If you are on the lookout for cheap alternatives to hotels then you don’t have to look far. There are plenty of other options out there allowing you to keep within your low travel budgets. It just takes a little bit of planning and shopping around to find what’s right for you.

Hostels

Good alternatives to hotels are hostels. Your accommodation there could consist of a bed in a shared dorm (single sex or mixed), or private single, double or family rooms with either a shared bathroom or an en suite. Hostels are much cheaper than hotels and often provides self-catering facilities meaning that you can shop at local markets and supermarkets saving you pounds off expensive restaurant meals. You can find cheap hostel deals online on various hostel or accommodation websites. All you have to do is specify your travel dates, location and type of room and the rest is easy. You usually have to reserve your room by providing your credit or debit card details which won’t actually be charged until you arrive at the hostel. Some sites even have free cancellation policies which are great if you need some flexibility in your travel plans. Because hostels tend to cater for individual travelers who don’t have the luxury of the ready-provided transport most travel companies set up for hotel users, they are usually based in central locations or near tourist attractions and public transport routes which make getting around easy. Another benefit of hotels is that you will meet plenty of other travelers either alone or in groups, which makes it easy for you to get information and tips about how to make the most out of your stay in the area.

Private accommodation alternatives

If hostels aren’t for you however, there are a whole host of other options out there for you to act as alternatives to hotels when travelling. Couch surfing is a concept that allows you to be welcomed into someone else’s home to sleep, in return for a culture experience and friendship. This is a free experience and can be extremely positive. You will get to see the local culture first hand and even be shown around the area by your host. Another option is to find a host family for a home stay. Although not free of charge, this is often a popular option for students travelling to countries where a foreign language is spoken, as it allows them to be immersed into the language and to improve quickly. It can also work out as cheaper than a hostel equivalent.

So whichever alternatives to hotels you choose, remember that you will save pounds by planning in advance and making good use of the Internet. Travelling can be an expensive business if you’re not careful so budgeting well is vital to ensure you can afford your stay away.

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Tourists who want to spend their holiday exploring the Portuguese countryside are sure to have an amazing time. The country has an amazing landscape that is steeped in culture, history and nature at its finest. As a country, Portugal is over 900 years old, and while you will find that it has a modern side to it, the charm of the countryside has been preserved over the years.

What Does the Countryside Offer?

The countryside offers a lot of possibilities that tourists can make the most of. If you are looking to spend the entire holiday exploring the countryside, you may want to get in touch with a local tour guide or travel agent who can take you beyond the usual ‘beach house’ holiday experiences.
While there are lots of B&Bs, hotels and hostels that you can stay at when visiting the countryside of Portugal, not all of them are open all year round. Try and get in touch with the owners beforehand to find out the schedules and plan accordingly.

Some of the Most Beautiful Cities of the Portuguese Countryside

Viana do Castelo, Miranda do Douro and Lamego are some of the most beautiful cities of Portugal. If you are looking to explore the countryside, make sure you include these in your itinerary.
Viana do Castelo: Popularly known as the Mecca of Architecture, Viana do Castelo is a very beautiful and scenic city. It is famous for its monuments and surrounding natural beauty. The city has a beach, beautiful museums, cathedrals and old family houses that are an architectural marvel.
Miranda do Douro: If you are looking to make the most of all that the Portuguese countryside has to offer, you must visit this beautiful walled city that shares a border with Spain. The city is famous for its rich culture, beautiful architecture and natural beauty.
Lamego: One of Portugal’s most ancient cities, Lamego is also home to one of the country’s most prominent cathedrals. The city is famous for its various monuments as well as scenic beauty.
The Portuguese countryside offers tourists an amazing experience. Marked by remarkable monuments and breathtaking scenic beauty, the countryside of Portugal is best explored when walking or on a bicycle.

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Popular luxury holiday resorts

People visiting the area aren’t just beach lovers; there are watersports and champion level golf courses in picturesque surroundings to draw sporty tourists. For the history and culture lovers there are plenty of sights and attractions. Mountain bikers love the countryside trails. So the province has it all whether simplicity or luxury is wanted – coast, open countryside and cities to explore.
Although the Algarve is on the Atlantic, its climate is very Mediterranean, so whatever type of holiday is wished for, you can be almost certain that you have hot summer and gentle winter temperatures with plenty of sunshine.
For those looking for a more luxury holiday, the Golden Triangle area of Almancil, Quinta do Lago and Quarteira has luxury resorts with accommodation in beautiful settings, the province’s best golf courses with picturesque backdrops, wonderful beaches, top restaurants, sports for all the family and designer shops.
For nature lovers and birdwatchers the Ria Formesa Nature Reserve, with its lagoons, is at the edge of Quinta do Lago. Another luxurious resort, the Vale do Lobo is described as the equivalent to Monaco in the Algarve. As well as the golf people are drawn here for the tennis academy. Every year a Masters Competition is hosted at Vale do Lobo.

Beautiful beaches

For beach lovers who also love scenic surroundings, the Algarve is popular for beaches with a view. One of these is Armacao de Pera where the Fiesa festival of sand sculpture is held each year during May to August.
Zavial is another scenic beach which also draws body boarders and surfers. This beach is a photographer’s delight with its stunning natural beauty and surfing activity. Praia da Rocha is a popular beach resort with three beaches connected by a pleasant walk-through tunnel in the cliff.

