Portugal is a diverse country in which you can drive from verdant fields through impressive mountains and along a staggeringly beautiful coastline within a day.
Situated alongside the North Atlantic Ocean on the Iberian Peninsula (along with its neighbour Spain which borders Portugal to the north and east), Portugal used to be a major naval power which colonised large countries such as Brazil and Angola.
Today there are still some Portuguese autonomous territories which make great holiday destinations such as the Azores islands and Madeira, both gorgeous outposts in the Atlantic Ocean.
Many tourists come to Portugal in the summer to enjoy its wonderful beaches in locations such as the Algarve, but the country has fine conurbations which should not be neglected by the traveller.
These include Faro, the administrative centre for the Algarve and an attractive old city surrounded by Roman walls.
Car hire Faro is an ideal way to connect with the numerous cultural events put on in the Algarve region or get to the beach and beyond.
Of the many pretty towns which can be reached by car there is the ancient bronze hilltop fort of Santa Barbara de Nexe. Vale de Lobo and Quinta Do Lago are five star holiday resorts located to the west of Faro which have many of the attractions which bring tourists to Portugal such as tennis courts and 18 hole golf courses.
If you are flying into the Algarve you will use Faro airport where you can prearrange your car hire with major companies such as Avis and Hertz.
Portugal has marketed itself as one of the world’s top golfing destinations and was named as the best golfing location world wide for 2006 by the British publication Golfers Today. The country has 14 golf courses ranked among the world top 100 golf courses and with a climate to die for it is no wonder that golf flourishes in Portugal.
Portugal’s capital city is Lisbon, known as the city of the Seven Hills. Lisbon has a flourishing culture with many museums, old castles and public parks for the visitor to wander around, and a buzzing nightlife too.
Lisbon is the closest city to Portugal’s main airport, the Aeropuerto de Portela, which serves as the main hub for national airline TAP Portugal.
Car hire Lisbon lets you explore Lisbon and the surrounding areas such as the town of Sintra which is half an hour away by car. Sintra has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it can count a Royal Palace and an old Moorish castle as part of its amazing architecture legacy.
There are marvellous nearby seaside resorts to be explored such as Praia de Macas which is a good manageable size to visit for a day trip and has calm seas making it family friendly. Praia de Macas is suitable for couples who are looking to spend some time together and what could be more romantic than visiting the wineries in neighbouring Colares for tasting sessions of rare wines.