Situated on the west side of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal's location on the Atlantic not only means that fantastic water-sporting facilities are on offer today but that the country has a rich sea-faring past. One of the oldest nations in Europe, its numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites and the vast range of architectural styles bear testament to the different ancient peoples, including Celts, Suevians, Visigoths, Romans and Arabs, who arrived by sea and made Portugal their home. Its equally diverse landscape includes superb beach resorts, quaint little towns, sweeping mountain ranges, amazing golf courses, port wine vineyards and The Douro with its expansive panoramas.
To the extreme south, The Algarve, a golfer's paradise, offers superb sandy beaches broken up by grottoes and soaring red cliffs on its south coast, while the north, sheltered by the ranges of Espinhaço de Cão, Monchique and Caldeirão, is verdant and dotted with fig trees, orange groves and almond trees.
The sub-tropical island of Madeira, lying over 600 miles south west of Lisbon, is famous for its rugged volcanic beauty and hearty wine of the same name. Amazing bird sanctuaries, wildlife reserves and fine beaches can be found a short boat trip away. Wherever you go in Portugal, the pace of life is slow, making it the ideal place to wind down.
