The beauty of small cities: A trip to Castelo Branco

My last trip before the exam session was to a small city near Covilhã, called Castelo Branco. I chose this destination to save some time, and to be able to make it a day trip since deadlines and exams are closer and closer.

A short description of the city

*Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelo_Branco,_Portugal*

The city of Castelo Branco is a municipality and former bishopric in Castelo Branco District, Portugal. This city was founded at the base of a Templar castle in the 13th century, when war was a way of life for hundreds of years. Therefore, Castelo Branco was attacked repeatedly in the 17th and 18th centuries.

This beautiful place was also the seat of a diocese, and the bishops’ palace and garden are proof to this day of this fact.

Did you know?

Even though I have heard of this city numerous times, I never knew the meaning of the name or from what it derives, to be honest. While researching to visit it, I found out that the name actually means “white castle” in Portuguese. So cool!

What to visit in Castelo Branco

I visited Castelo Branco on a cloudy Sunday by my own, since we had very few (to none) Erasmus+ gatherings during my semester and I did not manage to build friendships so much… Still, I have to admit it was such a cute, quite, tranquil city to see, and just what I needed before my exam session starts 🙂

I loved the safe, local atmosphere, almost like in a small town where everyone knows and trusts each other, a thing I rarely experienced, maybe only at my grandparents who live in the countryside, back in Romania. Also, me being such an animal lover, I simply adored all the animals around: a lot of cats especially on the hill of the city, even dogs here and there.

OK, so let’s discover together what to visit in Castelo Branco:

Jardim do Paço

Jardim do Paço is a wonderful garden of Castelo Branco’s episcopal palace. This is for sure the city’s unmissable sight! It reminded me a little of the Versailles gardens, with it’s grandiose balustrades and unique models.

Tucked into this network of boxwood hedges are fountains and statues representing apostles and lions, while the walls sport figurative tile panels. Guarding the balustrade are statues of the kings who ruled in Portugal during this period. Simply amazing!

Parque da Cidade

Parque da Cidade is the city park fronting the episcopal palace that used to belong to the Bishops of Castelo Branco.

The plots closest to the palace used to be their kitchen garden, and the town still grows herbs in square plots as a reminder of the park’s old role. Beyond that it’s a refined spot for a few minutes of repose, edged by the palace, and laid with fountains and reflecting pools, and a large, circular pergola.

Cruzeiro de São João

Cruzeiro de São João is a granite cross that was erected in front of a church at the very start of the 16th century. The church has long since disappeared, but the cross remains and has become a national monument for its Manueline decoration.

There are benches around it, and you can take a seat for a minute or two to admire the intricate design.

The old town

The medieval centre of Castelo Branco (or the old town) is a bewildering web of narrow streets through ravines of whitewashed houses in various states of repair, which are visible from the castle.

The castle walls

The castle walls represent the highest point of the city, and the outline of the single tower can be seen from quite a distance. The castle was a Templar fortification, raised at the beginning of the 13th century. It took big damage in the Portuguese Restoration War in the 17th century, and then again in the War of the Spanish Succession and Napoleon’s Peninsular Wars.

Here you can savour the perfect view of Castelo Branco from above!

Some conclusions

All in all, I recommend visiting this small city. Moreover, I can not wait to visit the last cities on my travel list: Lisbon (plus Sintra), Porto and Braga. These I will most probably see after the semester ends, in my last month here. But for now, I have to concentrate on my deadlines and last assignments, plus studying for my exams.

I believe that this travel blog/personal diary was an extraordinary method for me to document a big part of my Erasmus+ experience in Covilhã.

For me, this isolated semester was a great way of testing my limits, realising that I am much stronger than I think, stop relying so much on others to make me happy, and coming to the conclusion that sometimes the only person you have is YOURSELF. I will soon leave Portugal with the revelation that I am so blessed back home with everything that I have, that I love being Romanian, I love our traditional cuisine, our mesmerizing music, our beautiful language… But most of all, I love and will appreciate more my family, my close ones, my best friends, all which make a house a home, and a person whole.

What you can do for 2 days in Coimbra, Portugal

The adventure continues! The next 2 days of my trip were surprisingly some of the most beautiful I have experienced as a traveller. Coimbra was for me such a gem: old, full of historical buildings and crowded squares, tiny streets that get you lost, pretty terraces to relax and enjoy the moment and so much more…

About Coimbra

*Image source: https://portugal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/coimbra.jpg*

Coimbra is a riverfront city in central Portugal and the country’s former capital. This amazing place is also home to a preserved medieval old town and the historic University of Coimbra. The university was built on the grounds of a former palace, and it’s famous for its baroque library, the Biblioteca Joanina, and its 18th-century bell tower.

