Lots of holiday villas in Portugal are situated in the ‘Algarve’ region, where they are neatly decorated with whitewashed render and topped with orange coloured pan-tiled roofs. The Algarve Coast is very popular with northern European visitors who are looking for the warmth of the sun in a quieter location than its bordering neighbour, Spain. The warm climate here ensures that Portugal is blessed with almost 230 days of sunshine each year, plus very little rain.

Did you realise that most tourists who visit Portugal will head for the coast? With clean sandy beaches, quaint fishing villages and manicured golf courses, it’s easy to see why the Algarve is often the no1 attraction. The beautiful cultural city of Lisbon is the cosmopolitan capital, situated on the River Tagus. It’s also a favourite city-break for thousands of trippers who flock here each year. Interesting Oporto, has long been the centre for exporting locally grown Port wine and there’s plenty of opportunities to visit a vineyard and sample a drop of the local product. Nearby is the pretty coastal resort of Cascais which is frequented not only by the rich and famous but also many of Portugal’s most glamorous – it’s well worth a visit.

Holiday apartments in Portugal can be rented or booked close to glorious beaches that are ideal for family beach-holidays and offering alternative attractions for the children nearby. The resorts of Tavira, Figueira, Silves, and Vale de Parra are also popular holiday destinations that cater well for groups and families of all ages. Albufeira and Vilamoura, arguably two of the Algarve coast’s most well known resorts, are both an easy drive from Faro Airport, and benefit from superb beaches and plenty of fun facilities for all.

Golf in Portugal: There are many magnificent golf courses that will really test the serious player. The mild climate permits play all year round and, and boasting around 70 courses it’s why Portugal has quite naturally become a golfer’s paradise. You will find the most gorgeous golf villas in Portugal, each having their own private swimming pool, ideal to return to after a game on the fairways.

Contact the writer or visit the Holiday Rental Centre website for more information about self-catering holidays, holiday villas in Portugal or other holiday destinations worldwide.

Stuart Johnston is a UK based travel writer,specialising in reviewing holiday destinations worldwide. Managing the busy Holiday Rental Centre website, he incorporates the ‘Holiday Advice’ section at Holidayrentalcentre.co.uk, where you can view holiday accommodation in Portugal and other forms of holiday rentals worldwide!

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The Algarve is one destination that has seen rapid growth in the development of villa and apartment complexes. Golf resorts in particular have gained special licensing attention and the investment by established developers such as Oceânico has added bespoke quality to the Algarve holiday rental market and attracted holidaymakers from far flung corners of the earth.

Portugal as a whole is up to 35% cheaper than other European destinations, but with the introduction of a F1 race track in Portimao and numerous award winning golf courses and beaches, Portugal is capable of attracting all sorts of tourists.

Portugal Villa Renters is just one source for holiday villas and apartments. The site has over 300 owner listed properties, many of which start as little as EUR200 per week. Portugal Villa Renters is also Portugal’s most visited vacation rental website as verified by Compete.com. Its little wonder that holiday home owners are choosing Portugal Villa Renters as the authoritative rental advertiser for Portugal. As a niche site for Portugal, there are no confusing destination ideas that spring up and put the site visitor off course. We only advertise vacation rental properties in Portugal and that’s how we’ll keep it.

So, in conclusion, Portugal may surprise you as a destination. You may have visited the Algarve before, but you can be assured that there is more to Portugal than resort style package holidays. Renting a villa with a pool or apartment with a golf fairway view may be cheaper that what you paid on your last package holiday and it may surprise you just how much you get for your money. The economic crises has posed some great holiday rental opportunities for travellers. Not only have airfares dropped by around 12%, but hundreds, if not thousands of holiday property owners are struggling to keep up with their payments. Renting out their holiday property is a great idea to stay financially afloat and perhaps make a decent profit out of the process too. In the end, you gain a fantastic holiday in Portugal for a fraction of what it costs elsewhere.

For more information or to book your next holiday villa in Portugal, please visit Portugal Villa Renters

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It boasts many of World Heritage sites of UNESCO, excellent cuisine, interesting nightlife, an extensive history, exhilarating nightlife and unique scenery.

