Portugal
Portugal borders Spain on the Iberian Peninsula in southern Europe. The capital city, Lisbon, is on the coast, and is a perfect place for foodies as their cuisine is a big feature.
Being on the Atlantic Ocean, it’s easy to see how seafood has become part of the culture and is a delicious part of any trip to the region. Sardines and salted cod are popular dishes, and they even have a sardine festival, the Feast of St Anthony, in June. The delights of the freshly cooked foods along the narrow streets and carnival atmosphere makes the experience unforgettable.
The nearby hilltop town of Sintra is a recommended spot to visit while in the vicinity. It is known as a fairy tale location and was a retreat for the Portuguese royal family, which is easy to understand, with its picturesque, pastel-coloured estancias, old churches and royal palaces.
The old town has been inspiring writers for generations, including well known authors such as Byron, Hans Christian Anderson and JK Rowling. It’s not surprising that this stunning historic place is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Azores are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the Archipelago consists of 9 unique islands of volcanic origin. The nearest coast (Europe) is about 1500 km (930 mi) away, while North America is about 3900 km (2400 mi) west.
Regarded as one of the top 3 destinations in the world for whale and dolphin watching, you can experience activities such as canyoning, kayaking in beautiful volcanic lakes, or discovering hidden lava caves. You can also hike in stunning mountain formations or along a raw coast line, counting the multiple waterfalls.
The weather tends to be mild but changeable, and the atmosphere is very laid back with friendly locals who are most welcoming.
Douro Valley, Portugal is the area renowned for being the birthplace of port. In fact, to be truly authentic, it should hail from here. Under EU rules, only fortified wine that comes from Portugal may be called port and it is virtually exclusively made in the Douro Valley.
