🌟 Portugal: A World Leader in Tourism! 🌟

Portugal, A world leader in tourism.

🌟 Portugal: A World Leader in Tourism! 🌟

In 2024, Portugal claimed an incredible 17 first-place awards on the global stage for tourism—recognizing its stunning beaches, world-class golf courses, luxurious hotels, and more. These accolades celebrate the passion and dedication of Portugal’s people, businesses, and government to creating unforgettable travel experiences.

💼 Your Perfect Vacation Awaits! 💼
Make Portugal your first choice in 2025 and secure your dream holiday villa now. Booking early ensures the ideal dates and venues before they’re gone!

Discover why Portugal truly deserves to be your vacation destination. Book today and start counting down to paradise!

World Travel Awards 

Seaside and Beaches

World’s Leading Beach Destination 2024   And the winner is Portugal

World’s Leading Seaside Metropolitan Destination 2024 And the winner is Porto, Portugal

Golf

Worlds Best Golf Course 2024  And the winner is Terras da Comporta Portugal 

Worlds Best Golf Destination 2024   And the winner is Portugal

World’s Leading Golf & Villa Resort 2024 And the winner is Dunas Douradas Beach Club, Portugal

Cities

World’s Leading City Break Destination 2024   And the winner is Lisbon Portugal

World’s Leading Heritage City Destination 2024 And the winner is Lisbon Portugal

Adventure Tourism

World’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2024   And the winner is Azores Islands Portugal

World’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction 2024  And the winner is Passadiços do Paiva (Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark), Portugal

Hotels

World’s Leading Classic Hotel 2024 And the winner is Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel, Lisbon, Portugal

World’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel 2024 And the winner is The Reserve, Madeira, Portugal

World’s Leading Landmark Hotel 2024 And the winner is Bairro Alto Hotel, Lisbon, Portugal

World’s Leading Luxury Hotel 2024 And the winner is Savoy Palace, Madeira, Portugal

World’s Leading Retreat 2024 And the winner is Saccharum, Madeira, Portugal

Other Tourism

World’s Leading Conservation Company 2024 And the winner is Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua, Portugal

World’s Leading Island Destination 2024 And the winner is Madeira Islands, Portugal

World’s Responsible Tourism Award 2024 And the winner is Dark Sky Alqueva, Portugal

Save Big When you Travel!

Planning your vacation should be exciting, not stressful, especially when it comes to managing your foreign currency. Forget about outdated methods like Travellers Cheques or costly bank exchanges or being at the mercy of your credit card provider with annoying cash withdrawal fees and low exchange rates…..that you don’t notice until you get your card statement! There’s a smarter solution that puts more money back in your pocket – Wise!

Wise makes managing your money abroad easy, fair, and affordable. Since 2011, they’ve been revolutionizing international money transfers, and now they’re helping over 16 million people and businesses worldwide. Join Wise today.

Why Wise?

1. Save Big on Currency Conversion: With Wise, say goodbye to hefty bank fees. They offer transparent, low currency conversion fees and give you the real exchange rate – the same one you find on Google.

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Imagine having the freedom to travel without worrying about excessive fees or unfavourable exchange rates. Just ask James from the UK, who’s been saving thousands by using Wise for his daily expenses and vacations.

So, why wait? Join Wise today, unlock a world of financial freedom, and make your next vacation truly unforgettable!

Comments:

“Joining wise was the best thing I ever did. I opened a British Pound account, a Euro and US $ account. I work in UK so have my salary go directly into my GBP account where I earn interest and use the Wise debit card for all my daily living expenses. Then when we travel to Europe or the US on holiday I just use the same card and the money comes out of the correct balance automatically. I have saved thousands over the years” James P. UK.

“Security is excellent. Like opening a bank account you have to jump through some hoops but well worth the effort. Having just one card in my wallet to use anywhere in the world and not pay hefty fees and on top of that being given the commercial mid market rate you see on Bloomberg is exactly what I wanted.” Susan Traynor. Canada.

” Our last trip was to Spain. I topped up my Euro account before we left. I paid our car rental, 3 hotel bills, withdrew Euros cash a few times, paid our restaurant and bar bills, Jeep safari and boat trips. A rough calculation tells me I saved about £120 using my Wise card instead of my Mastercard”.  Paul Stone. UK

Silver Coast Villa Rental

What’s New in 2022? 

We have invested in a 2nd rental property on the popular Silver Coast (Costa da Prata) just North of Lisbon, it is a new 3 bedroom 3 bathroom villa with pool and is now ready for rentals all year around. Located in a quiet rural location just a few minutes drive from Sao Martinho do Porto and within walking distance to the cliff tops and beaches.
Villa Vida Nova Silver Coast lends itself to longer stays, for those seeking to escape cold winter climes or those wanting to immigrate and take time to explore and search for a property themselves.


Less than an hours drive from Lisbon and the airport and with public transport to the centre of Lisbon so you don’t need to take the car with the hassles of traffic and parking.
It will be an ideal location to take day trips to explore, Lisbon, the palaces of Sintra, the medieval castle of Obidos, the Obidos lagoon and Foz do Arelho, the gigantic waves of Nazare, historic Alcobaca, Aveiro the Venice of Portugal, Porto, Coimbra, Tomar, these are just a few places to visit, there are many more.

The new villa is just 2 years old and 3 bedrooms 2 upstairs both en-suite, both have patio door access to a wrap around sun terrace, on the ground floor is a 3rd bedroom and a family bathroom. Open plan lounge, diner and kitchen with patio doors on two sides to the garden bbq and pool area. All windows and doors have electric shutters and all rooms have airco/heat. 

