Travelling this summer: Portugal, Croatia, Norway

Portugal, Croatia and Norway, 3 countries so different yet so beautiful! Ranked among Europe’s 14 must-see countries, we take you on a journey of discovery.

Magnificent landscapes, colorful cities, natural parks, untamed nature… it’s only logical that these countries should be among the destinations for globetrotters this summer! Shall we?

Travelling this summer: Portugal

Portugal is an exotic country with a complete change of scenery. The climate, the architecture, the atmosphere in the cities are nothing like what we know here. A good way to cut yourself off from the daily grind of the past few months and start afresh!

Portugal isn’t just about big cities like Porto , Lisbon and Braga. Small towns have a lot of charm and make for a different kind of trip than if you went to the capital, for example.

Albufeira

Located in the Algarve, on Portugal’s southern coast, this former fishing village has become a major destination thanks to its sandy beaches and lively nightlife.

It’s a town with everything you need for a fun-filled vacation: sandy beaches, perfect climate and tons of activities nearby.

The “Old Town” is the perfect place for a family day out, and its charming streets are home to restaurants where you can sample local specialities!

If you’re more the party type, the “New Town” will be your playground. The Strip is full of bars and nightclubs where the atmosphere is just right!

What’s more, there are plenty of activities available nearby, such as visiting the walled town of Silves, taking a boat tour of the coastline to see dolphins, or fishing in the open sea! For the kids, there are amusement parks and water parks nearby!

Albufeira is becoming one of Portugal’s most popular destinations with the boom in tourism in the Algarve. A perfect destination for a relaxing vacation.

Porto

Of course, Porto and Lisbon are must-see destinations (plus there’s the beach). A Porto tasting in Porto (logical) is a must. These towns have typical architecture, so it’s worth taking a stroll to see how they differ from our own.

Take a stroll through Ribeira, Porto’s emblematic district with its colorful facades. We suggest you relax along the quayside with a Super Bock, the local beer, and enjoy the sunshine!

Of course, we also recommend a visit to the cellars of Porto, the wine that made the city famous. Located on the other side of the river in Vila Nova de Gaia, we guarantee a great experience!

You can’t leave Porto without tasting another local specialty: francesinha. In a way, it’s the Portuguese version of the croque monsieur, with several types of meat inside, topped with cheese and an egg. All accompanied by a glass of Port, what else?

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you must visit the Lello bookshop. It’s said to have inspired the writer of the Harry Potter books! Its neo-Gothic style will amaze you!

Porto is a city on the move, so you’ll always find something to do! It’s a great city to live in, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy your stay here!

Lisbon

Portugal’s capital has a lot to offer, whether you’re staying for a weekend or a week. It’s not Portugal’s star destination for nothing, and you’ll understand why.

Château Saint-Georges is a must-see! Situated on a hill overlooking the city’s historic center, it is a very popular spot, with terraces offering breathtaking views over Lisbon. Solidly fortified, it is a legacy of the Moorish people, dating back to medieval times.

In a similar vein, the Belém Tower is a must-see. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its distinctive architecture is sure to catch your eye.

As you can imagine, Lisbon has many historic sites and monuments like these two. You can also add the Santa Justa elevator or the Rua Augusta triumphal arch.

We recommend a visit to the TimeOut Market, which is a bit like Les Halles here in France, if you want a bite to eat or a drink (or both at the same time, why not!). A nice place to spend a nice time.

Lisbon is full of historical memories that will delight you if you like to discover the history of the cities you visit! An added bonus (especially in summer) is the proximity of magnificent beaches, where you’re sure to have a great time.

The Benagil cave

Located in Benagil on Portugal’s south coast, this cave is a natural wonder. It is constantly eroded by water, hence its distinctive architecture, which forms a dome in which sunlight is reflected. That’s why it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – you won’t find the same colors anywhere else.

The cave is swimmable, but we advise you to take a ticket and go by boat, as the currents can sometimes be strong there – we wouldn’t want anything to happen to you!

Monsanto

If you want to visit the real Portugal, rural Portugal, then this is the place to go! Considered the most Portuguese of Portugal’s villages, it has the particularity of being built on a steep mountainside.

