Albufeira Beach, Algarve ©Jose Manuel / Turismo de Portugal

PortugalFrom the medieval quarters of Lisbon to the miles of amazing beaches andworld-class golf courses on the Algarve, the sun always shines on Europe’swest coast.

WITH THE ATLANTIC OCEANTO THE WEST AND SOUTHAND SPAIN TO THE NORTHAND EAST, PORTUGAL ISMAINLAND EUROPE’S MOSTWESTERN COUNTRY ANDINCLUDES THE AZORES ANDMADEIRA.Once a great imperial power, Portugal is now better known forsunshine, golf and fortified wine. The Costa de Prata, the Estorilcoast and Costa Azul all compete for the attention of tourists,but best known are the beaches and year-round sunshine of theAlgarve in the far south.Nature has blessed Portugal’s 850km of coastline with a bit ofeverything, from enchanting beaches to varied, breath-takingcountryside and the Atlantic coast is prized by surfers andwindsurfers across Europe.The coastal towns are also rich in Portuguese heritage, discoverthe colourful seafaring and fishing traditions and end your day bysampling some of the finest fresh fish in the world.

You will find everything you need for the perfectholiday on the ALGARVE from the casinos inLagos, Vilamoura and Monte Gordo to themeparks like Atlantic Park, Loulé or Zoomarine,near Albufeira where you can see dolphins,seals, sharks and crocodiles.As for beaches, one of the most beautiful, wildand untamed with lots of waves is Arrifana onthe Costa Vicentina, whilst the lively onesamongst you will like Praia da Rocha in Portimão,Galé in Albufeira or Praia da Oura and Vilamourawhere you will find plenty of facilities and nightlife. Twoof the finest resorts are Vale de Lobo and Quinta do Lago.

MADEIRA has a varied oceanic sub-tropical climate,influenced by its geographical position and mountainouslandscape. The Laurisilva Forest, in the Madeira Natural Park,

is the largest evergreen forest in the world - a fact that hasearned it classification as a world heritage site. Madeira offers asophisticated holiday with top quality accommodation, amazingspas and a pleasant temperature with the hottest months beingAugust and September. Madeira is a delight for the eye, the seais visible from wherever you are and exotic flowers and fruits addcolour to this visual masterpiece.Porto Santo is a two and a half hour boat trip from Madeira and

is one of Europe’s most attractive island paradises withgolden sands stretching for 9km and famous for their

healing properties.

Nine islands make up the AZORES, all aredifferent and offer their own surprises. PicoIsland is classified as a world heritage site witha mountain, dramatic cliffs and vineyardsformed from black basalt. Or you can enjoy thehot waters and steam escaping from Volcano

vents on the island of São Miguel. The Azores areideal for climbing, walking and whale and dolphin

watching.

LISBON is a city full of life and extremely welcoming tovisitors and quite unique that it has both a river and a coastline.Visit the medieval quarters of Alfama and Mouraria above whichstands a castle, play golf, go surfing or dance the night away inone of the many riverbank discos.

Lisbonis blessed with

natural beauty andsteeped in fascinatinghistory and the only

European capitalwith Atlantic

beaches.

Choice Villas & Apartments 2010 47

Zambujeira do Mar, Alentejo ©Turismo de Portugal

Fact fileTHE AZORES are situated in the Atlantic Oceanbetween Europe and North America and consist ofnine islands. It takes about two hours to get fromthe Azores to mainland Portugal by plane.

Portuguese people are sweet toothed! Theirspecialities include at least two hundred differenttypes of PASTRIES. In the 17th and 18thcentury, the convents became famous for theirpastries, as can be told by the names of theirspecialities: "toucinho do céu" - heaven's lard, or"barriga de freiras" - nun's belly!

Every year after Easter, FUNCHAL is the settingfor a truly sumptuous spectacle, the city’s FlowerFestival. Madeira celebrates springtime and theexuberance of the flowers that typically bloom inthat season, and here with even greater intensitydue to Madeira’s subtropical climate.

From the North to the South, the country iswealthy in GOOD WINES and, apart from theunique Port from Madeira, there are more than onehundred different varieties of wines, ranging fromtable wines to special ones, all of them reflectingthe individual character of their respective soil.

Portugal has more than 70 GOLF COURSES,and the mild climate makes it possible to play allyear round. Major tournaments on the internationalcircuit, such as the Portugal Masters are hostedhere.

Explore the whole country in just one day as youtake the children to the Portuguese miniatureexhibition in the region of BEIRAS, centralPortugal. This precursor of the theme park isdedicated to the main architectural monuments ofPortugal from the north to the south, and all builton a reduced scale!

Veu da Noiva Waterfall, Sao Vicente, Madeira ©Turismo de Portugal

Pinhal Golf Course, Vilamoura, Algarve ©Lusotur Golf, Turismo de PortugalChoice Villas & Apartments 201048

Cascais, Lisbon ©Jos Manuel, Turismo de Portugal

Tourist Officewww.visitportugal.com0845 355 1212info@visitportugal.com

Official language Portuguese

Average summer temperatures (Jun–Aug)Lisbon 27ºCAlgarve 27ºCAzores 24ºCMadeira 24ºC

Currency Euro

Average flying time 21/2 hours

Capital Lisbon

Did you know?

Mainland Portugal is split by its mainriver, the Tagus. The northernlandscape is mountainous and thesouth features mostly rolling plainsand a warmer and drier climate thanin the north.

Portuguese is the third most spokenEuropean language in the world andthe native tongue of about 200million people.

Portugal's highest point is Mount Picoon Pico Island in the Azores. This isan ancient volcano measuring2,350m (7,710 ft).

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