Blessed with stunning natural beauty and year-round sunshine, Portugal offers crystal clear seas and a wealth of activities to suit even the most discerning world traveller.

The Portuguese coastline is a holidaymaker’s dream. Frequently hailed as one of the best golf destinations in the world, high-end resorts and world class courses sit side by side with an abundance of health and wellness spas that make the most of the scenery and tranquility on offer.

For the adventurous, Portugal offers some of Europe’s best deep-sea fishing as well as every kind of water sport an enthusiastic tourist could dream of. But it’s where the ‘rolling plains end in unspoilt beaches’ that’s the real attraction.

The Portuguese coastline boasts nearly 200 Blue Flag beaches, many hidden from the main tourist trails by sheltered coves or decorated by countless colourful boats in picturesque fishing villages like Sesimbra – which also doubles as the fashionable weekend retreat of ‘well to do’ Lisbon families.

Alongside all the sunshine, beaches and activities – not to mention the glorious climate – Portugal’s history and heritage can almost be overlooked. Almost. From its Moorish legacies to modern day Lisbon, Portugal combines the past and the present with a timeless elegance. Whether you’re a history buff or simply in need of some old world culture, you can choose from UNESCO World Heritage sites like the magical cliff top village of Sintra or simply take in the quiet charms of historic towns like Guimarães, Évora or Angra do Heroísmo.

More than anything, it’s the pull of a more sedate and relaxed pace of life that bewitches visitors and keeps bringing them back for more. Perhaps it’s no wonder that over a third of Portugal’s tourists hail from the UK with many choosing the laid back lifestyle of evening strolls on the promenade at Sesimbra or the café terraces of Porto as ideal holiday home destinations.

Given all that Portugal has to offer it’ll come as no surprise to know that tourist figures have risen dramatically over the last decade – extending well beyond the traditional Algarve destinations. So what now for the future?

The world wide economic woes of 2008 have hit tourist figures in Portugal as they have in many other destinations – although gross guest numbers for the first eight months of 2008 are actually up on the same period last year. It’s clear that the hey day of cheap flights and even cheaper properties has gone; but while hotel stays from international tourists have fallen by around 4%, the home grown market has blossomed – attracting almost 4% more overnight stays from Portuguese citizens in 2008. It seems that the Portuguese are increasingly discovering Portugal for themselves and helping to keep tourism as one of the country’s most important industries.

Portugal is almost uniquely blessed by the perfect climate and stunning natural beauty but it offers much more than just golf resorts and beach holidays. Even the government’s plans for the promotion of tourism in Portugal realise what makes ‘Europe’s west coast’ so special. They are promoting four things: ‘climate and light,’ ‘history, culture and tradition,’ ‘hospitality’ and ‘diversity.’

Four great reasons to visit any country.

For information on buy to let hotel room developments and the tourist market in Portugal visit >> Owner Invest [http://ownerinvest.com/]: Buy Hotel Rooms and Invest in Tourism.

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Many of these holidaymakers vow one day to return and take up residence in Portugal and in fact, out of all the European nations Portugal is one of the evergreen favourites with expatriates from around the world as well as retirees seeking a warm and safe low cost nation in which to retire.

If you’re thinking of moving abroad to live in Portugal you need to engage in some practical planning because while moving is considered to be one of the most stressful things one can do, moving abroad is doubly so unless you get everything in place and understood before you go.

This article is a guide to the practical planning you need to do before you move abroad to live in Portugal so that your relocation is as smooth and successful as possible.

The very first thing you need to get a handle on is the language – Portuguese is a notoriously complicated language to master and as a result many who move to live in Portugal settle in areas such as the Algarve where there is a strong international community where English is widely spoken and understood.

Try and take Portuguese lessons before you move to Portugal and consider settling in an area where English is used – look at the main cities such as Lisbon and Faro or examine the Algarve region as previously mentioned. Once you’ve mastered the language sufficiently so that you can communicate and make friends and associates then you can look around the nation and see if an alternative part of Portugal appeals to you more.

