Portugal

Portugal shares the Iberian Peninsula with Spain, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. Its long, varied coastline, sunny climate, and the relaxed lifestyle of the inhabitants of its charming towns and villages have made it a sought after holiday destination.
The Portuguese have a close affinity to the sea; for centuries their famed mariners led the way in the exploration of Africa and the Americas, and opened trade routes to the East. The country became a strong colonial power, and remained so until the mid-20th century, resulting in distinctive foreign influences on the local culture and architecture. From Africa, for example, was imported the now traditional, sentimental fado music, which is one of the country’s unique experiences for visitors, particularly in the cafés of Lisbon.
Portugal is an astonishingly beautiful country. The rivers, forests and lush valleys of the center and north are a splendid contrast to its contorted southern coastline of beaches, cliffs and coves, and even the arid plains of the Alentejo region are tempered by vast groves of olive, oranges, cork and vines.
Celtic, Roman, and Islamic influences are evident in the land, its people, and their tongue. From the charting of the Azores archipelago in 1427 to their arrival in Japan in 1540, Portuguese explorers unlocked sea routes to southern Africa, India, eastern Asia, and the Americas. The great era of exploration, known as the Descobrimentos, reached its height during the 15th century under the influence of Prince Henry the Navigator. But the next several centuries saw dynastic instability, extravagant spending by monarchs, natural disasters, and foreign invasion. Order came in the 20th century in the form of a right-wing dictatorship that lasted more than 40 years, until a near-bloodless coup established democracy in 1974.
The delight of Portugal is that, although it is undeniably part of modern Europe, it retains some rural enclaves where time has stood still and traditions flourish. In the southern province of the Algarve, modern high-rise resorts line the coast and buzz with all the trappings of a package tour destination; the capital city, Lisbon, on the west coast, is a bright, busy, crowded metropolis surrounded by bustling tourist resorts.
Portugal's lively capital, Lisbon, and its northern sibling, Porto, are magical places for the wanderer, with picturesque neighborhoods, broad plazas and old-fashioned trams still rattling through the streets. Both cities have their share of enticing urban life, encompassing eclectic restaurants, colorful boutiques, bohemian cafes and stylish nightclubs that make good use of the waterside setting. Smaller towns offer their own enchantment, with well-preserved medieval quarters that invite exploring in towns like Évora, Coimbra, Guimarães and Braga.
If it’s the beach you are after, the Algarve coast offers highly developed stretches of beach. The rest of the coast (with the exception of the area near Lisbon and Porto) remain relaxing, totally Portuguese and isolated. Great stretches of sand are there for the relaxing, especially along the northern Costa Verde , near Viano do Castelo .
Traveling a few miles north or east, however, discovers a largely undeveloped picturesque countryside full of medieval villages and towns where life has changed little over several centuries. Transportation and accommodation are excellent and very reasonable, perhaps the cheapest in Europe. The wine is excellent and don’t forget to try some vinho do Porto (port), Portugal’s most famous export.