate may give an indication in the smaller, more rural villages. Word of mouth is good here too – locals will happily point you in the direction of some of these smaller producers. Just remember not to keep the bottle too long after you have opened it as it doesn’t keep to well…as if that needed saying!
Two of the main wine producing regions of the country, namely the Douro Valley and Pico Island, have been declared world heritage sites by UNESCO so that’s pretty prestigious and shows you how seriously wine making is taken in Portugal – indeed it is the world’s seventh largest wine-producing country. One of Portugal’s best wine making regions is in the Alentejo and - with some of my very favourite towns to be visited in the area such as Castelo de Vide and Marvao - a wine tasting visit here could be a great option.
And when I tell you that Sir Cliff Richard produces wine from his estate on the Algarve… well, you’ll know you are in good company…yes? Have you found any of the lesser known Portuguese wines that you particularly like? If so you may want to share the name with us…?
All for now – see you next week – and cheers!
Carol
The Overseas Guides Companyhttp://www.portugalbuyingguide.com/
Thursday 10 March 2011
Portugal – a marriage of cultures
Today it is very un-PC to think of colonisation, but back in the day it was a measure of a country’s importance, plus of course they needed what other countries and continents had to offer in the way of things like minerals, spices etc.
Portuguese sailors began exploring the coast of Africa as early as 1419 and by 1488 Bartholomew Diaz had rounded the Cape of Good Hope. Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498, thus opening up the sea route to the immensely lucrative source of the spices that Europeans craved. Eventually Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, the Cape Verde Islands, São Tomé, Príncipe, and Macão were all either heavily influenced or actively colonised by the Portuguese.
When I first visited Portugal, years ago now, it was with a curious sense of familiarity. This was because all my childhood holidays were spent on beaches with names such as Sao Martinho and Xai Xai, in the neighbouring country of Mozambique. My parents drank cerveja, we ate peri peri prawns or chicken and we were surrounded traces of Portugal influences all around us. Of course the countryside was very different from its African colony, but the language was the same, as was the wonderful warmth and friendliness of the people.
What I hadn’t expected to find were the many colonial references when I visited Portugal itself! Not only African of course but Moorish and Brazilian too – it’s a heady mix of cultures, one that you won’t find anywhere else.
The Moors occupied Lisbon and ruled the country until well into the twelfth century. They were finally driven out by King Alfonso Henriques, assisted by English and Flemish crusaders, but they left a wonderful legacy behind them, especially in terms of architecture. Many buildings such as like the Praca De Toiros still retain their Moorish design and even the oldest district of Lisbon, Alfama, dates back to Moorish times with its narrow streets and old Moorish buildings.
The Fado songs so typical of Portugal are thought to have a strong African blues music influence and it is said that the fishing boats of Cascais have traces of their African heritage. Called rabelos, I was reading that these boats, with their large red or white sails, are reminiscent of the transport boats of Lagos in Nigeria – it is so interesting the influence countries have on one another isn’t it? When I was in Brazil I was amazed to find that they speak Portuguese – I hadn’t known that beforehand. Well, having said that I believe that there is a considerable difference. In fact a chap I got talking to about this said it is much like the differences between English and American: you know - horn for hooter, trunk for boot (of a car) and so on!
All these influences have conspired to make Portugal what it is today, one of the loveliest countries with a varied and multi-cultural feel that I for one never tire of. Have you noted signs of this as you have travelled around the country?
Have a happy week – and remember, summer is almost here!
Carol
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
Portuguese sailors began exploring the coast of Africa as early as 1419 and by 1488 Bartholomew Diaz had rounded the Cape of Good Hope. Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498, thus opening up the sea route to the immensely lucrative source of the spices that Europeans craved. Eventually Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, the Cape Verde Islands, São Tomé, Príncipe, and Macão were all either heavily influenced or actively colonised by the Portuguese.
When I first visited Portugal, years ago now, it was with a curious sense of familiarity. This was because all my childhood holidays were spent on beaches with names such as Sao Martinho and Xai Xai, in the neighbouring country of Mozambique. My parents drank cerveja, we ate peri peri prawns or chicken and we were surrounded traces of Portugal influences all around us. Of course the countryside was very different from its African colony, but the language was the same, as was the wonderful warmth and friendliness of the people.
What I hadn’t expected to find were the many colonial references when I visited Portugal itself! Not only African of course but Moorish and Brazilian too – it’s a heady mix of cultures, one that you won’t find anywhere else.
The Moors occupied Lisbon and ruled the country until well into the twelfth century. They were finally driven out by King Alfonso Henriques, assisted by English and Flemish crusaders, but they left a wonderful legacy behind them, especially in terms of architecture. Many buildings such as like the Praca De Toiros still retain their Moorish design and even the oldest district of Lisbon, Alfama, dates back to Moorish times with its narrow streets and old Moorish buildings.
The Fado songs so typical of Portugal are thought to have a strong African blues music influence and it is said that the fishing boats of Cascais have traces of their African heritage. Called rabelos, I was reading that these boats, with their large red or white sails, are reminiscent of the transport boats of Lagos in Nigeria – it is so interesting the influence countries have on one another isn’t it? When I was in Brazil I was amazed to find that they speak Portuguese – I hadn’t known that beforehand. Well, having said that I believe that there is a considerable difference. In fact a chap I got talking to about this said it is much like the differences between English and American: you know - horn for hooter, trunk for boot (of a car) and so on!
