DESTINATIONS SECOND TIME SPAIN & PORTUGAL
LEFT: Rota
Vicentina trail,
Alentejo RIGHT:
Madeira Wine
Festival
landscapes – and it’s all happily untouched. “The coastal region here, the
Costa Azul, is still relatively deserted, much like the Algarve was 40 years ago,” says Rosanna Melaragni, country manager for Sunvil. “Beaches are blessed with golden sand, and in the height of the summer season it’s still possible to find a secluded spot.” A handful of picturesque fishing villages scatter the coast; among the biggest is Vila Nova de Milfontes, a hotspot for Portuguese holidaymakers thanks to its olde worlde, whitewashed streets, 16th-century castle and smattering of sandy beaches lining the banks of the Rio Mira. Elsewhere there’s Zambujeira
do Mar, a quieter alternative where backpackers and surfers flock; and Porto Covo, a small fishing village home to dramatic beaches overlooked by towering cliffs. Book it: Sunvil offers a seven- night Rota Vicentina self-guided
Beaches are blessed with golden sand, and in the summer peak it’s still possible to find a secluded spot
walking holiday along the coastline with time for dolphin- spotting, boat excursions and birdwatching, from £707 based on two sharing. The price includes flights from Gatwick, B&B accommodation and car hire, based on an October departure.
sunvil.co.uk
w CITY BREAK So they’ve been to: Lisbon How about: Porto Sell it: The food and culture scene peeping out from Lisbon’s cobbled, hilly streets have put
this historic city in the limelight for all the right reasons, but if clients have already been there and done that, it’s time to suggest Porto. Vineyards surrounding
the region and a swathe of Michelin-starred chefs mean it won’t let Lisbon lovers down on the food front, while medieval alleyways, brightly coloured street art and a buzzing nightlife scene will give culture seekers something to rave about too. As in Lisbon, there are lookouts
throughout the city – each offering postcard-worthy views over the surrounding landscapes and elegant beaux arts architecture – alongside a lively contemporary arts scene and a string of picturesque coastal walks and gardens. To get a taste for its diverse
architecture, suggest visitors check out the neoclassical Pálacio da Bolsa, complete with a gold-gilt, Moorish-designed
ballroom, Porto Cathedral and the ultra-modern Casa de Música concert hall. Book it: Simply Luxury by Travel 2 offers three nights at the five-star Pestana Vintage Porto, in the Unesco-listed Ribeira district, in a double classic room with breakfast from £549, including UK lounge passes and private transfers, valid for travel on May 15, 2018, from Gatwick.
travel2.com
w WINE AND FOOD So they’ve been to: The Douro Valley How about: Madeira Sell it: When it comes to food and wine Portugal isn’t short on options, with vineyards rolling into one another in the Douro Valley and beyond. But for something a little different, look to Madeira, where
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travelweekly.co.uk 31 August 2017
PICTURES: DISCOVERING MADEIRA/AVELAR;
JET2.COM
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