 
It is located in a tiny hamlet called Venda Nova about 5 minutes drive from Sao Martinho do Porto which is delightful town on an amazing semi-circular bay. There are a couple of restaurants within a 2km walk and 30 plus restaurants within 5 minutes drive. The closest beach is Salgado, it is huge and one can walk to it in about 15 minutes or drive in under 5 minutes. There is traditional market and an Intermarche 5 minutes away. And the big box stores in Caldas da Rainha at 15 minutes.

If this is of interest to you just shoot me an email 

Monchique, Foia and Picota Road Trip

Cobbled streets and artisan shops, a ruined convent and wonderful gardens are well worth a visit. Monchique is famous for it’s cork oak forests, wild boar and black pork cuisine,

Serra da Monchique the “Upper Algarve”

From either the EN125 or the A22 you will find an intersection with the EN266 just north of the coastal city of Portimao. Following this road you will pass through Rasmalho (Stork City), one of the largest colonies of White Storks in Portugal. White Storks in AlgarveYou will be gradually climbing the wooded foothills of the Serra and will come across a famous Spa village, Caldas de Monchique, turn off here and walk this tiny but fascinating village, you may get to see bread being made in the communal ovens, walk the shaded pathways to the thermal streams, or indulge in rituals at the spa itself.

Caldas da Monchique Algarve PortugalContinue upwards to the town of Monchique, cobbled streets and artisan shops, a ruined convent and wonderful gardens are well worth a visit. Monchique is famous for it’s cork oak forests, wild boar and black pork cuisine, if you intend to eat out in the Algarve then Monchique would be a great choice.

Foia, Algarve’s Highest Point

From the town centre continue upwards along the EN266-3 to Foia, the highest point in the Algarve at 902m above sea level. Here you will have spectacular 360 deg views. An unforgettable experience. You can retrace your steps to Monchique or take any of two other roads that descend, one to the east and one to the north, both will bring you back town.

Picota Contour Route

Monchique Algarve Portugal

There is a gorgeous contour drive that you can take from Monchique: Head to the roundabout that you first encountered when you arrived at Monchique, next to the petrol stations, and take the exit marked Alferce EN267. Take a right 20 meters (literally) after entering this road, which goes behind the bar on the corner, (local labour exchange). You are now on the contour road that circumnavigates the smaller mountain of Picota.Superb Views from Foia and Picota in the Algarve Again the coastal views are spectacular, you will also look down on the Oudelouca dam wall. Stay on this road until you hit a T junction, turn left in the direction of Alferce. Take a drive through the village, just a typical sleepy mountain village where sleeping dogs will not raise an eyebrow as you pass by. Follow signs back to Monchique.

Side trip to Silves

Leave Monchique by the way you came on the EN266, if you still have a few hours, at Porto de Lagos roundabout turn left on the EN124 in the direction of Silves. You can have a taste of this historic walled town with Moorish castle, archaeological museum and Roman bridge, though this could be a full half day trip in its own right.

Algarve West Coast Road Trip.

The Algarve West Coast. Some of the best coastal scenery in Europe awaits you here, pristine, deserted beaches and rugged cliffs will captivate you.

Fishing villages, deserted beaches, rugged cliffs and views, views and more views!

Some of the best coastal scenery in Europe awaits you here, pristine, deserted beaches and rugged cliffs will captivate you. Take the A22 or EN125 to Lagos, Lagos is a day trip all on its own so don’t include it on this itinerary there is simply not the time. Continue west along the EN125. At Vale Verde turn left on the EN537 to visit Praia da Luz and Burgau. Don’t turn north at Burgau keep going west along a much smaller coast road to Salema. These are all small fishing villages that are popular but not swamped with tourism. Great fish restaurants in all of them.2004 hols nigels camera 008

Changes in Scenery and landscape

Head north again until you hit the EN125 again and head west in the direction of Villa do Bispo and Sagres. You will notice that the landscape has changed drastically, very few trees and quite windswept, not unlike Cornwall in the UK, for much the same reason. At Sagres visit the Fortaleza de Sagres and the Cabo de Sao Vicente light house. The cliffs here are spectacular albeit dangerous, don’t go too close to the edge! You are also at the most South Western corner of Europe.West coast 1

Retrace your steps to Vila do Bispo and find the north west corner of the village near the market, head out on the M1265 to Praia do Castelejo, this is one of the best unspoiled beaches in the Algarve, if not Portugal. Back to Vila do Bispo and then head north on the EN268. There are about a dozen small tracks that head west off this road to some spectacular and remote beaches, each about 4kms long, you may need a 2nd day to try some of these. Head north and (don’t miss this section), just 2-30 meters before the quaint village of Carrapateira there is a turn to the left that goes south west to Praia do Amado and from here a wonderful cliff top road that runs north, don’t take a right turn to Carrapateira but continue along the cliff road. There are some great cliff top board walks you can go on. Eventually this road will look down on Praia do Bordeira which is a kite surfers paradise and end up back on the EN268.

Historic Aljezur

Head north again. The EN268 will join the EN120 continue north in the direction of Aljezur which is an old village to explore with a castle and some excellent traditional restaurants. Drive through the narrow streets and keep going uphill to the castle (to save your legs). A few kms before Aljezur you will have passed a turning to the coast, if you have time, track-back and take the M1003-1 to Praia da Arrifana, a surfers haven with stunning scenery, fishing harbour and a small fort that was badly damaged by a tsunami in 1755 which stands atop a 200 foot cliff, yes a tsunami, seriously.

DSC_0251At this point you can turn back on the EN120 to Lagos about an hours drive. Or from Aljezur take the EN267 in an easterly direction towards Monchique. This is a delightful route via the village of Marmelete and then along a contour road to the EN266 just south of Monchique, turn right in the direction of Portimao, this route will take about one hour 15 minutes.