Portugal, one of the smallest European countries, lies in south-west Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It has a long Atlantic coast and a border with Spain. Portuguese territory also includes the island of Madeira. There are great regional differences in the geography of Portugal from mountain ranges in the north to the long sandy beaches in the south and west. Architectural differences reflect the influences of the various invaders and occupiers of the land. Portugal is a year round holiday destination offering skiing in the winter in the north and beach holidays in the south. City breaks are especially popular in the spring and autumn.
Portugal holidays are so varied that they attract all age groups and appeal to all interests. Sun worshippers and beach lovers are spoilt for choice having a long Atlantic with hundreds of beaches. Golfers are well provided for with many championship courses. Those interested in the architecture and culture of Portugal will find city breaks are the perfect way to explore the magnificent churches, museums, monuments and ancient historic sites found in the towns and cities of Portugal.
Portugal has a year round holiday season with hot dry summers and warm winters in the south. The Algarve has an average of six hours sunshine per day during the winter months. The north also has good summers but the winters are much colder with snow in the hills and mountains. City breaks can of course be taken at any time of year but are most popular in the spring and autumn when the temperature is not so high.
Portugal, a small country, offers a wide range of holiday attractions including historic villages, border castles, impressive museums and monuments and of course wonderful beaches of glorious golden sand. The River Tagus divides the mountainous north from the plains of the south. These differences in the geography of Portugal account for the wide variation in climate.
The sunny coastal resorts of Portugal attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The beaches range from quiet family areas to bustling resorts with lively nights.
Water sports include surfing, wind surfing, sailing, deep sea fishing and diving. On land there is tennis, hiking, cycling, horse riding and jeep safaris to name but a few of the many leisure activities that a Portugal holiday offers.
Portugal is also well known for its excellent golf courses where the game can be enjoyed at any time of year.
Lisbon, its capital, is a very pretty town where its old centre displays architecture from the different eras of its history. The earthquake of 1755 destroyed many of its historic buildings but if you walk through the narrow medieval streets of Alfama you can see the buildings that were spared the devastation. The imposing Castle of Saint George sits on top of the hill above the city.
A Portugal holiday offers a wealth of leisure activities and sight-seeing opportunities all of which can be enjoyed in dawn to dusk sunshine.
Portugal is a Catholic country and its many festivals each year are often associated with the church. Music and dance form a large part of any celebration. Saints days, particularly patron saints, are celebrated with gusto.
Nightlife in Portugal depends on where you choose to holiday. There are peaceful resorts more suited to families who like to sleep at night, frenetic resorts where partying continues until dawn and resorts with a combination of both.
Wherever you travel in Portugal you will find many shopping opportunities from elegant boutiques to gift shops and from specialist shops to markets. Leather goods, jewellery, embroidered linens and ceramics are all popular souvenirs.
The Portuguese are a nation of people who like to eat out and it is easy to see why this is so. You don’t need to eat in an exclusive restaurant to enjoy a good meal. Small family run bars and cafes often serve the best of Portuguese cuisine using locally produced ingredients. Fish stew, Caldeirada, is a firm favourite along with the many recipes for dried cod. Try some of the delicious pastries with your morning coffee and you will not be disappointed. Portuguese wines are pleasing to the palate as well as the pocket.
Portugal is a catholic country and many of its festivals are connected with the church and the feast days of the saints. Visitors to churches, particularly in rural areas, should dress modestly in order to avoid offence. The Portuguese are a warm and friendly people who offer a genuine welcome to visitors. Children are always greeted with much affection.
The ideal time to book a cheap Portugal holiday is outside of the peak summer periods. In fact you’ll be able to find good deals to Portugal for most of the year as long as you avoid the summer holidays, Christmas, New Year and the schools half term. Anything out of the ordinary will get you a good deal for a cheap holiday to Portugal.
The temperatures in Portugal are fairly good all year round, and you won’t be missing out on too much sunshine if you go in early May or late October, where you’ll still find plenty of activities to partake in and sights to see.
One of the main attractions is obviously the golden beaches of the Algarve which will still attract a crowd even without the soaring temperatures of mid-summer, but more in-land there are plenty of events and activities that will be running long after the summer has finished.
