My first week in Portugal has given me the opportunity to learn about the rich history of Portugal and its business practices, all while seeing beautiful architecture and scenery. The past few days have consisted of visits to places ranging from castles and monuments to farms and businesses.
Our first company visit was to a cork farm. The location was far less industrial than the group had expected. The owner was very philosophical and offered a different perspective on what business is. Our second company visit was to an olive oil manufacturer where we learned their value of sustainability and efficiency. They showed this by putting every part of the olive to use. The founder of the company walked us through the process of making olive oil, and we got to taste two different kinds. With our third company visit today, we had a more hands-on experience. We got to make our own Pastel de Bel?m, the most famous Portuguese dessert, with the assistance of a chef.
One of my favorite parts of the trip has been observing the beauty of the towns. The buildings are pretty colors and some have intricate tiles lining the walls. I love that Portugal has been able to preserve its unique character and traditional style!
I look forward to our next week in Portugal because we will be leaving Lisbon to see Porto. I am curious to see if there are any cultural differences between the North and South of Portugal.