All these influences have conspired to make Portugal what it is today, one of the loveliest countries with a varied and multi-cultural feel that I for one never tire of. Have you noted signs of this as you have travelled around the country?
Have a happy week – and remember, summer is almost here!
Carol
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
Thursday 3 March 2011
Your next trip to Portugal…
Most people travelling to Portugal go because they love the country or perhaps love the sunny weather and the magnificent beaches, but why not try something a little different next time? For instance, why not combine your next trip (be it holiday or a property viewing trip) with a local event that will allow you to share a happy and celebratory time with local people? It’s great way to have fun and to make new friends.
This thought occurred to me when I saw something about the fantastically colourful carnivals in Portugal. For instance Loures, just 15 minutes away from Lisbon, has a great carnival tradition. There you can see an amazing carnival parade with over a thousand participants and many costumed characters in floats. This year the parade is scheduled to take place between the 6th and the 8th of March at 2:30 p.m. weather permitting – do check all dates and times before travelling by the way.
Then what about the carnival at Torres Vedras, only about 43 kms north of Lisbon, from Friday 4th to Wednesday 9th March 2011? This, they say, is the most ‘Portuguese’ carnival in the country - whatever that may mean! Evidently the parade has decorated streetcars satirising society and politics – it sounds interesting and quirky, doesn’t it?
As a confirmed bookaholic I rather liked the idea of the Lisbon Book Fair – no Kindle books for me! Evidently this has been held in Lisbon’s Edward VII Park (Parque Eduardo VII) since the 1930s and offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to browse through both old and new books, including comic books for the young/young at heart! It takes place some time from April to May – to my mind that’s worth bearing it in mind. And perhaps there will be a whole lot of like-minded locals to get chatting to…
The other thing I love to do when travelling is to walk, either alone, with friends or on arranged walks locally. It doesn’t have to be for miles – just a wander out into the country around Óbidos for instance is an utterly lovely experience. Spring is of course the perfect time to do this, with spring flowers popping up all over the countryside.
I also walked the walls that surround the town of Óbidos. I have to confess that I love peeping into people’s lives and seeing how they differ from ours – or indeed how often they are in many ways the same.
What I have often found is that if you walk just a few yards off the tourist trail you sometimes come upon enchanting places that are quiet and totally unspoilt, even in pats of the country that are otherwise quite crowded. Walking through the woods up to the palaces that rise above the town of Sintra was one such experience. All around me was it was quiet and cool and lovely with glimpses of birds and squirrels, while crowds of tourists drove to the top in their hot buses or cars!
There are so many towns and cities in Portugal that are fascinating to wander around – I did quite a bit of walking around Tomar for instance and found many small, intriguing insights into the town that I would never otherwise have seen. It is a mediaeval city with the streets and squares arranged in a chessboard pattern with lovely interesting Renaissance and Baroque buildings, medieval churches and the Castle. There is rumored to be a secret passageway between the Santa Maria dos Olivais church and the Castle – perhaps you may stumble across it!
So do a little research and pack those walking shoes next time you travel to Portugal: you may find the most wonderful things to do as you travel the country.
Have fun until next time…
Carol.
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
This thought occurred to me when I saw something about the fantastically colourful carnivals in Portugal. For instance Loures, just 15 minutes away from Lisbon, has a great carnival tradition. There you can see an amazing carnival parade with over a thousand participants and many costumed characters in floats. This year the parade is scheduled to take place between the 6th and the 8th of March at 2:30 p.m. weather permitting – do check all dates and times before travelling by the way.
Then what about the carnival at Torres Vedras, only about 43 kms north of Lisbon, from Friday 4th to Wednesday 9th March 2011? This, they say, is the most ‘Portuguese’ carnival in the country - whatever that may mean! Evidently the parade has decorated streetcars satirising society and politics – it sounds interesting and quirky, doesn’t it?
As a confirmed bookaholic I rather liked the idea of the Lisbon Book Fair – no Kindle books for me! Evidently this has been held in Lisbon’s Edward VII Park (Parque Eduardo VII) since the 1930s and offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to browse through both old and new books, including comic books for the young/young at heart! It takes place some time from April to May – to my mind that’s worth bearing it in mind. And perhaps there will be a whole lot of like-minded locals to get chatting to…
The other thing I love to do when travelling is to walk, either alone, with friends or on arranged walks locally. It doesn’t have to be for miles – just a wander out into the country around Óbidos for instance is an utterly lovely experience. Spring is of course the perfect time to do this, with spring flowers popping up all over the countryside.
I also walked the walls that surround the town of Óbidos. I have to confess that I love peeping into people’s lives and seeing how they differ from ours – or indeed how often they are in many ways the same.
What I have often found is that if you walk just a few yards off the tourist trail you sometimes come upon enchanting places that are quiet and totally unspoilt, even in pats of the country that are otherwise quite crowded. Walking through the woods up to the palaces that rise above the town of Sintra was one such experience. All around me was it was quiet and cool and lovely with glimpses of birds and squirrels, while crowds of tourists drove to the top in their hot buses or cars!
