Portugal in Southern Europe, shares the Iberian peninsula at the western tip of Europe with Spain. Geographically and culturally somewhat isolated from its neighbour, Portugal has a rich, unique culture, lively cities and beautiful countryside.
Squeezed between Spain and the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal revolves around the sea. Through it, the nation began to build up its empire in the 15th century, claiming territory in South America, Africa and Asia. While this empire has reduced over the centuries, cutting Portugal's global power down substantially, the sea remains important to Portugal. Today, the Predominance of the sea to Portuguese way of life translates into long beaches and some of Europe's best seaside resorts. Fishing and watersports draw thousands of Portuguese and international visitors to Algarve, Portugal's southernmost province and home to its best beaches.
Additional to this is a handful of traditional towns, an energetic night life in Lisbon and a culture infused with Moorish and Brazilian influences, and Portugal's winning combination is becoming quite tempting. Consider then that Portugal is less expensive than neighbouring Spain (and less popular too ) and it's becoming simply irresistible.
