Nuns Valley (Curral Des Freiras) is a small village located on the island of Madeira. Nestled at the foot of a deep basin in the heart of Madeira, the village is surrounded by almost perpendicular mountains. This isolated village was once only accessible by foot or by donkey but can now be reached by road. It is believed that the deep ravine in which Nuns Valley sits was formed as a result of volcanic activity or gradual erosion which has taken place over hundreds of years.

Nuns Valley Madeira

Nuns Valley is the central point for many of the islands scenic walks and hikes thus attracting visitors looking for a quiet relaxing retreat set in beautiful rural scenery of lush green forests and jagged mountain peaks. The hotels and guesthouses in the valley offer amazing views and a tranquil atmosphere. The many walking and hiking trails that criss-cross the surrounding countryside take walkers through some beautiful scenery.

It is believed that the village was formed in the 16th century by nuns from the Santa Clara convent in Funchal who were seeking refuge from attacking pirates. The fertile soil in the valley enabled the nuns to be self-sufficient, even today the valley is still known for  it’s cherries and chestnuts which are used in many local dishes and drinks. On November 1st every year the ‘Chestnut Festival’, which dates back to the time when the nuns had a surplus of chestnuts, is still celebrated in Nuns Valley.

When you want a change of pace the capital city of Funchal is just 20 minutes from Nuns Valley. Here you will find restaurants, shops, museums and botanical gardens. A trip to Funchal Beach during the summer months

Funchal Beach

 will see warm waters of 22C, even out of the peak season the water is still around 17C making holiday packages to Madeira a perfect choice at any time of the year.

Nuns Valley enjoys long hot summers and short mild winters. The sheltering mountains make the valley a sun trap with summer temperatures often exceeding 30C with 300 dry sunny days a year. The average annual temperature is around 20C with July and August seeing temperatures above 25C and around eight hours of sunshine a day. Spring and autumn are ideal times for package holidays to Madeira as the weather is comfortable with temperatures around 20C. At this time of the year the islands countryside is in full bloom and the warm breeze makes walking or hiking easier than in the hot summer months. If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing holiday in an isolated location then Nuns Valley is just the place for you.

The luxurious beachside resort of Vale do Lobo is located between Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura on the Algarve in the south of Portugal. Vale do Lobo is just a 20 minute drive from Faro Airport, 15 minutes from Vilamoura and 25 minutes from Albufeira.

This purpose built luxury resort runs down through a beautiful pine and fig tree clad valley, dotted with magnificent lagoons,  to the Atlantic Ocean on Portugals Algarve coast. The Moorish style buildings with their red roofs and latticed balconies add to the character and beauty of this exclusive village.  Accommodation here is mainly luxury villas and up-market apartments but there are a few luxury hotels here which cater for couples, families and groups on their golfing holidays. For sports enthusiasts there are two excellent golf courses, a first-class tennis academy with 14 courts, health club and riding school. For those who just want to relax and soak up the sun there is a three mile stretch of pristine golden sandy beaches backed by low red sandstone cliffs.

Vale do Lobo has two excellent 18-hole golf courses. The Royal is famous for its 16th hole where golfers have to drive across two ravines on the cliff. The Ocean Course was designed by the late Sir Henry Cotton and is far less challenging than the Royal but still an exciting course. There is also a large driving range to practice your swing before trying your hand at the 18-hole courses. Golfers will love the palm and almond tree lined fairways that wind their way towards the sea.
Right in the heart of the resort is Barringtons Health Club, often used by international football teams and cricket teams. The club offers excellent facilities including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, childrens pool, health and fitness centre, gym, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, squash courts, snooker, table tennis, restaurant and bars.

The restaurants and bars come into action in the evening with live music and discos on the beach in the summer. The restaurants serve a good variety of cuisine including local and international dishes. Many of the restaurants are on the seafront, offering magnificent views across the Atlantic.

Golf is the main activity for most people on their direct holidays to Vale do Lobo but there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy.

Vale do Lobo

Whether you are looking for a golf break, an active sports break, summer holidays, an Easter break or a romantic getaway there are always plenty of travel deals available to Portugals Algarve throughout the internet.

