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.

Praia de Falesia in the Algarve is located about 30kms from Faro between Albufeira and Quarteira.

Set on a quiet clifftop, surrounded by beautiful countryside, Praia de Falesia offers quiet and relaxed holidays for the whole family.

Praia de Falesia

The golden sandy beach here has a backdrop of low cliffs and pine forests and is one of the longest in the Algarve, stretching for 6kms. With Albufeira to the west and Vilamoura to the east, the beach is so long that it never gets overcrowded. Because the beach has gentle shelving it is very safe for all the family to enjoy a dip in the beautiful azure waters or take advantage of one of the watersports on offer, including scuba diving, windsurfing and water skiing.

An alternative to lazing on this beautiful beach is a hike along the coastal

Olhos d'Agua

path which leads to the quiet villages of Acoteias and Olhos d’Agua.

There are boat excursions available from Albufeira and Vilamoura which include rides along the beautiful Algarve coastline, dolphin watching and fishing trips.

The coastline and the surrounding countryside can be explored either on foot or by bicycle.
 
Praia de Falesia holidays are popular with golfers as there are several championship golf courses in the area. The best time to visit for a golfing holiday is in the spring or autumn when there is around 6 hours a day sunshine and temperatures average around 18-23C.

Evenings here are usually spent enjoying a relaxing meal in one of the local

Algarve Coastline

 restaurants or having a drink or two in one of the bars. For livlier nightlife there is Albufeira or Vilamoura. Both have cafes, bars and discos and Vilamoura also has a casino.

Praia de Falesia has a typically Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. May temperatures average around 22C which rise to 25C in June and up to 30C in July and August. During the summer the area enjoys around 12 hours of sunshine a day with virtually no rainfall. During the winter the temperature drops to around 18C with up to 6 hours of sunshine a day.

With something for everyone, Praia de Falesia is a great place to spend your family holidays.

Cheap holidays to the Algarve are always available throughout the internet.

For those of you considering a holiday to Portugal, have you considered staying on the Lisbon Coast?

There is so much to do and see along the Lisbon Coast, why not take advantage of one of the many holiday packages to Portugal that are available throughout the internet. Before booking why not have a look at a great destination guide for Portugal that i have just come across.

Sintra is the main town on the coast of Lisbon, full of character and with plenty of attractions on offer. An ideal way to view the town is by horse and carriage ride so that you can view the wonderful old manor houses and other delightful buildings at a leisurely pace.

Sintra beach is a long stretch of clean golden sand set against a backdrop of lush forests and mountains. There is a 100 year old tram which runs from the centre of Sintra to some of the other beautiful beaches.

The nightlife here is mainly centred around dining out but there are also a few discos and bars.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

Thinking of visiting Portugal for your summer holidays or might be considering visiting at a future date?

Personally, I love the Algarve in the south of Portugal and have just come across a really informative travel article for Portugal which may help you when planning your holidays.

The Algarve has everything, including beautiful beaches, great dining-out venues, 35 golf courses, watersports and outdoor activities, and lots of attractions for the whole family to enjoy.

With many tourist attractions, as well as the usual beaches, the Algarve offers a new world to explore if you book a holiday to this area, either for the renowned sports activities or just for a nice break away from home.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

Sagres is situated just a few kilometres from Europe’s most south western point, Cape St. Vincent. Although it is on the Algarve, Sagres is far less developed than other towns to it’s east, making it a popular destination for those seeking quieter, more relaxed summer holidays.

Sagres harbour

The town has a lovely beach, attractive square, a working harbour, restaurants that are well known for their fresh fish dishes, and bars. Most of the towns historic buildings were destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. How there is still plenty of history surrounding Sagres, making it well worth a visit.

Today Sagres is best known for its fine beaches which are popular with surfers all the year round. Because of the shape of the coastline here, sheltered beaches are very easy to find.
 

Praia da Mareta

Praia da Mareta, a popular family beach, is the town’s main beach. Just five minutes from the town on the more sheltered southern side, this 600 metre long beach is made up of sand and pebbles.

 
 Praia da Baleeira, situated on the eatern side of the harbour, is a small sandy beach. However, sometimes there can be problems with the water quality due to its proximity to the harbour.

Tonel

Praia do Tonel, located on the exposed northern side of Sagres point, is a large sandy beach, popular with surfers. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards in the summer.

Praia do Martinhal, located just outside Sagres, is a quiet sandy beach, surrounded by dunes.

 
During the 15th century Prince Henry the Navigator chose Sagres as his home and it is here that he founded his school of navigation. Famous people who attended the school include Fernao de Maglhaes (Magellan), Pedro Alvares Cabral and Vasco da Gama. The Henry the Navigator Fortaleza is located on the headland of Ponta de Sagres to the north of the town. The walls of this impressive 17th century fort only remain on one side. Inside these walls you will find the restored 15th century chapel of Nossa Senhora da Graça and the Rosa dos Ventos, a pebble wind compass (discovered in 1921) which has a diameter of 142ft.

