For many years I put off a trip to Portugal — a mistake, of course. It's a country that deserves to be seen far and wide, with so many beautiful and interesting places. Lisbon, the capital, is rich in monuments, but Porto is no less so (perhaps that's why a friendly rivalry exists between the two cities). Not to mention other places such as Sintra, Cascais and Évora (all reachable on day trips from Lisbon), and Tomar, Fátima and Coimbra (stops you can make heading north, towards Porto) — every one of them lovely.
The south of the country, which I hope to visit soon, has plenty to offer too: the Algarve region, with famous seaside resorts like Lagos and Albufeira. Above the Algarve lies the Alentejo, with its wide plains, vineyards and castles, the ideal region for slow, relaxing travel (this is where you'll find the town of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site). And how could I not mention the Azores, which I'd also love to visit: a volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, famous for its unspoilt nature, crater lakes, hot springs and whale watching; and the island of Madeira, known as the island of eternal spring.
The food is remarkable too: salt cod (bacalhau), prawns and pastéis de nata are the best-known dishes, but there's a wonderful variety of tastes and flavours, along with the famous Port wine.
A classic Portugal itinerary I've done is this: Lisbon (3 nights), with day trips to Cascais, Sintra and Évora; Tomar (1 night), visiting Fátima on the way; and finally Porto (2 nights), visiting Coimbra before arriving.
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