Azores Islands ,

                                                                                    Azores Islands ,

                                                                                    Situated 907 miles from the European coast and 2330 miles from North America, the archipelago of the Azores was discovered during the first half of the 15th- century by Portuguese navigators. Consisting of nine islands, it is divided into three groups: the eastern (São Miguel and Santa Maria islands), the central (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial islands), and the western (Corvo and Flores islands

            ( Pico the Volcano at sunset )

(A whale In front of Terecira)

                                                       Even the causal visitor will be touched by the sapphire blue and emerald green lakes, fertile prairies, volcanic cones and craters, colorful hydrangeas and azaleas, 15th century churches and majestic manor houses. This legendary land, consisting of nine beautifully-named islands, enjoys year-round mild temperatures, and is a peaceful shelter with a population of 250 000 inhabitants, for whom the words "stress" and "pollution" are not part of their vocabulary. The largest island in the chain is Santa Maria Island. It offers excellent water sports facilities. Santa Maria island is also home to a church at which Columbus’s crew prayed. Nossa Senhora Dos Anjos Chapel, where Columbus’s crew prayed(>)

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Thermal Lake on San Miguel

Algarve

Gorgeous beaches, warm water and glorious sunshine year-round, Algarve is the dream vaction.. Situated on the extreme South of Portugal, this part of the territory was the last to be conquered from the Moors by the Portuguese king Dom Afonso III, in 1292. Traces of the Moorish presence are still seen in its unique terraces, chimneys and whitewashed houses. However, the distance that was difficult to cover back in the 13th century is no longer an obstacle thanks to the modern highway and coastal road and an international airport. So why not visit this charming region, with its idyllic temperatures average temperature in winter of 59°F and 75°F in summer, which are ideal for playing golf and othe r spor ts.

     ( Beaches(at side) and Cliffs( above) in Algarve)

 This brightly colored region, with its fig trees, orange groves and almond trees in blossom, is also the most verdant and fertile. The southern coastline consists of a long stretch of fabulous sandy beaches, broken up by extraordinary rugged red cliffs and fantastic grottoes. Apart from the wealth of available water sports facilities, there are other alternatives, such as tennis courts, famous golf courses, luxury hotels or quaint holiday resorts and an exciting nightlife.

        ( Lighthouse in the Algarve(above))

( Golfing on Algarve’s Cliffs! ( Side))

TAGUS VALLEY

Rich in history, culture and leisure opportunities, the Tagus Valley is one of the most appealing holiday regions in Portugal. Two stretches of glorious coastline give visitors the chance to escape from Lisbon to play golf, relax on the beach or explore remote villages during their stay. North of Tagus lies the Estoril Coast & Sintra region, famous for its sandy beaches, glitzy casino, Formula 1 race track and elegant stately mansions. Sintra's status as a UNESCO World Heritage site brought well deserved recognition to one of Europe's most extraordinary landscapes. Its dense concentration of palaces amid a magical world of peaks, gorges and woods. Nearby, the Cabo da Roca lighthouse marks mainland Europe's most westerly point. This was a stop on the Amazing Race 3 . ( At side)

 The lesser known Costa Azul region south of Lisbon is a peaceful haven of quaint fishing villages and sandy coves. Sesimbra, with its calm, sheltered bay, is a popular holiday resort for Lisboetas, while the busy fishing port of Set·bal is well known for its high quality fish restaurants.

A characteristic feature of the Tagus Valley is its string of walled villages and imposing hilltop castles. The most famous of these is the preserved medieval town of Óbidos, just an hour's drive north of Lisbon. With its whitewashed houses and charming cobblestone streets, it is without doubt one of Portugal's most classic medieval settlements.. A few miles inland is Fátima, one of the world's most important shrines for Catholics. The appearance of the Virgin Mary in 1917 transformed the small village into a major religious centre.

( Castle in Tagus Valley)

Tomar

Tomar is an interesting town situated in a large and beautiful valley on the banks of the River Nabão in the centre of Portugal. Its twisting medieval cobbled streets and abundance of ancient monuments link it closely to the Knights Templar and one of the most important chapters of Portuguese history.

( City of Tomar)

The Order of the Templars was founded in 1119 after the recapture of Santarém. In 1160, their Grande Master, Gualdim Pais, built the Castle of Tomar on a hill above the river. After the suppression of the order in 1314, King Dinis then founded a new order - the Order of Christ - which was transferred to Tomar in 1356. This helped finance Prince Henry the Navigator's voyages of discovery in the 14th and 15th centuries, during which his ships bore the Order's red cross on their sails. (Castle in Tomar)

The Douro Region

Porto, on the banks of the Douro river is a Untied Nation’s World Heritage site. The North's most important city lent its name to the famous wine and to Portugal. One must stroll around its typical quarters and its bustling downtown. Visit the Stock Exchange Palace, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral, the church of Cedofeita (Romanesque), and the Clérigos tower. No one should miss a visit to the Port lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia and free tasting of the famous port wine.

 ( City of Porto (side) Castle( Below))

The Douro river is the longest in northern Portugal. It winds its sinuous way past mountains and cliffs until it reaches the Atlantic near the city of Porto. Many dams have been built to make the river navigable, which for the visitor means that plenty of pleasure and cruise boats depart from Porto to the Douro region. Between Mesão Frio and Pinhão lies the stretch where the valley sides are lined with terraced vineyards that produce the famous Port wine. But this region is famous for other things besides the wine that is made nowhere else in the world. Signs of prehistoric men are seen in the ancient cave paintings in Vila Nova de Foz Côa. Elsewhere, medieval castles and convents or Romanesque little churches dot the landscape. History, too, is evoked by the manor houses, such as th Baroqu e mansio n at Mateus, near Vila Real, or in the great 17th century sanctuaries, such as Nossa Senhora dos Remédios in Lamego, which plays such an important role in people's devotions.

                   ( Road and Cliff near Douro River)

Minho

( Houses in Minho)

 Along the coastline north of Porto runs a coastal road linking Vila do Conde to Valença. It takes visitors past beautiful beaches, summer resorts and enchanting villages, such as Caminha and Vila Nova de Cerveira. Inland, one must visit the huge national park area covering the mountains of Peneda, Soajo and Gerês. Three towns that set the tone for this charming area of Portugal are Viana do Castelo, lying upon the estuary of the Lima river, Braga, rich in ecclesiastical history, and the medieval Guimarães. Mansions and manorial houses in this region open their doors to bed and breakfast, offering visitors a rare privileged glimpse of aristocratic Portuguese traditions, combined with the best modern hospitality can offer.

                           ( Bed and Breakfast in Minho_

Lisbon.

( Aparments/ Downtown Lison)

Portugal’s capital and most populated city boasts wild night life, numerous hotels, and great beaches. What more can a vacation spot need to offer? Lisbon has seven famous hills...

Castelo
Graça
Monte
Penha de Françes

S. Pedro de Alcântara

Santa Catarina and

Estrela. (Side)

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, and you have one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe - and also one of the most economical.

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 picture of low rise architecture, with many beautiful churches

The city is a mix of vibrant blue and white painted tiles, cobblestoned streets, wildly extravagant architecture, melancholy folk singing, beaches, fun ,and more than a touch of the medieval. Elegant, pretty and with an appetite for life, Lisbon will seep into your soul until you too are filled with love or saudade for it.

Lisbon

Port