Some fun facts about the city

Coimbra is famous for Coimbra fado, a fado genre that originated in the city. It is played exclusively by male performers dressed in traditional student uniforms.
One of Europe’s tallest trees (73 metres), Karri Knight can be found in Valle de Canas of the municipality of Coimbra.
The city, located on a hill by the Mondego River, was called “Aeminium” in Roman times.
Coimbra has also been called “A Cidade dos Estudantes” (The city of the students) or “Lusa-Atenas” (Lusitan-Athens), because it is the site of the oldest and one of the largest universities in Portugal.
The University of Coimbra is the oldest academic institution in Portugal.

What to visit in Coimbra

After one day in Aveiro, I decided to continue my itinerary and head to Coimbra. Here, I arrived on a hot afternoon, and I was honestly baffled by the numerous narrow, old streets that form a sort of labyrinth of beautiful buildings and breathtaking views.

I hardly managed to find my accommodation located on a hill in the new town, very close to the city center. There, I took a looong rest and thoughtfully prepared for the next day, being a bit worried of how I will handle all the footpaths and little streets.

But all the emotions disappeared the next morning, once I went out and started to walk to the tourist attractions. Coimbra was a huge surprise for me, because I actually did not need any Internet indications to get around, as I kept on bumping into the places that were on my visiting list, without even stressing or precisely searching them.

I started my day very randomly, being drawn to this astonishing church, Igreja de Santa Cruz. It was Sunday and also the first day of Easter back home, since I am an Orthodox Christian. I can not put into words how beautiful the ceremony was… As the sun rays entered the church’s long, grandiose windows, the choir angelically singing “Hallelujah” filled the whole church with the love of God, gratitude and hope.

I continued my day and while taking a stroll and admiring the main shopping street (Rua Ferreira Borges), I also stumbled upon the Praça do Comercio and Igreja de Sao Tiago, other 2 tourist attractions that were definitely on my list because of their unique beauty and charm.

Personal photo archive

More and more local terraces and shops were greeting me as I went down to the old town. I was mesmerized by the smell of delicious cooked fish all around me, the clothes hanging dry everywhere, the cats at the windows, the Portuguese music in the background… Just like a dream, a Portuguese one for sure!

Lucky me to have a nice, sunny weather during my stay, perfect to walk around. And so I did! The Santa Clara bridge was waiting for me to discover the amazing panoramic view of the city from there, and I have to recognize that it left me speechless.

Next, I climbed to the old town to visit the very well-known University of Coimbra, which unfortunately was closed because it was Sunday, as I’ve said before. Yet, I managed to see it the next day and with my student ticket (of only 8 euros) I had access to The Johannine Library, The Chapel of São Miguel and The Royal Palace and University. If you are visiting Coimbra, I consider these tourist attractions a must-visit and very impressive to see! Also, you get a super view of the city from up there, perfect to take some photographs for Instagram 🙂

Personal photo archive

As the day was ending, I enjoyed a traditional dinner at a local restaurant in the old town. Now, I can say that I understand how Portuguese people are always so joyful! It is, indeed, very hard to stay mad when you have olives as appetizers, a fresh cooked fish with cheese, mushrooms and salad as your meal, and a Sangria or a glass of Portuguese wine in your hands.

All in all, I conclude with the thought that this was one of the best trips of my life, and the best Easter and 1st of May for me yet! I felt sincerely happy, just like a child, for that whole period of time, maybe because it was a totally new place for me or maybe because everything around me felt so magical and simply wonderful.

Therefore, I highly recommend to everyone to try at least once to travel solo, to see how it’s like to feel a new place without anyone around you, to get lost and find yourself in a completely foreign country, city or place, and to visit Portugal because it is so damn beautiful!

1 sunny day in the marvellous city of Aveiro, Portugal

In the last week, I have had the pleasure to visit for 1 day one of the cities from my travel list – the marvellous Aveiro, also known as the Venice of Portugal! So, if you want to find out what you can do for 1 sunny day in this location, continue reading.