Golf, tennis and cycling are very popular with locals and tourists alike, and the Portuguese countryside provides a lot of enjoyable views and scenery. Big-game fishing on the coast is another year round activity which you’ll have the opportunity to take part in even if you do miss out the main summer months for a cheap Portugal holiday.
You’ll still be looking at something close to 6 hours of sunshine a day, so a trip to Portugal, even outside summer will certainly give you more chance of a sun tan than being at home in the UK. In fact depending on the activity that you intend to do, it might be beneficial to wait until after the scorching summer months to make your trip.
With all of this, and the fact that you’ll be certain to pick up some bargains on wine, liquors, spirits and cigarettes, Portugal really is a great place to go if you’re looking for a cheap holiday out of season.
Portugal, one of the smallest European countries, lies in south-west Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It has a long Atlantic coast and a border with Spain. Portuguese territory also includes the island of Madeira. There are great regional differences in the geography of Portugal from mountain ranges in the north to the long sandy beaches in the south and west. Architectural differences reflect the influences of the various invaders and occupiers of the land. Portugal is a year round holiday destination offering skiing in the winter in the north and beach holidays in the south. City breaks are especially popular in the spring and autumn.
Portugal holidays are so varied that they attract all age groups and appeal to all interests. Sun worshippers and beach lovers are spoilt for choice having a long Atlantic with hundreds of beaches. Golfers are well provided for with many championship courses. Those interested in the architecture and culture of Portugal will find city breaks are the perfect way to explore the magnificent churches, museums, monuments and ancient historic sites found in the towns and cities of Portugal.
Portugal has a year round holiday season with hot dry summers and warm winters in the south. The Algarve has an average of six hours sunshine per day during the winter months. The north also has good summers but the winters are much colder with snow in the hills and mountains. City breaks can of course be taken at any time of year but are most popular in the spring and autumn when the temperature is not so high.
Portugal, a small country, offers a wide range of holiday attractions including historic villages, border castles, impressive museums and monuments and of course wonderful beaches of glorious golden sand. The River Tagus divides the mountainous north from the plains of the south. These differences in the geography of Portugal account for the wide variation in climate.
The sunny coastal resorts of Portugal attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The beaches range from quiet family areas to bustling resorts with lively nights.
Water sports include surfing, wind surfing, sailing, deep sea fishing and diving. On land there is tennis, hiking, cycling, horse riding and jeep safaris to name but a few of the many leisure activities that a Portugal holiday offers.
Portugal is also well known for its excellent golf courses where the game can be enjoyed at any time of year.
Lisbon, its capital, is a very pretty town where its old centre displays architecture from the different eras of its history. The earthquake of 1755 destroyed many of its historic buildings but if you walk through the narrow medieval streets of Alfama you can see the buildings that were spared the devastation. The imposing Castle of Saint George sits on top of the hill above the city.
A Portugal holiday offers a wealth of leisure activities and sight-seeing opportunities all of which can be enjoyed in dawn to dusk sunshine.
Portugal is a Catholic country and its many festivals each year are often associated with the church. Music and dance form a large part of any celebration. Saints days, particularly patron saints, are celebrated with gusto.
Nightlife in Portugal depends on where you choose to holiday. There are peaceful resorts more suited to families who like to sleep at night, frenetic resorts where partying continues until dawn and resorts with a combination of both.
Wherever you travel in Portugal you will find many shopping opportunities from elegant boutiques to gift shops and from specialist shops to markets. Leather goods, jewellery, embroidered linens and ceramics are all popular souvenirs.
The Portuguese are a nation of people who like to eat out and it is easy to see why this is so. You don’t need to eat in an exclusive restaurant to enjoy a good meal. Small family run bars and cafes often serve the best of Portuguese cuisine using locally produced ingredients. Fish stew, Caldeirada, is a firm favourite along with the many recipes for dried cod. Try some of the delicious pastries with your morning coffee and you will not be disappointed. Portuguese wines are pleasing to the palate as well as the pocket.
Portugal is a catholic country and many of its festivals are connected with the church and the feast days of the saints. Visitors to churches, particularly in rural areas, should dress modestly in order to avoid offence. The Portuguese are a warm and friendly people who offer a genuine welcome to visitors. Children are always greeted with much affection.