Sagres headland

From the tip of Ponta de Sagres there are fantastic views of the coast, right up to Cape St Vincent, Europe’s most south-westerly point. The cape gets its name from the martyr St Vincente whose relics were allegedly carried to the cape from the Holy Lands by ravens. The ravens guarded these relics until 1173 when they carried them to Lisbon where they still remain.

 
Here on the cape you will find Europes second most powerful lighthouse. This lighthouse was built over the ruins of a sixteenth-century Franciscan convent in 1846 to guard one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The lighthouse has two 1000-watt lamps which can be seen up to 60 kms away.

The Azores are a chain of islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago is divided into three groups of islands. The Eastern Group includes Santa Maria, with sandy beaches and green hills, and Sao Miguel where the city of Ponta Delgada is situated.

Azores

The Central Group consists of five islands, Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial. These islands offer a variety of attractions, from the hot steaming geysers in Terceira to the volcanic peak in the island of Pico, and the yachting port of the city of Horta, in Faial.
The Western Group includes the more remote islands of Flores and Corvo, the smallest island, situated on top of a marine volcano with calm lakes and a green crater.

CLIMATE

The Azores benefit from a temperate, maritime climate with mild winters and warm summers. The wettest months are October to March.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Whale and Dolphin Watching
25 of 90 species of whale and dolphin have been spotted off the Azores, including the giant Sperm whale. The best sightings are from June to September in the waters around Faial, Pico and Sao Jorge.
There are whale related museums on Pico and Faial.

Marine life
The island has an abundance of marine life. There are many dive centres, including those at Faial and Sao Miguel, which provide easy access to some excellent dive sites.

Surfing

Santa Maria

The waves off Santa Maria and Sao Miguel are great for surfing. Windsurfing lessons are also available at the islands’ sailing clubs.

Deep-sea fishing
The Azores have charter boats available for fishing trips, including availability on Faial and Sao Miguel.

Golf
There are three 18-hole golf courses in the Azores, two are located on Sao Miguel, and one is located on Terceira.

Touradas á corda

Bullfighting
Terceira is well known for bullfight by the rope (Touradas á corda). This is unique to the Azores, and has been practiced since the 16th century. From May to October there are about 250 of these bullfighting events.
The bull is let loose with a very long rope around its neck, usually in the main road of a small village. The release of a rocket signals that there is a bull on the street, and the game is ready to begin. The bull is guided by several experienced men and the local young men must try to get as close to the bull as they dare. Although it can be amusing it is very dangerous. After a while another rocket is launched to signify the end of the game.

Caldeira das Sete Cidades (Cauldron of the Seven Cities)
Situated in Ponta del Gada on Sao Miguel, this giant volcanic crater has a 7 mile circumference and sheer walls that rise above several lakes. The most beautiful of these are the Blue and Green lakes.

Furnas do Enxofre

Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz
Situated in Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira, this is an eroded crater and is the largest in the Azores. It has Furnas do Enxofre (sulphur), hot steaming geysers where the vapours are transformed into colourful formations.

Terra Nostra
Situated in Furnas on Sao Miguel, these botanical gardens contain an array of plants and animals and also a spring-fed pool, with warm mustard coloured water which has a fantastic effect on your skin.

Hydropolis
Also found in Furnas, this is one of the world’s few hydropolises, an area where not only the normal hot mud springs rise, but also copper coloured waters rise in the same location.

Porto Pim

Porto Pim
Situated in Horta on Faial, Porto Pim is the site of Horta’s old harbour and is a great place for a swim. The water here is warm and the beach very gently shelving, making it safe for children.
Ponta Delgada
Situated on Sao Miguel, Ponta Delgada, a former fishing village, boasts narrow streets, picturesque whitewashed houses and a waterfront promenade.

Furna de Enxofre
Situated on Graciosa is The Caldeira. Its interior,  the Furna do Enxofre, has a 270ft spiral staircase which leads down to a small, warm sulphur lake concealed in a grotto beneath a crater.

Angra do Heroismo
The beautiful, historic old town of Angra do Heroismo is found on Terceira. 

Algar do Carvao
Situated on Terceira, Algar do Carvao has fascinating craters, caves and tunnels to explore.  

BEACHES

In the Azores, the sea is pure and clear with a constantly mild, warm temperature. The beaches are generally formed from black sand, however, the island of Santa Maria has beautiful white sandy beaches.
Sao Lourenco on Santa Maria has fine, clear sand and is excellent for surfing.

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

The beautiful island of Madeira is part of a group of Portuguese islands, that also includes Porto Santo, that are situated 545 kms from the North West coast of Africa (Morocco) and 990 kms from Lisbon, Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean. Because of it’s lush river valleys, terraced hillsides, planted with vines and bananas, and dense primeval forest, Madeira is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Atlantic’.

Madeira

Walking is a popular pastime for visitors to Madeira. The Levadas (irrigation channels) that criss cross the island form a network of trails that take you through spectacular volcanic landscapes.

KEY FACTS

Location – Atlantic Ocean, 990km southwest of Lisbon.
Time – GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Area – 741 sq km.
Capital – Funchal.