There are so many towns and cities in Portugal that are fascinating to wander around – I did quite a bit of walking around Tomar for instance and found many small, intriguing insights into the town that I would never otherwise have seen. It is a mediaeval city with the streets and squares arranged in a chessboard pattern with lovely interesting Renaissance and Baroque buildings, medieval churches and the Castle. There is rumored to be a secret passageway between the Santa Maria dos Olivais church and the Castle – perhaps you may stumble across it!
So do a little research and pack those walking shoes next time you travel to Portugal: you may find the most wonderful things to do as you travel the country.
Have fun until next time…
Carol.
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
Thursday 24 February 2011
Schooling in Portugal
If you are going to be moving to Portugal with school-going children, it is important to know a bit about this.
Compulsory education in Portugal lasts from the age of six to fifteen. In state-run schools basic education is free. Financial assistance may be available for extra expenses such as school meals, transport and textbooks, depending on your financial circumstances.
The school year runs from the middle of September to the end of June for compulsory schooling, or to the middle of June for secondary schools. Individual schools set the actual dates but there must be at least 180 school days in each year.
Pre-school/Kindergarten (Jardims de Infância) attendance is optional and children may be accepted from the age of three.
Basic compulsory education (ensino básico) is divided into three ‘cycles’:
- A first cycle (1°Ciclo) lasting four years (for pupils aged six to ten)
- A second cycle (2° Ciclo) lasting two years (for pupils from ten to twelve)
- A third cycle (3° Ciclo) lasting three years (for pupils from twelve to fifteen)
The first cycle is primary school (escolas básicas), while the second and third cycles are combined primary and secondary schools (escolas básicas/secundárias).
Children who reach the age of six by 16 September are eligible to attend the first cycle of basic education. Those reaching this age by 31 December can also be admitted, but priority is given to older children when allocating places.
Pupils must attend school in the area where they live or in the area in which the parents are employed, although exceptions can be made in certain cases.
You will need the following documents:
- Registration papers (available from the school)
- Health certificate
- Three passport photos
- Proof of identity
- A leaving certificate from their previous school if applicable, with confirmation of the last level passed
Pupils are assessed at the end of each school year and at the end of each cycle. Those who are considered satisfactory will go on to the next stage. Pupils who do not meet the required standards may be asked to repeat the year.
Pupils who achieve the required standard in the general assessment at the end of the third cycle are awarded a certificate of basic education (diploma do ensino básico) by the school. After successfully completing their compulsory nine years of education children aged fourteen to fifteen may decide to continue secondary education, either as preparation for higher education or for more vocational/technical education.
Secondary education is not free; students have to pay for enrolment and tuition as well as for their textbooks and other materials, although financial assistance may be available.
In post-compulsory schooling there are two type of assessment – internal and external.
Internal assessment consists of a general written test in every subject at the end of the tenth and eleventh years and, in some subjects, at the end of the final year. The Class Council decides whether the student should advance to the next class or repeat the year based on both a general test plus continuous assessment.
External assessment takes the form of final written examinations in most of the subjects in the twelfth year. In order to pass, students must achieve a pass mark in every one of their course subjects.
On successfully completing their secondary education, students are awarded a certificate (diploma de estudos secundários) indicating the courses and the final marks obtained. Those who complete a technical course will also receive a level III vocational training certificate (diploma de qualificação profissional de nivel III).
The higher education system consists of public universities (universidades), polytechnics (escolas politécnicas), and a number of private or cooperative institutions of higher education.
Students may apply who have successfully completed the three years of secondary education and have a secondary school diploma, or a legally equivalent qualification. Depending on what type of higher educational establishment they apply to, students may also have to pass either a national examination organised by the Director –General of Higher Education (Direcção – Geral do Ensino Superior), or an entry examination set by the institution.
Graduate qualifications may be a bachelor degree (bacharelado), which requires three years of study, or licentiate (licenciatura) degree, needing four to six years.
A foreign language (English, French or German) is compulsory in the second cycle of basic compulsory education. However, some pupils may begin learning a foreign language in the first cycle.
In the third cycle, pupils will take on a second foreign language (English, French, German or Spanish). This means that, within their basic and secondary education, students have to study at least two foreign languages.
There are a number of International Schools throughout Portugal which are attended by a mixture of international and Portuguese pupils. Pupils may study on the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) programme, or for the British GCSE and GCE examination systems. Term dates and school holidays may differ from those of Portuguese schools.
For the British Embassy's list of English-medium International schools in Portugal: go to: http://ukinportugal.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-portugal/schools
This is just a brief outline but I hope it gives you something to get on with.
Have a great week!
Carol
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
Compulsory education in Portugal lasts from the age of six to fifteen. In state-run schools basic education is free. Financial assistance may be available for extra expenses such as school meals, transport and textbooks, depending on your financial circumstances.
The school year runs from the middle of September to the end of June for compulsory schooling, or to the middle of June for secondary schools. Individual schools set the actual dates but there must be at least 180 school days in each year.
Pre-school/Kindergarten (Jardims de Infância) attendance is optional and children may be accepted from the age of three.
Basic compulsory education (ensino básico) is divided into three ‘cycles’:
- A first cycle (1°Ciclo) lasting four years (for pupils aged six to ten)
- A second cycle (2° Ciclo) lasting two years (for pupils from ten to twelve)
- A third cycle (3° Ciclo) lasting three years (for pupils from twelve to fifteen)
The first cycle is primary school (escolas básicas), while the second and third cycles are combined primary and secondary schools (escolas básicas/secundárias).
