Described as one of the last holiday-paradises in Europe, this country has a lot to offer without the spoils of too much tourism. From the rugged terrain of the north to the superb beach resorts further south, Portugal is a fantastic tourist destination. Somewhat overshadowed by its much larger country neighbour Spain, Portugal represents a real hidden treasure out of all the destinations of Europe. Like Spain, Portugal has a very rich history and there is a huge variety of historical buildings, cathedrals, castles and fortresses to discover at a leisurely pace. The Portuguese attach a great importance to traditions and maintaining their culture, whose carnivals are events not to be missed out on. One can't help but notice that savoring life slowly is essential in this laid-back Mediterranean country.

Portugal is situated to the west of its neighbouring country Spain, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean. There are 18 administrative districts in Portugal and 2 non-administrative: Aveiro and Acores (Azores). Geographically Portugal is a very varied country with very distinctive regions which have shaped the culture of the people, economy and society. Northern Portugal is a mountainous region, often described as being rainy when talking with the Portuguese, which people from Britain certainly will not agree with. This area is characterised by small rustic farms, vineyards and olive trees. The very south of Portugal is known as the Algarve which is a dry region consisting of many fishing and coastal towns. With its sunny climate and Mediterranean sky, the Algarve has become a popular retirement location for foreigners.

Portugal has nearly 1800km of coastline and its highest Mountain is Mount Pico which stands at 2351m and is located in the Azores Islands.

Portugal benefits from a temperate climate with lots of sun (more than 3000 hrs per year). Summer temperatures in the south are maximally around 30°C, while in the north the climate is more moderate and wetter. The winter temperature in the south of Portugal rarely falls under 15°C during the day.

A very good period to visit Portugal is in the spring and autumn, when temperatures are very agreeable and there is still a lot of sunshine.

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