1. Lisbon

The capital of Portugal is the city of Lisbon which is home to more than half a million permanent residents. You will find the city on the Iberian Peninsula, situated along the banks of the Tagus River. It is here where the river flows into the Atlantic Ocean. There are countless historical sites which can be seen and visited throughout the city of Lisbon, one of the most famous is that of World Heritage Belém Tower, which you will probably see on every postcard from Lisbon.

Belém Tower, Lisbon by Chrismatos

2. Porto

As the second largest city in the country, Porto is home to more than two hundred thousand people. You can find the city situated within the estuary of the Douro River in the northern part of the country. Being one of the oldest cities in Europe, there are many world heritages sites that can be found in its historical town center.

Porto by Sunny Ripert

3. Albufeira

The city of Albufeira is a popular tourist destination in Portugal. There are countless golf courses, hotels and restaurants that can be found in and around the city. Nearby you will also find the popular Paderne Castle which has attracted many visitors over the years. Parts of the original Roman aqueduct can also be found in the city itself.

Albufeira beach, Portugal by Sberla_

4. Lagos

You will find the town of Lagos situated at the Bensafrim River mouth where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The town and surrounding area is a very well-known tourist destination on the account of the many fine beaches that can be found along the coastlines. There is even a historical shipyard which dates back to the days of Henry the Navigator that can be found in Lagos. However it is mainly rock formations at Ponta da Piedade that make this place very popular. It is located just 2km south of the city centre.

Ponta Da Piedade, Lagos, Portugal by Romain MOREL

5. Funchal, Madeira

You will find the city of Funchal situated along the coast of charming Portuguese island of Madeira, rising up over the sea and offering some of the most breath taking views of the surrounding countryside and waters. It is a capital of Madeira, known among the locals as Little Lisbon. However Funchal is not the only place you should visit once you are in Madeira. It is green island, covered by mountains and is often called the Island of never-ending spring. So once you are here, make sure to spend some time hiking around the island.

Funchal, Madeira by Ben Salter

6. Portimão

The town of Portimão can be found along the southern coastlines of Portugal. Thanks to the pristine waters and the beautiful sandy beaches in the area, the city has grown to become a popular seaside destination. It is also the home of the popular Mundialito de Futebol de Praia tournament which is held annually.

Praia do Alemão, Portimão by Aires Almeida

7. Sintra

The beautiful architecture as well as landscapes that can be found in and around the town of Sintra is one of the biggest reasons the area has grown to become a major centre for tourism in the country. There are countless palaces and castles which date back to the 8th and 9th centuries which can be found throughout the town. One of the most beautiful is Pena National Palace often referred to as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.

Pena National Palace, Sintra by David Sim

8. Vilamoura

When it comes to spending a luxurious vacation along the Portuguese coastlines, there is no better destination than that of Vilamoura. It is considered to be one of the most popular destinations in all of Europe and also one of the most luxurious one. Here, you will find a magnificent resort which is complete with a marina which has seen many of the world’s most prestigious yachts over the years.

Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal by Sue Elias

9. Cascais

The town of Cascais can be found along the nation’s coastlines. There are many fine beaches around the town as well as a castle, sea museum and a beautiful historical town centre that is just waiting to be explored. There are many reasons why this sleepy little town has grown to become one of the most popular destinations in the country.

Centre of Cascais by Francesco Sgroi

10. Faro

You will find the city of Faro in the southernmost portion of Portugal. The city is situated near the edges of the Ria Formosa Lagoon which is a magnificent nature reserve that has attracted countless migratory bird species. There are countless stretches of quiet and secluded beaches that can be found throughout the city and lagoon areas.

Faro, Algarve by Greg Pye

11. Fátima

The parish of Fátima is home to many small villages that are associated with the 1917 Cova da Iria apparitions. At 300 meters above sea level, the parish can be found encompassing much of the Estremenho Limestone Massif. The area is a popular pilgrimage site in the country and has attracted many visitors in the last century.