The Azores are a group of islands situated in the North Atlantic and comprises of 9 islands, 1400km from Lisbon, Portugal.  The third smallest island, Santa Maria, is one of the most popular of the islands with tourists, along with its neighbour Sao Miguel.  Both islands have volcanic origins and have registered siesmic readings during their history.

The Yellow Island/Sun Island
Santa Maria is considered different from the other islands due to its topography and hotter climate.

santa maria island

There is a clear distinction on Santa Maria between the flat sunny plains of the South/Western coastal ares and the lush vegetation of the hills and mountains towards the North/East.  Most of the rain falls in the hilly area as the clouds reach the high ground, encouraging them to drop the rain.  Santa Maria is known as the ‘yellow island’ and also the ‘Sun Island’ due to its sunny yellow wild flowers and because it is sunnier and drier than the rest of the Azores islands.  In fact Santa Maria is renowned for its beautiful colours, from the whitewashed buildings, red soil, lush green vegetation and unspoiled golden sandy beaches.

The highest point on the island is Pico Alto, 590m high.  This is a great view point for seeing out across the whole island and admiring the beautiful landscape and scenic view.  Because of the breathtaking views from Pico Alto it is popular with walkers and walking holidays alike.

Resorts/Places to Stay
Vila de Porto is the largest town on Santa Maria and also the oldest in the Azores.  There is a port here with a fortress overlooking it situated at the top of a cliff.  To get to the fortress you’ll need to walk up narrow winding streets to the top.  Don’t expect package holidays resorts catering for the masses when you visit Santa Maria, it is a secluded, remote but picturesque island offering a quiet beach holiday surrounded by a traditional way of life.

Beaches of Santa Maria
Santa Maria has many golden beaches which are relatively unspoilt and draw holidaymakers looking for rest and relaxation in a beautiful surrounding.  For a beautiful beach visit Sao Lourenco Bay, widely revered as a stunning beach set against a backdrop of rocky outcrops inbetween soft golden sand.  For a large stretch of wide open beach head to Praia Formosa on the South coast of the island, where you can partake in watersports and holiday activities or just gaze out over the deep blue Atlantic sea and watch the world go by.

Places to visit and things to do
Due to its volcanic origins, Santa Maria has unique geological attractions in the forms of martian like landscapes across the island.  Visit the Pico Vermelho and witness the sculptured landscape or the waterfalls at Ribeira do Maloas or the Cascata do Aveiro.  Fossils are also found here on Santa Maria island thought to be up to five million years old in the form of shells and sea-urchins, aswell as shark teeth and sponges.

santa maria rally (rallyazores.blogspot.com)

You can take a boat trip to view the caves along the coast and fossils or take a fishing trip.  Paragliding is also popular as there are plenty of sheltered bays to choose from.  If you visit in August expect to be involved in one of the many events on in this month, from the ‘Our Lady of Assumption Festival’ who is the patron saint of the island (Festa da Nossa Senhora da Assuncao) through to the Santa Maria rally.  If you’re a keen rally enthusiast take advantage of any late deals for Santa Maria during this time to book your holiday.

Portimao is a traditional fishing port and harbour on the River Arcade estuary on the south Algarve coast. Located close to the popular beach resort of Praia da Rocha, Portimao is just 40 miles from Faro. If you are looking for a traditional Portuguese holiday this is the place to visit.

Harbour

Everything in Portimao revolves around its riverside and harbour, main square and gardens, and restaurants. Add the towns shops, markets and boutiques and you have a town that gives you a real taste of Portugal. Local crafts including lace, jewellery, copperware and ceramics are on offer here at very reasonable prices. Portimao is well known for its traditional restaurants where you can sample the towns famous charcoal-grilled sardines and fresh seafood. Most of the restaurants and bars are found along the riverside and around the harbour giving you excellent views whilst enjoying a quiet relaxing meal. The town holds a sardine festival every year in August. Nearby Praia da Rocha is much livelier than Portimao in the evenings, offering restaurants and bars with live music, nightclubs and a casino.

The coastline around Portimao has clifftop walks, sandy coves, caves and fascinating eroded rocks. The town is within easy reach of some great beaches. Praia da Rocha beach is regarded as one of the best beaches in the whole of the Algarve.

