Portugal has a temperate climate that varies from northern regions to the Algarve in the south, which can experience searingly hot summer temperatures. The north can feel chilly during winter months with rain plentiful and snow common in the mountainous areas. Visitors to Portugal arrive mainly during the peak summer season, from June to September, when an apartment in the Algarve is particularly popular with people of all ages in a region that often only quietens down in mid winter. Scenically, the northern parts of the country are the most spectacular with the Douro gorge and valley being of particular geographical interest. There are monuments and ancient buildings to be found wherever you go in Portugal, and World Heritage sites litter the landscape. The coastline along the entire country is virtually one continuous sunny beach dotted with picturesque towns and low-key resorts, some of the loveliest being along the northern Costa Verde where the countryside provides the perfect location for a traditional farmhouse in Northern Portugal.

Portugal's culture has always been strongly influenced by the sea, and its seafaring past is demonstrated by its rich maritime history. The Portuguese enjoy a simple, honest and traditional lifestyle that is reflected in their love of folk music, religious festivals and good food. The architectural styles across the country have deep Moorish roots with excellent examples to be found, particularly in Lisbon, the capital. Historically, Moorish and Roman civilisations were established in the land lying south of the river Tagus, which crosses Portugal roughly mid-way, but north of that, the people came from Celtic or Germanic breeding.

Lisbon is a culturally diverse, vibrant city with the added bonus of the Lisbon Coast nearby to complement its bustling, urban side, and a holiday home here can give you the best of both worlds. A villa in the Algarve puts you at the heart of a cosmopolitan region crammed with chic beach resorts and stylish holiday accommodation and where a villa rental in Lagos will show you a location that is as highly sought after as if you chose a villa rental in Albufeira, yet despite this the Algarve's rural areas can still offer unadulterated natural beauty and a pace of life refreshingly unaffected over the past century. The central and northern regions of Portugal are more heavily populated than the south, but the lush, green countryside, olive groves and vineyards found here are integral to the country's sense of pride and national heritage. A holiday villa on the Silver Coast puts you in the perfect location for exploring this region's wealth of fishing villages, markets and superb restaurants, not to mention its breathtaking beaches. So why not enjoy some of the pleasures this beautiful country has to offer and experience a holiday of a lifetime in unforgettable Portugal.

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