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
Celiac disease is a lifelong and autoimmune disease caused by the permanent reaction of the immune system to gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley and rye). Currently there is no cure for this condition and the only option is to learn to live with it and adapt to a strict gluten free diet. At first it may seem difficult, but if you pay attention to some of these tips, it can easily become a part of your routine:
Get used to reading food labels
Always make sure you can eat the product by seeing if there is a “gluten-free” label on it or if you find any of these elements in the description: wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelled or similar.
Replace the food that contain gluten
Pasta, bread and biscuits all contain gluten, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to enjoy these products anymore. Today most supermarkets have spaces with alternatives to these foods, including pasta, bread, biscuits, cereals, cakes and much more, all without gluten.
Also try other types of cereals and grains, naturally gluten-free, such as quinoa, teff, amaranth, polenta, buckwheat, corn, millet and tapioca.
Remember that many foods are gluten-free
Here you have all of the fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, cheese and eggs. Try using them as the basis of your meals.
Find out which alcoholic beverages you can drink
Gluten-free alcohol includes: cider, wine, spirits, port wine and liqueurs. Don’t forget that beer contains gluten.
Avoid cross-contamination
The smallest grain can cause symptoms to someone who has celiac disease, so be careful with the utensils you use and the places where you eat, for example, always make sure that the kitchen surfaces are clean and use different knives for butter and jams to minimize the spread of crumbs.
At The 7 Hotel we offer some gluten-free options during breakfast, for you to start your day with energy, including: croissants, bread, muffins and cereals (corn-flakes and 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.