Praia da Rocha beach

 Just a couple of miles from Portimao is the sandy Praia dos Tres Irmaos beach. Popular with divers are the dark golden sands of Tres Irmaos. The popular beach and fishing harbour at Ferragudo are just a couple of miles away on the eastern side of the river. There are lots of lovely sandy beaches between Praia da Rocha and Alvor, especially Praia do Vau. Diving, snorkelling and swimming are favourite pastimes here with some really good dive sites along the coast.

There is lots to do and see around Portimao. Visit the old villages of Alvor and Carvoeiro, and the historic sites of Cape St Vincent, Lagos and Silves Castle. Enjoy a great family day out at the Quinta da Rocha nature reserve.

Coastline

Another great family day out is an excursion to the Monchique Mountains where you can explore the amazing forests, valleys and fragrant orange groves. For sports fans there is golf, deep sea fishing and horseriding. Deep sea fishing is a popular sport here in Portimao, take a trip from the harbour and try to catch shark, conger and bass along the coastline.

Portimao offers great cruise trips for you to enjoy on your bargain holidays to Portugal. Experience a romantic dinner on a trip along the coast, enjoy some drinks and show your moves on a dance cruise or just take a relaxing dolphin spotting boat trip.

Portugal not only has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe but also boasts that it is one of the sunniest locations. Portimao enjoys more than 3000 hours of sunshine a year with summer temperatures often exceding 30C. The climate together with the many cheap holidays that are on offer to Portugal make it an ideal choice for your cheap holidays at any time of the year.

The resort of Montechoro is located on Portugal’s beautiful Algarve, on the outskirts of Albufeira at the north end of the famous ‘strip’. The resort is ideally situated for the fantastic nightlife and beautiful sandy beaches in the region. In recent years the resort has seen lots of development and now has some great accommodation facilities including large hotels and apartment complexes.

The busy town of Montechoro is full of restaurants, bars and shops. When you crave some peace and quiet then visit the traditional Old Town of Albufeira which has some great fish restaurants and an open-air market where you can pick up a bargain or two.

The golden sandy beach at nearby Praia d’Oura is just 10 minutes from Montechoro. Located in a large bay, the beach is protected from the elements by colourful sandstone cliffs. Known as the Golden Beach, there are plenty of watersports available here including water-skiing, jet-skiing, windsurfing, paragliding, kite surfing and the firm family favourite banana boat rides. If you are looking for quieter more secluded beaches and coves there are plenty within easy reach of the resort including the small beach at Praia dos Averios which has a scuba diving school, Santa Eulalia and Praia Maria Luisa. Scuba diving lessons and excursions for all levels are also available at the diving centre at Albufeira. The beaches at Montechoro have Blue Flag status for cleanliness and water purity. Relax with a boat trip along the beautiful coastline here, at the same time trying your hand with a spot of fishing. Another great way to admire the coastline is by taking a horse ride along the beach on the famous Lustianos horses or by taking a hot air balloon ride and marvel at the views below. Take a Seafari from the marina at Albufeira to spot dolphins, explore the vast sea caves by dinghy and do some reef fishing.

Away from the beach there is plenty to do in Montechoro. Activities include ten-pin bowling, lawn bowling, tennis and golf. There are plenty of golf courses to chose from which are all within easy reach from Montechoro including the amazing 18-hole Salgados course with it’s lake features and the 9-hole courses of Pine Cliffs and Balaia. The whole family will enjoy Zoomarine Park where you can swim with the dolphins, Aqualand with exhilarating water rides and slides and Montechoro Park where you will find a swimming pool complex, mini golf, a play area for small children and restaurants.

There is so much to do and see around Montechoro that you will hardly have time to stop and take a breather on your last minute holidays to Portugal.

Whether you are looking for beautiful beaches, lively nightlife or a relaxing golfing holiday there are always lots of travel deals available to the Algarve throughout the internet.

Portugal is seeing a big increase in travellers looking for an alternative destination for their holidays due to the political unrest in Egypt which is now in it’s third week.

