Portugal

Business Travel: A Guide to Lisbon

Apart from its obvious charms – great weather, beautiful architecture and fascinating history – Portugal’s capital is emerging from the economic downturn of recent years as somewhat of a creative force. In fact, the hip, creative industries springing up all over the city are part of a government initiative, and this mini-Renaissance is, in part, responsible for an upsurge in the appeal of the city as a corporate destination.

I absolutely love coming to Lisbon. The city has a very cool, positive vibe with a focus on innovation and new technologies. All in all it’s pretty inspiring, so if you do find yourself heading there on business I hope my tips are helpful.

Lagos

Love Surf? Head to Lagos

Surf’s up! Summer is finally here and this means that now is the time to start planning your next surfing adventure. This year I’m recommending Lagos in Portugal’s sunny Al-garve region as this cool town has fantastic beaches, great surfing opportunities and a thriving surfer community. It is also a beautiful part of the world with a scorching climate! What could be better?

Looking for a great meal after a day on the beach? Read our guide to the cuisine of Lagos here.

Here is all you need to know about catching the curl in Lagos this summer.

Albufeira

Albufeira: A Teenage Watersports Wonderland

Getting from the airport to the hotel with a family in tow can be a little stressful, so take the easy option and book a Shuttle Direct transfer online before you even leave home. As the leading provider of private and shuttle transfers in Europe and North Africa, Shuttle Direct offers group or private transfers across a wide range of holiday destinations so wherever you’re going, they’ll deliver you to exactly where you want to be.

Lissabon

Lisbon Shore Excursions

During the 15th and 16th centuries Portuguese sailors were at the forefront of maritime exploration which is generally referred to as ‘the Age of Discovery’. During this period Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa then across to India, later still Pedro Álvares Cabral discovered Brazil which remains South America’s only Portuguese-speaking country. The booty acquired from such expeditions created vast wealth for Portugal which was invested in making Lisbon one of Europe’s most monumentally spectacular cities. Unfortunately, many of the grandest buildings constructed during this period were destroyed during the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755.

A Practical Guide to Taking Teenagers to Vilamoura

If you’re looking for old-world charm, historic sights and pretty fishing villages then the exclusive modern, purpose-built resort of Vilamoura in Portugal is probably not going to be for you. But, let’s be honest, how many teenagers do you know who are likely to complain that a resort doesn’t have enough culture and character for them?

What Vilamoura has instead is a huge range of tourist-based services and activities all designed to keep even the most demanding teen happy.

From water parks and jet skiing to marine parks and paintballing, there are so many things to do here for your young adults that they might not even find the time to post it all on social media. (But what are the chances?)

Lissabon

Top Things To Do In Lisbon With Teenagers

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

Exploring Fátima’s Spiritual Sanctuary

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

Alvor

Fun in the Sun to Family Friendly Nightlife: Alvor with Teens

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

Top 5 Best Surfing Spots in Ericeira

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,

Sagres

4 Favourite Surfing Beaches in Sagres

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

Porto

Porto Shore Excursions

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.

Oporto

Dynamic Porto in 24 Hours or Less

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

Portugal

Country Profile: Portugal

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