At the end of this article, you can enjoy a personal short vlog with memories of some of the things mentioned, documenting my trip to Aveiro.

More about the city

*Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aveiro,_Portugal*

Aveiro is a very beautiful coastal city that has a lot to offer: Art Nouveau buildings, canals, boats, terraces, soft sand beaches, free bicycle rides. The canals are navigated by colorful, pretty boats, traditionally used to harvest seaweed. The Aveiro city is the second most populous city in the Center Region of Portugal, after Coimbra.

Did you know?

*Image source: https://www.travel-in-portugal.com/photos/aveiro-saltpans.html*

For a long period, Aveiro represented an important economic link in the production of salt and commercial shipping. History shows that it was a centre of salt exploitation by the Romans and trade centre through the Middle-ages, registered since 26 January 959.

My day in Aveiro

As I have mentioned in one of my previous articles, I took the brave decision to travel on my own at least one time during my Erasmus+ semester. Therefore, I decided to organise an itinerary to visit the cities of Aveiro and Coimbra in a 3-day trip.

Tickets, accommodation, food, restaurant options, tourist attractions, plans for each day and location, I took care of everything and researched like a pro!

So, I started my trip going straight from Covilhã to the coast, to Aveiro. Firstly, I have to recognize that I was impressed by the beauty of nature, mountains, and countryside in Portugal. Secondly, I opted exclusively for ticket trains for the whole trip, especially to be able to have the full experience, and discover more and more of this pretty country, besides the cities. The road to Aveiro took almost 5 hours, during which I admired the amazing landscapes around me.

I had almost a full day to visit this coastal city, get lost on the narrow streets, wander through the canals, and get a taste of the local culture.

I started by relaxingly walking from the train station to the center, and honestly it was so easy to get around even without Google Maps, since it is pretty small, and everything is near. I considered Aveiro perfect for 1 day or even half a day trips, if you plan to visit Coimbra or Porto, which are very close to it.

These were the main tourist attractions from my list, and basically the general main attractions of the city:

The Aveiro Cathedral, also known as the Church of St. Dominic, is a Roman Catholic cathedral founded in 1423 as a Dominican convent. Since 6 March 1996, it is on the register of National monuments of Portugal.
The Church of Mercy, in Portuguese: Igreja da Misericordia Aveiro, is a church constructed on an initial project from 1585, attributed to the Italian architect, Filipo Terzi, whose construction ended in 1653. This is the place near where I enjoyed a tasty cappuccino with a warm croissant.
The Garden of Rossio, in Portuguese: Jardim do Rossio, that is located right in the centre of the city, near the main canal.
The canals which make Aveiro the Venice of Portugal, with boats sprinkled across. I am very glad that I managed to take a boat tour on these canals, while being mesmerized by the pretty coloured buildings and palm trees, with Portuguese music in the background.
The forum shopping center and the souvenir shops which are ideal if you want some memories for yourself from this splendid place or some gifts for your dear ones.

Personal photo archive

At the end of my trip, I savoured a glass of Portuguese white wine, while reminiscing on my day, and realising that traveling alone can actually sometimes be a blessing in disguise hence I enjoyed it more, and was maybe more present than in the past.

Next, you can watch a small vlog from my day in Aveiro, plus in the next article I will continue the story about my 3-day trip, with my favourite part: the trip to Coimbra!

Once an Erasmus, forever an Erasmus

Choosing to apply for an Erasmus+ semester is a very important choice for any student that decides to go this way. Today, I will talk about what inspired me to apply for 2 Erasmus+ scholarships, and why you should too!

But first…

All you need to know about the Erasmus+ programme

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 3.png — *Image source:* *https://www.saudemais.tv/noticia/4997-covid-19-escolas-do-secundario-ponderam-cancelamento-de-viagens-erasmus*

Erasmus+ is EU’s programme intended to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe, which has a budget of €14.7 billion, providing opportunities for over 4 million Europeans to study, train, and gain experience abroad.

Merging seven prior programmes, it has opportunities for a wide variety of individuals and organisations. Individuals Erasmus+ has opportunities for people of all ages, helping them develop and share knowledge and experience at institutions and organisations in different countries. Organisations Erasmus+ has opportunities for a wide range of organisations, including universities, education and training providers, think-tanks, research organisations, and private businesses.[1]

The best example I could have had of this programme!

Honestly, what motivated and inspired me the most to apply for this experience was my mother, Alexandrina.

