Beautiful beaches, a rich history and guaranteed great weather. Portugal is the sort of place that never disappoints. Whilst the tourist friendly beach destinations in Spain, the glamorous coastlines of France and Italy, or the islands of Croatia may sit at the top of your bucket list, it’s easy to forget about the slither of land that is Portugal. But this forgotten gem should never be overlooked. If you dream of golden beaches and dazzling coves, paradise grottos and deep ocean dive spots, dramatic cliff drops and hillside towns, you don’t need to dream any further than the coasts of Portugal. Facing out into the Atlantic, Portugal is a Southern European country set on the Iberian Peninsula and borders with Spain, and with more than half of its border being blessed with dreamy coastline, the sea has much influence on life here for the Portuguese. From their laidback way of life to their delicious seafood cuisine, a trip to Portugal is made for lovers of the ocean.

Portugal promotes a ‘kick back and relax’ sort of attitude and there are fewer places on the planet better suited for holidays for that much needed R&R. Less crowded than Spain’s resorts and much warmer than France, Portugal makes the ideal European travel alternative – especially if you’re looking for an experience with a difference. Most travellers will flock to the Algarve to enjoy beach life and once you discover the beauty of this area for yourself, it’s very easy to see why. But if that’s not enough to quench your thirst for travel, it’s not just beaches and undisturbed sunbathing the country has to offer. Take your journey inland and you’ll be spoilt for choice with a national park and nature reserves, mountain hikes and enchanted forests. Then there’s the lively cities of Lisbon, Porto and Sintra or the historic towns of Coimbra, Évora and Guimarães which give visitors a taste of the country’s Roman past, Medieval past and Neo Gothic past. Wherever you choose to spend your time, Portugal is set to be an unforgettable experience.