Children who reach the age of six by 16 September are eligible to attend the first cycle of basic education. Those reaching this age by 31 December can also be admitted, but priority is given to older children when allocating places.
Pupils must attend school in the area where they live or in the area in which the parents are employed, although exceptions can be made in certain cases.
You will need the following documents:
- Registration papers (available from the school)
- Health certificate
- Three passport photos
- Proof of identity
- A leaving certificate from their previous school if applicable, with confirmation of the last level passed
Pupils are assessed at the end of each school year and at the end of each cycle. Those who are considered satisfactory will go on to the next stage. Pupils who do not meet the required standards may be asked to repeat the year.
Pupils who achieve the required standard in the general assessment at the end of the third cycle are awarded a certificate of basic education (diploma do ensino básico) by the school. After successfully completing their compulsory nine years of education children aged fourteen to fifteen may decide to continue secondary education, either as preparation for higher education or for more vocational/technical education.
Secondary education is not free; students have to pay for enrolment and tuition as well as for their textbooks and other materials, although financial assistance may be available.
In post-compulsory schooling there are two type of assessment – internal and external.
Internal assessment consists of a general written test in every subject at the end of the tenth and eleventh years and, in some subjects, at the end of the final year. The Class Council decides whether the student should advance to the next class or repeat the year based on both a general test plus continuous assessment.
External assessment takes the form of final written examinations in most of the subjects in the twelfth year. In order to pass, students must achieve a pass mark in every one of their course subjects.
On successfully completing their secondary education, students are awarded a certificate (diploma de estudos secundários) indicating the courses and the final marks obtained. Those who complete a technical course will also receive a level III vocational training certificate (diploma de qualificação profissional de nivel III).
The higher education system consists of public universities (universidades), polytechnics (escolas politécnicas), and a number of private or cooperative institutions of higher education.
Students may apply who have successfully completed the three years of secondary education and have a secondary school diploma, or a legally equivalent qualification. Depending on what type of higher educational establishment they apply to, students may also have to pass either a national examination organised by the Director –General of Higher Education (Direcção – Geral do Ensino Superior), or an entry examination set by the institution.
Graduate qualifications may be a bachelor degree (bacharelado), which requires three years of study, or licentiate (licenciatura) degree, needing four to six years.
A foreign language (English, French or German) is compulsory in the second cycle of basic compulsory education. However, some pupils may begin learning a foreign language in the first cycle.
In the third cycle, pupils will take on a second foreign language (English, French, German or Spanish). This means that, within their basic and secondary education, students have to study at least two foreign languages.
There are a number of International Schools throughout Portugal which are attended by a mixture of international and Portuguese pupils. Pupils may study on the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) programme, or for the British GCSE and GCE examination systems. Term dates and school holidays may differ from those of Portuguese schools.
For the British Embassy's list of English-medium International schools in Portugal: go to: http://ukinportugal.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-portugal/schools
This is just a brief outline but I hope it gives you something to get on with.
Have a great week!
Carol
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
Thursday 17 February 2011
Coping with those VIPs – your kids!
So…you’ve decided to follow your dreams – or that great job offer – and move to Portugal! And if you have children, the good news is that they generally adjust far quicker to a move than most adults.
The younger the child, the easier it is for them to adapt. It is generally acknowledged that children up to the age of seven are able to absorb what goes on around them very easily and language is usually something that they can pick up without too much effort. That is not to say that older children will not be able to cope, merely that it may require more effort on their part.
The essential thing is that you are enthusiastic about the move and that you include them in the preparations. If they think that you as a family are undertaking a huge adventure together, this will go a long way to making the move seem like something to look forward to rather than to dread.
Discuss the move with them and talk about what they can expect to find on arrival. Highlight the advantages of the move and point out that family and friends will be keen to visit them in their new home, where it will be up to them to show them around their new country …
Leaving friends behind is never easy but today, with the Internet, Facebook and emails, it is a whole lot easier. Just make very sure incidentally that when you decide to rent or to buy a property that you have access to the Internet.
A few points that are worth remembering:
- Encourage children to learn about Portugal in advance. Perhaps get an atlas and have a look at a map, read them a book about the country or you could perhaps take them to a Portuguese restaurant
- Take photos of their new home and area if they have not yet seen it yet so that it looks familiar on arrival
- I am a digital online photo album addict. Give your child a cheap digital camera and tell them to make an album of their journey from the UK to their new home…This comes with a warning – it’s addictive!
- Portuguese lessons before you leave the UK will mean that they will have a good idea as to what is going on once they attend school
- Arrange to visit new schools and meet teachers before the first day of school. When my daughter was young, her new school always appointed a ‘mentor’ for each new child – someone in the class who had been at the school for a while and could show her the ropes. You may suggest this…?
- Provide children of all ages with a notebook that they can write down all their friend’s email addresses and contact details to take with them. You may find that the computer, with all these vital details, gets damaged in the move
- There is nothing as comforting as a pet for younger children. Failing that, a favourite toy at hand at all times!