The Basilica of Fátima, Portugal by hugo esteves

12. Tavira

The city of Tavira can be found along the southern coastlines of Portugal, nestled snuggly along the mouth of where the Gilão River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The area has been known to have been settled back in the 8th century B.C. by the Phoenicians who built a large center in the area. There are countless archaeological sites that can now be found within and around the city today.

Tavira, Portugal by Cayetano

13. Braga

In the northwestern part of the country is where you will find the city of Braga. The city is considered to be one of the oldest Christian archdioceses in the world. Originally settled by the Romans, the city flourished over the millennia and today is the third largest in the country. There are many historical sites that one can visit throughout the city.

Braga Cathedral, Portugal by Jose Goncalves

14. Coimbra

During the middle ages, the city of Coimbra was the capital of Portugal. Today it is home to one of the oldest universities in the European Union. There are many fine sites throughout the city to visit as well as the 16th century University. Many tourists make their way to the city every single year.

Coimbra, Portugal by Dennis Jarvis

15. Évora

The city of Évora is most well known for its beautiful and fully intact town center. Many of the original fortified walls which had once guarded the old town are still standing today. Situated along the banks of the Tagus River, the ancient city of Évora has attracted many visitors over the years. The most important sights of the city include Roman Temple, Igreja da Graça Church, Cathedral, or University.

Roman Temple at Evora, Portugal by ho visto nina volare

16. Ponta Delgada, Azores

In the Azores archipelago, you will find the city of Ponta Delgada situated along the shores of the São Miguel Island. The city is a historical one and while most people make their way to the area for the pristine beaches, it would be impossible to spend one’s entire holiday in Ponta Delgada without also visiting the many historical buildings that can be found throughout the city.

Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal by Christophe.Finot

17. Sagres Point

Situated in the southern part of Portugal, not too far from Cape St. Vincent, you will find the area known as Sagres Point. Over the centuries, Sagres Point has been a popular resting point for countless expeditions before travelling through the rocky cape. It is also one of the oldest settled areas in Portugal which dates back to the Neolithic Era.

Sagres Point, Portugal by Curtis Foreman

18. Setúbal

You will find the city of Setúbal nestled snuggle along the banks of the Sado River just south of the nation’s capital. The city is a historical one and over the years has attracted many visitors who come to visit the fine historical buildings that can be found throughout Setúbal. There are also a number of archaeological sites that can be visited just outside of the city.

Monastery of Jesus of Setúbal, Portugal by Georges Jansoone

19. Aveiro

A small port city of Aveiro located in central Portugal, in the region that is full of bays, rivers, canals and bridges, is among the most pleasant Portuguese towns. Local tourist attraction is a sailing through channels on colourful boats, it is quite similar to Italian city of Venice and therefore it is often called Venice of Portugal.

Aveiro, Portugal by unhappy by design

20. Guimarães

City of Guimarães is considered a cradle of the Portuguese nation and lies in the north-western part of the country, 15 km south-east of Braga and 42 km northeast of Porto. Its main jewels include Castelo de Guimarães, Igreja da Oliveira a Padrão do Salado or Paço dos Duques de Bragança.

Guimarães, Portugal by paul Barker Hemings

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As the largest of the Canaries, Tenerife’s coastline stretches out for 350km. The impressive shoreline is ideal for surfing, horse riding and, of course, sun bathing.

Tenerife Coastline, Spain by Jose Mesa

Put on your walking shoes

Further land inwards, a good pair of walking boots will come in handy as you’ll be tempted to foray into tropical-forest and volcanic lava. Almost 200 km² of the island is covered by the dramatic Teide National Park, which consists of 80% of the world’s volcanic formations. Over 37 marked walking tracks snake through rough badlands, past volcanic pipes, cones and smoothly twisted rock formations called pahoehoe and lajial lava. If you’re up for a climb, head to the northern end of Teide National Park where you’ll find the highest summit: Mount Teide. The park actually owes its name to this 3718m peak, which famously casts the biggest shadow on the sea worldwide. It’s a live volcano but don’t worry, it hasn’t erupted since 1909.

