UNDERSTAND THE PORTUGUESE
1. Portuguese people feel a sincere happiness when helping tourists so don’t feel ashamed to ask for help. Most of them know how to speak English, or at least they will make an effort to understand you.
2. Although a Catholic country (almost 90{c25b6e1c6a245e70fc6500154e0557d937502bb394782fe6b9eb1add4adc1b28} of Portuguese consider themselves to be Catholic) only as much as 19{c25b6e1c6a245e70fc6500154e0557d937502bb394782fe6b9eb1add4adc1b28} practice this faith).
3. The Portuguese are also known for not being very punctual. It’s as if being 15 to 30 minutes late is part of the cultural etiquette.
4. Portugal in general is a gay friendly country, but don’t expect the same openness in rural and small places that you get in the bigger cities like Lisbon or Porto.
5. Dinner is also quite late comparing to other European countries, usually between 8:30 and 9:00 pm.
6. Some cities in Portugal still stage bullfighting events. In Portugal it is illegal, contrary to what happens in Spain, to kill the bull during the bullfight. Keep in mind that this kind of entertainment is also very criticized by the Portuguese.
7. Football is a sensitive subject among the Portuguese. It is the sport that most characterizes their cultural identity. The main teams are: Futebol Clube do Porto, Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Sporting Clube de Portugal.
A TRULY RELAXING SHOWER
At The 7 Hotel, comfort, versatility and functionality do not have to be mutually exclusive. With our hydromassage shower systems, you can have all this and more. Eminently practical, they easily fit into small spaces, transforming any bathroom into an authentic oasis of well-being. Versatile and functional, they can even be fitted to very small spaces and deal efficiently with all day-to-day needs. The hydromassage columns offer four water jets and the shower ensures the perfect pressure for a high-quality bath.
The shower provides a continuous stream of water on the skin and the constant renewal prevents accumulation of dirt. It is also important to provide a large amount of heat or cold in the whole body, functioning as a single stimulant for the circulatory and autonomic nervous systems.
While the hot water dilates blood vessels and makes the muscle tissue to relax, the cold water constricts the skin vessels and stimulates blood flow and the nervous system. We recommend that you enjoy the hot water to make resting easier, since it releases the tension gained during your Lisbon walks, and the cold water at the beginning of your day, eliminating the physical and psychological fatigue. However, the best is to do a combination of both, first the hot water and gradually, the cold water, favoring the circulation.
Source: http://www.sanitana.com/en/colunas.php?ambiente=100131#16
LIVING ON A GLUTEN FREE DIET
A doença celíaca é uma doença ao longo da vida e auto-imune causada pela reação permanente do sistema imunológico ao glúten (uma proteína encontrada no trigo, cevada e centeio). Atualmente, não há cura para essa condição e a única opção é aprender a conviver com ela e adaptar-se a uma dieta rigorosa sem glúten. A princípio, pode parecer difícil, mas se você prestar atenção a algumas dessas dicas, ela pode se tornar facilmente parte de sua rotina:
Acostume-se a ler rótulos de alimentos
Certifique-se sempre de que pode comer o produto, verificando se existe um rótulo “sem glúten” ou se encontrar algum destes elementos na descrição: trigo, centeio, cevada, aveia, espelta ou semelhante.
Substitua os alimentos que contêm glúten
Macarrão, pão e biscoitos contêm glúten, mas isso não significa que você não poderá mais desfrutar desses produtos. Hoje, a maioria dos supermercados tem espaços com alternativas para esses alimentos, incluindo massas, pães, biscoitos, cereais, bolos e muito mais, todos sem glúten.
Experimente também outros tipos de cereais e grãos, naturalmente sem glúten, como quinoa, teff, amaranto, polenta, trigo mourisco, milho, painço e tapioca.
Lembre-se que muitos alimentos são isentos de glúten
Aqui você tem todas as frutas e legumes frescos, carne, aves, peixe, queijo e ovos. Tente usá-los como base de suas refeições.
Descubra quais bebidas alcoólicas você pode beber
Álcool sem glúten inclui: sidra, vinho, bebidas espirituosas, vinho do Porto e licores. Não se esqueça que a cerveja contém glúten.
Evite contaminação cruzada
O menor grão pode causar sintomas a alguém que tenha doença celíaca, portanto, tenha cuidado com os utensílios que você usa e os locais onde você come, por exemplo, sempre verifique se as superfícies da cozinha estão limpas e use diferentes facas para manteiga e geléias para minimizar a propagação de migalhas.
No The 7 Hotel oferecemos algumas opções sem glúten durante o café da manhã, para você começar o dia com energia, incluindo: croissants, pão, muffins e cereais (flocos de milho e chocolate).
USEFUL PORTUGUESE WORDS & EXPRESSIONS
Sometimes there are certain words that just do not have a literal translation to other languages. The list below consists of a group of words that can be useful when you visit Lisbon. Check out the gastronomic elements and everyday situations that may help on your trip, pronouncing the right word or expression!
Assalto: Robbery.
Atalho: Shortcut.
Azulejo: This is a very traditional Portuguese style of tile work, usually handmade.
Bica: Espresso coffee.
Bifana: Sandwich of seasoned slice of pork steak.
Boleia: Hitchhiking
Bitoque: Portuguese steak with chips and a fried egg.
Caldo Verde: Portuguese soup made with potatoes, collard greens, olive oil and thinly sliced chourizo.
Cozido à Portuguesa: Different meats and vegetables boiled together.
De graça: For free.
Esplanada: An open, outside area, with tables and chairs, where people eat and have a drink.
Galão: A style of Portuguese long coffee drinks with milk.
Imperial: Draft beer.
Morada: Address.
Paragem de Autocarro: Bus stop.
Portagem: Tolls.
Troco: Change.
