A small, whip-thin country in the westernmost point
of Europe, Portugal punches well above its weight
when it comes to attractions. It hits you with devastating
combination of homespun traditions such as powerful,
bluesy Fado music, especially around Lisbon,
and the production of potent port wine in Porto.
Added to its armoury is the rugged, natural beauty
of the coastline and mountains and a mild climate.
It quite literally floors the majority of its visitors
on sunbeds in the golden beach resorts of the Algarve
in the south. Set adrift from the mainland are the
volcanic islands of the Azores, along with the horticultural
splendour of the island of Madeira.
Due to its empire, the melting pot that is Portugal
simmers away with diverse ingredients from Africa,
Asia, and South America. For evidence look to the
Moorish-inspired tiles that adorn the outside of buildings
in some districts of Lisbon. Just like across the
border in Spain, most Portuguese are Catholic and
one of the most holy of pilgrimages in Catholicism
is held annually in the town of Fatima. Modern
day Portugal also shares an Iberian fondness for a
very late night out.