At the age of 46 years old, when she was studying her Master’s Degree, she was on an Erasmus semester, from February to May 2011. Within the LLP-Erasmus, she attended a training stage in the Laboratory of Biotechnology of Algae at the University of Huelva, Spain.

My mother’s personal photo archive

My very ambitious, young spirited mother managed to be one of the best students while also travelling and discovering a lot of amazingly beautiful places like Sevilla, Cordoba, Malaga, Granada, Punta Umbria near the Atlantic Ocean (in Spain), Villa Real de San Antonio (in Portugal).

She had a big group of friends and colleagues from all over Europe: Poland, Italy, Portugal, Serbia, France, and Turkey.

My personal conclusions about the Erasmus+ programme

After seeing my mother being so brave to go in another country to study and travel, I was very inspired and decided that I will do the same when I will have the opportunity, during university. And so I did!

I truly believe that this programme is such an enormous opportunity for every student, but unfortunately, many of them are not very informed on this topic or still have a lot of doubts about an Erasmus+ semester or what it means. Personally, I will ALWAYS encourage all students to never say never, and to try to apply, to get out of their comfort zone and discover new countries, cultures, cuisines, places and, of course, people!

7 reasons why you should travel alone in your 20s

If you wonder why you should travel alone in your 20s or at any age, this article is definitely for you!

As you already know, I am an Erasmus+ student in Covilhã, Portugal, during this academic semester. Usually, in normal conditions, there would be lots of parties, events, and trips with other Erasmus+ colleagues… But because of the global pandemic, unfortunately this was not possible.

So, there were a lot of lonely, hard times for me, a lot of sadness (I have to admit) and feeling isolated from the world. Yet, with strength I overcame all of those, and I promised myself that I would make the best out of this situation, especially now since the legal restrictions became less harsher.

That is the reason why I decided to travel alone at least one time in the period I have left here, in Portugal. In the next paragraphs, you will find out as well why I think it is a great idea to go on trips alone. See the 7 reasons why you should travel alone in your 20s next:

1. It’s a great confidence booster!

Travelling on your own will teach you many important life lessons. One of them is definitely that you are capable of much more than you would think. Setting to accomplish something, pursuing it, and having an amazing experience because you had the courage to just do it, that is CONFIDENCE GOALS.

2. It’s a great self-love reminder.

Travelling alone will also help you to be happy with yourself and appreciate yourself more: your personality traits, what makes you unique and how special you are in this Universe. And when you feel beautiful on the inside, it truly radiates out and your aura and energy will be sky high, and that is SELF-LOVE!

3. It helps you to be more present…

Furthermore, it gives you the time to cherish the little things in life. Take a stroll along the beach and enjoy a beautiful sunset, treat yourself to a Pastel de Nata or a Porto glass of wine, or go for a hike on Serra da Estrela and take as many breaks as you want. This is your trip and you get to be more present, when and how you wish.

4. It helps you to meet new people.

During your travels, you will meet people from all over the world who may share your passion for travelling, life and adventure. Some people you might just stop for a conversation with or you might actually meet your soul sisters you decide to travel along with. Some you may never see again, but will forever leave a mark on your heart!

5. It opens you up to new possibilities.

By starting to get out there and seeing places on your own, getting out of your comfort zone, and expanding your horizons, you will surely start to see different possibilities for your near future, and even life. If you feel like doing it, but you don’t go for it, you will never find out what it could have been!

6. You will have stories to tell.

From the funny moments to adventurous to embarrassing, you sure will have stories to tell your friends and family back home. This is your time! Before the real adult life kicks in, this is your chance to travel and explore. You have the independence and flexibility to travel and do whatever your heart desires.

7. You will cherish your family and dear ones more!

Finally, I have to say that given the fact that I came here with this Erasmus+ scholarship on my own, with nobody, no other colleague, I do feel that the entire trip was and is a solo one for me: from the plane to the train to the accommodation.

These were the lessons that I learned from it, yet maybe the most important one is that when you go back home (because eventually you will), you gain a new respect for your family, friends, and everyday life. After a trip alone, you realize that nothing should be taken for granted, that there is no place like home and each moment of life is precious!

A lesson learned in Covilhã: The beauty in the little things

My Erasmus+ COVID-19 experience continues! In this article, I will share with you what should have been a day trip to Serra da Estrela mountain, but turned out to be a new lesson learned in Covilhã.

