Most people will know by now that the Algarve is quite well known both in the Europe as well as all around the world for being a great tourist destination for those looking for sun, sand and wonderful weather all year-round.

That is still true however recently it appears that the Algarve will start being promoted as a health and wellbeing destination as well.

The first Congress on Health and Wellbeing Tourism took place in Faro on 9 November and it spawned the idea of promoting the Algarve region as an ideal destination for health and wellbeing as a way of attracting more tourists to the region and as a way of fighting growing unemployment.

The event consisted of the first general assembly of the Portuguese Association for health and Wellbeing Tourism, during which its commission for this new organization was also formed.

The  association was built on a national level and it will include members from throughout the country, including the islands of Madeira and the Azores, and also take into consideration the various sub-products related to health and wellbeing tourism.

The goal of the association is to improve the position of the region’s tourist appeal as a way of attracting more tourists to the region. By doing this they wish to boost profits for the partners that join the association and at the same time stimulate employment.

The thinking behind it is that as unemployment rises, so does criminality, and an increase in criminality will then have a negative effect on the tourism which would then spiral continuously downward.

Now this might be a bit odd considering how the concept of health and wellbeing tourism is linked with the private sector however the public sector has a very important role to carry out as well by guaranteeing the safety of the destination.

This is expected to have an effect on all the businesses in the region, including the Algarve car rental one.

One of the main reasons why Portugal is such a popular holiday destination is its absolutely wonderful climate. The average summer temperature hovers around thirty degrees Centigrade and while that may not sound like anything special since in the summertime it’s hot in most temperate zones and most of Europe.

The great weather is just part of Portugal’s popularity

There are so many other factors which make it a great holiday destination

Portugal Beach

It deserves mention that in those regions the average temperature might jump well over thirty and that makes for a solid amount of discomfort so an average summer temperature of thirty is great. Also coupled with this is the average winter temperature in Portugal which never falls below fifteen degrees Centigrade very often, and while that may not sound like anything special, one has to consider the average temperature in the rest of Europe during the winter months in order to truly appreciate it.

Now the great weather would be enough of a pull to visit a foreign country but that’s hardly the only thing that attracts people to Portugal, its other great feature is its eight hundred and fifty kilometers of coastline which offer some of the best beaches and resorts on the globe.

While the entire country has many attractions and interesting sights, when it comes to the best combination of weather and geography, that would be the Algarve region, which is situated in the southernmost part of the country.

The Algarve itself is possibly the most visited region in Europe, if not the world, and for good reasons because it features the most spectacular beaches possibly on the entire Mediterranean coast.

There are several places where you can start your Portugal adventure, however some of the more popular arrival destinations are Lisbon, Faro and Madeira. Their airports are very accessible from pretty much anywhere else in Europe or the rest of the world so that is part of why they are popular. The other part has to do with the fact that they themselves are interesting places to visit on their own, Faro for instance being used as something of a gateway to the Algarve for many tourists but it is also an attraction on its own.

The whitewashed buildings and cobbled streets coupled with plenty of museums make for a great introduction to the country as well as a good stepping-off point for other destinations in the Algarve region.

Portugal offers a lot of holidaying option to its visitors and it has something for everyone, it all depends on what it is that you are looking for when traveling to a foreign country. If you’re interested in lounging on a beach, soaking in the sun and enjoying some water sports then surely you can find it here; if you’re interested in having a more family-oriented relaxing trip in which you can explore the country’s culture, traditions and history, Portugal has that as well; if you happen to be a golfer, the Algarve region especially has over thirty world-class golf courses which await your swing.

Whether it’s summer or winter in your home country you can rest assured that the weather in Portugal will be at least fair and depending on what your goals and preferences are you can surely find a region or a particular place in the country that satisfies them, so make sure to strongly consider Portugal as the destination for your next holiday.

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Madeira is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations, and while some might think that it is actually just one island, the title of Madeira is meant for an entire archipelago which features only two populated islands, the largest.

Madeira

Scenery, exotic flowers and crystal waters all around

Madeira – The garden island

The actual island of Madeira, is also known as the Garden Island thanks to its plethora of flowers which are in bloom pretty much all year round thanks to the mild climate, however that is just one of the reasons for why people enjoy spending their vacation time here, Madeira isn’t just for ladies who love flowers.

The islands of the Madeira archipelago are blessed with great seascapes which are coupled with a rich marine wildlife and you can enjoy both of these features the best if you go on a boat-trip or fishing trip around the archipelago, you can find many places that offer half or full-day excursions through Madeira’s bays as well as the Nature Reserve of the Desertas Islands.

