Shopping Portugal
By Bob Enzel

From January 7^th through February 28^th the boutiques and stores in Portugal mark down fine crafted items by 80% making it worth the five-hour flight from the U.S. to seek out these excellent values.

            The relatively small country of Portugal produces a variety of products from china, crystal and glassware to beautiful pottery made in the university town of Coimbra.

Portugal is a attractive and friendly country to tour where almost every town and city is famous for its own unique product.

            The famous greenware of Bordalo Pinheiro; or possibly a Nuno Baltazar dress; skirts by Baldque and tops by Maria Gambina can even be found at severely reduced prices.  But that’s not all Portugal produces in its 35 thousand square miles, a country about the size of Indiana.  It is certainly worth checking out the leather goods, embroidery, tapestry, wood carving, cork products and hand-knitted fisherman sweaters to touch on but a few of the many locally made items available.  Those more adventurous can stop and shop in Madeira and the Azores to seek out fine lace, embroidery and fine Madeira wine.

             There is a carnival in Portugal’s Porto Region in the town of Podence from February 18 to 20^th.  This is in the northern part of the country where grapes grown in the Douro Valley produce some of the great tasting ports and wines found in your local wine shops.  On the other hand, observant travelers will notice that grapes are grown everywhere that there is a suitable patch of ground.  Taste the Vinho Verde, Dao and Bairrada or wines from Oporto, Alentejo and Ribatezo…lots of  choices.   So when dining out don’t bother to show off your wine knowledge, merely order the wine of the region.  The locals appreciate it and you will never go wrong.

The thing with Portugal is that it is a wonderful country to visit anytime, not just for shopping.  Sightseeing, eating and shopping from town to town throughout the entire country makes it one of the select countries in Europe where those that like to drive and poke along will appreciate long after the return home.