But first, let’s find out more about this beautiful tourist attraction!

The beautiful Serra da Estrela

*Image source: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serra_da_Estrela*

Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain in Portugal , with a height of 1,993 metres (in its highest point in Torre). This is an area considered to be of rare landscape beauty, with striking mountain drops, where you can have a deep experience of the silence of the heights.

Intrigued and attracted by this astonishing natural beauty, I have organized a very small group of other 3 Erasmus+ students to climb and discover together the Serra da Estrela mountain, which is very close to our location, Covilhã. We truly wanted to take advantage of these moments of communion with nature to observe it, discovering the diversity of plants and birds, and the flocks of sheep herded by Estrela dogs.

Did you know?

The Cão da Serra da Estrela (Estrela Mountain Dog) is a breed of livestock guardian dog that takes its name from this region.

The unexpected happened

Even though it was a last minute trip, due to the always changing weather, we were so very excited to go on this journey together, and prepared as such: with snacks, a lot of water, SPF and enthusiasm.

But, as you may already know, life is unpredictable and many unexpected things can and will take place along! One of these was on this trip when at the place of meeting, one of the biggest parks here in Covilhã (Jardim do Goldra), I suddenly had no telephone credit, so no chance to call and contact my friends to find out where they are, even though I have arrived on time there.

Our mistake was definitely that we have not chosen a specific place in the garden to meet, therefore we kept on looking after each other in the park for almost an hour or so…

Another fun fact

Queijo Serra da Estrela (Serra da Estrela cheese) is a soft cheese from the region of Serra da Estrela. The recipe is more than 2000 years old. It is made from cardoon thistle, raw sheep’s milk and salt. The cheese is soft and gooey, and it becomes harder and chewier as time goes by.

The lesson

Without any internet connection or credit available on my smartphone (even though I checked and I had 8 euros left the day before, a very much awkward situation indeed), and waiting and searching for a while in the garden, while receiving no phone calls from my mountain friends, what could I do?

Probably, you would say at first glance: be a bit disappointed and go home.

But I did the exact same opposite! I went on a terrace near, and made the most of my situation. Actually even better, I guess. I had a cup of coffee on a sunny Saturday morning almost noon, and then a glass of white wine while admiring the view of the city, and breathing the fresh mountain air. I loved it!

I continued to live in the present moment and just embrace the flow of life, and went to another terrace to take my lunch which ended of course with my favourite dessert here, Pastel de Nata.

I finished with a walk in the city, enjoying the amazing weather that day, while I could not stop smiling because I have realised once again that sometimes the beauty really is in the small things, and we don’t need that much to be happy and content with our lives. We just need to make the most of what we got, and what happens to us!

To conclude, I would say that day was even better than climbing the mountain with my friends… There is time left for that as well, nevertheless! Also, when I got home I found out that my phone number and credit were actually cut without any notice from home, the roaming was not available anymore because of using the option too much. In the end, it’s good to know that my friends truly tried to reach out and find me, but failed because of this issue 🙂

Let me introduce you to Bucharest, Romania!

After almost 3 months far from my country, I have to admit that I am a little bit homesick… That is why I dedicate this article to the most beautiful country for me – my country, Romania.

Even though I was very, very lucky in this lifetime to travel a lot, and I plan on travelling more in the future, no place will ever be like home, in my eyes and in my heart and soul.

So, let me introduce you to Bucharest, the capital of Romania, and share with you some recommendations on what to do here on a city trip! Keep reading to find out all the fun activities I have prepared for you.

A brief presentation of the city

Is the capital and largest city of Romania, while being also its cultural, industrial and financial centre
Is located in the South-East part of the country
Became the capital of Romania in 1862
It was called “The small Paris” between the World Wars due to the similar architecture of the buildings.

The must-do’s when you visit Bucharest

Taste the amazing local cuisine

*Image source: https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/sarmale/*

While Vienna has its schnitzel, Budapest has its goulash, Bucharest has a variety of Romanian special dishes, such as borș, sarmale, mici, papanași and many more. Don’t worry, they are not spicy! What you need to know about the Romanian cuisine is that it is an interesting, tasty mix from different traditions. The main influences are derived from the cuisine of the Ottoman Empire and the Balkan countries.

There are a couple of traditional restaurants in the capital, where you can enjoy these dishes: La Mama, Concerto Restaurant, Vatra etc. If you would like to try the Romanian wines too, there are plenty of wine bars which you can choose: Pâine și Vin, Abel’s Wine Bar, Winestone (Novotel Hotel).

