Portugal

Has a rich seafaring past, superb beach resorts, wistful towns and a landscape wreathed in olive groves, vineyards and wheat fi elds. Littered with UNESCO World Heritage sites and graced by one of Europe’s most relaxed and attractive capitals, it also remains refreshingly affordable. Portugal lies immediately west of Spain, and is buffeted along its southern coast by the Atlantic Ocean. To its west and southwest lie the islands of the Azores and Madeira, far out in the Atlantic. It measures just 350mi (560km) north to south and a paltry 135mi (220km) from east to west.
The northern and central regions are heavily populated and characterised by rivers, valleys, forests and mountains - the highest range is the Serra da
Estrela, peaking at Torre (6540ft/1993m). The south is less populated and, apart from the rocky backdrop of the Algarve, much flatter anddrier.In the 15th century, Portugal entered a phase of overseas expansion due to the efforts of Prince Henry the Navigator. Mariners set off to discover new trade routes and helped create an enormous empire that, at its peak, extended to India, the Far East, Brazil and Africa. This period marked the apogee of Portuguese power and wealth, but it faded towards the end of the 16th century. In 1755 Lisbon has been destroyed by three major earthquakes, tremors, a fire and a tidal wave. At the close of the 18th century, Napoleon sent expeditionary forces to invade Portugal but they were forced back by the troops of the Anglo-Portuguese alliance.During the 19th century the economy faltered and republicanism took hold. National turmoil led to the abolition of the monarchy in 1910 and the founding of a democratic republic. Nowadays savouring life slowly is a Portuguese passion, and much of the best is humble - traditional folk festivals; honest food simply dressed in olive oil; music that pulls at the heart strings, recalling past love and glories; and markets overflowing with fish, fruit and flowers.

Lisbon

Lisbon’s position on seven low hills beside a river once lured traders and settlers, and it’s still a stunning site. Add to that its cultural diversity, laid-back feel and architectural time warp it represents one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe. At its heart are wide, tree-lined avenues graced by Art Nouveau buildings, mosaic pavements and street cafes. Seen from the river - one of the city’s many great viewpoints -Lisbon is an mpressionist picture of low-rise ochre and pastel, punctuated by church towers and domes. Lisbon is the kind of place where you can sit at street cafes - sampling food or fado - and watch the world go by. For the eager there are also plenty of cultural activities. In addition to architectural masterpieces at Belém, Lisbon has over 50 museums to visit. The Torre Belem, a hexagonal chess piece, symbolises Portugal’s glorious triumphs in the Age of Discoveries: it was from Belém that Vasco da Gama set sail for the New World. Designed by the brilliant Arruda brothers, Diogo and  ancisco, the tower is a shakennot-stirred mix of early Gothic, Byzantine and anueline styles. Manuel I built it around 1515 to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbour, perhaps to catch invaders off guard.