The events and festivals in Portugal seems never ending with so many electrifying fiestas all through the year. In addition, the weather is excellent and the hospitality of the Portuguese makes tourists feel so welcome.

Portugal is one of the most popular countries in the world with families staying in holiday rentals. There are many superb holiday villas with swimming pools and self catering holiday apartments that can be rented as holiday accommodation in Portugal.

There are various places in Portugal, which you can visit including Alfama. It is one of the oldest quarters located in the capital of Lisbon. Narrow and winding medieval streets provide exclusive ways of this vicinity. There are some beautiful holiday apartments that can be rented here.

The ancient Alfama is a village within a city with tiny squares, whitewashed homes, wrought-iron balconies overloaded with drying laundry and flowerpots. In addition to Alfama, Douro Valley is the next best worth visiting place. The excellent part about this valley is its picturesque view of rivers and vineyards.

If you are searching for things to do in Portugal and you love beaches you should then head towards south to the extremely appealing Algarve district. Here there are superb beaches such as Praia da Rocha and some fabulous holiday villas.

It comprises three distinct cities and various quaint villages and towns. This region of Portugal skirts the Atlantic’s edge and offers endless entertainment and a good choice of water sports. Other beaches like Estroil coast beach, Madeira and Azores beaches are also very popular with tourists staying in holiday rentals.

When on holiday in Portugal many tourists visit the Tore De Belem, Conimnbriga Ruins, Convent of Christ in Tomar and Igreja de Sao Rouge. Tore De Belem is the UNESCO world heritage site that is situated on banks of the Tagus River.

It is a unique and attractive monument and the distinct shape of tower is defined by sky and water offering a gorgeous vision. On the other hand, Conimnbriga Ruins takes you back to the lives of Romans, as the Greek mythological typescripts are portrayed and are viewable on the old houses and streets along the courtyards packed with vibrant mosaics.

Shopping in Portugal will definitely be a cherished experience. Different types of items are available in Portugal including the traditional handicrafts that can be bought as souvenirs. Better still many of the shops offer shoppers great bargains.

The combination of good weather, superb food and warm and friendly locals make Portugal a great place for a vacation. Many families come to Portugal on self catering holidays. They are attracted by the superb villas and great value self catering holiday apartments. It is no surprise that there are so many good holiday homes to rent in Portugal.

The combination of good weather, superb food and warm and friendly locals make Portugal a great place for a vacation in holiday rentals. Many families come to Portugal on self catering holidays. They are attracted by the superb villa holidays and great value self catering holiday apartments. It is no surprise that there are so many good holiday homes to rent in Portugal.

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Portugal is a country full of a vibrant culture and proud heritage. Many families come to Portugal on vacation and stay in self catering accommodation and use these holiday homes as a base to explore the local countryside. Many stay in self catering apartments and visit the local museums that are full of art treasures.

Portugal has some of the best luxury holiday villas with swimming pools in Europe. These holiday homes are available to rent direct from their owners. Many nestle in the mountain sides and offer spectacular views of the stunning scenery. Other holiday villas are nearer the coast and it is possible to rent some luxury villas with swimming pools right by the beach.

When taking a vacation to Portugal some families stay in self catering apartments in some of the beach resorts. These self catering holiday homes are very popular with families who are able to sample the local cuisine and wine. By staying in a holiday home in Portugal enables families to sample the local culture and way of life.

Portugal is a relatively small country but is regarded as one of the most rewarding travel destinations in Europe. The coastline stretches some 800km and all along it are some stunning holiday villas and self catering cottages. To the south and west lies the Atlantic Ocean and to the north and east lies Spain.

Lisbon sits on a hilly terrain beside one of the most magnificent harbors in Europe. There are some fabulous holiday homes to rent in this area with luxury holiday villas and self catering apartments looking over the harbor very popular with tourists. The area also has excellent beaches on the Costa do Sol.

The Algarve coastline stretches 161km and has some of the best beaches in Europe. The whole area is popular with tourists taking a family holiday to Portugal. There are many holiday cottages and villas to rent direct from their owners in this part of Portugal. Many tourists also come to this area on golfing holidays or short golfing breaks.

