The best 5-star hotels in Portugal
Despite sharing the Iberian peninsula with Spain, Portugal is deliciously different from its neighbour and the rest of Europe. After all, this is a land that has made heroes out of salt cod, fortified wine and mournful folk music. A trip to continental Portugal, or its islands of Madeira and the Azores, is always full of surprises.
With history and culture in abundance, excellent cuisine based on the freshest ingredients, crisp vinho verde and rich reds, not to mention beautiful beaches, Portugal really has something for everyone.
Lisboa
It's capital, Lisbon, flourished during the 15th and 16th centuries as one of the busiest trading cities in the world, and its past glory is easy to appreciate today. Portugal accumulateded great wealth from its seafaring discoveries and subsequent trading across the Americas, Africa and Asia. This is one of our favourite cities in Europe, with beautiful architecture, a thriving nightlife, great restaurants and fascinating culture. It's the colourful capital of a country with its back to Europe, looking out over the Atlantic.
The standard bearer for European Atlantic resorts has to be Belmond Reid's Palace in Madeira, one of the continent's classic luxury destinations. Perched above the mighty ocean, surrounded by glorious displays of geraniums and hibiscus, this is Europe's farthest edge. No surprise then that you'll feel a million miles away from the daily grind, with its mild sub-tropical climate making it an all-year destination.
Oporto
Oporto, Portugal's second city is also under-rated. Porto, abbreviated for its many English friends, is as its name suggests, a port. Built on the banks of the River Douro in northwest Portugal it delights in its fascinating and picturesque old town and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is also the birthplace of the fortified wine, port, with vintage port being the flagship wine of Portugal (and for many an Englishman). Move upstream, along the divine Duoro Valley, where the lanscape will delight you, and, there, in a serene setting on the banks of the river, you will find a warm welcome at Six Senses Duoro Valley, a 19th century manor house with glorious gardens, woodlands and sweeping views of the valley. Here, you can explore the finest vineyards and enjoy excellent cuisine and, being Six Senses, they also know how to pamper and restore wellbeing in every guest.
Why Portugal should be top of your list
With borders open, Portugal is currently the only major holiday destination for summer 2021 open to UK travellers, making it a perfect choice, with easy direct flights to Lisbon, Oporto and Funchal.