Get inspired by the contrasts of this city

The city of Bucharest is like a cocktail of architectural styles, contrasting from traditional old buildings to modern skyscrapers. Gaze at the second largest administrative building in the world, the Palace of Parliament, and admire the classy and elegant Romanian Athenaeum.

Even more, if you are a museum lover, you can choose from the National Art Museum, the Museum of the Romanian Peasant, the Grigore Antipa Natural History Museum or the Theodor Aman Museum!

Enjoy the silence of the churches

*Image source: https://www.stavropoleos.ro/manastirea/biserica-manastirii/*

Sometimes a moment of silence and reflection is much needed and appreciated. If this is your slice of pie while you go on vacations, I prepared a list with the most beautiful churches from Bucharest, that you need to visit ASAP:

Stavropoleos is a tiny church located in the Old City Center. What makes it special is the architectural style used, called “Brâncovenesc”.
Antim is one of the churches saved from the demolitions ordered in the past by the communist rulers.
Spiridon represents the largest church in Bucharest and is known for the Renaissance style interior paintings.

Relax in one of the many parks

*Image source: https://www.destinatii.info/cele-mai-frumoase-parcuri-din-bucuresti/*

Besides new and old buildings and churches, Bucharest is a city filled with big green parks and welcoming gardens. They can save you if you are visiting the city in the summer season, when it can be extremely hot. If it’s not the case, or you are visiting in other seasons, it is either way a perfect place to discover and get lost in the beauty of the nature surrounding you.

Wander in Cișmigiu Gardens, the city’s first public garden, or take a boat trip on the lake of Herăstrău Park. Stroll through the French style Carol Park, named after King Carol I of Romania, or jog in the biggest park of the capital, Tineretului Park. If you are into smaller gardens, I recommend you Grădina Icoanei, which is located in the heart of Bucharest.

Adventure yourself in the vibrant nightlife

*Image source: https://www.clubhits.ro/club/fratelli/*

Oh, Bucharest’s nightlife! You can’t deny that this capital’s nightlife is wild, fun and vibrant. Whether you are a lover of fancy and extravagant clubs or you prefer more hipsterish places, Bucharest’s diversity of clubs and pubs will answer to your needs.

I advise you to start with a drink (or two) at one of the many pubs from the Old Center. Then, you can head to glam trendy places like Fratelli, Nuba, Funky Lounge Herăstrău or more alternative hipsterish clubs such as Expirat, Eden, Baraka and have the time of your life.

Recover in the biggest urban beach in Europe

*Image source: https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/therme-bucharest.html*

After all of these energy-consuming fun activities is time to recover and recharge your batteries for your next trip! Who wouldn’t love to enjoy a day of detaching from stress, responsabilities, a day of just swimming at the pool? What better place to do that than at the biggest urban beach in Europe?

Located just 10 minutes away from the city, Therme Bucharest has 9 pools, 6 saunas, 4 wet saunas and 16 water slides. Also, here you will find the largest botanical garden of the country, with over 800.000 plants, 1.500 palm trees, numerous orchids and so on. Just imagine drinking your cocktail in this paradise!

Well, now you know what you really must do while visiting the capital of my country, Romania, Bucharest, when the global pandemic situation will be over, of course! I am very glad to be able to share all of this with you and I hope that you will give it a try and come visit one day.

10 fascinating things you did not know about Portugal

Today we embark on an extraordinary journey, a journey sprinkled with the most fascinating facts you most probably don’t know yet (but will soon discover) about this beautiful country, Portugal.

*Image source: https://wetravelportugal.com/the-portuguese-flag/*

So, let’s unravel together the 10 interesting facts:

