| Holidays in Portugal offer food lovers the chance to | | | | premier quality accommodation whilst still retaining a |
| enjoy some of the best-kept culinary secrets | | | | real 'feel' for the true Portugal. Portugal's clement |
| anywhere. And with luxury villas in Portugal offering a | | | | climate allows villas to be designed with an airy layout, |
| perfect base from which to discover this wonderful | | | | making them light, airy and luxurious, with all modern |
| country, there has never been a better time to | | | | conveniences. This includes the cooking arrangements, |
| experience everything that makes Portugal special. | | | | so for visitors who prefer to do their own catering the |
| The Portuguese are food fanatics. Portuguese cuisine | | | | opportunities to explore the markets of the local towns |
| is characterised by rich, filling and flavourful dishes that | | | | and fishing ports and combine the best local ingredients |
| rely heavily on a Mediterranean influence but also | | | | into their own dishes are well catered for. |
| incorporate a spice-influenced direction to create a | | | | Meat lovers are well looked after too and although |
| unique blend unlike anywhere else. Because of | | | | traditionally eating meat on a daily basis was the |
| Portugal's links to the Spice Islands of Indonesia and | | | | privilege of the upper classes, it is now universally |
| the Pacific Rim, spices like tumeric and vanilla feature | | | | found on restaurant menus across Portugal. Whereas |
| heavily in Portuguese deserts and pastries. The most | | | | many Mediterranean menus major on poultry and |
| popular deserts in Portugal are rice pudding flavoured | | | | even goat, the Portuguese favour their beef and pork, |
| with cinnamon and vanilla, caramel custard and sweet | | | | such as the Algarve speciality of fried pork with clams. |
| pastries, originally developed by nuns to generate | | | | Red wine is used extensively in Portuguese cooking, |
| revenue. | | | | giving meat dishes a rich, full flavour that is |
| With many fishing fleets operating along the coast, fish | | | | complemented by the use of herbs and spices such |
| is a major part of Portuguese cuisine. The country has | | | | as onion and coriander. |
| the highest fish consumption per capita of any country | | | | Getting to Portugal is amazingly cheap these days. |
| in Europe and is one of the top four fish-eating nations | | | | Portugal holidays offer food lovers the chance to try a |
| in the world. As a result, Portugal is a mecca for lovers | | | | totally different cuisine, and only a couple of hours from |
| of fishy food, with a huge selection of fish dishes from | | | | home. Links to Portugal are convenient, with modern, |
| soups through to stews and boiled or fried recipes. | | | | efficient transport systems and plenty of international |
| Sardines and Atlantic tuna are the most popular | | | | flights to the main centres such as Faro. A combination |
| ingredients in many fish dishes, although dried and | | | | of fantastic sporting facilities, luxury villas and a rich and |
| salted cod is still an important part of the cuisine. | | | | varied culture make Portugal a popular destination for |
| Shellfish also features heavily on the menu, and one of | | | | those seeking a more exotic holiday experience |
| the most basic forms of Portuguese cuisine is a fish | | | | without travelling out of Europe. In the major resorts |
| stew that allows visitors to sample a wide selection of | | | | many people speak English, but for a real taste of |
| flavours in one simple meal. | | | | Portugal, try visiting the local markets with a travel |
| Self-catering holidays rather than hotel stays make | | | | guide book and a willingness to try out new flavours, |
| trying different cuisines easier. | | | | new ingredients and a warm, Portuguese welcome. |
| Portugal's villas can be very luxurious, offering visitors | | | | |