For such a small country; traversable in a day, Portugal has unusually wide-reaching influences. Its landscape reflects, in patches the countries it has founded; lush vegetation nodding towards Brazil, and the more barren patches comparing shrubs with areas of coastal Africa.
Despite this Empirical history, Portugal is now rated as the 7th most peaceful country in the world. You can wind your way round ruined castles, sweep past the velvety undulations of world-class golf courses or grab your swimming gear and dash across scorching sand to the Azure Algarve, where cannon-torn men-of-wars may once have harboured.
When to go:
Between July and August temperatures can get very warm; up to 40 degrees C. Autumn through winter is generally wet, but not too cold with lowest temperatures found in the mountainous regions. Late spring/early autumn are ideal times to visit, when the temperatures are milder.
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Go for: Islands
2 experiences:
Madeira, Choupana Hills Resort and Spa.
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A cosmopolitan city with the heart of an ancient trading hub perched on the water. Nightlife, art and architecture have transformed Lisbon into a sophisticated city by the sea.
Go for: Churches & Abbeys, Literary Locations
3 experiences:
Casino Royale = Estoril Casino, Tower of Belém, Hotel Albatroz.
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Go for: Historic Cities &Towns, Churches & Abbeys
3 experiences:
Se de Braga, Guimarães, Paço de S. Cipriano.
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'The city of Oporto, built along the hillsides overlooking the mouth of the Douro river, is an outstanding urban landscape with a 2,000-year history. Its continuous growth, linked to the sea (the Romans gave it the name Portus, or port), can be seen...
Go for: Seaside Towns
1 experiences:
Oporto.
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Walking along the oceanside at Barra, you'll end up coming to a tall lighthouse, actually the tallest lighthouse in the Iberian Peninsula built during 1885 to 1893.'
Go for: Monuments & Landmarks
1 experiences:
Barra Lighthouse.
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A restored farmhouse of Provençal inspiration with shimmering pool and sun-trapping terrace a short drive from a five-mile beach First and foremost...
Go for: Small Hotels
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Stylishly renovated country hotel amidst Portugal's highest mountains, offering warm hospitality, great food and stunning hiking You could be...
Go for: Small Hotels
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A renovated townhouse in historic Óbidos that stands in the lee of the town's ancient ramparts Óbidos is one of Portugal’s crown jewels, a walled town...
Go for: Small Hotels
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This is a proper celebrity cult spa, and for a good reason – their seriously strict detox programmes kick-start your metabolism, clean out your...
Go for: Spas and Spa Resorts
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From the towering surf-pounded cliffs of Cabo da Rocha near Lisbon to the lovely tranquil coves of the Algarve, the southern coast of Portugal has...
Go for: Coastlines
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Funchal
More »
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