Portugal, our weekend getaway recommendation!

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Located in the south-west of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal is to a great extent border with the Atlantic Ocean; which explains its maritime vocation! In the 15th century, thanks to its brilliant navigators who braved the sea and opened new maritime routes, Portugal reigned over the world.

Lisbon boasts iconic monuments, such as the Jerónimos Monastery (known as Mosteiro dos Jeronimos) and the Belém Tower, as symbols of this glorious period. Portugal is also the alma mater of cod fishing, thanks to their venturing into the cold waters of Newfoundland, and the drying and salting process, which has become a symbol of Portuguese gastronomy and probably the most reknown product of Portugal.

For half a century this country lived with a fascist political regime, under the government of Salazar, but was able to shook it off thanks to a peaceful revolution in 1974, « the carnation revolution ». To this day, there is a mixture of joy and sadness, strength and gentleness in the Portuguese population, feelings that translate to its unique music – Fado and the untranslatable word « Saudade« .

Portugal attracts more and more tourists each year and its largest regions (Porto, Lisbon, Algarve, Alentejo) collect the prices of the best tourist destination in the world. The reasons are many: quiet and authentic countryside and cities, optimum sunshine, beautiful natural sites and a varied heritage, a welcoming population that is very often multilingual and a country that is only 2 hours away from the main European capitals by plane.

Everyone finds their pleasure « farniente » on the beautiful white and black sand beaches of the Algarve, sports, tourism and cultural activities, scenery in the picturesque villages of Alentejo, passing by the Nazaré for the best waves for amateurs Surf.

Many words call to mind Portugal and irresistibly evoke the pleasure of travel: porto -fado – pastéis de nata – azulejos – Manueline art – golf – marble – cork …