MAKE WINTER MELLOW IN
School is back in class, the summer tourists have left, and it’s time to discover what the Portuguese already know – that winter is a wonderful season for a relaxing holiday.
The fierce heat may be fading, but you’ll find gentle sunshine and mild temperatures from October through to April, particularly in the southern regions of the Algarve and the Alentejo, and on Madeira, which is nicknamed the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’ for good reason.
With quieter greens and great deals, this is the time of year to experience the very best golf in the Algarve. There are nearly 40 beautifully-maintained courses to choose from, many with stunning coastal settings. Europe’s best golf is complemented by high-end dining and the country’s most luxurious spas, making the region a perfect winter-season stay for those who love the finer things in life.
Though less well known, the Alentejo is just as wonderful for a winter break. The sleepy, picturesque region, just to the north of the Algarve, is home to pretty medieval villages and great natural beauty, as well as some of Portugal’s finest wines. Boutique hotels, and rustic restaurants serving locally-sourced cuisine, make this a discerning choice.
HIGH LIFE LISBON & PORTO
The shoulder seasons are the perfect times to visit the sophisticated cities of Lisbon and Porto. Bright but cooler days make sightseeing comfortable, and with new season fashions hitting the stores, it’s an exciting time to shop. European high street brands are sold at lower prices here than in the UK, but you’ll also find innovative local boutiques, particularly in both citys’ downtown historic Baixa neighbourhoods.
After long days of retail If you want to celebrate Christmas and New
Year in style, then it has to be Madeira. Funchal’s festive illuminations are truly astounding, and the New Year fireworks rival any in the world. With elegant quintas and fine hotels, and seasonal feasts on offer in the smart but relaxed restaurants, your New Year’s resolution will be to come back in spring and enjoy it again. This time, instead of fireworks creating the vivid colours, it’s flowers. Visit for the Flower Festival, and you’ll enjoy music and parades as well as beautiful blooms.
therapy, relax with a spa treatment at one of the luxurious day or hotel spas, or discover each city’s gourmet cuisine. Lisbon’s restaurant scene is one of the most exciting in Europe, and no visit to Porto is complete without a trip around the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Can’t Skip Portugal World’s Leading Destination
WWW.VISITPORTUGAL.COM
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