This village bears the remains of a fort and thermal baths, probably dating back to Roman times!

You’ll love wandering through these very special streets, where you’ll feel like a knight for a moment, with houses set in granite and so typical of medieval times. Once on top of the hill, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the region. We guarantee a total change of scenery! And yes, it’s an understatement to talk about Monsanto for the quality of its nature!

As you may have gathered by now, Portugal is full of places to visit and stories to tell. For party-goers, there’s always a lively district in every major city. And if you’d like to relax on vacation, there are some sumptuous beaches just waiting for you!

We recommend Portugal for its sunny countryside, beautiful spots and long coastline. You’ll have a great vacation here, whether you’re with friends or family!

Travelling this summer: Croatia

Known as the pearl of the Adriatic, Croatia lies at the heart of the Balkans, and certainly lives up to its nickname. The azure waters of the coastline are the main attraction in summer.

Croatia has 2 very distinct climates: inland, such as Zagreb, with its continental climate, very hot in summer and very cold in winter, and the coast, which is temperate, averaging around 26° in summer. Whether you’re a lover of nature, idleness or culture, you’re in for a treat!

What’s most impressive is the proximity of all the ecosystems (sea, mountains and countryside) just 2 hours from France. And for van-lifers and motor-home owners, Croatia can be reached in just 2 days’ drive…

Croatia is ranked as the 6th cheapest country in which to travel, as long as you speak English.

Culturally, the mix of Greek, Roman, Venetian and Ottoman influences is palpable.

There’s no shortage of magnificent sites to visit in Croatia, which boasts 6 remarkable Unesco World Heritage sites, including Dubrovnik, nicknamed the Pearl of Dalmatia. Other highlights include Zadar, the Plitvice park with its blue lakes and waterfalls, and the island of Korčula, linked to the story of Marco Polo.

Croatia combines South Slavic culture and a rich historical heritage with small, charming towns. Between its paradisiacal islands, mountains, vibrant capital and absolutely stunning coastline, you won’t be disappointed if you travel to Croatia this summer!

Travelling this summer: Norway

The Scandinavian country of Norway is a mysterious destination full of telluric energy. In addition to the pagan legends and the famous Vikings who saw the northern lights as an invitation to Valhalla (paradise), and in addition to its wild nature and the nugget of Trolltunga, you’ll find these colorful, warm houses.

Above all, Norway is a top-performing country. You’ll find the country champion of the world for happiness, with its inhabitants considering themselves the happiest in the world (well, always in the top 3 every year). Perhaps because it’s the country with the lowest inequality between the highest and lowest salaries, and also between men and women. It’s also the country of social capitalism with the highest GDP per capita (a little something to do with the happiest country?). It’s also the most expensive country in the world in terms of cost of living (€12 a pint of beer or €1,200 to rent an 11m2 studio in Oslo).

Norway is a member of the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area (but not of the European Union: are you still with us?). There are agreements between the European social security systems and Norway, but the rates are much lower than local costs, so it’s best to take out good travel insurance.

And mind you, it’s not the Euro but the Norwegian Krone that’s the local currency, but you already knew that? no?

But above all, there’s an incredible wealth of culture and nature: the famous Northern Lights (but not in summer, as you need nights to see them) will make you want to visit this country 2 hours 30 minutes away by plane. This country has only been independent from Sweden since 1905, which is why it has a rather strong nationalism, but the inhabitants are very fluent in English, except for the older ones.

This country also leads to the Arctic Circle!

If you want to see sunrises and sunsets that never end, don’t hesitate to visit Norway this summer (yes, you’re allowed to take 20 selfies). Yes, but the climate must be cold even in summer. Yes, you may have summers at 2°C, but on average you’ll be at 22 *C. Ideal for hiking and sightseeing.

As you can see, a visit to Norway means discovering a never-ending source of vertigo.

Travelling this summer: Europe is packed with must-see countries to visit this summer! With that, you should have plenty to do.

And as always, don’t hesitate to share your European favorites with us in the comments section, and take out YUPWEGO travel insurance for peace of mind.

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