The Algarve.
Wherever you look, the colour of the mountains and the sea are always present, like a watercolour dotted with touches of gold, green and blue.
The region, large and pleasant, enjoys a Mediterranean climate, imbued with the smell of the sea at low tide and the scent of wildflowers.
A stroll through the tangled web of narrow streets, alleys and steps away from the coast is the best way to familiarize yourself with this part of the region.
But you can also easily get lost in the vastness of the coastal strip.
Here, the backdrop is composed of some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, where you can admire the rocky coastline and its shadows on the sand.
After this enchanting landscape, you will discover the aromas and flavours of traditional Algarve cuisine. The menu can consist of fish and shellfish, with dishes such as "caldeirada de peixe" (fish stew), Cataplana of "Amêijoas" (clams stewed in a copper pan) or you can enjoy traditional mountain food with chickpeas and stewed cabbage.
The range of choices will also include the famous regional sweets, such as figs, almonds, carob fruits and brandy, made from the local "Medronho" (arbutus), distilled in old stills in copper, in the hills.
Walking through the Algarve, among its hills and plains sheltering sites of great ecological interest, rich in biodiversity and ecosystems, you will have the feeling of crossing an area full of different traditions, intact for centuries. The craft is skilfully crafted by local craftsmen who use ancient and ancestral techniques and produce an excellent range of pottery, woven baskets, copper and brass items, or other pieces made from linen and jute.
A step away from the tranquillity of this inland region, lies the excitement of the Algarve's nightlife. With its bars, nightclubs, marinas and casinos, the party is assured for visitors.
The architectural heritage of the region should not be left out. The architecture of the whitewashed houses, with their brightly coloured castings and their superb fireplaces, the belfries of churches and the museums, all testify in their way, ancestors of the inhabitants of the Algarve and contribute to make of this country a very special destination.
We also recommend a wide range of outdoor sports, whether you play golf on sumptuous courses, do some exercise in one of the excellent facilities in the area, whether you are on the or in the hills, where, after the rigors of winter or even before the first signs of spring, the earth is covered with a pinkish white coat, from the flowers of almonds scattered across the horizon.