CLIMATE

The climate in Madeira is exceptionally mild, with average temperatures varying between 24C in the summer and 19C in the winter.
The sea temperature is pleasant all year round, varying between 18C in the winter and 22C in the summer.

Ribeira Brava

BEACHES
Most of the beaches on Madeira are either pebbly or man-made. The closest to a Mediterranean-style beach is probably Ribeira Brava and there’s a manmade stretch of golden sand at Calheta. The nearest beach to Funchal is Praia Formosa, which has three small sandy bits and a larger sweep of pebbles. One of the most spectacular beaches is Prainha (Ponta de Sao Lourenco), a sheltered cove of black volcanic sand, on the island’s north east tip. There are several bathing complexes and lidos around the island, including the lido in Funchal and Sao Vincente in the north of the island. Just a 9 km ferry ride away is the soft golden sand of Porto Santo.

THINGS TO SEE

Funchal

Funchal
Funchal, the capital of Madeira, is home to an amazing 16th century cathedral and the Museum of Sacred Art. The Botanical Gardens here cover 12 acres of terraced hillside, planted with species from around the world.

Machico
Here in Machico you will find a 15th-century parish church, the Chapel of Miracles, and a pretty 18th-century fort.

Nossa Senhora de Monte

Nossa Senhora de Monte
The cable car from Funchal to Monte leads to the Nossa Senhora de Monte church. In August it becomes a centre of pilgrimage when worshippers climb the 74 steps on their hands and knees.

Pico Ruivo
Standing at 6,106 feet, the top of the island’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo offers spectacular views. There are also glorious views to be had from the not so high Pico do Arieiro (5,965ft). 

Santana
Santana is the most visited village on the island, known for its fairytale triangular-shaped houses or palheiros.

 
THINGS TO DO

Deep-sea fishing
Madeira is famous for its blue marlin. There are a number of companies on the island who offer fishing tours.

Madeira wine
There are many distinct varieties of the world-famous Madeira wine to be sampled. The grapes are pressed where they are grown and carried down the hills in goatskin bags by porters. The famous Madeira Wine Festival takes place annually in September.

Campo de Golfe do Santo da Serra

Golf
The 27-hole Campo de Golfe do Santo da Serra and the 18-hole Palheiro offer breathe taking views from their cliff top positions.

The levadas
The levadas are a network of ancient irrigation channels stretching for 1,333 miles across the island’s slopes. The coastal path offers great hiking oportunities with dramatic views, while the terraced valleys further inland offer a more tranquil setting.

Tobogganing
Toboggans carry tourists with two men using ropes to control the wide carro, a large wicker basket mounted on wooden runners. Runs to Funchal are located in Monte and Terreiro da Luta.

Great holiday deals to Portugal and Madeira are always available on the internet.

For more information on Portugal and to view my latest articles please visit my Portugal Blog.

Estoril is situated on the west coast of Portugal, overlooking Cascais Bay where the River Tagus runs into the Atlantic Ocean. Estoril merges with Cascais 1.5 miles to the west and is about 16 miles west of Lisbon, 8 miles south of Sintra and 21 miles from Lisbon Airport. Eight golf courses are located within a 16 mile radius.

Estoril coastline

The resort is renowned as a playground for the rich and famous. During the 20th century exiled monarchs, including Juan Carlos of Spain, and WWII refugees (poets, writers, artists, politicians, Jews and even spies) have sought sanctuary along the Estoril coast. If you are looking for an upmarket holiday then Estoril, with its golden sandy beaches, luxurious hotels, ATP tennis tournament, motor-racing track, one of Europe’s biggest casinos and eight golf courses, is the place to be.

From spring to autumn the majority of visitors to Estoril are slightly older, wealthy Europeans. However, accommodation to match a range of budgets means that everyone is welcome with cheap holidays being offered throughout the internet.

The best time to visit Estoril is between May and September when the days are warm and rainful is at the lowest. The hottest months are July and August, when temperatures often reach 30°C (86°F).

Tamariz beach

Estoril’s busiest beach is the centrally located Praia do Tamariz, which has thatched parasols, showers, a restaurant and an Atlantic Ocean filled swimming pool. To the west Praia Monte Estoril and Cascais’ trio of beaches are also popular. The windy Praia do Guincho (7 miles northwest) is extremely popular with experienced surfers and windsurfers.

Estoril Golf Club boasts two courses (one 18 hole and one 9 hole course), spectacular coastal views and its own swimming pool. North of Estoril, towards Sintra, Estoril Sol is an attractive 9 hole course. The Penha Longa, Quinta da Beloura, Quinta da Marinha and Oitavos courses are slightly further afield.

Estoril casino

Estoril’s casino is at the heart of its nightlife scene. The bars in Estoril are very low key at night, however at the height of summer the Tamariz beach esplanade is transformed into a lively open-air disco, the Tamariz Club. If you crave a more energetic nightlife, whatever the season, you should head to Cascais or Lisbon.

In the restaurants at the heart of the resort and along the Estoril Coast boat-fresh seafood is the order of the day. Portuguese meat dishes are also mainstays in many restaurants, with international and Mediterranean influences. Dining alfresco, whilst admiring the fantastic sea views is a must when visiting Estoril.