Portugal is one of the oldest nations in Europe, and it came into existence in 1139. It’s important to know that its borders have barely changed since 1297, when the Portuguese and Spanish signed a treaty handing over the Algarve to Portugal.
The city of Porto broke the world record for hosting the largest Santa Claus parade back in 2008. Over 14.000 people dressed as Santa showed up to raise money for charity.
Another interesting fact to know is that one of the oldest universities in Europe is in Portugal. The University of Coimbra was established in 1290, making it one of the oldest universities on the European continent.
Lisbon was struck by one of the most powerful earthquakes in European history on the 1st of November in 1755. The capital of Portugal was struck by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, which was followed by a tsunami, and fires that brought the city to rubble.
An impressive fact is that the Portuguese are world leaders in using renewable energy and generated 100% of their energy needs through hydro, wind, and solar power in March 2018.
Portuguese is the official language of not only Portugal but also Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Principe, Sao Tome, and Equatorial Guinea. It is estimated that more than 236 million people worldwide are native Portuguese speakers.
Portugal has allowed same-sex marriage in 2010, fact that was a major step for LGBTQ+ community rights. One year after the law came into force, around 380 same-sex marriages had taken place in Portugal and this number has continued to rise since.
The oldest bookstore in the world can be found in the capital, Lisbon. Dating back to 1732, Bertrand Chiado on Rua Garrett is the oldest bookstore still in operation, a record that was made official by the Guinness Book of Records in 2011.
Portugal holds the honour of having made the largest omelette in the world, which was prepared by 55 people over six hours, using 145.000 eggs. It weighed around 6.466 kg.
Portugal has the longest bridge in Europe! The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon is 17 kilometers long, making it the longest on our continent.

Do you know other fun, interesting things about this amazing country? Feel free to share in the comments below if so!

An Erasmus+ interview: Almost an year in Covilhã, Portugal

This is the interview about Erasmus+ I took of Urszula, a Fashion Design student at Lodz University of Technology (Master’s degree), who loves art, travelling, and learning new things (e.g. spoken foreign languages: English, German, Spanish, and a bit of Portuguese). She also likes modern dance and travel literature. She is living in Covilhã for a full academic year.

Personal photo archive of Urszula

1. How and why did you decide to apply for an Erasmus+ semester?

I applied, because I wanted to learn a different approach to fashion design during my Master studies. I also had some friends back in Poland that said that during their Erasmus they learned many new skills. I applied by a platform from my university, they are always helpful and try to simplify the application process, to encourage more students to join.

2. Why did you choose Portugal as your Erasmus+ country?

I had a friend who did Erasmus at UBI (from the same course) and she liked it here. I also like destinations that are not too close to my home country (to discover more), and with a bit warmer weather.

3. How was the process of travelling here, during this global pandemic? (e.g. method of transport, bureaucracy etc.)

The travelling by plane wasn’t too complicated, but before UBI required me to do the PCR test, and I was a bit stressed (whether I have results on time, if it’s negative etc.)

4. What was your first impression of Covilhã, Portugal?

I really liked it! At first, it wasn’t easy to walk around in such a hilly place, but now I’m used to it. I love especially the mountain views! It also looks like a really student friendly city (especially before the lockdown).

5. How did you adapt and accommodate to your new home?

I think I don’t have problems to adapt here, I’m quite a flexible person. Maybe I just miss a bit my family (living around people that are close to me).

6. Was your social life influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic? In what way?

Yes, it definitely was. At the beginning (in September) the restrictions were not so strict, so it was easier to meet people and go out (at least to have a drink). Obviously, it’s important to avoid it now, and respect the restrictions. I think we all hope that we can go back to normal again.

7. Where did you manage to travel in the country and what were your impressions?

I mostly travelled close to Covilha: Almeida, Castelo Bom, Parque natural de Serra de Estrela (Torre, Poios brancos, Poço de Inferno, Senhora de Boa Estrela), Belmonte, but after I just arrived I managed to see Praia de Benagil, later Fátima, and a bit of Lisbon… I think in Portugal there’s a lot to visit, and it’s a very interesting country, but unfortunately it’s a bit hard to travel in the pandemic.

8. What is your opinion regarding the Portuguese cuisine? What are your most liked traditional dishes? And your least liked?

I like it! Especially different ways to prepare the cod fish (e.g. bacalhau à brás). I really miss vegetarian dishes here (in many restaurants it’s just fish or meat to choose from), but I can’t recall any that I would specifically dislike.

9. Did you discover the Portuguese culture yet? How?

Yes, I think so (at least a bit) I think mostly by learning the language (I went to a course by UBI). It teaches a lot about how people think. But also living here, even if I’m not meeting personally now with many people, I think I see more of the little differences that make the culture special.

10. What are your expectations for the rest of your Erasmus+ experience during the COVID-19 pandemic?

I hope that the epidemic situation will improve, so the restrictions can be lifted safely. I hope to visit new places, especially Lisbon and the seaside, possibly with some more people. I also hope I can continue well with the projects at UBI (especially the ones that have to be done onsite).

