Planning a holiday away with your teenage children is no easy feat. It’s not like the old days when a few colouring pens and a visit to a park or playground would satisfy them. The trouble with teens is that if they’re not enjoying themselves, they have a tendency to show it with sullen faces glued to a smart phone or tablets.
Fátima, Portugal is a small city that casts a big shadow in the religious world. Forever associated with a series of dramatic spiritual events in the early 20th century, Fátima has become one of the largest and most important Roman Catholic pilgrimage sites in the entire world. Drawing visitors both from Portugal and internationally, this city and its famous Sanctuary are fascinating whether or not you’re religiously inclined. The Sanctuary: Some Background The sanctuary as a whole is without a doubt the most famous attraction in town, but it is actually a group of buildings and structures that will take
Keeping the kids entertained when on holiday is a priority for us parents, and even though my daughter is not even two yet, it won’t be long before she is old enough to want to get out and explore more. I have travelled with friends who have older children to the southern Portuguese seaside resort of Alvor and I can highly recommend it for families with teenagers. Her is my run down of ways to keep the kids happy and entertained while you are away in Alvor. Family Fun Water Activities in Alvor Boat Trips Boat trips are a great
Forget the pipelines, bowls and barrels of Hawaii, because who’s got the time to fly halfway across the world for a few days of big wave action? If you’re a an avid surfer, or even if you’ve just been bitten with the big-swell bug, there’s somewhere much closer to home that might not have the glamour of Maui, Oahu or Kauai, but has just as much going for it. Say ‘aloha’ to Ericeira – although ‘ola’ may be more appropriate! Portugal is fast becoming known as home to the best surfing beaches in Europe, and Ericeira, on the western coast,
Did somebody say “surf’s up”? Why yes, I think they did! Even though, if we’re nit-picking, the surf is always up somewhere in the world, this time of the year opens up some awesome opportunities to chase the waves around the southern European coastlines – and, for those in the know, you’ve might have guessed I’m talking in particular about Portugal. Renowned for some of the best waves in Europe, Portugal’s geography means that virtually its entire coastline has become a surfing mecca for both amateurs and seasoned pros. Everyone has their favourite place, but the beaches around Sagres, in
The source of the River Douro is located in the province of Soria in north-eastern Spain. From there it flows for almost 900km to the west where it enters the Atlantic Ocean at Porto in Northern Portugal. The river is only navigable for approximately 200km so most river cruises begin and end in Porto going as far as Vega Terrón in Spain which is the furthest east they can navigate. Passengers typically fly into Porto for their river cruise then add an extension of a couple of extra nights which allows them to discover this delightful city.
Relatively isolated on the western end of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal is often overlooked by tourist crowds more keen on Spain and France. Furthermore, the tourists who do come to Portugal are far more likely to visit Lisbon than the country’s second city, Porto! However, it would be a mistake to pass up this cultural and historical gem. If you’re cruising through the waters off western Portugal, a visit to this enchanting oceanside city will be the highlight of your entire trip. We’ve outlined the perfect day out in Porto to help you get the most out of every second
Introduction Portugal is a country full of surprises. The perfect combination of endless golden beaches, architecturally wonderful cities, charming cobbled villages, and medieval fortresses are just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper and this fascinating Mediterranean country will reveal to you its true and inner beauty. What To Do A paradise for beach lovers, Portugal has 800km of coastline blessed with calm and clear Mediterranean waters, so you are spoilt for choice when it comes to opportunities for sunbathing, swimming and relaxation. For those wanting to get a little more active in the water, however, there is the option
When the unmistakable smell of salt and sea air causes your nose to start twitching, there’s only one thing to do: hang out the ‘gone surfin’ sign and… go surfing! Whether you’re a veteran of the swell or you’re just getting turned on to the thrill and freedom of the sport, there are few better places in Europe to get your toes on the nose for some big wave action than Portugal. While the southern Algarve region attracts some big name international competitions, so too does the rugged, rocky coastline north and south of the capital, Lisbon, which offers just
If you thought Benidorm, Málaga and Ibiza were the only buzzwords worth knowing when it comes to a summer adrenaline break-out, get out that big old map of the world and move your pin just a little to the left. A little more. Now cross the border…into Portugal! To be specific, we’re talking about Lagos, in the beautiful western Algarve region of the country, and if you’re looking for non-stop thrills in, on and under the water, welcome to your next summer holiday! So what’s on the menu at this all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of water sports fun? Here comes a taster
Some of Europe’s most incredible cities are best explored by water – and Lisbon, Portugal is no exception. If your cruise itinerary takes you around the Iberian Peninsula, you’re sure to be making a stop in this gorgeous and culturally rich city. Many cruise stopovers only allow for travellers to spend one day exploring on land before heading back aboard. This means you’ll probably have less than 24 hours to see everything Lisbon has to offer – a tall order indeed! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. We’ve mapped out the ultimate one-day itinerary so that you end the day
It’s time! Time to relocate your ski boots to the back of your wardrobe, dust off your summer kit and head to somewhere warm for a week of fun in the sun. And if you’re all fired up from a season of thrills on your snowboard or skis, what better way to keep the adrenaline pumping than by swapping the snow for the surf? Portugal is well known as a mecca for surfers, and nowhere more so than Peniche. This small fishing village is home to a massive serving of big wave action, with a wide swell window – including
Vilamoura is justly famous as a holiday destination for the whole family. Take the fabulous beaches, wonderful climate and excellent restaurants out of the equation and you still have plenty for the family to do. Most families book a package deal to Vilamoura, which is a wise choice as there are so many on offer and they leave you with extra cash to spend on other activities during your stay. Although my daughter is only tiny, I travel with friends who have older children and from experience I know that these attractions in Vilamoura have been a hit with the
