Portugal

Portugal is a wonderful country right on the edge of the European continent, surrounded by the endless waters of the Atlantic. Due to its location on the Iberian-peninsula, Portugal is an ideal place for all holiday makers seeking a sandy beach, culture and culinary experiences. The weather is always mild, ideal in all seasons, and the landscape and nature are picturesque.

In Portugal, the Mediterranean spirit blends with European culture. From Costa do Estoril near Lisbon, down to the Algarve region bordering the country on the south, the beaches are sandy, therefore it is paradise for those looking for classic sun-sea-sand holidays, whilst within the inner regions of the country, one can become acquainted with the wonders of architecture, culture and history. All of these pull factors are spiced with the wines of the famous Portuguese regions, the melancholic Fado melodies and last, but not least, the typical local restaurants offering culinary delights.

Porto & Douro Valley

Porto, in the North of Portugal, was the birthplace of the country and nation, where people became “Portuguese”. The World Heritage city of Porto is perfect for a short break, just to spend some quality time exploring what the charm and beauty of the downtown area, divided by the Douro River, has to offer, with numerous bridges linking the two banks of the river with interesting sites, such as wineries to visit on both sides. At the same time Porto is a good starting point or gateway to discover North Portugal with its natural and cultural diversity. The region is best known for the famous Port (wine) which is shipped from here to across the globe, boasting an ever-growing popularity. Porto is not only about the wine, it also has a heritage that combines ancient churches and monuments, such as the Cathedral and the Church of Sao Francisco, with modern buildings such as the Casa da Música and the Serralves Museum. The entire region is dominated and crossed by the Douro River which begins in the ravines and mountains within the mainland and flows through the entire World Heritage landscape, where the Port and Douro wines are produced. The relaxing and peaceful Douro Valley region, surrounded by mountains and natural parks, offers not only unique, natural beauty but castles, such as the Guimaraes, as well as shrines and churches that are attractive for pilgrimages in the summer. In Porto and Northern Portugal, the joy and gratitude for the life the region provides is experienced the most spontaneous way, offering a special ambiance for the most relaxing holidays.

Lisbon

Going back on a great timeline of history is one of the most charming capitals of the world, definitely one of the most visited and trendiest in Europe. The architecture, culture and history have all been influenced by the great sea expeditions; however, the city and its surroundings reflect Gothic elegance with the typical southern European ambiance – captured just by looking at the Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower, both featuring the Manueline style architecture. Like in many places of Portugal, the former Moorish presence cannot be ignored, but the remaining beautiful ceramic tiles incorporated in many buildings feature alongside the wealthy details of Baroque architecture, making the city even more unique. There is so much to do and see in Lisbon, which is a vibrant city of arts and music, from the traditional “fado” played on guitars to contemporary exhibitions and concerts of different genres.

Costa do Estoril (Estoril & Cascais)

The holiday resort area of Lisbon is only about 20-30 minutes away from the centre by car or local train. It is often called the “Portuguese Riviera” because of the similarities with its famous French and Italian sister-beaches and promenades. From charming traditional European grand hotels to smaller boutique style hotels, a great variety of accommodation, entertainment, and dining options are available in the area. The often narrow, winding and cobblestoned streets run into promenades, gardens, parks and pedestrian zones with the Atlantic Ocean bordering throughout, offering beautiful golden sandy beaches. There are many activities for the daytime, such as exploring the castles (in the nearby Sintra), mansions and fortresses or simply watching fishermen doing their everyday routine and of course enjoying one of the beaches along the coastline, offering a wide range of water sports.

Madeira & Porto Santo

The island of Madeira was born because of a volcanic eruption and was discovered much later by Portuguese seamen at the beginning of the 15th century. The Atlantic-situated island is located 545 km from the western shores of South-Africa, north of the Canary Islands and 964 km from Lisbon, resulting in the sub-tropical climate, and a sunshine preferred by all sun and sea lovers. The yearly average temperature is 22°C. The landscape is diverse, the flora is rich and always green, in fact, the island is always in blossom. Peaks, plateaus, valleys, bays and huge rock formations vary throughout the azure ocean-surrounded island. Cabo Girao, the world’s second highest, and Europe’s highest, promontory is also one of Madeira’s highlights – a long, long time ago, the inhabitants of the island were constantly scared by volcanos; however, volcanic activity has not been experienced for the past 1000 years. The capital Funchal attracts all the visitors with its old charm, architecture, colourful and lively centre, sparkled with fountains, flower and fruit markets, botanical gardens, cable car, palaces and mansions, churches and many events all year round.. It is also the most popular and largest holiday area.

Porto Santo is the smaller of the inhabited islands of the Madeira Archipelago, located at the South-western tip of Europe. The island is about 500 km from the coast of Africa and 1000 km from Continental Europe. Porto Santo Island is also only a short 1.5-hour flight from Lisbon.The friendliness and hospitality of its locals, the mild climate all year around, the spectacular unspoilt landscapes and the richness and variety of the natural, historical and cultural resources are just some of the reasons why one should discover this tiny paradise island.

Azores

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, about a thousand miles away from Lisbon, are the 9 islands of the Azores, namely Sao Miguel, Terceira, Faial, Flores, Pico, Sao Jorge, Santa Maria, Graciosa and Corvo. Every member of the volcanic origin archipelago -a territory of Portugal- is a masterpiece of nature, a true paradise for nature lovers: green fields, blooming hillsides, volcanic craters, rocks, crystal-clear air, lakes, lagoons and, of course, the wealthy ocean life. Because of the Gulf Stream, the climate is very pleasant; the average temperature during summer time is 22°C and around 14°C in the winter. Thanks to the ideal all-year-round weather, pineapple, tea and even tobacco are grown across the archipelago.

All visitors are welcomed by the beauty and hospitality of Portugal: in North Porto and the Douro Valley; mid-country, the capital Lisbon and the surrounding area, with the beaches of Estoril and Cascais, the upland Sintra with its unique microclimate, or the southern holiday region of the Algarve. City breaks, sightseeing, classic holidays… Fly & drive… Mainland Portugal, the island of Madeira, the Azores - your choices are almost endless. Enjoy Portugal!