Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe. When we hear about it, we instantly get associations with works of architecture drenched in the sun along with a majestic ocean. The culture of the local people who have been shaped by many centuries also evokes a desire to know more about it. Like, for example, to learn what the feeling “saudade” is all about and why local people love sweets from yolks so much.
In 2018, Lonely Planet called Portugal one of the best countries to visit that year. Things like the scenery, the national cuisine, and the beaches were listed among the main factors of the country’s attractiveness. In addition, you can find at least 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites there, as well as be amazed by the prices, which are relatively low for Europe, and enjoy the hospitality of the locals. All of these draw such a huge flow of travelers from all over the world that the country’s citizens asked the authorities to limit the number of tourists coming in.
Beauty standards have been influencing women for centuries, but they vary from country to country. For instance, thinness is the ideal in Thailand, while the “hourglass” figure is preferred in India. In this article, we will explore how different cultures define a “beautiful woman”.
We have the answers for those looking for the perfect summer getaway or wondering if their country is among the best summertime destinations! Thousands of people voted online for their favorite country to visit in summer, and we ranked them here.
Taylor Swift expressed her gratitude towards the hardworking truck drivers on her Eras Tour by giving them $100,000 bonuses. This generous gesture occurred before her second performance in Santa Clara, California. But this wasn’t the only gift she shared with her team.
A Yankees fan nicknamed “Neon Shirt Guy” was banned from his favorite stadium for life for repeatedly moving up to the most expensive section without having the ticket. He became famous for wearing the same neon shirt and getting the best spot to be caught on camera. He would add humorous or supportive messages to his tees, for example: “Don’t Boo Stanton” to cheer up Giancarlo Stanton. How thoughtful!
Let me continue my world tour, and now we’re heading straight to Europe. Let’s start our journey in Greece, a place with thousands of years of history. Even in modern days, there are still ancient ruins there that are being carefully preserved, and it’s an interesting ride.The airport of Athens has a built-in museum with ancient artifacts. And here’s how ancient and modern coexist there: there’s the view of the Acropolis from the street. A Spartan roaming the streets of Greece. A Redditor shared a photo of a modern building built right over the ancient ruins. The visitors can see the ruins through the glass.Greece is also very well known for its cats roaming the streets everywhere. This Redditor spotted a cat guarding the National Bank of Greece. These days, everyone is trying to reduce the usage of plastic. Some use paper straws, and some go with glass straws... but this café in Greece offered to use macaroni as straws.
The average life expectancy of a dog is between 10 to 13 years, although it can vary depending on the dog’s breed and size. But a few pups seem adamant about going far beyond our expectations and even breaking records, like Bluey, who used to be considered the oldest dog ever after living to the age of 29 years and 5 months. Now, a new furry best friend has come to take that crown.
It might seem that since European countries are part of Western culture, travelers are unlikely to encounter anything surprising there. However, some moments of their everyday lives or certain customs can be quite astonishing. We found stories from people who visited some of these countries or moved there permanently, compared them with our own experience, and came to the conclusion that this part of the world can be even more puzzling than an exotic country.
It can be tough navigating unfamiliar cultural norms, especially when you don’t want to offend anyone or ruin your trip. For example, in some Asian countries, it’s considered impolite to point with your index finger. To help you have a smooth trip, we’ve compiled a list of 10 cultural mistakes to avoid.
In 2015, an ROV [Remotely Operated Vehicle] descended into the depths of the Caribbean Sea. It belonged to Columbia, and it was searching for a long-lost treasure ship. At the depth of 9,000 feet, the operators could see their goal, a Spanish galleon [San José] that sank in 1708. The rumor has it that the ship was transporting 200 tons of treasure onboard. For more than three hundred years, no one knew its exact location. Yes, in the 21st century, we are still finding lost treasure ships.
Ah, the toothpick! This seemingly ordinary item that you often use after devouring a burger has a secret history that’ll make your jaw drop (pun intended). Don’t be fooled by its slim appearance — the toothpick has been around for ages.