Unique species of Tenerife

Teide National Park is home to 14 plant species that don’t grow anywhere else on earth and 70 species of spiders, beetles and other invertebrates that have never been spotted anywhere else. But these rather wonderful little creatures aren’t the only endemic fauna of the island. The park also is the only home of the Canary Island Lizard, the Canary Island Wall Gecko and the Canary Island Skink.

If you’re into bird watching, keep an eye out for Blue Chaffinches, Bolle’s and Laurel Pigeons, tiny Tenerife Goldcrests, Crowned Cranes, Berthelot’s Pipits, Yellow Legged Gulls, Southern Grey Shrikes, Hoopoes and Canarian subspecies of Chiffchaffs, Blue Tits, Robins, Kestrels and Grey Wagtails as well as Atlantic Canaries.

Unexplored Guanche sites

As if this isn’t exciting enough, there also are hundreds of unmarked and unexplored archaeological sites with remains from the Guanches (the indigenous inhabitants). If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon one of these sites, admire what you see and do take lots of pictures, but please leave it exactly as you found it. Even taking just a small souvenir is plunder!

The Guanches are enveloped by mystery. All we know is that they migrated from North Africa to Tenerife sometime between 1000 BC and 100 BC and that they brought wheat, barley and domesticated animals such as dogs, goats, pigs and sheep with them.

Camels and Gorillas

The camels weren’t introduced to the island until after the Spanish Conquest, between the end of the 15th Century and the beginning of the 16th Century. But when you visit the Camel Park near Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas, you can see they’ve really taken to the island.

If the Camel Park sounds exciting to you, wait till you hear this: the largest all male troop of western lowland gorillas in the world is based in Villa Gorilla on Tenerife. The natural habitat for these gorillas consists of the rainforests of equatorial Africa, but zoo Loro Parque has managed to recreate the right environment in Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife. Gorillas tend to live in groups, but they usually emigrate from their natal troop when they grow up. When single males can’t attract enough females to form their own troop, they sometimes form an all-male troop. This is the situation that has been recreated in Villa Gorilla, the 3500 m2 area in Loro Parque that is reserved for the seven bachelor friends.

In March this year, the zoo keepers and vets of Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz left no stone unturned to celebrate the 40th birthday of the eldest statesman of the group: Schorsch. This is a very respectable age among gorillas, as only around 2 per cent of males in captivity reach this age. Schorsch, is only a couple of months older than the zoological park that he calls his home – Loro Parque will celebrate it’s 40th anniversary on 17th December 2012. If you want to escape Britain’s brass monkey weather this winter, book a flight to Tenerife for December and go ape at the zoo!

Experience this extraordinary beach destination for yourself. Prices for one way flights to Tenerife start at £51.49pp this January with Fly Thomas Cook.

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If you are planning a vacation to Northern Scotland, make sure to set aside some time during your stay to view the Duncansby Stacks. Let this serve as your guide to touring the area, finding nearby attractions and choosing the best accommodations.

History of Duncansby Stacks

Most British residents believe that the northernmost location in Britain is the coastal location known as John o’ Groats. John o’ Groats is a popular tourism destination and has been one for decades. However, it is wrongfully coined as the northernmost spot in Britain. In reality, the title belongs to Duncansby Head.

A view of Duncansby Stacks / BillC

Just off the coast from Duncansby Head lies several rock formations that jut out of the water and provide incredible views. The mystical atmosphere has led many to believe that this area is the basis for Mordor, the mythical land in Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Although it is not nearly as popular as John o’ Groats when it comes to visiting tourists, those in the know appreciate the Duncansby Stacks as the northernmost tip of the nation.

Travelling to the Area

There is no denying that this destination in Scotland is off the beaten track. Most visitors arrive by car to Duncansby Stacks. The journey from Edinburgh is nearly 300 miles, so keep in mind that you will almost certainly have some extensive travel coming from further south in England or even Wales. Although there are no direct trains, buses or flights that bring to Duncansby Stacks or the surrounding settlements, there is extensive public transport throughout much of the Scottish Highlands. International Visitors should fly into the Inverness Airport for the nearest location.