If you have children you need to take time to think about how you are going to choose to have them educated. There are a number of international schools in Portugal – again these are in the Algarve or in the main cities. If your children are over the age of about 7 you should really educate them at an international school through the medium of their mother tongue or else you risk harming their educational development.

If on the other hand the cost of educating your children privately is prohibitive (and it can be expensive in Portugal), or if your children are very young, you have the option of sending them to local state school which is free. State schools naturally teach through the medium of Portuguese.

Whichever option you decide to take, make sure you find out about availability of places for your children in nursery or school before you move to Portugal….nursery places are especially difficult to secure in certain areas of the country for example and you need to register early for a space.

The next most important consideration is employment and money. If you need to work to support your family you should find work before you go and you should find out whether your experience and qualifications translate accordingly in Portugal. Many British expatriates decide to go and live in the Algarve and think that although they can’t speak the language that they can pick up work as a pool cleaner or something – naturally competition for such work is high and time and time again you read stories of expatriates struggling to cope financially on forums about living in Portugal.

The number one reason why relocations abroad fail is the financial one – so get a job in place or sort out your financial situation before you commit to moving to live in Portugal and be very realistic about your chances of finding secure and ongoing employment.

Finally, you need to find somewhere to live! Even if you’ve holidayed many times in a particular part of Portugal you should still consider renting property before you commit to a real estate purchase. This is because once on the ground and living day to day in Portugal you’ll become more aware of opportunities to buy property and you’ll be amazed at how local prices are much lower than tourism prices! What’s more, you’ll become more knowledgeable about the areas of the country that appeal to you, your family, your lifestyle and your budget.

Rhiannon Williamson writes about living abroad in locations as diverse as Portugal and Belize or Australia and Canada for example. If you’re thinking of going to live or work overseas then her resource ShelterOffshore.com has all the information you could possibly need.

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Portugal, the south western part of Europe, offers excellent quality wines which are produced in Portuguese vineyards. Right from the ancient civilization, production of wine is regarded as a famous cultural activity here. Now, Portugal is amongst the 10 largest producers of wine in the world. Portugal is known for Portuguese horses and horse riding has remained as a passion amongst the Portuguese community due to which equestrian is widely accepted as a special sporting event in Portugal. In addition, equestrian activities are an important tourist attraction.

As Portuguese wines and vineyards have developed a great significance in Portugal economy, the other leading product is the cork that is obtained from Cork Oak tree has greatly contributed to the economy and growth of this wonderful country. Almost 720 hectares of Portuguese land is used to grow cork oak trees. Well, we can not ignore the fact that the highly suitable climatic conditions have helped in cultivating of this tree right from the olden times. Cork is a natural product and it requires no chemical processing during its harvest. Moreover, it is a renewable natural resource.

Presently, Portugal offers world famous embroidery patterns that attract the tourists towards this artistic form of Portuguese culture. The beautiful complex Portuguese embroidery helps to beautify garments and clothes which have lured the tourists. The Portuguese artisans have practiced embroidery patters and have mastered this art to produce amazing designs and patterns which have impressed art lovers worldwide. Portugal is truly appreciated for its art and culture and people often find it difficult to judge the best of Portugal.

Portugal is known for its amazing scenic beauty and exotic landscapes. The rich historical culture and natural heritage has attracted a lot of tourists from all over the world. Due to its major attractions and ancient monuments, Portugal has shown a significant development in the tourism industry which is flourishing each year due to rising number of tourists. Among all other European countries, Portugal is a perfect blend of art, culture, pleasant climate, beauty and modernism, this is what has enhanced the tourism industry greatly. Portugal is one of the hottest holiday destinations amongst the visitors who love to explore nature. So, next time you plan a vacation destination and you wish to discover the best of Portugal, it is an excellent decision where you really feel a complete new experience that will cherish in your minds forever.

