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Our main destination in Portugal is the southerly Algarve region, a popular tourist area with sandy beaches and deluxe hotels. Seafood restaurants are a speciality. The local harbors land catches of sole, swordfish, squid, lobster, prawns, clams and crab. The locals are very friendly and take genuine pleasure in sharing the sleepy charms of their towns and villages. Beyond Portugal's coastal belt, orchards and paddy fields flourish and whitewashed villages provide local colour. Loule has a covered market where locals shop for produce and visitors hunt for bargains among the leather and jewellery stalls. Nearby Estoi has Roman remains and a 17th century palace, while Monchique and Silves boast ancient churches and quaint hillside squares. To the north Lisbon, Portugal's capital city, has museums and galleries, theatres, opera, St George's Castle and a cathedral. Restaurants have an international flavour but most dishes benefit when accompanied by the excellent Portuguese wines. No longer are Port and Madeira the only local offerings! Portugal was discovered as a tourist destination in the 1930s, but its golfing development is comparatively recent. Penina blazed the trail, followed by Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago and the rest while San Lorenzo, one of the newest courses, is arguably already the best. Penha Longa has an excellent championship golfing course and Estoril and Troia are older golf courses with deserved reputations throughout Europe. Plan to golf Portugal. Call IGT today! |
