Gastronomy in Portugal

Portuguese cuisine is recognized by rich, filling and full-seasoned dishes. It consists of a wide diversity of spices used thru the influence of Portugal's former colonist. There are also Moorish and Arab influences, particularly in the south. Olive oil is used for flavoring meals and cooking. Portuguese breakfasts are simply coffee or milk, fresh bread with cheese, butter or fruit preserves. The most usual soup is "caldo verde," with chunks of sausage, potato and chopped cabbage.

The national dishes are bacalhau (dried salted cod) and cozido à portuguesa (vegetables with several varieties of meat). Fish is served fried or deep-fried, grilled, boiled, stewed or even roasted. Also popular are sardines, horse mackerel (grilled), cuttlefish, crabs, lobster, spiny lobster, octopus, squid, shrimp and prawns, and etc. Portuguese usually eat cheese before or after the primary dishes. Some popular cheeses include cabreiro (strong goat cheese), Queijo de Azeitão (creamy slight cheese), Queijo da Ilha (extraordinary cheese of Azores Islands) and Queijo da Serra da Estrela (sheep cheese produced in Serra da Estrela region). The most distinctive desserts are cinnamon-seasoned rice pudding, caramel custard and flan oftentimes they include a kind of cheese. Most popular are arroz doce( rice pudding), leite-creme and pudim flan (custard) as well as pastries and cakes.

The traditional drink is wine (white, green and red). Vinho Verde (green) is a particular variety of wine, which can be white or rosé, red and exclusively made in the northwest (Minho province). Rose (white) is known among foreigners but not valued by Portuguese themselves. Tinto (red) is a young wine that is sweet and rich in color. Other popular liqueurs are Ginjinha and Licor Beirão.

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P&O Ferries boasts the largest fleet of ships offering a wide range of services and facilities on ferries to France and the Continent. Passengers can book a ferry online, or with their call centre.

Families
The short hop over the channel makes family holidays in France a big favourite, and with sandy beaches, awesome nature reserves and culture-soaked cities family holidays in Spain are always ideal as well.

Onboard
The variety of facilities onboard your cheap ferry crossing will add so much more to your sense of escape and relaxation, helping you arrive at your destination totally refreshed and raring to go. P&O Ferries are more than just a car ferry operator.

France
A ferry to France with P&O give you many holiday options whether it's the cosmopolitan and romantic ambience of Paris or the laid back way of life in Provence. There is also the 'best fare sailing', providing cheap ferries for this route.

Spain
From the intimate coves of Asturias to the ancient Basque traditions of Navarra, there is so much on offer for those boarding ferries to Spain. The adventure starts as soon as you book your ferry tickets.

Amsterdam
Whether you want to wander along idyllic canals, watch the world go by in one of its numerous cafes, or explore the stunning architecture, a ferry to Amsterdam really does have something for everyone.

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