Want to discover the best of Portugal? Just click at Best of Portugal Visit the country and enjoy it with nature and Portuguese horses Explore this historical country, Portugal at best-of-portugal.com

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Average temperature ranges from thirteen degree Celsius to eighteen degree Celsius. However in northwestern and in southwestern parts of the country absolute temperature readings are as low as minus sixteen degree Celsius in winter and as high as forty degree Celsius in summer. Several rivers flow down the Portugal mainland and the major river named Tagus had formed beautiful river valleys in the north and rolling plains in the south. The islands of Madeira and Azores which form the Atlantic archipelago fall into the territory of Portuguese republic. Portugal has a high number of natural reserves, protected landscapes and wildlife sanctuaries for its small land area when compared to other countries. The country makes the most out the marine resources and has achieved the exclusive economic zone status. Monarchy ruled the Portugal until the beginning of twentieth century. However a dictatorship was started a few decades after the establishment of Portuguese republic. The dictatorship was initiated by Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. After the Carnation revolution that started in 1974, Portugal was announced as democratic republic by the constitution.

There is not specific state religion in Portugal and hence it announced itself as secular. Portugal defense system comprises of Army, Navy and Air Force. The military system in Portugal primarily serves self defense and peace keeping missions. Portugal defense houses nearly 45,000 armed personal including about 3000 women. Compulsory military service is not longer practiced in Portugal. The first Great War and the Portuguese colonial war are the two major military interventions engaged by Portugal. French law was the main influence until the end of nineteenth century. Continental family legal system is the Portuguese legal system and it is a part of civil law legal system. Portugal is the one of the principal founder member of NATO and it joined in European Union in 1986. Painting, music and literature are the major fields where Portugal shines in cultural heritage. Portuguese cuisine is known for its quality, taste and rich diet. One of the main aspects that have to be mentioned is Portuguese wine. Portugal is one of the leading wine producers in the world and there is demand for Portuguese wine all over the world.

Portugal has become the favorite choice for the tourists and recent statistics say that nearly 13 million tourists flooded in Portugal in the year 2006 alone. The major places in Portugal that are of tourist interest are Lisbon, Madeira and Algarve. The tourism department in Portugal states that it might become the leading source of income and will contribute to the nation’s economic prosperity.

Who knows all about Portugal? The person who wrote this article knows all about Portugal. Upon knowing more about Portugal, we understand that this is one of the best places in this planet. You can find more information about Portugal in his website.

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Most of these villas are located near the city and there is a lot of building work being done on them, which is why people who are hoping to relax during their holidays will find it very difficult with all the annoying noising resulting from building work.

The banging and drilling noises can really get to one’s nerves, ruining everything you hoped for in your vacation. Also, building work affects the view. Traffic noises also may affect your peaceful holidays. Most people keep dogs, so their barking can really ruin the peace and quiet environment as well.

As luxurious as they are, many of this villas are quite affordable, which is great if you are on a budget and you want to keep the prices of your holidays low. But if this is your case, there are some extra fees to take into account. Some of the restaurants in the area are really expensive. Also, many villas are far away from the airport, so your taxi cab’s fare may be relatively expensive too.

In some areas of Portugal, like in Monchique, the weather is unpredictable. This is something you should consider, because bad weather can definitely ruin your holidays. Also, holidays in Portugal villas are not suitable for children, since there is no entertainment available for them. So if you are planning to travel with you family you may want to go on another direction.

It is also recommended to be careful with some websites that advertise plenty of facilities for you to use in the villas, because some of them only offer a flat studio and a shared pool, despite of their advertisements. Some of these villas in Portugal do not count with a shuttle bus into town nor bars or any kind of entertainment, so if you would like to go to town, you will need to take a taxi cab, and there is an extra fee you were not considering.