The Algarve has some of the best golf courses in Europe and caters for golfers of all abilities and budgets. For those holiday makers wanting to splash out, they can rent luxury villas with swimming pools. For those golfers on a golfing holiday to Portugal on a tighter budget, there are many self catering apartments available to rent direct from their owners.

Portugal is very popular with lovers of a sun and beach holiday. It is a country blessed with some of the best beaches in Europe. It also has a tremendous selection of self catering accommodation to rent to suite all budgets. The people are extremely friendly and the food is good and cheap. It is little wonder that Portugal is such a popular holiday destination with families staying in self catering holiday homes.

Lisbon sits on a hilly terrain beside one of the most magnificent harbors in Europe. There are some fabulous holiday homes to rent in this area with luxury Portugal holiday villas and self catering apartments looking over the harbor very popular with tourists. The area also has excellent beaches on the Costa do Sol. You should also look at a Spain holiday villa if you like Portugal.

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Recently, the development of the northern side of Portugal has skyrocketed, making the region one of the best places to be, with its modernized twist, and medieval as well as other historic influences. The developments are especially prevalent for accommodation, as many self catering Portugal holidays are now available. This means that you can have a wide choice of holiday accommodation ranging from apartments, cottages, villas, and even farmhouses, which can be rented out as your holiday home.

This in turn can add to your experience, and of course will give you a much more authentic feel of Portugal itself during your holidays. Of course, the best experience naturally comes from how you tour the country, and therefore its often recommended that any tourist op to try out some adventurous sports, sightseeing tours, water sports, and of course have a taste of the culinary culture, more specifically the wine.

Some popular water sports are snorkeling, kayaking, and canoeing which can be done in the northernmost beaches of Portugal, but you can also try more vigorous sports, such as wind surfing, and of course skiing and wind surfing in the winter. Of course, if you really want to take in the scenery, there are plenty of opportunities to try out trailing, biking or walking.

The night life is also vibrant with various restaurants and clubs to choose from, as they are common in this region. You can also find a wide arrangement of music ranging from jazz to rock, and hip-hop styles. As mentioned, wine tasting is most definitely something you should consider during your Portugal holiday, and northern Portugal has a wide variety of bars which have world class wines, and beers.

However, one of the best parts of these bars, is that you can easily taste exotic port wine. As well you may enjoy the fresh local food which is served alongside the wine in many restaurants. Northern Portugal is predominantly proud of their local seafood dishes, which means you can easily melt palate into a mouthwatering dish each and every time.

The northernmost side of the country is also home to many brilliant museums, such as the Museu da Ceramica (ceramics museum), and the region itself is very vibrant with rich architecture as well as history. You can also find many religious sites, such as Braga town, wherein you will instantly notice many beautiful churches. More specifically, the Bom Jesus and Sameiro Sanctuary are two of the most interesting religious sites.

Chaves is also a region which is home of a 14th century castle, and a Roman bridge over the Tamega river, as well as a Romanesque church.

If you are interested in collectibles or unique items, northern Portugal also has many tourist shopping regions where you can find cork, wood and horn objects as well as local port which you can purchase to take home. Ceramics are also popular, and the northern side is also known for having some of the world’s best ceramics and hand painted tiles, called azulejos.

Most definitely, this region is easily a great place to visit and be in during your Portugal holidays, because of its friendly charm and vast variety of activities for tourists of all ages.

We recommend a visit to Portugal Holidays website, where you will find excellent tips and updated road maps for some beautiful holidays in southern Europe.

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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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In recent years the demand for self catering holiday accommodation has grown. This has resulted in a great choice of holiday apartments, villas, cottages and farmhouses now being available to rent as self catering holiday homes.

In order to enjoy Northern Portugal to the fullest, it is advisable to opt for sightseeing tours, extreme sports and water sports that tourists can enjoy in this wonderful region.

Tourists must try out water sports such as kayaking, snorkeling and canoeing in the beaches of Northern Portugal. Northern Portugal is the perfect destination to try these extreme sports such as skiing, snowboarding and wind surfing. Tourists can enjoy their Northern Portugal holiday trip to the fullest by opting to try outdoor land sports such as biking, trailing and walking.

When staying in holiday homes in North Portugal many holiday makers like to sample the great night life. Many go to the wonderful clubs and restaurants that are so common in this area. The clubs here offer many different types of music including rock, jazz and hip-hop.