For older children it may be a little bit more difficult. Apart from just the language, there are the social aspects. Teenagers need backup from their peers and have usually formed a close group of friends from whom they get this. Leaving their friends and changing schools will be challenging – I can vouch for this personally as I did it many times and can still remember the feeling of isolation. BUT – given time - it all settles down and, with your support and over time, they will adjust and be happy.
I hope that has given you a few ideas. Remember, kids really do adjust very quickly – I know that the only problem my Swedish friend now residing in the States has is to make sure his five year old kids remember their mother tongue!
Happy week to you and we’ll chat soon,
Carol.
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
The younger the child, the easier it is for them to adapt. It is generally acknowledged that children up to the age of seven are able to absorb what goes on around them very easily and language is usually something that they can pick up without too much effort. That is not to say that older children will not be able to cope, merely that it may require more effort on their part.
The essential thing is that you are enthusiastic about the move and that you include them in the preparations. If they think that you as a family are undertaking a huge adventure together, this will go a long way to making the move seem like something to look forward to rather than to dread.
Discuss the move with them and talk about what they can expect to find on arrival. Highlight the advantages of the move and point out that family and friends will be keen to visit them in their new home, where it will be up to them to show them around their new country …
Leaving friends behind is never easy but today, with the Internet, Facebook and emails, it is a whole lot easier. Just make very sure incidentally that when you decide to rent or to buy a property that you have access to the Internet.
A few points that are worth remembering:
- Encourage children to learn about Portugal in advance. Perhaps get an atlas and have a look at a map, read them a book about the country or you could perhaps take them to a Portuguese restaurant
- Take photos of their new home and area if they have not yet seen it yet so that it looks familiar on arrival
- I am a digital online photo album addict. Give your child a cheap digital camera and tell them to make an album of their journey from the UK to their new home…This comes with a warning – it’s addictive!
- Portuguese lessons before you leave the UK will mean that they will have a good idea as to what is going on once they attend school
- Arrange to visit new schools and meet teachers before the first day of school. When my daughter was young, her new school always appointed a ‘mentor’ for each new child – someone in the class who had been at the school for a while and could show her the ropes. You may suggest this…?
- Provide children of all ages with a notebook that they can write down all their friend’s email addresses and contact details to take with them. You may find that the computer, with all these vital details, gets damaged in the move
- There is nothing as comforting as a pet for younger children. Failing that, a favourite toy at hand at all times!
For older children it may be a little bit more difficult. Apart from just the language, there are the social aspects. Teenagers need backup from their peers and have usually formed a close group of friends from whom they get this. Leaving their friends and changing schools will be challenging – I can vouch for this personally as I did it many times and can still remember the feeling of isolation. BUT – given time - it all settles down and, with your support and over time, they will adjust and be happy.
I hope that has given you a few ideas. Remember, kids really do adjust very quickly – I know that the only problem my Swedish friend now residing in the States has is to make sure his five year old kids remember their mother tongue!
Happy week to you and we’ll chat soon,
Carol.
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
Thursday 10 February 2011
Fires in Portugal: insure against this…
I have been watching the news and seen with horror the unbelievable fires in Australia. It may not be mid-summer right now, but let’s face it, one of the reasons we love Portugal is that wonderful summer sun. Sadly there is a flipside to this and that is the traditional summer curse of wildfires, much as in Australia.
Each year firemen or bombeiros are called out to tackle fires all over the country which, in late summer 2010 included blazes in the hills near Sintra, in Viana do Castelo and in Viseu. The extremes of heat are unfortunately conducive to fires starting up and they are then fanned by the wind. Temperatures in some areas of Portugal were forecasted to have reached 40C or 104 degrees Fahrenheit in late summer 2010 – it seems hard to even imagine those sort of temperatures now doesn’t it? Rainfall was also very low in 2010, the lowest on record for 24 years. The lack of rain in Portugal was in total contrast to the previous winter when it was recorded that it was the wettest winter since 1870 in Lisbon. Note to self: stop complaining so much about our rather wet climate…!
Just to give you an idea of what the emergency services had to deal with, at one stage it was reckoned that 50 fires were burning in central and northern parts of the country, with about 1,500 fire-fighters mobilised to tackle the blazes. Around 18,000 hectares (44,500 acres) of forests and bush land was believed to have been affected. In August 2010 two Portuguese fire-fighters were killed and many others injured.
Portugal's only national park - the Peneda-Geres National Park in the north-west of the country – was one of the areas under threat.
I am mentioning all this not to scare you: after all, there are fires throughout Europe: Spain, France, Greece to name but a few…No, what I want you to remember is that if you have a property in Portugal it is imperative that you have it properly insured against fire.
If you are using your property as a holiday home or a rental property the using a British-based company makes it very easy to discuss what you need and to claim too if you are in the unfortunate position of having to do so. If however you live in Portugal you may find it easier to use a local company. Unless you have a very good comprehension of Portuguese I would think that it is of primary importance that your documents can be provided in English and that there is someone there that can help you sort out any claims that you may have to make in English too.
Bye ’til next time…
Carol.