Algarve Beach

Although Portugal is one of the smallest countries in Europe, it still has a great deal to offer holidaymakers. Accommodation varies from great family orientated hotels on the Algarve to converted farmhouses in beautiful countryside of the north.

Most tourists head to the Algarve which has hundreds of sandy beaches and sheltered coves along it’s long coastline which are just perfect for sunbathing and swimming. In the north of the country is the Costa Verde or Green Coast where you can while your days away among the rolling hills and vineyards or just  lay back and enjoy sunbathing at the beautiful sandy beach. This part of Portugal is less touristy and cheaper than the Algarve so why not take advantage of the many bargain holidays that are on offer.

Lisbon

Millions of people holiday in Portugal each year which means that there are always lots of holiday packages around to experience not only the beaches but also the country’s history and culture in cities like Lisbon and Oporto.

Situated on the north-west coast in the north of Madeira, Sao Vincente is regarded as one of the most picturesque villages on the island. Located between Porto Moniz and Santana this authentic agricultural town is

Sao Vincente

attracting more and more visitors to the region. Visitors to Sao Vincente are treated to some of the best and most dramatic views of the island of Madeira. This peaceful village has just a handful of restaurants and bars where you can relax and take in the beautiful surroundings.

Most of the town was buried in a huge landslide in 1928 but an award winning restoration programme has re-built and developed the town into the the tourist attraction it is today. Many of the elegant 18th century manor houses where madeira wine was produced have now been converted into hotels and bed & breakfast accommodation. The town of Sao Vincente and it’s neighbouring villages in the north-west can only be reached by a notorious narrow road which is built into the steep cliff face. Known as the ‘Gold Road’, this twisting road gives motorists spectacular views of the islands rugged cliffs, sweeping valleys and cascading waterfalls.

The Sao Vincente Caves offer an insight into volcanic eruptions. A walk through the caves network of volcanic tunnels gives visitors the opportunity to see the stalactites and ‘lava cakes’ which were formed over 400,000 years ago. The cave complex has a pavilion where you can take in an audiovisual show which recreates the cave’s

Sao Vincente Caves

volcanic geological origins.
Sitting inside a large basalt rock at the mouth of the river that runs through the town is the unique Capela de Sao Roque (Chapel) which was built by Inacio de Sousa in 1692.

The pebble beach at Sao Vincente is popular with surfers because of its big waves. Families are best to use safe natural lido at Porto Moniz or use the swimming pool at Ponta Delgada.
If you are looking for some adventure then the area surrounding Sao Vincente offers excellent hang gliding and paragliding terrain. If you still need more of an adrenaline rush then you can try mountain climbing, rock climbing and mountain biking or try white water canoeing down the mountain streams.

Sao Vincente beach

Sao Vincente enjoys dry summers with temperatures averaging between 25C and 29C very little rain. Sea temperatures average between 21C and 25C during the summer months making Sao Vincente an ideal choice for your summer package holidays. December and January are the coldest months when temperatures drop to around 14C.

Holiday deals to Sao Vincente and Madeira are always available throughout the internet. With 9 to 11 hours of sunshine during the day in the summer and up to 5 hours of sunshine a day in the winter months, weather conditions are ideal for a relaxing break on the beautiful island of Madeira.

Porto Santo is a small unspoilt island about 25 miles northeast of Madeira. Easily reached, Porto Santo is a 2 hour ferry ride or a 15 minute flight from Madeira. Because there are just a few hotels and apartments on the island, it remains uncrowded and tranquil.

Porto Santo

The island is quite barren with its main attraction being a beautiful 6 mile long sandy beach on the islands southern coastline which is divided into separate smaller beaches. The waters along this coastline are warmed by the Golf Stream and washup onto the soft golden sands which are said to have healing properties. These therapeutic qualities include the relief of the pain of rheumatism and broken bones.
There is a variety of watersports available from the beach including diving, fishing, sailing canoeing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, water-skiing and great swimming in the crystal clear sea.
The beach can be enjoyed at any time of the year as the weather here hardly varies from season to season.

Vila Baleira is the islands main town, with cobbled streets, whitewashed

Vila Baleira

 buildings, restaurants, cafes and a park. The traditional old shops here sell handmade souvenirs.

