Portugal

Souvenirs from Portugal

Visitors to the Portuguese Republic often find themselves in love with the warm weather and beautiful scenery. Portuguese souvenirs show this same beauty in the care and production of handicrafts. Some of the most famous pieces of craftsmanship are the hand painted dishes, bowls, and mugs. Trimmed in bright colors and cheerful motifs, these can be purchased in full sets or by the piece. This same characteristic painting is used to decorate ceramic tiles, trays and picture frames. Wood inlaid items are also very popular, for the deft hand used in creating intricate designs. You can find this technique in trinket boxes, frames and tables. For those in the market for them, there are many beautiful antiques to tempt the collector, such as bronze candlesticks and oil lamps. Other souvenirs from Portugal could be a fanciful T-shirt, sheaves of picture postcards, dangling key chains and figural refrigerator magnets of local landmarks.

Portugal's Climate

Portugal's warm and sunny Mediterranean climate is a draw for many tourists who search for an attractive vacation destination. In fact, it is one of the hottest countries in Europe, with average annual temperatures ranging from 12-18 degrees Celsius. The highest temperatures in summer can, in fact, top 45 degrees Celsius in the Guadiana basin. A record high temperature of 47.4 degrees was recorded in Amareleja, but this may not be the hottest region. According to satellite readings, nearby uninhabited areas may have reached much higher temperatures. The coastal regions benefit from the cooling ocean breezes, and average from 13-26 degrees Celsius. Precipitation is just as varied, with averages of 3,000 millimeters in north to under 300 along the Douro River. The greatest amount of precipitation falls at Mount Pico, which regularly receives 6,250 millimeters. Snow occurs in the interior regions of Portugal, especially in the North. There is around 3,000 hours of sunshine each year.