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

...I’ve tried a couple of times to get a more localised category put on Ciao, but since we have in fact ranged over a sizeable part of northern 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 all, an area that produces port and vinho verde can’t 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... Read review

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Advantages: Atmospheric, great food and wine, public transport, historical
Disadvantages: Traffic

...it is easy to negotiate as it is built on a grid system. This was because in 1755 the previous incarnation of the centre was demolished by a massive earthquake and was rebuilt based on a more modern grid. Unfortunately there are some spots of obvious poverty with some begging and if you wander away from the centre you may be unsubtly offered drugs (did I look like I needed them ? I’ll just stick to tea and wine !). However if you pay no attention you will not get hassled. There are plenty of cafes to eat out at serving a whole range of fare from traditional Portuguese to foreign (Italian, Indian, Chinese etc.). Prices are quite cheap by UK standards and lunchtime food seems to be well cooked, tasty and unpretentious. I particularly enjoyed grilled sardines which is a Portuguese speciality washed down with a crisp white Vinho Verde wine while... Read review

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Advantages: Nowhere better in Europe for a city break
Disadvantages: Hides its problems almost too well

...Lisbon is a city of contradictions. It is both modern and rustic, welcoming yet impenetrable, but quintessentialy Iberian. With the advent of budget flights (I recommend Go! from Stansted), Portugal's capital is a mere hop away, and an affordable one at that. The city centre is typical of Lisbon, or Lisboa as it known by the locals. Shunning western boutiques to a large degree, it is a mish-mash of pavement cafes, street artists and over-priced leather goods retailers. Hard to pick up a bargain, but ideal for an expresso and a great opportunity for some people-watching. A great place to visit is the Instituto de Vinho du Porto, or The Portuguese Institute of Port & Wine. Be sure to take Tiago Olivera's taste challenge after being instructed in the taste, hue and aroma of Portugal's finest alcoholic export. I still to this day... Read review

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Advantages: Refreshing, good aperitif, well balanced
Disadvantages: Only at M&S

...of a tiny amount of fizz in this wine which in my opinion was not a fault as it enhanced the refreshing nature of the wine. This reminded me of very refreshing and lively white Vinho Verde wines from Portugal which are often very slightly fizzy. I really enjoyed this wine overall and due to its mainly grassy/vegetal nature it may appeal to lovers of French Sauvignon Blancs from the Loire. If you are after a more directly intense tropical fruit attack with your Sauvignon Blanc then go for those New Zealand beauties ! I also wish that it had a screwcap on it as this of course eliminates any chance of cork spoilage and of course makes it a damn site easier to open if you are sans corkscrew. If you want some food with this then maybe a goats cheese salad or some white fish would be pleasant but I like this bracing style of wine on its own... Read review

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Advantages: History, World Heritage Site, gastronomy, authenticity
Disadvantages: Distance from main tourism spots

...that serve excellent quality wine and food. Because the city caters for tourists but also for residents prices are cheaper than in the most popular tourist locations. My recommendation is that regardless of your choice of restaurant, go for the “Pork with clams and coriander”. My English husband loved it. He was a weary first but it’s now one of his favourite Portuguese dishes. As for drinks, request the famous Borba red wine. It goes down very well with the main course. But if you do not like red wine, ask for the famous Vinho Verde, a light sweet wine that is very refreshing indeed. The Portuguese restaurants always serve bread, cheese and butter as starters. Unfortunately this is not free but it is a common practise that however questionable is very tasty and keeps you busy until the main meal is ready. Expect to pay between 15... Read review

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Advantages: Reasonable priced
Disadvantages: Not the best value around

...watching the World Cup and drinking lager). It has a plastic cork, the worst of both worlds. A screwcap would give it enhanced picnicking and last minute off license dash appeal. The 2004 wine itself is clear and bright, with a very pale lemon-green colour. There's a hint of petillance - very small bubbles - with reasonable legs. It smells clean and fresh, though it's not very pronounced. There's fresh green apples and citrus fruit, with just a hint of yeastiness. It's off dry (12g/l of residual sugar if you're interested in that kind of thing), with a crisp acidic edge, and quite a light body. The prickly petillance makes it feel fresh and lively on the tongue, it's more noticeable in the mouth, not quite Vinho Verde, but edging that way. The apple is still there, joined by fresh limes, although the flavour fades quickly. At 12... Read review

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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

...tour in 1997 went on to Porto and Lagos, in the Algarve. Porto is wonderful, especially if you visit it on foot (you must have understood by now that I like walking around), in fact I went back in ’99; if you happen to get here don’t miss the local “vinho verde”, a special kind of white wine made with unripe grapes, that tastes fresh and is easy to drink. Lagos is really touristy, even if can boast a Moorish fortress and a spectacular coastline. It is not far from Sagres, another of Europe’s limits, for the one interested in such things. In ’99 I discovered northern Portugal. As I said I went back to Porto and I went on to Braga, the religious capital of the country, that stands well up to its name: I have never seen so many shops for religion related items! A trip to Barcelos for the market (I think it is on Thursdays) where you can buy... Read review

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Advantages: An ethnic brew celebrating a legendary tradition requiring authentification
Disadvantages: Unimaginative counterfeit. Could be from anywhere beginning with "B"

...Indian food. In my early years at work (at a time when long tracts were spent in communal residence) I was often treated to authentic meals prepared by families from every part of that land. Many times these were prepared using blends of spices imported from the particular part of India. Did you know, for instance, that the term ‘vindaloo’ is Portugese in origin (via the state of Goa) and comes from ‘vinho’- wine vinegar and ‘alhos’ – garlic. I have long realised that the many dishes served in the average Indian restaurant (most of which are Bangladeshi in origin) bear little relationship to what would grace a table in the Indian subcontinent. A prime example of this is “Chicken Tikka Masala” – England’s favourite curry – which turns out to be a totally contrived recipe for the British market. (An Indian meal “brewed under licence... Read review

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Advantages: Good summer climate, nice people, good food, need I go on?
Disadvantages: Had to come home

.... Coming from the London area, I felt that eating out was a bargain, and we began to get quite sniffy if the bill including service came to more than £12/head. Portuguese wine is possibly their best-kept secret. I can only assume that since they are not “volume-producers” they keep all the best stuff for themselves. All we tend to see at home are Mateus Rosé, one or two brands of Vinho Verde, the young “green” wine, the red Dão and of course any amount of red port. White port also abounds here – I’m told that the French buy most of what gets exported, which is why we seldom see it. GETTING AROUND Firstly, the Algarve is not exactly riddled with train lines. The line from the Spanish border at Vila Real goes past Faro before splitting off to go to Lisbon via the centre of the country, whilst the coastal spur terminates at Lagos, making... Read review

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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

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