Porto Santo has so much natural beauty that visitors can spend hours just exploring the stunning grasslands, forests and mountains.

For golf enthusiasts there is an 18-hole golf course which was designed by Severiano ‘Seve’ Ballesteros, complete with

Porto Santo Golf

driving range, putting green, pitch and putt course and clubhouse.

A visit to the Casa de Columbus is a must when on the island. This is now a museum dedicated to Christopher Columbus who lived on the island and is home to some of the explorers paintings, maps, drawings and engravings.

Porto Santo really only has one season with temperatures averaging around 20C during the year and between 5 and 8 hours of sunshine a day. Temperatures can reach a low of 15C but can also reach a high of 28C with rain being very rare.

Because the islands natural beauty can be explored at any time of the year you can book one of the late deals on offer to Porto Santo whenever you have the need for some peace and tranquility.

Cheap package holidays to this beautiful, unspoilt island are always available at any time of the year.

Cascais is a pretty ancient fishing village just 15 miles from Lisbon on the Estoril coast of Portugal. Fishing boats still set sail from here, providing locally caught fish to the towns eating establishments. During the holiday season local people set up stalls along the roadside selling local handicrafts and unusual souvenirs.

Cascais

Providing an excellent base for visiting the resorts along the Lisbon coast, Cascais is a lively resort with a relaxed atmosphere.

The quaint old town of Cascais has lots of cobbled streets, a 16th century fort, churches, museums, zoo, bullring, park and a marina to explore. There are plenty of opportunities for dining out in Cascais with a variety of restaurants, tradition tavernas and cafes. Evenings can be spent in the lively bars and clubs, by enjoying a relaxing meal at one of the top quality gourmet restaurants or by visiting the amazing casino at Estoril.

Boca do Inferno

Walking is a popular pursuit here, especially along the coastal route from Cascais to the Boca do Inferno which is great fun during a storm or at high tide, but not for the faint hearted! There are lots of roadside cafes along the way, a great place to stop off for a drink is at the Esplanada Santa Marta which overlooks Santa Marta Beach and lighthouse.

With three beautiful beaches – Praia da Rainha, Praia da Ribeira and Praia da Conceicao – you will be spoilt for choice. The Praia da Ribeira is a working fishing harbour where you can watch the local boats leaving for their daily

Cascais beach

 catch. There is also the large wild beach of Praia do Guincho which is just a short drive away from Cascais. Watersports including surfing, windsurfing, water skiing and sailing are on offer from the beaches here in Cascais.

Great days out from Cascais include taking a train ride to Lisbon, visiting the resorts of historic Estoril and Sintra, the Sintra-Cascais National Park and the 18th century Queluz Palace or taking a deep sea fishing trip.

Queluz Palace

Summer holidays spent in Portugal are ideal as you will always normally be guarateed good weather.

If you are looking for last minute holidays, there are always great offers throughout the internet.

easyJet, Europe’s leading low fares airline, has announced the opening of a new aircraft base in Portugal. With 15 existing routes from Portugal already, easyjet will be able to connect to up to 10 new European destinations at low-rates from it’s new base at Lisbon Airport. The airline has been operating in Portugal since 1999, currently flying from Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Funchal.
The new base will open during the 2011 winter season with a capacity of up to seven Airbus 319 aircraft and is expected to create up to 2,000 direct and indirect jobs. The aircraft will promote Portugal across easyjet’s network of more than 500 routes between 123 airports in 29 countries.
The base at Lisbon Airport will be easyJets 20th base in Europe and will enable the developement of new routes and improved service to customers. easyJet currently carries more than 3.4 million passengers a year to Portugal and expects to carry an additional 1 million passengers to and from Lisbon each year.

easyJet  offers flights on more of Europe’s top 100 routes than any other airline, covering twenty eight different countries and more than 500 routes. The airline was founded in 1995 by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and now employs more than 60,000 people, including 1,800 pilots and 3,300 cabin crew and has more than 182 aircraft in 28 countries. 

Direct holidays to Portugal, you just have to experience this beautiful country yourself.

There are many holiday websites offering great holiday deals, including flights, to Portugal.