Traveling on public transport is impossible without companions. And some of them are so annoying that you just want to finish the trip immediately and never leave home again. There are people you can ask to stop, but some are absolutely impenetrable and all you can do is just tolerate them.
In May 2019, people watched the last episode of the iconic Game of Thrones TV series. However, fans were not fond of the series finale: more than 1.7 million people signed a petition demanding to reshoot the eighth season. But HBO didn’t yield to these demands and decided that George R. R. Martin’s universe had many other fascinating stories. Therefore, HBO created a Game of Thrones prequel called House of the Dragon.
Packed streets, long lines to enter all the “must-see” sites, and extortionate prices are unfortunately what accompany visits to touristy cities. However, many places in the world are just as beautiful, if not more so, as big names like Venice, London, and Paris. For instance, did you know that Portugal has its very own Venice called Aveiro where you can ride gondolas past colorfully tiled buildings?
When it comes to sitting down to eat any meal of the day, each country has its own customs. In some places, these protocols are deeply rooted, and not following them can be considered impolite. On the other hand, they are simple habits that a foreign diner can disregard without the risk of seeming out of place.
The golden rule for any polite tourist is to learn as much about the customs and etiquette of the country they’re visiting as possible. This precious information will protect them from getting into awkward situations and accidentally offending the locals.
Get ready: we’re about to travel the world without leaving our seats. Our challenge was to find everything these places could give us for only $1, and we totally nailed it.
We often dream of going on vacation in the summer but experienced travelers claim that the best times for a trip are fall and spring. So, we have collected the best places for you to go to on this list, which includes a Malta village from a famous comedy film to an Irish crater/observatory.
A look at why countries have changed their names will make you realize that it’s mostly due to land divisions, changes in government, independence, or simply to facilitate pronunciation abroad. The process of modifying a country’s name is neither simple nor economical. But despite it all, various parts of the world have dared to do it. Read this article to find out more details about it. Remember to read all the way through to the last country’s story — you’ll find a bonus there that explains how much it costs to make this modification.
Sometimes parents really want to give their child a rare name, but they aren’t always able to do it. Governments of different countries try to save babies from having awkward situations in the future and even make lists of banned names. However, the criteria vary by country, so for example, in France, you are not allowed to use a curse word to name a child, and in Saudi Arabia, you can’t name a child Queen even though the word itself is okay.
Every country has its own holiday food traditions. For example, in the US, they always eat turkey on Thanksgiving. Christmas and The New Year is a special time in the cultures of many nations, and every one of them has their own holiday menu.
Did you know that some eating patterns and traditions that we consider to be normal and correct may be banned or treated as disrespectful in some countries? We usually sprinkle our food with salt and pepper and don’t even realize that it’s treated as an offense in some countries. In this article, there are things that we should all keep in mind while traveling abroad.
The Benagil Sea Cave in Portugal is one of the most picturesque vacation destinations and one of the most photographed caves in the world. This spectacular rock formation, which can only be reached from the sea, attracts tourists from all over the world. Through the big round openings in the cave ceiling you can see the clear blue sky while lying on the sand and enjoying a soft sea breeze. Our planet is ripe with many unique places that look surreal and unearthly. Come with us on an exciting journey and see some of these places that will make you question your own eyesight!
We all have our own ideas of what it's like to go out to the countryside. Our expectations of it can almost all be met since there are so many different places in the world. But what they all have in common is clean air, a small population density, and a cozy atmosphere.
We at Bright Side put together this collection to help you get acquainted with some of the very best street art which we’ve come across at various times. You might one day see some of it when you’re walking the streets!
We may live in simple apartment blocks or townhouses, but some people just love to stand out in everything, including their "castles." We at Bright Side have made a list of the world’s most unique houses that you’d want to live in. Check them out below.
With New Year and Christmas being on our doorstep, the air itself is tingling/ filled with the anticipation of a magical fairy tale. And nothing makes this sensation more believable than the Christmas lights and decorations in the towns all over the world.
