Altura is a purpose-built beach resort on the east coast of Portugal’s Algarve near to the Roman town of Tavira and the busy resort of Monte Gordo. The eastern side of the Algarve is less developed and unspoilt than the other parts, making it an ideal destination for families looking for a relaxing holiday in Portugal. The coastline of Altura falls within the 37 mile coastline of the Parque natural da Ria Formosa which is

Altura beach

protected from overdevelopment. This lagoon area is a haven for numerous species of birds that make it home, a place to shelter in the winter or as a migration stopover. Most of the accommodation in Altura, including hotels, villas, apartments and seafront properties, is within walking distance of the beautiful sandy beach. Read more »

Portuguese grilled sardines

Whether you’ve got a week or a month for travelling in Portugal, the country has much to offer to international tourists. Recently, the small coastal country has gained a reputation for its food. With a long history of exploration, Portuguese food consists of a wide variety of international spices. Portuguese cuisine is also heavily influenced by other Mediterranean cuisines, with a heavy penchant for olive oil and garlic.

Tour in Porto – tripe & red wine

Being a coastal country, Portugal features a lot of fish and seafood in its cuisine. A food tour to Porto, however, wouldn’t be complete without the meaty tripe—a speciality of the Porto region. Tripe is animal intestines but, in Porto, mixed with red wine, beans, sausage & black pepper, the dish is particularly flavorful. Because many of the wines from the Duoro valley near Porto are rich, full-bodied reds, most of the cuisine you’ll encounter will usually be meat & rice dishes.

You’ll find many of the local apartments in Porto in the Ribeira district, just along the Duoro River. Restaurants, bars and cafes in this area are a popular place to find good food and interesting people.

Food specialties in Lagos

Located on the southern coast of Portugal, Lagos has several food specialties.  The southern region of Portugal, the Algarve, is famous for its sardines which many locals cook throughout the day—a simple snack food for the barbeque! The Algarve region also has two other main-dish specialties, if you’re on a food tour through Lagos and the surrounding region:

Chicken piri piri: This barbequed chicken dish is served with the local piri piri sauce. Piri piri is a spicy sauce, made of a particularly hot chile. The Portuguese introduced the sauce into their cuisine from their colonies in Mozambique and Angola. Though it’s mostly used with

Cod in Portugal

barbeque chicken, it’s also a popular seasoning for grilled fish & shrimp.

Salted cod: Called “bacalhau”, salted cod is a staple dish of Portugal. It’s even a traditional Christmas dinner in some parts. While it’s a popular food from many of the seafaring nations during the times of colonisation, the Portuguese are known to have specialized salted cod into as few as 365 different recipes (one for every day of the year), or as some legends have it, over 1000 different recipes.

Food in Lisbon, with an international flair

If you’re staying in one of the many Lisbon apartments in the trendy Bairro Alto neighbourhood, you’ll be near many of the restaurants—restaurants popular with both the locals and the tourists. Food in Lisbon, the Portuguese centre of tourism, is renowned around the world for its high-class chefs and international cuisine, not to mention five-star Portuguese restaurants. Within the Bairro Alto neighbourhood are many small cafés and local eateries—perfect locations to find an undiscovered restaurant.

Whether you’re on a country-wide food tour in Portugal, or just visiting Lisbon on a short break, you’ll find food is as much a part of the local culture as anything else—maybe even more so. If you hop from city to city, consider staying in one of the many apartments on offer throughout Portugal. With hundreds of apartment & bed and breakfast options, you’ll be living a bit more like a local while travelling.

The quiet beach resort of Ofir is located about 22 miles from Oporto on Portugal’s Costa Verde (Green Coast). The Costa Verde lies in the north-west of Portugal where vineyards producing famous Portuguese wines including Vinho Verde and Rose, rivers and beautiful green countryside add to the areas unspoilt charm. Not only does the region have some excellent countryside to explore, it also offers a magnificent coastline with sweeping bays where visitors can relax on their last minute holidays to Portugal.

Ofir, Costa Verde

Ofir is one of the best beach resorts on the Costa Verde, offering good hotels, a beautiful beach and wonderful scenery. The resort is surrounded by pine forests and the beach is edged with sand dunes. The long wide sandy beach is lapped by the Atlantic and the warm waters are very popular with windsurfers. Other water sports on offer in Ofir include snorkelling, surfing, sea kayaking, sailing and fishing. There are so many secluded bays and coves along the coastline which are perfect for relaxing in the sun that you will be spoilt for choice. A boat trip is an excellent way to see the dramatic Costa Verde coastline.

