Portugal
Once a mighty empire that stretched from South America to Africa to the Pacific, Portugal is currently the oldest nation in Europe with the same borders, which speaks to its rich and storied past. With a high quality of life and relatively low cost of living, it is one of the best value travel destinations in Europe. It boasts a staggering natural diversity that one wouldn’t expect to find in such a small territory, and with its dynamic and youthful cities, like Lisbon and Porto, idyllic beaches in the Algarve, and picturesque expanses of wine country, there is no shortage of reasons to visit Portugal.
Faro
Many people say that Faro—the capital of the Algarve region—is located on Europe’s most scenic coast, offering beautiful, long sandy beaches that stretch away into a horizon framed by rocks on both sides. Faro is a charming old town with cobbled streets and leafy parks. Its location in the centre of the Algarve makes Faro the perfect starting point for day-trips to all the marvellous major destinations of this wonderful region.
Funchal, Madeira
The 6th largest city of Portugal, known for its wine, amazing weather, Cristiano Ronaldo and so much more. The city has attracted celebrated visitors for centuries, the likes of Winston Churchill, who created several of his paintings in Madeira. The city is filled with historical buildings, fantastic cuisine and surrounded by truly spectacular Madeira nature. You can find a lot of traditional products in this town such as Madeira wine, pastel de nata, and traditional embroidery.
Lisbon
Lisbon basks in the sun reflecting off the Tejo River and quickly seduces most visitors. The mixture of history and modernity, of small town and metropolis, of the antiquated and the shining new is irresistible. Add to that excellent shopping, late but safe nightlife and restaurants with Europe’s best fish, and you have Lisbon in a nutshell.
Madeira
With exceptional natural beauty, mild climate throughout the year, friendly population and a top-quality hotel network, Madeira and Porto Santo, the two inhabited islands of the Madeira archipelago, are the perfect Islands for those seeking stress-free holidays. Here you can enjoy your holiday on the beach or at sea, in the mountains, in the countryside or in the city. The perfect spot for a getaway to experience unique moments like nowhere else.
Porto
Once considered the edge of the known world in the Middle Ages, the industrious town of Porto clung to the side of Portugal, looking out across the endless Atlantic Ocean, before adventurers risked it all to head toward the new world. The cliché that Lisbon shows off and Porto just works is a well-worn metaphor that fails to fully do justice to the latter one’s real charms. With images of a past way of life hidden down in every bustling alley, Porto is a place determined to hold on to its own and distinct identity.
The Azores
With their blue lakes bordered by flowers, dazzling views of the sea from high in the hills, and lush green landscapes of ancient volcanic craters – the nine islands of the Azores, situated in the middle of the Atlantic, just 4 hours from Boston and 2 hours from Lisbon by plane, are a paradise for nature-lovers. Choose a holiday on these beautiful islands and you’ll rediscover the peace of the countryside in a stunning and unspoilt natural environment.
