Generally, porters and bellmen should be tipped around 2 euros per bag, and maids should be tipped 1 euro per night. Restaurants are a bit different, as it depends on how upscale the venue is. For expensive restaurants, tipping is expected and is about 10-15% of the total bill. However, in more casual dining venues, tipping is totally optional. 10% is a good rule of thumb, although many people simply round up to the next euro.

Yes! In fact, most people do not realize that Portugal is the home to the 2nd oldest golf course in Europe. The Algarve region in the south boasts world-renowned golf. This region has more than 30 golf courses, many with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. The areas surrounding the capital of Lisbon also feature fabulous golf courses.

The climate is very similar to the state of California. It is fairly dry and mild throughout the year. It tends to be breezier and cooler near the coast and dryer and warmer the more inland you travel. Autumn and spring are the best times to visit, as they experience the mildest temperatures. Summer can be quite hot in Portugal, and it is also the busiest tourist season, so many areas can become quite crowded. We also recommend visiting in the winter, during the holidays, in January or February. Temperatures are still fairly mild, and they rarely experience snow.