Portugal travel advice

Andrew Winter of our supplier Vale de Moses is awed by the joyous solitude around inland central Portugal. He shares his Portugal tips: “The region we live in the Beira Baixa, is one of the least known in western Europe. There is just 1 person for every 6 sq kms. Abandoned villages are overgrown and taken back by wilderness. That creates a magical environment that is like time travel. You can walk or cycle for hours without seeing another soul - but when you do meet a local, they are welcoming and kind to strangers. If you're invited into their adega where they store their own wine, you'll enter a world from another age. They'll offer you a glass of each thing they make - usually red wine, jeropiga (a liqueur), ginja (cherry liqueur) and aguardente (wine spirit), accompanied by corn bread and goat's cheese they make at home.”

Wildlife tips

Catherine Crone from supplier Headwater talks about the brilliant birding on a specialist twitching break at the Quinta do Barranco da Estrada in the Algarve:

“Ornithology here is extraordinarily rich due to the diverse habitats. Over 120 species live round the quinta year round – warblers, stonechats, shrike, bee-eaters, kingfishers, woodpeckers, three species of eagle (short-toed, booted and Bonelli's). The area also has one of Europe’s highest densities of nightingales - during spring you’re rarely out of earshot! There are four other birdwatching areas within an hour and a half's car journey. The Sado Estuary is a haven for marshland birds, while south west is the migratory route along Portugal's rocky coast. The Rio Formosa salt pans have a wealth of wading birds including Purple galinules. The Alentejo plains are truly stunning - specialities include bustard, sandgrouse, stone curlew, Lesser kestrel and Montagu's harrier.”

“Portugal doesn't seem to have OS type maps with walkers in mind, but local knowledge and resources ensure that you make the most of the area as a hiking destination. If you're not walking, there's loads of places to visit of interest.”- Laura Munro

“Pack a torch, a water bottle, good shoes for getting around, don't expect accommodation to be luxury, and bring a hat in the summer! Carry an open mind.”- Joanna Benn

“Some rural accommodations take only cash - no card payments. So make sure you carry enough if you choose to dine there (highly recommended by the way!).” - Adriana Moore

“The weather can turn in the mountains so make sure you take waterproofs so you can still go out and enjoy the countryside.”- Amanda Law

“Watch out for guard dogs - most are chained or don't come off their owner's land but I got bitten on the arm, which I didn't expect. Children will need to be told that not all dogs are friendly.”- Fiona Armer

“Not enough mobile reception to make phone calls (a good thing for me) - text messages possible though. Phone calls were possible to make when at the surrounding towns.”- Emma Scott-Boon

“If you are susceptible to being bitten, don't forget to bring your anti-midge cream and use the mosquito nets at night!”- Christina Mitchell

“Shops/restaurants may be closed between lunch and 7pm, and on Sundays it may be hard to find anywhere to stop and eat. Take snacks with you if you have children, and lots of water.”- Kylie Horsfall