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
Each year firemen or bombeiros are called out to tackle fires all over the country which, in late summer 2010 included blazes in the hills near Sintra, in Viana do Castelo and in Viseu. The extremes of heat are unfortunately conducive to fires starting up and they are then fanned by the wind. Temperatures in some areas of Portugal were forecasted to have reached 40C or 104 degrees Fahrenheit in late summer 2010 – it seems hard to even imagine those sort of temperatures now doesn’t it? Rainfall was also very low in 2010, the lowest on record for 24 years. The lack of rain in Portugal was in total contrast to the previous winter when it was recorded that it was the wettest winter since 1870 in Lisbon. Note to self: stop complaining so much about our rather wet climate…!
Just to give you an idea of what the emergency services had to deal with, at one stage it was reckoned that 50 fires were burning in central and northern parts of the country, with about 1,500 fire-fighters mobilised to tackle the blazes. Around 18,000 hectares (44,500 acres) of forests and bush land was believed to have been affected. In August 2010 two Portuguese fire-fighters were killed and many others injured.
Portugal's only national park - the Peneda-Geres National Park in the north-west of the country – was one of the areas under threat.
I am mentioning all this not to scare you: after all, there are fires throughout Europe: Spain, France, Greece to name but a few…No, what I want you to remember is that if you have a property in Portugal it is imperative that you have it properly insured against fire.
If you are using your property as a holiday home or a rental property the using a British-based company makes it very easy to discuss what you need and to claim too if you are in the unfortunate position of having to do so. If however you live in Portugal you may find it easier to use a local company. Unless you have a very good comprehension of Portuguese I would think that it is of primary importance that your documents can be provided in English and that there is someone there that can help you sort out any claims that you may have to make in English too.
Bye ’til next time…
Carol.
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
Thursday 3 February 2011
3 villages that I love
Am I right in saying that we do like to be beside the sea side? Looking out my window, it’s a gloomy day – sun and sand sound just the thing! Then Ericeira may be for you – I know it’s not exactly an historical village but I just had to share it with you on the way to Óbidos and Sintra!
When I first saw it, years ago now, it was totally undiscovered. Today it is really well known for its surfing, water sports and sunbathing, but it is still as lovely as when I first saw it.
The town is not too far north of Lisbon – 50 kms northeast of the city to be exact. Ericeira was once just a small fishing village and this feeling still remains, although a fair number of tourists now visit, especially the surfers. It is perched on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic and the pretty narrow streets with whitewashed chapels and white houses edged in blue are a joy to wander around before heading to the sandy beaches. When we were here we gorged ourselves on very reasonably priced seafood – yum!
Moving down to Óbidos …this has got to be one of the most beautiful villages ever. If I had my way, I would buy a home nearby, perhaps outside the city walls – it really is so spectacular and atmospheric. Narrow cobbled streets, lined with whitewashed, bougainvillaea-draped houses, are surrounded by huge castle walls. I walked the walls right around the town, peeping into people’s lives as they went about their daily business – fascinating. Although not right on the sea, nearby is the large lagoon of Lagoa de Óbidos where you can swim, sunbathe or even hire windsurfing equipment.
And then finally Sintra. Sintra is a UNESCO world heritage site and it soon becomes clear why. This is a truly lovely town, only about 20 miles from Lisbon, with a plethora of castles to be visited and much to see and do. There are lovely green forested areas on the walk up to the castles above the town, which are cool and relaxing to stroll through in the summer months. Not only that, but Sintra is near the coast and many beautiful beaches lie only a short drive away. The best way to get there is to take the tram: all year round an old-fashioned eléctrico tram service ferries people from Sintra to various villages and beaches.
I’m not the only person from the UK to love the place: Lord Byron visited in the 18th century, writing that the town is "perhaps in every respect the most delightful in Europe," and calling it a "glorious Eden" in his epic poem Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. He helped to put the town on the tourist map and it became popular for those on the European ‘Grand Tour’. Today it is just as lovely.
I hope my wanderings have given you a few ideas as to where to at least visit as you look to buy that property you have been searching for – do let me know when you find it won’t you?
Until then, all best wishes,
Carol
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.portugalbuyingguide.com/
Wednesday 26 January 2011
Travelling around Lisbon in trams!
One of the things I remember most about my visit to the lovely city of Rio in Brazil was the truly spectacular tram ride in the district of Santa Teresa, so you can imagine my pleasure when I discovered that there are still old trams in Lisbon too!
Tramways are not just a good way of getting about a city – they are enormous fun, and Lisbon’s trams are no exception. The trams and tram lines were built in the early 19th-century. Like the trams in Rio, they are a bright, cheerful yellow and run on rails through the old streets of Lisbon.
Lisbon sprawls over seven hills, great for views but hell on the legs so the Tram 28 is the total answer - it takes you to four of the seven summits. Your trip starts at Praça Luis de Camões in Chiado district and drops into the town below, through Alfama and past the Sé Cathedral. It also passes Miradouro de Santa Luzia, the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora and the National Pantheon and ends in Martim Moniz in the north. You can also get off at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and walk the rest of the way to St George Castle – not too far, I promise!
Tram 12 takes a short circular route, starting and ending in Rossio – actually tram 15 does too. It travels through the Alfama district, past the Sé Cathedral and then carries on up to Martim Moniz and back to Rossio. It's a wonderful way to view the very narrow and precipitous streets of Alfama without totally exhausting yourself!
