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Portugal









Portugal is situated on the Iberian Peninsula and has a long and varying coast, with a warm balmy climate and luxurious sun kissed beaches. The lifestyle is relaxed and the country is dotted with many picturesque towns and villages. The delight of Portugal is that, although it is undeniably part of modern Europe, it retains some rural enclaves where time has stood still and traditions flourish. In the southern province of the Algarve, modern high-rise resorts line the coast and buzz with all the trappings of a package tour destination; the capital city, Lisbon, on the west coast, is a bright, busy, crowded metropolis surrounded by bustling tourist resorts. Travel a few miles north or east, however, and discover a largely undeveloped picturesque countryside full of medieval villages and towns where life has changed little over several centuries.

Portugal has a long history of seafarers and through the centuries the famous Portuguese mariners led the exploration into the Americas, Africa and opened trade routes to the East. The country became a strong colonial power, and remained so until the mid-20th century, resulting in distinctive foreign influences on the local culture and architecture. From Africa, for example, was imported the now traditional, sentimental fado music, which is one of the country’s unique experiences for visitors, particularly in the cafés of Lisbon.

Portugal is overlooked as a top holiday destination and it's enchanting coves and white-sanded beaches are becoming a newly discovered treasure as the Portuguese now invest in ensuring the world discovers Portugal, instead of the Portuguese discovering the world. This new age of discovery is paying off, as increasing numbers of visitors arrive each year and hotel and resort construction has exploded. From the visitor's point of view the compactness of the country makes it easy to take in all the best elements: sandy beaches, scenery, history, wonderful cuisine, lively entertainment, charming handcrafts, thrilling nightlife, country fairs, excellent sporting facilities and warm, friendly people.

Portugal offers idyllic and enchanting holidays in the sun, from the quaint cobbled streets of the medieval citadel in Lisbon and the lush cork forests in Alentejo to the fishermen mending their nets on remote beaches and the shopping malls and sophisticated glitzy resorts, Portugal is a country well worth discovering.

 

 

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