Thank you for your help, Ula!

Personal photo archive of Urszula

The Portuguese Easter through the eyes of Francisca

It’s hard not to recognize the beauty of every culture and nationality, especially when it comes to the local holidays and celebrations! Today, I had the honour to interview my dear ESN buddy, Francisca Morais, regarding the Portuguese Easter traditions and more.

This interview was held exclusively online, in written format, due to the global pandemic situation, the harsh restrictions, and the bad Internet connection.

My background

I have always adored discovering new traditions, special dishes and manners. I am an Orthodox Christian, so our Easter is actually in May this year, but I insisted on also following the celebration of Easter here, attending the special night ceremony and bringing my candle to get the Holy Light.

I honestly was very emotional and impressed by the beauty of this ceremony, the togetherness of the community, the calm organisation of the event. Of course, I have also bought some Easter chocolate goodies, just like everyone at the local supermarket.

Let’s meet Francisca!

Francisca is a beautiful, smart, ambitious and sociable 20-year-old student from Covilhã, Portugal. She is studying Medicine at Universidade da Beira Interior.

So, let’s see what Francisca shared with us about the Portuguese Easter traditions!

1. Do you use to follow Easter traditions in your country every year?

A: Yes, I’ve done these traditions since I can remember, my family held onto them throughout maybe generations.

2. How would you describe the Portuguese Easter traditions in a few words?

A: Portuguese traditions have a religious and a social part and, in my opinion, those parts are equally important, whether to keep the faith, whether to reunite the family all over again.

3. What Easter Portuguese traditions do you usually follow? Describe in detail some of them, please.

A: On “Domingo de Ramos”, which is the Sunday before Easter, I usually offer a small gift to my godparents, like a box of chocolates or sweets, and on the Easter Day, my godparents give me a small gift too, for example a pack of sweet almonds (which is the tradition) and a small bill. I also reunite with my family to have lunch and we say some prayers before we start our meal.

*Image source: https://www.vindeacristo.org/pascoa/semana-santa-dia-1-domingo-de-ramos*

4. What are some Easter foods that you always have on your table?

A: We always have “folar”, “pão de ló”, sweet almonds and roasted lamb, which are the most traditional foods.

*Image source: https://www.amasscook.com/pao-de-lo/*

5. Which one is your favourite and why?

A: I love pão de ló because I’m a person that is more into sweets and pão de ló is like a very soft and fluffy cake, which is pleasant to eat.

6. Do you feel that the Easter became a more commercial holiday because of globalization? (e.g. the Easter bunny)

A: Yes, I totally agree that Easter became a more commercial holiday. However, I don’t think that’s a negative thing, because the fact that the Easter bunny exists, makes kids embrace Easter and it also makes them want to follow the traditions a few years later.

7. If yes, how does that affect your local Portuguese traditions?

A: I think that where Easter bunny affects our traditions the most is when it comes to the chocolate bunnies that are being put as a tradition, just like the chocolate Santa.

8. Do you intend to continue following and respecting these holiday traditions when you will have your own family? Why?

A: Yes, I totally plan on following and respecting these traditions. I think that by now, they are already part of me and they remind me of my family, so I definitely want to keep them because they make me happy by remembering the great times I had on Easter Day.

9. How important do you think that traditions are for creating a family bond?

A: I think they are very important. As I have said before, I always reunite with my family, except for this year and the previous one because of COVID-19, and I can say I miss celebrating the Easter Day. These days, people are more sensitive to the family relationships and bonding, so it’s a great time to reconnect.

10. Do you believe that Portugal is a traditional country? Why?

A: Yes, I think Portugal is a traditional country because these traditions already existed when my parents were kids, and they still prevail after all this time, which means Portuguese people enjoy these traditions and are willing to keep them throughout the times.

Thank you very much for your time, Francisca!

*A traditional Portuguese Easter table. Photo archive from Francisca*

In conclusion, it was an extraordinary experience to find out more about the Portuguese Easter traditions, especially from Francisca who opened up to me so sincerely.

I truly love that Portugal is such a traditional country and keeps important values such as: family, unity, respect and kindness, fact that reminds me tremendously of my home country, Romania. Even though we, of course, have different traditions and foods, we actually have so much in common: the love for family, the respect for elders, the passion for good food and so on.