Tram 25 is another great option. It runs from near the docks below the Sé Cathedral and along the river, then up through Lapa to the Basilica and Jardim da Estrela before ending at a huge cemetery at Prazeres. I don’t know about you but I love visiting cemeteries: somehow the peace and the beauty of them really fascinate me.
Tram 18 and 25 and run west along the waterfront to Santos. Tram 18 continues north through the up-and-coming district of Alcântara to the cemetery at Ajuda. From here you can get to the Ajuda Palace with very little trouble.
Belém is the museum district and the Tram 15 is the one to take to get here.
Much like our buses here in the UK, tickets can be purchased from the tram driver but you can save money by buying a Viva Viagem travel pass that allows unlimited travel on trams, the metro, buses and elevadores for 24 hours from the time of purchase. You can get them at metro and train stations plus from some newsagents and cafés in Lisbon, again the same as in the UK.
They also run tours of Lisbon in old restored tramcars. A company called Carristur runs these tours every 20 minutes from 10pm and 7pm June to September and every 30 minutes October to May. The tours depart from the corner of Praça do Comércio – sounds great to me!
And now for a zany, unusual ‘transport’ option that only Portugal can provide: Lisbon's elevadores, or funiculars. These will take you up to fine viewpoints overlooking Lisbon and were built in the early 1900s by student of Gustave Eiffel – no need to tell you what HE built! You will find one of these unusual methods of transport in the centre of Lisbon's Baixa district – it will bear you up from the Rua do Ouro to the Convento do Carmo, 45 above. There you will be able to take in great views sipping a cup of much needed coffee! There are a number of these great steel giants, usually taking you up to wonderful vantage points that overlook the lovely city of Lisbon – why not give them a try?
I hope this has inspired you to get out your passport and set off – just writing it has me looking up a few cheap flights…see you there!
Incidentally, I just need to add that the article on SCUT motorways was reproduced by kind permission of HeyPortugal.com , the magazine for Central Portugal in English. My apologies for omitting this last week and my thanks for this very useful information.
You will find much useful info on this and other issues is updated regularly so please check the latest information on Scut Motorways there. The information was correct at the time of publication - 17th Jan 2011 – as you know, one of my readers added to this info too – things are always changing aren’t they?
Have a great week!
Carol.
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
Tramways are not just a good way of getting about a city – they are enormous fun, and Lisbon’s trams are no exception. The trams and tram lines were built in the early 19th-century. Like the trams in Rio, they are a bright, cheerful yellow and run on rails through the old streets of Lisbon.
Lisbon sprawls over seven hills, great for views but hell on the legs so the Tram 28 is the total answer - it takes you to four of the seven summits. Your trip starts at Praça Luis de Camões in Chiado district and drops into the town below, through Alfama and past the Sé Cathedral. It also passes Miradouro de Santa Luzia, the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora and the National Pantheon and ends in Martim Moniz in the north. You can also get off at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and walk the rest of the way to St George Castle – not too far, I promise!
Tram 12 takes a short circular route, starting and ending in Rossio – actually tram 15 does too. It travels through the Alfama district, past the Sé Cathedral and then carries on up to Martim Moniz and back to Rossio. It's a wonderful way to view the very narrow and precipitous streets of Alfama without totally exhausting yourself!
Tram 25 is another great option. It runs from near the docks below the Sé Cathedral and along the river, then up through Lapa to the Basilica and Jardim da Estrela before ending at a huge cemetery at Prazeres. I don’t know about you but I love visiting cemeteries: somehow the peace and the beauty of them really fascinate me.
Tram 18 and 25 and run west along the waterfront to Santos. Tram 18 continues north through the up-and-coming district of Alcântara to the cemetery at Ajuda. From here you can get to the Ajuda Palace with very little trouble.
Belém is the museum district and the Tram 15 is the one to take to get here.
Much like our buses here in the UK, tickets can be purchased from the tram driver but you can save money by buying a Viva Viagem travel pass that allows unlimited travel on trams, the metro, buses and elevadores for 24 hours from the time of purchase. You can get them at metro and train stations plus from some newsagents and cafés in Lisbon, again the same as in the UK.
They also run tours of Lisbon in old restored tramcars. A company called Carristur runs these tours every 20 minutes from 10pm and 7pm June to September and every 30 minutes October to May. The tours depart from the corner of Praça do Comércio – sounds great to me!
And now for a zany, unusual ‘transport’ option that only Portugal can provide: Lisbon's elevadores, or funiculars. These will take you up to fine viewpoints overlooking Lisbon and were built in the early 1900s by student of Gustave Eiffel – no need to tell you what HE built! You will find one of these unusual methods of transport in the centre of Lisbon's Baixa district – it will bear you up from the Rua do Ouro to the Convento do Carmo, 45 above. There you will be able to take in great views sipping a cup of much needed coffee! There are a number of these great steel giants, usually taking you up to wonderful vantage points that overlook the lovely city of Lisbon – why not give them a try?
I hope this has inspired you to get out your passport and set off – just writing it has me looking up a few cheap flights…see you there!
Incidentally, I just need to add that the article on SCUT motorways was reproduced by kind permission of HeyPortugal.com , the magazine for Central Portugal in English. My apologies for omitting this last week and my thanks for this very useful information.
You will find much useful info on this and other issues is updated regularly so please check the latest information on Scut Motorways there. The information was correct at the time of publication - 17th Jan 2011 – as you know, one of my readers added to this info too – things are always changing aren’t they?
