Photographer: Sylvain Bouzat/Getty Images
Bloomberg has included Portugal in its list of “20 Destinations that will be especially hot this year”. “Portugal’s position in the pantheon of European tourism has shot from “obscure” to “over-the-top,” and Lisbon, the charm-packed capital, is poised to keep climbing”.
While Bloomberg notes Lisbon and the Algarve, and a nod to Porto, there is so much to Portugal other than just these destinations. Portugal may be a small country, but it has a diversity that never seems to amaze visitors. Apart from the wonderful beaches, there is great history, tiny villages and towns that have seen little change in a hundred years, and a diversity of food, wine, architecture, and people from the various regions all packed into this small country. You could focus on castles, history and ruins. Or food, wineries and biking. Or surfing and history.
A trip of a week could barely do Portugal justice – though it would be a great teaser! But a week to ten days would be a great introduction. 15 days would give you a great feel for the country – and get you into many places “off the beaten track”. Or come for a week to visit one area, then return for another region or part of the country! But whatever you do, consider Portugal for 2017!