Another option is to rent a car, since the beach and the shops are not at a walking distance. So add up the cost of a rental car to your budget. Summing up, villas could be great for a couple’s getaway, who are not on a budget, but if you are planning a trip with your children or if you are looking for peace and quiet away from traffic and building work noises, villas in Portugal may not be the right choice for you.

CEO of Advertizia, Julian J. Lenox writes articles and website reviews for Travel and Tourism Top 100, a websites reviews repository specializing in tourism. Sources for this article: Best Holiday Villas in Portugal.

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2. Strong Tourist Demand
Portugal is among the top 20 most visited destinations in the world and it is incredibly popular with the Brits. Eleven million visitors travelled to Portugal last year (figures taken from the World Travel and Tourism Council), and the tourism based growth will be in the region of at least 3% annually from now until 2017 which means anyone buying hotel rooms in Portugal on a buy to let scheme will see their ROI (return on investment) come to fruition very quickly.

3. Property Prices
The Algarve has seen prices double in the last ten years and the latest statistics suggest that prices increased by 6% in 2006 and up to 10% in 2007/2008. This is proving that Portugal properties still have a high buy to let demand. This is good to know as anyone joining the market can exit the market smoothly and efficiently.

4. British Tourism & Expatriates Lifestyle
Portugal has been a British favourite for years, it is only a two and a half hour journey by plane and almost a quarter of the tourism into Portugal comes from the UK. Portugal boasts excitement, passion and a history that is a fundamental part of the Portuguese way of life. Similar to the Spanish, the Portuguese have a slower pace of life, a sunny climate, excellent food and wine and with over three hundred days of sunshine a year – imagine that! Despite all the golf courses and the tourist attractions, Portugal also has wonderful beaches and for the more country folk – mountains for great walks, wildlife and natural beauty. All of these reasons are an advantage to why buy to let investments are rife in Portugal right now, making it cheaper to buy property in Portugal than it is in the UK.

5. Buy to Let
Portugal is a popular destination offering fantastic weather, stunning beaches, tourist attractions, activities for entertainment, sporting activities, great food, wine and a diverse way of life. The appeal of Portugal is huge and growing annually, making buy to let Portuguese property in very high demand. Buy to let offers the buyer a few weeks a year where you get to enjoy your purchase while the rest of the time you gain an instant income from holidaymakers, golfers, family and friends.

Buying a hotel room in a country like Portugal is a fantastic opportunity as you are almost guaranteed returns on your investment instantly! The majority of the buy to let properties you buy will offer you some form of a management service or letting service so you can kick back, relax and generate your retirement income.

Buy to let mortgages are available from UK banks for Britons, this process is well documented making it easy for Britons to invest in buy to let apartments.

6. Portugal is easily accessible and affordable
EasyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Monarch, Jet2 are among some of the regular airlines that offer cheap, direct flights into Portugal from the UK.

7. Portugal Politics
Portugal was admitted to the European Economic Community (now EU) on January 1st, 1986 and on February 16th, 1986, Mario Soares became the country’s first civilian president in 60 years. Elected in 2005 under a strong reform mandate, Prime Minister Jose Socrates is undertaking ambitious measures to lower Portugal’s deficit and strengthen the economy, improve general conditions for population and they have been accepted internationally for having a strong and intelligent police force. As part of the country’s economic plan, Portugal will invest 10 billion Euros in infrastructure in the next 5 years, making use of the European Union’s structural and cohesion funds that are still available to them.

8. High Level of Investment into Infrastructure Projects
Portugal’s government is literally pouring billions of euros into the country’s infrastructure. This was not only because of the economic improvement due to the European integration, but also because the country received support in financing its infrastructure projects from the union’s funds. The expansion of additional roads, dams, ports, new international airport, new metro system, modernisation of the country’s railroad system and an upgrade of the natural gas pipeline systems are all part of Portugal’s attempt to improve their infrastructure. As a result, the country has a well developed transportation network with 59,100 Kilometres of paved roads. This is good news for anyone thinking of investing into buy to let schemes in Portugal.