Visitor’s Information

In order to visit the Duncansby Stacks, you will first need to visit John o’ Groats. From there, a small road winds along the coast for just over a mile. You can drive or take the local bus until you arrive at Duncansby Head. From here a short walk is required to get a view of the stacks, and the path is clearly signposted the whole way. There is no admission fee associated with visiting Duncansby Stacks.

Nearby Attractions

There are a large number of attractions throughout the Scottish Highlands for visitors to explore. The Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most popular in the region and was featured in several feature films such as Highlander and The World is Not Enough. Other interesting attractions include hiking along famed paths like the West Highland Way or the Great Glen Way. Just a few miles from Duncansby Stacks is the Castle of Mey, a beautiful structure that was once home to the late Queen Mother. If you are looking for the attractions of a large city, the nearest option is Inverness. Here you will find the Inverness Castle, the Old High Church and the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.

A view of Great Glen Way / Draco2008

Accommodation Options

Accommodations in the area around Duncansby Stacks are quite limited. There are just one or two small guesthouses within a mile or two, although there are a number more within driving distance. Some great holiday ideas for visiting this region include camping in the summer or finding villas to rent that offer privacy, exclusivity and surprisingly affordable prices outside of the busiest summer months.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jean-Pol GRANDMONT

Ajaccio

Ajaccio straddles a gorgeous bay and is very much a Riviera town with its spacious squares and elegant, upmarket marina. The towns are beautiful and tasteful with some fantastic restaurants and cafes. The 15th century Genoese citadel is a great place to wander and the muse Fesch is home to an incredible collection of renaissance paintings by Botticelli, Titian and Poussin. Of course the town’s beaches are a firm favourite with travellers and the Plage Trottel is the better of the two.

Le Golfe de Porto

Le Golfe de Porto region contains Corsica’s most beautiful landscapes and the blue bay and red cliffs make the area dramatic to say the least. The rock formations of Calanches de Piana are well worth visiting and the surrounding mountains and vast pine forests are a fantastic place to hike and enjoy yourself. Diving is also incredible here if you are feeling adventurous.

Calvi

Calvi is perhaps the most impressive town of Corsica and it certainly has the most impressive history and architecture. The 6km sandy beach is the biggest draw for many but beyond that the town is incredibly impressive. The imposing citadel of Calvi against the mountainous backdrop is an incredible sight to behold. The town itself plays home to the Haute Ville full of twisting cobbled lanes and stairways and the medieval architecture and beautiful street cafes are a fantastic place to stroll and relax. Villas line the outer reaches of town as you head to some of the most beautiful countryside and the mountains.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Pierre Bona

Corte

Corte lies at the base of a mountain range with stunning views and is one of the most idyllic locations of Corsica. The citadel and museum of Corsica make a great day trip and you can stroll the castle’s ramparts and enjoy a fantastic view. The town’s main street is a fantastic shopping and street café area with plenty of pokey boutiques and places to rest.

Bonifacio

Bonifacio’s location is what makes it so incredible. Its perched along an isolated peninsula at the most southerly point of the island. The town has a unique identity and the huge citadel is a great place to explore before walking along to the marina. The beaches along the coast are incredible and well worth exploring.

Where to stay
There are plenty of accommodation options on the island from camping to all-inclusive resorts. The main towns have an abundance of hotels with some particularly good ones to be found in Calvi. Along the coast there are few large resorts but villas in Corsica along small bays and in small villages are fantastic. Camping lets you get into the heart of Corsican countryside and is a great option for hiking and walking.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by DaLee_pl

Pieniny is spread in the northern part of the country called Spiš, in the region of Zamagurie. It is about 30 km long and belongs to Beskydy mountain range. In 1932, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk established here the first international natural park in Europe. It was formed by National park of Pieniny in Poland and Nature Reserve of Pieniny in Slovakia. In 1967 was declared a National Park. Most tourists to Slovakia often stop in the High Tatras Mountains only, without knowing how beautiful nature is hidden behind them.

