Portugal:General

Advantages: Quieter less popular holiday venue for Brits
Disadvantages: Weather doesn't stand comparison with the Algarve

...Portugal, I’ll file this under Portugal:General ******************************************************************** I’ve been to Portugal for a two-week holiday four times now over a six year period, the first three occasions, being, not surprisingly, to the Algarve region. This year, we felt like a change, so we head north to the Douro and Minho areas of the far north – so far north in fact that it borders Galicia in north-western Spain. After ...
...be all bad, can it? Well no IT can’t but the early August weather is another matter. Please don’t go there expecting the same fortnight of pool- or beach-side laziness that you can get away with in the Algarve. It’s quite definitely an area for the independent traveller who doesn’t expect every single waking hour to be filled with sunshine – I can almost guarantee it won’t be. Bear in mind that this coast is known as ‘A Costa Verde’, and it’s also ... Read review

Advantages: I'm a bit in love with it, so I can't be objective...
Disadvantages: The same; well, maybe the transports outside of Lisbon

Lisbon... Someone described it as “la ville blanche” and he wasn’t wrong at all. This is the first thing that comes to my mind each time I set my foot there, the light is so different from here in Italy. Maybe it is due to the fact that the buildings are covered in “azulejos” (tiles), maybe because the pavements and even some of the narrowest streets are paved with cubes of a pale stone, almost white, that reflect the light. Lisbon is a city on the ...
...that reason that I find it so charming, the Tagus river is so wide there that it pretends to be sea, but it is not. I have been there for the first time in 1997, during a “grand tour” of Spain and Portugal, and it wasn’t a good choice, since the work for the Expo ’98 were in full swing. And maybe it was a good choice because it gave me the measure of the changes that the city itself and, indeed the whole nation underwent. Only twenty years had passed ... Read review

Advantages: Nice People, beaches and towns
Disadvantages: Not alot of shopping

My parents moved to Portugal last year and invited my children and myself over for a three week holiday. I have to admit I was not keen to go as I have not long moved back to the UK from Spain. I was very surprised how friendly and caring the people were. They have a very laid back lifestyle but a very welcoming as well. My parents live in the Algarve in a sleepy little area near Montegordo called Villa Real. This is a 45 minute drive from Faro ...
...over crowded, however they never seem to be empty either . There is very little English spoken but the locals do their best to try to understand you and always have a smile on their face. Montegordo itself is used to more tourists and there are a few English speaking bars. The town centre has a pedestrian only area and it is lovely to sit outside at a bar and watch the world go by. The Town centre is only about 300 metres away from the beach, but ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful, safe, unique, fun, warm, good food, good sites
Disadvantages: watch out for drug dealers and pick-pockets

I spent 3 weeks visiting Portugal. It was the greatest trip of my life. The country has beautiful beaches and exciting cities. Lisbon (Lisboa) is one of the most incredible cities on earth. There are shops and sites that make it special. The history of the city is amazing. Watch out on the main tourist drag for Pick-Pockets and drug dealers. The drug dealers are actually quite friendly and will even talk to you to get you to buy sunglasses or jewelry. ...
...on buying things. They will hound you. :-) Portugal is not a viloent nation at all, the people are friendly and respecful. They will even go an extra mile to help you out of a jam. The shopping districts are full and fun with entertainment and really great places to eat. A good rule of thumb is that if it looks like a hole in the wall, then is probably has amazing food. There is also many other tourists there that will give you advice about good ... Read review

Advantages: family friendly hassle free holiday
Disadvantages: none!

We have just returned from our second holiday staying at the Toca do Mocho apartments in the Algarve, Portugal and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. This family run villa consists of 2 self-contained apartments in a stunning location only 20 minutes from Faro airport. Mick and Sadie have thought of everything to make your family holiday as relaxing and hassle free as possible, especially if you are travelling with young children. They provide, ...
...children’s cutlery and plates etc, a parasol, sun tent, beach mats, buckets and spades and toys. The apartment has a DVD player and television complete with Cbeebies and for older children there is a playstation in the games room. The kitchen is really well equipped but they will also cook for you if you prefer. Their free babysitting service meant that my husband and I went out for more meals together in one week than we have done in the last year! ... Read review

Advantages: Pretty easy to get to from UK
Disadvantages: Lots to see not enough time!

...Lisboa, as the locals call their city – Lisbon to us British types – was my latest holiday destination. Literally just returned at the time of writing (well 22 hours ago). We were looking for somewhere no too far away, warmer than the UK and reasonably priced. A friend had told me that Portugal was pretty inexpensive in terms of a holiday location. So, given that I plan to visit all European capital cities, I figured I’d add Lisbon to my list of those visited. Lisbon is situated on the banks of the River Tagus to the southern end of Portugal.. It’s also the capital city of Portugal – which I’m pretty sure the majority of readers already knew! Getting there We flew from Edinburgh to Heathrow, then onwards to Lisbon. The journey took around 5 hours and included 1 and a half hours between flights in Heathrow. We flew... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Plenty to see, good food, the trams, nice people
Disadvantages: Can't think of any, unless you count having a really odd-sounding language!

...that in general, I’ve always liked the food in all the parts of Portugal I’ve visited, even if in the north is does lean a bit heavily on salted cod! It’s wholesome stuff made with healthy ingredients. The fish and seafood is fresh and just as importantly, BIG. It hasn’t been stunted by being caught in an ‘oversized lake’. This is the Atlantic we’re talking about, not the ‘Med’. Portuguese beer can be quite simply classified as ‘Sagres’ or ‘not Sagres’, the latter usually being the curiously German-sounding Super Bock which is still Portuguese. At least it’s not all lager though. Super Bock do actually brew a stout, believe it or not. Portuguese wine on the other hand is quite a find. All we ever see in Britain, apart from Port that is, plus Mateus Rosé, Vinho Verde, the young fresh white (green) wine and perhaps the red Dão. I’ve heard it said... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Beautiful picturesque island, not too hot in summer
Disadvantages: Hilly, poor restaurants, no sandy beaches

...to the sea. ~Getting out and about~ On foot- As Madeira is on a large granite mass sat out in the Atlantic it has very steep cliffs and gradients. Just walking around Funchal requires good legs for hill climbing and negotiating large numbers of steps. After two weeks my calf muscles were like iron and my thighs were getting a great workout too. Fortunately for those less able there are other options which are available. By Car- We didn't hire a car as I have been to Portugal before and thought all the local drivers wanted to die. Their driving is fast, overtaking is hazardous and generally I didn't want to be a part of it. As Madeira is a small island you should not need a car if you stay in Funchal as the public transport is so good. If you do hire a car you should not need it for more than a week. By Taxi- Taxi's in Funchal... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful