PORTUGAL Lisbon and the Algarve
For culture and coastline
The city bit
You can see most of Lisbon by foot or by tram. Our advice: hop on tram 28 to the beautiful Alfama district to see iconic Castelo de Sāo Jorge. Then, after a tour of the hilltop castle, make for the Pombaline downtown area to tick off landmark-lined Rossio Square, and the Museum Of Design And Fashion, housed in a grand former bank.*
Destination refuel
Pick up a picnic of gourmet wine, bread and cheese from the stalls at Mercado da Baixa before queuing for a pastel de nata (custard tart) at iconic pastry shop Pastéis de Belém (there are many imitations, but this is the best), then scoff it all overlooking the city in beautiful Parque Eduardo VII. Finally, head to stylish bar and club LuxFrágil for drinks and dancing.
Check in at…
The Lumiares in the Old City has an enviable rooftop bar, two incredible Portuguese restaurants, rooms filled with furniture and textiles made by local artisans, and the cobbled lanes of one of the hippest locations in town, Bairro Alto, to stumble onto when you leave its many wine bars. From £142 per night; Thelumiares.com
The beach bit
Done Lisbon? Then take a train to Tunes station in the Algarve (around two hours). No longer the preserve of time-share British pensioners, the Algarve is Portugal’s reinvented jewel, with golden beaches and white-washed villages.
Check in at…
Vila Vita Parc, a sprawling beach resort (170 rooms, suites and villas) that’s quintessentially Portuguese. You’ll love the handpainted tiled tables and floors almost as much as the freshly baked breads crowding the breakfast buffet: it’s a self-contained slice of paradise. The hardest decision you’ll make? Whether to pose by the pool (choose from indoor, infinity or swim-upbar) or head straight to the beach (white sand framed by stunning cliffs). If you get bored of lounging around (unlikely but still), try stand-up paddleboarding or take a boat trip to one of the nearby sea
caves. Staff are always on hand so an Aperol spritz or bucket of chips – or, hey, both – are never far away. Plus, it has a newly revamped spa that’s just become the only Sisley spa in Portugal. Try their signature full-body massage and walk out smelling of lemon, peppermint and ultimate zen. Unfortunately we couldn’t fit in a cruise on the resort’s private yacht, but that did leave some time to hit the shops. Yep, this resort has its own mini mall filled with Heidi Klein kaftans and bikinis and By Rory straw hats – the sort of cool, celebrity-style beachwear we swear we’ll invest in every year but forget, so end up packing our baggy old H&M sun dress and baseball cap the night before the holiday. From £308 per night; Vilavitaparc.com
Destination refuel
You don’t have to travel far because one of this resort’s restaurants, Ocean, has not one but two Michelin stars. Serving up colourful plates that feature local ingredients (think red mullet with chorizo), you can dine overlooking the Atlantic. Not your thing? There’s nine other eateries to choose from. Moroccaninspired Aladin Grill is more relaxed with an open kitchen, giving you prime position for some handsome-chef-watching: seeing them dice, flip and flambé just does something to us, OK? (Or maybe it’s the Espumante buzz.)