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F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions1.) During July what type of weather could be expected in Coimbra? During the month of July you can expect hot weather during the day with temperatures ranging 30 degrees centigrade, with long sunshine hours and warm nights. Rain usually does not occur at this time of the year. 2.) What is Coimbra’s traditional cuisine? The region of Coimbra is famous for its Portuguese traditional dishes. From the Leitão da Bairrada (Roast suckling piglet) to dishes such as "cozido à portuguesa", which is a thick stew of vegetables with various kinds of meat, mainly pork, or “chanfana”. Another Portuguese staple is bacalhau (dried codfish), there is a variety of recipes with codfish, each one better then the other for example: "bacalhau assado na brasa", bacalhau á bras, bacalhau com natas e bacalhau à zé do pipo. Other seafood menus are: “arroz de marisco”(seafood rice), “arroz de tamboril“ (Monkfish rice). Caldeirada, is a stew consisting of a variety of fish and shellfish with potatoes, tomato and onion. Portugal is famous for its wide variety of amazing pastries, or “pasties” (singular: pastel). Many of the country's outstanding pastries were created by nuns in the 18th century, which they sold as a means of supplementing their incomes. Many of their creations have interesting names like "barriga de freira" (nun's belly), "papos de anjo" (angel's chests), and "toucinho do céu" (bacon from heaven). In the region of Coimbra you can also find “pasties de Santa Clara” and the unforgettable “pasties de Tentugal”. A particularly delicious national pastry is "pastel de nata",it is a flaky pastry with custard filling topped with sugar and cinnamon. Another excellent choice is the bolo de arroz (literally, "rice cake"). The Portuguese enjoy rich egg-based desserts. These are often seasoned with spices such as cinnamon and vanilla. There is the “leite-creme” (a set egg custard), and the popular “arroz doce” (a typical and popular rice pudding). Other custards include “pudim flan”. Portugal has a long tradition in winemaking and drinking wine during a meal is very common in Portugal, red wine is the favorite among the locals, but white wine is also popular, there is also a variation of green wine (Vinho Verde). It´s a very crisp wine served cold and goes best with many of the fish dishes. There is a lot of quality wine production in the regions surrounding Coimbra, try some "Bairrada" wine. These is also the "licor beirao", a national sweet liquor drink born and made in the region. Then there is always the famous “vinho do Porto” (Porto wine), which can be served as a desert wine or apéritif. You can also try the different varieties of firewater "Agua-Ardente". 3.) Where can I shop? There are several places where you can go shopping or simply visit. If you wish you can start at the downtown of Coimbra which features a number of several independent bookshops, boutiques, toyshops, galleries, antique shops selling all kinds of products in typical old-fashioned architectural surroundings. There are various antique shops where you can discover the famous Coimbra pottery, hand-painted just as it was in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as collections of paintings, sculpture and tapestries. If you prefer large commercial facilities, then in Coimbra there are two large shopping centers, Dolce Vita Shopping Centre and Forum Coimbra, with hypermarket, restaurants, movie theaters and several shops with a selection of some of Portugal's and the world's most famous and stylish international brands. 4.) What are the interesting sightseeings in Coimbra? Most of the things to see and do in Coimbra, including places to eat, drink and sleep are within reasonable walking distance of each other. Below is a list of interesting places to see in Coimbra:
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01/07/2008
14/10/2007 » Abstract submission