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The Arts

Portugal has been invaded by the Moorish, Romans and Germanic nations over the years, and it has developed a very unique culture over the centuries.It is home to some of the oldest and most significant architecture and history found anywhere in Europe. Escoural has a number of hugely significant ancient cave-paintings that were created several centuries ago. Visitors should ensure they visit the genuine Roman town of Conimbriga, Evora’s Temple of Diana and the stunning Moorish architecture found in the ancient settlements of Olhao and Tavira. Portugal has a rich history of exploration, and its culture has several influences from around the world. Portuguese explorers brought back a number of local cuisines, customs and art from the Orient and Latin America.
No visit to Portugal should pass without experiencing the beautiful Fado music that is an integral part of the country’s culture. The music involves a unique blend of melancholy melodies and mournful lyrics. However, more joyful Portuguese folk music and dancing are found far more readily in the tourist areas. The country has a very distinctive taste in music which simply isn’t found anywhere else in the world.

Cuisine

The dining experience in Portugal is very similar to that found in Spain. The locals prefer to take their time over a meal, and long lunches are a common sight in rural and coastal towns. The local cuisine relies heavily on an abundance of locally-caught seafood, fresh vegetables and olive oil. Portugal’s version of paella is called arroz de marisco, and it is made with rice and an assortment of shellfish. A very popular local meat dish is known as cozido a Portuguesa, and it is a unique combination of red meats and vegetables which are stewed for hours before serving. Portugal has its own unique culture that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

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The Sheraton Algarve and Penha Longa Resort

Portugal has some fantastic and luxurious hotels on offer, located all over the country. These 5-star hotels pride themselves on spectacular views, first class service and unique features that will really make any trip to Portugal a truly memorable experience. 5 star hotels in Portugal are some of the best that Europe has to offer. The Sheraton Algarve is one such hotel, sitting atop a majestic cliff with panoramic views of the surrounding sea and environs. With miles and miles of untouched beaches, this hotel caters to those who want privacy and exclusivity, while also demanding a luxury suite and a host of facilities in a beautiful setting. The Penha Longa Hotel and Golf Resort is another dream hotel for those wanting scenic locations. Set amidst the Sintra Mountains and only a minute’s drive from Lisbon, this exclusive resort offers opulently designed rooms, unique facilities and a world class spa.

The Conrad Algarve and Grande Real Villa

Many of the top hotels in Portugal are located in the bustling cities and tourist retreats of the county, such as Lisbon and the Algarve. The Conrad Algarve offers exquisite style and ultra-modern conveniences with fine dining restaurants, exclusive spa treatments and a whole host of luxury facilities. The Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel and Spa is another precious hotel gem here. Located on the grounds of a former royal palace, the hotel has maintained the luxury standards of the original designs. Lisbon is extremely accessible from here, as is a host of scenic landmarks and countryside landscape.

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Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, offers a combination of ancient and modern sights for you to explore and enjoy. So, once you’ve found your accommodation in Lisbon and unpacked your bags; get out there and explore what this magical city has to offer.

Jeronimos Monastery

A World Heritage site, the monastery dates back to the 16th century and is an architectural masterpiece in the style of King Manuel, with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque influences. The monastery was built as an expression of gratitude for a successful Indian voyage. It has a riverside setting beside the Tagus.

Belem Tower

Also a World Heritage site, it stands on the banks of the Tagus as a 16th century souvenir of the Age of Discovery. It was originally built as a watchtower in the middle of the river. Today it’s a museum, but one of its functions was to have political prisoners in the water dungeon.

Castelo da Sao Jorge

Lisbon is crowned by St George’s Castle. Parts of the castle date back to the 6th century when the Romans fortified it. Later the Visigoths and the Moors worked on it. When you walk along the ramparts and go up the towers you have wonderful views of Lisbon.

Lisbon beaches

Take a short car journey to nearby beaches for peaceful relaxation on Adraga Beach, or perhaps you are more activity inclined and would enjoy surfing or windsurfing at Guincho Beach. At Cascais Marina you can watch the yachts or take a fishing or sailing trip.

Lisbon’s music

It’s festival season in Lisbon in June. You will not be able to resist the traditional Portuguese Fado music. There are a number of popular Fado events during the annual festival.

In summer, especially June and July, Sao Carlos Square is an open-air theatre for the Festival in the Square, during which you will be entertained and delighted by actors, dancers, musicians and singers.

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Portugal is one of the most popular wine regions in Europe. Tourists always make it a point to book a wine tour to explore the region that gives the world its most popular dessert wine – the Port wine. Portugal is steeped in tradition and this makes it one of the most loved and visited wine regions of the world.

Wines of Portugal

Currently, the country has 2 important wine producing regions – the Douro Valley Wine Region and the Pico Island Wine Region. UNESCO protects both these regions as World Heritage.Portugal has over 500 native breeds of grapes that are used in the production of a wide variety of wines, each with a distinct flavor and personality. When it comes to grape varieties, Portugal has some of the most indigenous ones in the world. The quality and uniqueness of the wines produced by the region has made it one of the biggest players in wine production across the world. If you want to find out more about Portugal and its wines, you can always choose to take a guided wine tour organized by one of the many local agencies or agents.

Wine Regions

The Douro Valley region is popular for producing some of the finest and most intense wines in the world, including Port and Douro Reds. The Dao and Bairrada regions are responsible for the production of very flavorful red table wines. These vary between extreme fruitiness to a distinct hardness depending upon the producer of the wines.

The Alentejo wine producing region is relatively newer. Tourists who want to know more about how newer players are making a name for themselves in the highly competitive market can always take a wine tour of this region. The wines produced by Alentejo are very rich and tasteful. Here, wines are produced using the latest technology and methods.

When planning a Portugal holiday, you must include a wine tour. Various guides and travel agencies offer these tours. You can choose one that is most convenient and suitable for you.

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