Pieniny National Park is an area with unspoilt nature, where meadows blend with the forest, villages are subtly incorporated into the landscape. It is a country full of rock formations, amazing rivers and high-mountain streams. Although there are not any high rocky peaks, but anyway this park will enchant everyone who come here. It’s a place where you can still see freely grazing herds of sheep and remote villages where time has stopped tens years ago, both in terms of architectural and cultural. It is not unusual to see a wooden horse-drawn carriages carrying hay, as well as a hundred years ago, or old ladies sitting in traditional festive costumes in the front of their homes.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Emillie & Lloyd

The mountain range is composed of Jurassic and Cretaceous limestones with younger sandstones, shales and conglomerates, which together creates very impressive character. The rugged relief with deep valleys, gorges and remarkable rock formations was created mainly due to the activities of water, frost, erosion and climate fluctuations. There are also numerous cave systems.

Nature in Pieniny National Park is very diverse, with a number of plant and animal species. From the protected animals you can see here such as Goshawk, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, falcon, raven, crayfish or Eurasian Lynx. There are also rare and endemic species, such as springtails, several species of grasshoppers, centipedes and butterflies. The forests are mostly mixed (firs, pine, spruce, beech, maple, and European yew).

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by DaLee_pl

Pieniny National Park offers relatively dense network of well marked trails with the possibility to choose the optimal route according to your capabilities. Most famous and most visited area in the Pieniny is certainly Breakthrough of Dunajec, located between the towns Szczawnica and Červený Kláštor. Dunajec river created a wonderful valley and you can try rafting on the wooden rafts here, which is the biggest tourist attraction. When sailing, you can see beautiful surrounding scenery. If you do not like water very much, you can go through the Breakthrough of Dunajec on foot or ride a bike.

The highest peak of Pieniny is Vysoké skalky measuring 1050 meters above sea level and lying at the borders with Poland. The top is beautiful, offering panoramic view of the surroundings. Much better known and more significant, however, are dominant Tri Koruny with a height of 982 meters above sea level, located above the Dunajec river. It is formed by rocky towers, whose walls are about 100 meters high and have the form of a crown. The summit offers a magnificent view over the whole area of ​​Pieniny, Spisska Magura, Belianske Tatras and even the High Tatras.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by tokarcik.tomas

Very interesting is also well preserved folk architecture in the villages Osturňa, Havka, Veľká Lesná and Jezersko.

A large part of the Pieniny National Park is still a God forgotten region, which is accessible to the ordinary tourist, mostly in the summer. There are not any large hotel complexes or resorts. It is ideal for hikers, cyclists, lovers of traditional culture or history, climbers, adventurers or simply for people fleeing from everyday bustle of the city.

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It is worth to visit also Biale Skaly, which are 30m high white-colored rocks, or Skalne Grzyby, areas with high prevalence of these rock formations.

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Peklo, The Czech Republic by RadekS

Peklo is a popular destination for tourists, geologists and botanists. The valley is rich in endangered plant species (e.g. spring snowflake, Primrose higher) and animals (e.g. eagle owl, kingfisher, river otter). Many tourists come here every spring to see the breathtaking spectacle that offers thousands of blooming snowflakes. In 1880, there was a plan to build a railway through the valley. Fortunately, the local club managed the construction of a bridge across the valley and saved this spectacular piece of nature. Today there is 24 meters high and 209 m long steel bridge with arches, which is also a technical monument. If you arrive by train across the bridge, you should notice the rock formations that resemble animals (eg, turtle, lizard). During the Thirty Years’ War, the Prussian-Austrian War or World War II, Peklo served as a refuge for the inhabitants of surrounding villages against the military units.

Through the Peklo valley leads very pleasant and not difficult hiking trail which is 4 km long. It is a narrow forest trail and contains several footbridges crossing the stream. You can even walk through the rock tunnel. At the southern end of the valley lies Karba settlement with houses sunk into the rocks.

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