Have a great week!
Carol.
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
Thursday 13 January 2011
Are you thinking of buying land in Portugal with a view to building?
Buying a plot of land in Portugal is often cheaper and easier than in other countries, in particular in the countryside. A newly-built home can be done to your own specification, plus land is a lot cheaper and more readily available in Portugal than in the UK. New builds are also a good option when it comes to holiday rental investment if you are thinking of going down that route.
However, one of the things you really need to look out for is that you will be allowed to build exactly what you want on your piece of land. PLEASE, for your own sake, work in conjunction with an English-speaking, Portuguese licenced estate agent and a reputable architect and lawyer from the very outset. Word of mouth is usually a very good way to set about finding someone good: ask expats or go onto an expat forum perhaps. Also, ask to actually talk to ex-clients to get firsthand feedback.
There are five different classifications for land: Reserve (Protected), Agro-Forest i.e. forest or woodland areas (which are very difficult to obtain planning for due to current fire regulations), Commercial, Urban and Rustic. The Plano Director Municipal (PDM), which governs this classification, is updated regularly and gives clear definitions of any changes to land classification in all areas.
Portugal has some of the strictest planning laws in Europe which have been introduced to ensure sustainable development and to enhance and protect green open spaces. They have seen what has happened in neighbouring Spain and are determined not to go the route of the vast over-development that took place there.
Once you have the land, you will want to plan to build on it. Planning permission in Portugal is a two-stage procedure and it is essential to work with an accredited architect and engineer. The first stage of planning is called the Architectural Project (Projecto de Arquitectura) which is submitted to the local Town Hall for first approval and incorporates a comprehensive description of the property, including architectural drawings, topographical survey and a list of the materials to be used.
The second stage of the planning procedure in Portugal is the submission of the Speciality Detailed Project (Projecto de Especialiada). This part of the procedure covers the engineering detail required to complete the build, information pertaining to sewage removal, water and utilities and is usually compiled in conjunction with an engineer. Bear in mind that this can be quite a time consuming process!
Once both the Architectural Project and the Speciality Detailed Project have been approved by the local council, you can then get the Licence of Work or building licence (Licença de Obras) from the Town Hall. Once the build is complete, the Town Hall official will visit the property to inspect it - sometimes this may be just an external inspection. They will check the Book of Works (Livro de Obras) which is kept by the engineer and, if everything is in order, the Town Hall will provide a technical file (Ficha Technica) and a habitation licence (Licença de Habitação) for the property.
I hope this has assisted you. Remember that there are many property professionals that have been personally sourced and checked by OGC Resource Centre staff or that come highly recommended by other OGC readers. The team will happily put you in touch with them – just give them a call on 0207 898 0549.
I hope you have a wonderful New Year – I have a good feeling about 2011!
Best wishes,
Carol.
Carol
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
However, one of the things you really need to look out for is that you will be allowed to build exactly what you want on your piece of land. PLEASE, for your own sake, work in conjunction with an English-speaking, Portuguese licenced estate agent and a reputable architect and lawyer from the very outset. Word of mouth is usually a very good way to set about finding someone good: ask expats or go onto an expat forum perhaps. Also, ask to actually talk to ex-clients to get firsthand feedback.
There are five different classifications for land: Reserve (Protected), Agro-Forest i.e. forest or woodland areas (which are very difficult to obtain planning for due to current fire regulations), Commercial, Urban and Rustic. The Plano Director Municipal (PDM), which governs this classification, is updated regularly and gives clear definitions of any changes to land classification in all areas.
Portugal has some of the strictest planning laws in Europe which have been introduced to ensure sustainable development and to enhance and protect green open spaces. They have seen what has happened in neighbouring Spain and are determined not to go the route of the vast over-development that took place there.
Once you have the land, you will want to plan to build on it. Planning permission in Portugal is a two-stage procedure and it is essential to work with an accredited architect and engineer. The first stage of planning is called the Architectural Project (Projecto de Arquitectura) which is submitted to the local Town Hall for first approval and incorporates a comprehensive description of the property, including architectural drawings, topographical survey and a list of the materials to be used.
The second stage of the planning procedure in Portugal is the submission of the Speciality Detailed Project (Projecto de Especialiada). This part of the procedure covers the engineering detail required to complete the build, information pertaining to sewage removal, water and utilities and is usually compiled in conjunction with an engineer. Bear in mind that this can be quite a time consuming process!
Once both the Architectural Project and the Speciality Detailed Project have been approved by the local council, you can then get the Licence of Work or building licence (Licença de Obras) from the Town Hall. Once the build is complete, the Town Hall official will visit the property to inspect it - sometimes this may be just an external inspection. They will check the Book of Works (Livro de Obras) which is kept by the engineer and, if everything is in order, the Town Hall will provide a technical file (Ficha Technica) and a habitation licence (Licença de Habitação) for the property.
I hope this has assisted you. Remember that there are many property professionals that have been personally sourced and checked by OGC Resource Centre staff or that come highly recommended by other OGC readers. The team will happily put you in touch with them – just give them a call on 0207 898 0549.
I hope you have a wonderful New Year – I have a good feeling about 2011!
Best wishes,
Carol.
Carol
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Portugalbuyingguide.com
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