Northern Portugal has many bars offering world class beer and wines. One of the most alluring features of checking out the bars here is that tourists can taste the exotic port wine. Holiday makers can enjoy the fresh local food and wine that is served in many of the family cafes and restaurants. This part of Portugal is particularly proud of its local seafood dishes and they are certainly worth tasting if you get a chance.

When on vacation to North Portugal you must try and see some of the wonderful museums. The Museu da Ceramica (Ceramics Museum) is very popular with locals as well as tourists and is worth a visit. The region is also rich in history and local architecture with many religious sites.

One good example of this is Braga town which has lots of beautiful churches. Of particular interest are the Sameiro Sanctuary and Bom Jesus sanctuary. It would also be wise to plan a trip to Chaves to see the 14th century castle. There is also a Roman Bridge on the river Tamega and the mother-church of Romanesque origin to see while you are there.

Northern Portugal is the perfect place to buy horn, wood and cork objects. There are also many decorative kitchen items that can also be bought. Many holiday makers buy the local port and take it home friends as gifts. You can also purchase some of the world’s best ceramics and hand made azulejos (hand painted tiles).

This region of Portugal is full of charm and the locals are very friendly. It is a great place to go on vacation as there are so many different things to do. Many families like to rent holiday villas and self catering holiday apartments in this part of Portugal as holiday homes. Staying in holiday rentals in Northern Portugal is growing in popularity each year.

Northern Portugal is full of charm and the locals are very friendly. It is a great place to go on vacation as there are so many different things to do. Many families like to rent holiday villas and self catering holiday apartments in this part of Portugal as holiday homes. Staying in holiday rentals in Northern Portugal is growing in popularity each year.

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Here are a few of the regions you should consider when considering from a range of walking holidays in Portugal…

The Algarve

The Algarve is famous as a destination for golfers and beach lovers, but this spectacular coastal region also offers great walking for keen hikers. The rocky coastline has some great routes to walk along and some glorious golden beaches to see, but venture inland and you’ll be treated to a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, orange groves, lush forests and traditional villages. The walking here, in general, is not especially arduous, making it the ideal choice for a relaxing walking holiday in Portugal.

The Emerald Coast

The Algarve may be Portugal’s most famous and popular holiday region, but in the north-west, there is a little known coast that at the very least matches the Algarve for natural beauty. The Costa Verde (Emerald Coast) offers some of the best hiking in Portugal, with the old paths through the Serra d’Arga mountains and the valley walk through the Ancora Valley being two of the best routes in the area. As the name suggests, it is a lush and verdant landscape that is a delight to explore on foot.

The Douro Valley

The Douro River is one of the most spectacular natural features in Portugal. Stretching from the heart of Spain all the way to the coast of Portugal, this 900 kilometre river offers some excellent opportunities for walkers, especially in and around the Douro Valley in Portugal. In addition to some beautiful riverside walks, the area also offers charming villages, handsome cities…and the famous local port! This area receives far fewer visitors than Portugal’s coast, and so is a great way to get away from the crowds.

The Northern National Parks

The north of the country is seldom visited by tourists, yet it contains numerous national parks and some of the most dramatic countryside in Portugal. It is a landscape of sprawling forests, parkland, deep gorges and an abundance of natural wildlife. Mountain lovers in particular will not want to miss out on this area, with several major mountain ranges (including the Alväo and Moräu) all providing some great places for Portugal hiking.

These are just some of the great places for a walking holiday in Portugal, offering everything from high mountains to golden beaches, easy half day hikes and tough multi day walks. You could even venture across into Spain or out to the Portuguese island of Madeira if you wanted to go further afield – the entire Iberian Peninsula is truly a walker’s paradise!

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays now offer over 250 holidays in more than 90 different countries. On a holiday with RamblersWH you can enjoy the best hiking Portugal can offer at the best value prices.

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Culture and architecture

This is by far one of the most attractive things about Portugal, because they have quite a developed culture full of vibrant regional traditions which also are a part of the various architectural differences you will notice when moving from one region to the next. If you are really adventurous, then you can try staying in a holiday villa, where you will be able to have a first hand experience of both the culture and architecture.