9. Tax Purposes
Portugal has the lowest corporation tax in the whole of Western Europe, thus making it a popular destination for buy to let property. Portugal has policies in place that attract foreign investment such as offering attractive finance grants and additional tax breaks. Since the mid-1980s the country had become especially competitive in attracting foreign investment. These attractions included political stability and a hospitable investment climate that included EC investment subsidies, the lowest wage scale among the EC-12, and programs of economic deregulation and privatisation, as well as robust national economic and export growth.

10. A Decent and Robust Economy
Under the new leadership, Portugal’s economy has improved and is tipping around 1.6%. Over 200,000 of UK residents have already bought a property in Portugal for investment purposes, giving us another reason why buy to let property in Portugal is the investment of 2008.

3 Bedroom Townhouse for Rent – Spain

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Located in south-western Europe and looking out over the Atlantic Ocean, with several islands in the Atlantic Ocean (Azores, Madeira, and Savage), Portugal’s climate is affected by the land mass of the Iberian Peninsula while at the same time being a coastal country with weather influenced by the sea.

Guide to Portugal – Climate.

In the summer when the Azores high is established you can expect beautiful hot sunny days. During this period the coastal areas of Portugal are gently cooled by the Nortada – the Portuguese trade winds – these blow every afternoon.

Along the Algarve the coast is sheltered from north winds and has the higher summer temperatures preferred by the holiday makers.

Away from the sea Portugal’s interior can achieve very high, sometimes stifling, temperatures in the summer. Portuguese winters are very mild and pleasant without the hot weather many people find oppressive.

Guide to Portugal – History.

During the 15th and 16th centuries Portugal was a world colonial power with Portuguese explorers like Vasco da Gama putting to sea in search of a passage to India and building a huge empire across the world for Portugal. Countries ‘embraced’ by Portugal during this period include Brazil as well as large swathes of Africa and Asia.

The countries colonized by Portugal have left a lasting effect on the culture and make up of the country. North of the River Tagus, or Tejo – which cuts across the middle of Portugal – the people have mainly Celtic or Germanic roots with the people south of the Tagus from Moorish and Roman back grounds.

Moorish and Oriental influences are visible in Portuguese architecture and art for example, with traditional folk dance and music, particularly the melancholy Fado, probably derived from Brazilian influences.

The wealth and status Portugal enjoyed during its heyday began to decline following the destruction of the capital city of Lisbon following a devastating earthquake in 1755. Further wealth and status were lost in the period when the country was occupied during the Napoleonic Wars, and declined further with the independence of Brazil as a colony in 1822.

Recent Developments

In 1910 there was a revolution in Portugal which deposed the monarchy resulting in Portugal becoming a dictatorship for almost half of the 20th century with Antonio de Oliveira Salazar being the key figure in this.

The ongoing dictatorship refused to grant independence to its colonies resulting in expensive and bloody wars in Africa. Finally in 1974 there was a bloodless coup in Portugal called the Revolution of the Carnations – this over threw the dictatorship and resulted in all of Portugal’s African colonies being granted independence from Lisbon by the end of 1975. Portugal finally handed over its last overseas territory of Macau to the Chinese administration in 1999. This brought to an end Portugal’s long and turbulent era as a colonial power.

Portugal Today.

Portugal is a founding member of NATO it entered the European Union in 1986 and qualified for the European Monetary Union in 1998, it began circulation of the Euro in 2002.

Rhiannon Williamson is an experienced publisher who has produced articles for leading travel and tourism guides and financial magazines. Her specialist knowledge about both travel and finance gives her site Shelter Offshore the unique ability to literally cover every single aspect of moving & living abroad – including the often less discussed offshore tax advantages that can be available when leaving our homeland. Check out her site to find out how you can escape from the rat race, relocate overseas, and profit from your move!

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