Getting the most out of an overseas holiday, thanks to the recovering economy and prices remaining low, is easier than ever. Portugal, just one of the many European countries that went through the recession ringer, is back. Offering visitors a whole breadth of features, from azure blue skies to culturally steeped cities and towns, its good for all members of the family, both young and old.
UrbanHousewife takes a look at how to go about planning the perfect family holiday in Portugal and offers you plenty of tips along the way.
Accommodation
The first thing you have to consider is lodging. While hotels and resorts abound, you might also consider renting one of these holiday villas in Portugal; they offer more privacy, as well as space for your brood.
Elsewhere however, you’ll find great resorts in both the western and eastern Algarve, at places like Monta da Vilarinha near Carrapateira, Quintamar near Tavira and Casa dos Sonhos in Portalegre make for great family spots.
Activities
Securing a roof over you and your families head isn’t likely to be too taxing, but finalising everything you want to do and see might! Portugal is brimming with activities. Better make sure then that you sit every one down beforehand and sketch out the types of things each member of the family would like to do.
In Lagos, the Algarve’s famous city, you’ll have chances to go windsurfing, scuba diving, dinghy sailing or even go to Aqualand, a popular waterpark with wave pools and water slides. Elsewhere, in São Mamade natural park for example, you can even go on guided walks or mountain bike tours – as well as river swimming.
Away from the Algarve you’ll find that Lisbon too, has a lot to offer an action-hungry family. Just outside of the city you can visit Sintra mountain, try zip lining and explore the towers of Sintra’s Moorish castle. Oh and there’s the Oceanarium in Lisbon itself, another thing well worth planning for!
Eating
Food is just one of many things Portugal is famous for and satisfying the family, when it comes to sitting and chowing down, shouldn’t really be a problem. Whether you want to go self-catering and shop around in local markets for local meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, or, on the other hand, stay strictly to restaurants, the choice is yours.
Some of the dishes you’re going to want to try include caldeirada, a fish or shellfish stew with potatoes, tomato and onion, ray fish, the dried fish specialty synonymous to Northern Portugal and chanfana, old goat, slow cooked in wine.
It might entertain you to learn a little more about what you’re eating too, as many of the countries dishes have interesting stories behind them. Take, for example, alheira, a yellowish sausage traditionally made from spiced game and chicken, from Tras-os-Montes, that was invented by persecuted Jews to make it look like they were committing to Christianity by eating what appeared to be pork.
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There’s a lot to consider when planning a family visit to Portugal. From accommodation, to activities, to food, you’ll never be short of options. Now is the time to go too, just as Portugal begins to lift itself up out of the economic crisis.