Climate

The climate of Portugal is also one of the main reasons why it has become a popular destination over the years. The capital city, Lisbon, generally has a warm climate with a very sunny and warm spring and summer, with an average temperature of about 30ºC. But, winters are often windy and wet, with an average of around 10ºC. However, the general climate for most of Portugal is neither too hot nor too cold, but rather just perfect.

Musical Experience

This is one of the most unique aspects of your Portugal holidays, because the live musical experience can literally add a ton of fun and spice to your vacation. As with any nation, music is definitely a huge part of their culture, however Lisbon especially has one of the most brilliant musical forms, known as the melancholic fado. The best way to experience the music is through Lisbon, where you can find various fado clubs around the Bairro Alto and Alfama neighborhoods.

Wine tasting

Naturally, Portugal is renowned for it’s Port wine, but also for the various light wines which often use a variety of indigenous grapes. You can find a huge array of wines as well as vineyards across the country. This can be one of the most luxurious parts of your Portugal holidays, and the best place to go for this is Oporto, as they are famous for port wine.

Coastline

Almost every perfect vacation includes a breath taking view of the ocean, and Portugal most definitely delivers there. With the Atlantic ocean bordering the south and west, the coastlines of Portugal are famously known to be glamorous. If you are more active and want to pursue a more adventurous holiday, then you can try various water sports on Portugal’s coastline. If you love the water, you may want to find an excellent beach holiday where you can swim, snorkel, water skii and even windsurf. You may also want to try diving or if you enjoy fishing as a sport, Algarve is popular for big-game fishing.

In the end, Portugal is a perfect tourist destination because it literally houses such a variety of breathtaking experiences in one. You can relax on the beach, tour the ancient architectural master pieces, or simply take in the sounds, smells, tastes, and sights of the culture and beautiful landscapes.

We recommend a visit to Portugal Holidays website, where you will find excellent tips and updated road maps for some beautiful holidays in southern Europe.

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With many fishing fleets operating along the coast, fish is a major part of Portuguese cuisine. The country has the highest fish consumption per capita of any country in Europe and is one of the top four fish-eating nations in the world. As a result, Portugal is a mecca for lovers of fishy food, with a huge selection of fish dishes from soups through to stews and boiled or fried recipes. Sardines and Atlantic tuna are the most popular ingredients in many fish dishes, although dried and salted cod is still an important part of the cuisine. Shellfish also features heavily on the menu, and one of the most basic forms of Portuguese cuisine is a fish stew that allows visitors to sample a wide selection of flavours in one simple meal.

Self-catering holidays rather than hotel stays make trying different cuisines easier.

Portugal’s villas can be very luxurious, offering visitors premier quality accommodation whilst still retaining a real ‘feel’ for the true Portugal. Portugal’s clement climate allows villas to be designed with an airy layout, making them light, airy and luxurious, with all modern conveniences. This includes the cooking arrangements, so for visitors who prefer to do their own catering the opportunities to explore the markets of the local towns and fishing ports and combine the best local ingredients into their own dishes are well catered for.

Meat lovers are well looked after too and although traditionally eating meat on a daily basis was the privilege of the upper classes, it is now universally found on restaurant menus across Portugal. Whereas many Mediterranean menus major on poultry and even goat, the Portuguese favour their beef and pork, such as the Algarve speciality of fried pork with clams. Red wine is used extensively in Portuguese cooking, giving meat dishes a rich, full flavour that is complemented by the use of herbs and spices such as onion and coriander.

Getting to Portugal is amazingly cheap these days. Portugal holidays offer food lovers the chance to try a totally different cuisine, and only a couple of hours from home. Links to Portugal are convenient, with modern, efficient transport systems and plenty of international flights to the main centres such as Faro. A combination of fantastic sporting facilities, luxury villas and a rich and varied culture make Portugal a popular destination for those seeking a more exotic holiday experience without travelling out of Europe. In the major resorts many people speak English, but for a real taste of Portugal, try visiting the local markets with a travel guide book and a willingness to try out new flavours, new ingredients and a warm, Portuguese welcome.

To experience all this wonderful food villas in Portugal are one option of taking holidays in Portugal this summer. Mark advises travellers to read up about the various destinations before booking their break.

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