Although Ofir has some restaurants and bars there is a wider choice at Fao which is just a couple of miles inland from the resort. Dating back to Roman times, Fao sits at the mouth of the River Cavado and is a great place for fishing and canoeing. Nearby on the river bank is the old fishing town of Esposende where you can take a leisurely stroll and discover the quaint town squares and historic old buildings.

Costa Verde coastline

The best way to explore the Costa Verde is by car. The amazing scenery is both tranquil and beautiful with charming hillside villages, castles and churches just waiting to be explored. Another way to explore the surrounding countryside is by taking a guided tour on bicycle or horse back. A trip to the volcanic Arcuentu Mountain, where wild cats and deer roam, will give you amazing views from its summit and great photographic opportunities. Take a 30 minute drive from Ofir to Portugal’s second largest city Oporto for a day trip not to be missed on your family holidays to Ofir. Famous for being the home of Port Wine, Oporto is a historical city with great sightseeing and shopping opportunities, restaurants, bars and plenty of nightlife along the city’s

Arcuentu Mountain

riverfront. The gothic Church of St Francis and the Palacio da Bolsa are just two of Oprto’s historic buildings worthy of a visit. An opportunity not to be missed is a guided tour of Oporto’s wine cellars, including wine tasting sessions in the cellars.

Ofir enjoys hot summers but not as hot as the south of Portugal. Temperatures average about 25C during the summer with low humidity levels which make very pleasant weather conditions. June, July and August have 10 hours of sunshine a day with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean hovering around 9C. Even summer evenings enjoy temperatures of 15C, ideal for dining at in the restaurants and having a drink or two at the bars. Most of the rain falls during the spring, autumn and winter months when temperatures hover around 15C.

The city of Oporto is built on steep hills which surround the mouth of the River Douro on the west coast of Portugal. Steeped in history Oporto is an ideal all year round holiday destination for visitors looking for more than just sunshine and beaches. Oporto has an amazing mix of neighbourhoods, although most Oporto holidays focus on the riverside Ribeira quarter which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Oporto

The historic city of Oporto offers a vast array of architecture, a 12th century cathedral, old churches, the Maria Pia Bridge which was built by Eiffel (of the Eiffel Tower Paris fame) and once the longest arch bridge in the world, medieval alleys leading off steep cobbled streets, an old riverside quarter, waterside bars and cafes, shops, parks and gardens. When it comes to relaxing Oporto has plenty of traditional tavernas and restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine, fish and seafood dishes along with some local vinho verde. Enjoy some shopping in the city’s traditional stores and covered market or take in some culture including art, furniture and ceramic museums, theatres and galleries whilst on your holiday travel deals to Oporto.

Climb the Baroque Torre dos Clerigos for amazing panoramic views of the old city and a photographic opportunity not to be missed. Visitors climb 240 steps to the top of this iconic landmark! A holiday in Oporto is not complete without a walk across the

Torre dos Clerigos

two-tiered Dom Luis Bridge to the suburb of Vila Nova de Gaia where you will find the famous port wine lodges on one bank and the Ribeira on the other. Here at the port lodges you can sample ports from the three sub-zones of the Douro Valley, the world’s first demarcated wine region. You will also be able to buy from famous cellars such as Sandeman and Taylor’s who produce the fortified wine (port) named after the famous city of Oporto.

Families will love exploring the maze of narrow lanes which are lined with brightly coloured houses with white and blue tiled facades and balconies decked in flowers. There are lots of interesting excursions available on your bargain holidays to Oporto, including those to seaside towns, small fishing villages, small towns and villages where you can explore old monasteries, churches, castles, forts and bridges. A great day out for all the family is a cruise along the River Douro which runs through the picturesque Douro Valley with a stunning backdrop of terraced vineyards and quaint towns. Guimares is a World Heritage Site where you see some fine medieval, Gothic, Roman and Baroque architecture.

A holiday to Portugal wouldn’t be complete without a day or two on the beach. The most popular beach resorts close to Oporto are the Atlantic resorts of Foz, Vila Cha, Povoa de Varzim, Santo Tirso and Cabadelo to the north and Esmoriz, Espinho (a long golden beach with a casino) and Cortegaca (excellent for surfing) to the south.

Cais da Ribeira

Nightlife centres mainly on the old riverside area of Cais da Ribeira, the student bars of Cordoaria and also the more trendy bars, clubs, Art Deco cafes and smart restaurants.

Oporto enjoys long hot summers with almost unbroken sunshine between June and September. Spring and Autumn are warm with plenty of sunshine and an ideal time for cruising on the River Douro and exploring the many historical sites Oporto has to offer.

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.