Balmy days on sun-kissed beaches
Home to history's great explorers, Portugal is now itself a country well worth discovering, and its compactness makes it easy to take in the best it has to offer in the space of a holiday – beaches, scenery, history, wonderful cuisine, lively entertainment, charming handicrafts, thrilling nightlife, country fairs, excellent sporting facilities – and, of course, warm, friendly people.
Although undeniably part of modern Europe, Portugal, on the Iberian Peninsula, is dotted with picturesque towns and villages where traditions flourish. There is much to experience during a holiday in Portugal, from the glitzy, lively resorts of southern Algarve with their shopping halls and exciting night life, to medieval villages where life has remained unchanged in centuries. The long and varied coastline of the Iberian Peninsula provides ample opportunities for spending a relaxing day on a white sandy beach in a secluded cove.
Portugal has a long seafaring history. Portuguese mariners opened trade routes to the East, and led the exploration into the Americas and Africa. Its colonial background has given the country distinctive foreign influences on its local culture and architecture – such as the sentimental fado music, imported from Africa and now considered traditional in Portugal. Holiday-makers can enjoy this unique experience in the cafés of Lisbon.
For great holiday deals in Portugal, check out Co-op Holidays.