Portugal boasts with one of the proudest legacies in Europe. Vastly forgotten today for its role in the great Age of Discoveries, its beautiful lands and its beautiful people still remind you that you are in a very special place every moment you spend there.

And number one on the list of Portuguese tourist attractions is the sunny wonderful shores of the Algarve. The seaside, southern region of Portugal attracts thousands of local, but especially foreign visitors every year basically year-round. Winters are mild, so even though we’re not talking sunbathing and swimming in the ocean in February, the Algarve is also “visitable” in the low season.

One of the most inspiring places to pull out that ring and get down on one knee is the wonderfully romantic Benagil beach in the vicinity of Carvoeiro. The attraction of the beach is a dome-like cave carved naturally from the cliffs, with an aperture that lets the sun stream in and shine over the ocean-bathed golden fine sand of the beach. You can also get a Carvoeiro car rental at an affordable price during this time of the year. Just a thought, I imagine few girls would find bus rides romantic.

And here’s another truly romantic spot for all those wanting to run away from the routine and crowds: the secluded and utterly charming hamlet of Cacela Velha. Don’t be put off by its size: Cacela Velha has history as old as time, reminding you of the Roman and Moorish occupations, but preserving the utter Portuguese essence.

The annual Medieval Fair in Silves is the best chance to sample the life Moors and Christians alike led during the Middle Ages. Having begun on August 7th, the fair is going to last until Sunday, August 16th.

During the medieval Arab rule of the Algarve, Silves used to the capital city and it was then that the city saw its golden days. After the Reconquista, Silves, like the entire Algarve, returned to the possession of Christian Portugal. But it never lost its eclectic cultural quality.

For the fair, knights, Moors, damsels,  minstrels, jesters, dancers and magicians crowd the streets for nine days. You can join the party, rent a costume and delve deep into the romantic (or rather, Oriental) atmosphere. For only 3 EUR, you can be a knight or a clown for a day – now, that’s not too bad!

You’ve still got a few days to enjoy the Feira Medieval in Silves. Or rather, a few nights, seen that activities start daily from 6 PM and last until 1 in the morning or later. The entry ticket only costs 2 EUR, except for the day when the jousting tournament is held.

So if you are currently in the Algarve or if you plan on spending your weekend there, put the Medieval Festival in Silves 2015 on your list. You might need a vehicle, so Algarve car rental can deal with this problem. Or you can book a Faro airport transfer for a tour and a ride.

The practice is not advisable, because availability can be limited, but you can book your car rental in the Algarve on short notice as well. The car can be picked up from Faro Airport or from your location in the Algarve for an additional fee.

Anyway, if you haven’t yet planned your trip to Portugal, but wish to do so, don’t panic, not just yet! If you are quick to organize yourselves, you can find lodgings, book plane tickets and even confirm a car rental reservation for your stay in a matter of days.

Why do people opt for “last-minute everything”? The psychology behind last-minute booking is very intricate. On the one hand, there is the notion that, if you wait until the last minute, you will find cheaper deals. This practice is common with flight companies, but what people (choose to) forget is that there is no guarantee that you actually will find availability for the exact moment you want to travel. What is more, the likelihood of this is very slim during the high season.

On the other hand, there is indeed the chance that you will get the services you look for exactly when you need them – and at normal, if not lower, prices. If the prudent advice would be to take some time to make plans (for vacation and not only), there is also much to say about spontaneity. After all, where would we be without a bit of surprise in our lives?

That’s right: hundreds of people choose to come here simply to observe the nature and to… look for birds. There are special birdwatching trips organized here and the landscape surely helps. The famous Algarve wetlands are home to some of the most outstanding species of birds on the continent. There are around 200 species of birds that inhabit these lands.

The Ria Formosa Natural Park is one of the most attractive spots for those willing to see the creatures in their quiet and beautiful habitat. Ria Formosa has been dubbed “the 7th natural wonder of Portugal”, being one of the most prominent of the European protected areas. Between 20.000 and 30.000 tourists choose to take guided tours of the Algarve, some of which are birdwatching trips, per year.

It would appear the best season for birdwatching and generally speaking, for exploring the amazing surroundings of the Algarve region, is spring. The weather then is mild, but warmer than in most parts of Europe, making a Portuguese trip the ultimate escape from the cold and monotony. Portugal is a target destination particularly to Western Europeans: the British, the Dutch, the French and Germans are the most avid travelers to the country of Fado. Portugal’s neighbour, Spain, also provides some of the tourist bulk.

If you wish to travel to this part of Europe, you can book an Algarve car rental and explore!