The Desertas Islands are two groups of unpopulated islands which are part of the Madeira archipelago, they are called the Desertas and Selvagens Islands.

This is definitely a great place for those who adore splendid sceneries, Madeira is known both for its sub-tropical flora and fauna as well as its touches of colonial charm. A great way of experiencing the interior of the island is simply to walk around it because the levadas or irrigation channels that criss cross the island also form a very expansive network of trails which are just great to attack on foot in order to explore the wonderful volcanic landscapes. This is actually one of the main activities that you can engage in while in Madeira that doesn’t imply any sort of water-based activity.

Madeira

The eastern part of Madeira is also a nature reserve which offers great panoramic views of the Atlantic as well as the islands’ spectacular rock creations created by volcanic activity. Some other of the activities that you can enjoy while in Madeira are sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, horse riding, and as it is more or less traditional for Portugal, golf.

However you cannot visit Madeira and not visit the historic Botanical Gardens that are set above Funchal. Despite the fact that the views from this place, of the city and the surroundings are great, the real attraction is the plethora of exotic plant life.

If you are planning on going there for the first time, you should probably spend a few days in Funchal, Madeira’s capital, this will be rather easy to do since this is where your plane will touch down. Funchal is a great destination all year-round because the summers are never too hot here and the winters are mild, not to mention the fact that the “old city” or center of the city is a wonderful place just to wander around exploring its narrow streets, shops and establishments. You could actually spend your entire holiday in Funchal and never grow bored, or hungry.

This has been just a quick overview of what Madeira has to offer its visitors, but it is rather clear that it can satisfy pretty much any type of vacationer out there.

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While the entire country of Portugal is a very popular tourist destination, there are places within it which are more popular than other. One example of this would be the Algave region in the south or Portugal, and another would be the Madeira Islands, arguably the most beautiful island in the Atlantic.

Madeira

A floating garden to some, extreme relaxation to others

The rather small archipelago of the Madeira Islands has been described by many as a ‘floating garden’ or the ‘Pearl of the Atlantic’. The garden part comes in as a reflexion of the centuries of successful cultivation that the islands have seen, thanks to the rich volcanic soil, the abundant rainfall and the mild climate.

Madeira

All of these factors are responsible for a varied landscape which ranges from lush river valleys to terraced hillsides planted with vines and bananas to dense primeval forest, it’s a very interesting place to visit for lovers of the outdoor.

The actual island of Madeira is world famous for its jaw-dropping flora, the levadas, or irrigation channels which crisscross the country, carry the excess water from the rainy northern part of the island to the rest of its surface area. Conversely following the course of the levadas is one of the most enjoyable ways that one can explore the countryside.

The island is also bathed in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and this creates an ideal playground for dolphins and scuba diving in clear waters. There are plenty of chances to go on boat trips around the island as well as engaging in other sea and sand activities such as surfing and swimming. As far as land exploring goes, the volcanic mountain slopes are populated with fragrant eucalyptus woods and this makes walking through them a very relaxing proposition, not to mention the stunning views and scenery.

The coastal resorts cater to all the demands of modern tourism and this as well is projected to increase steadily as more and more people find out about this great holiday destination.

There are several places that you’ll want to see while on your trip there, some of which we’ll mention right now.

The Sao Vicente Caves are actually a series of lava tubes which were left after an eruption that took place about four hundred thousand years ago. These tunnels extend for about a kilometer and they feature various types of lava formations, lava cakes, volcanic stalactites as well as erratic blocks which are a great way of sensing the sheer power of the lava.

Porto Santo is the smaller inhabited island in the Madeira archipelago, and while it is considerably more barren than its larger sister, it does feature an eight kilometer stretch of beach on its southern coast, that comes with golden sands and a temperate climate.

A more unique type of attraction situated in the capital of Funchal is its cable car. Riding the cable car is one of the best diversions of the city and a truly wonderful scenery.

There are of course many more things that you can see and do while on your trip to Madeira, you won’t regret going there for your holiday.

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Sometimes on holiday you want to go out, be sociable and enjoy the cultural sights and sounds of the world’s great destinations. At other times though, all you really want is to get away from it all.

Island holidays are brilliant for escaping from the rat race of a busy modern life. If you are looking for a complete escape, why not whisk yourself away to one of these isolated paradises?

Madeira

Madeira is a long way out into the Atlantic Ocean, which means that not that many people are prepared to slog their way out there – making it a superb island retreat. The island has lent its name to both the famous cake and fortified wine, and has some simply stunning rugged scenery for walkers and ramblers alike.

Easter Island

Easter Island is about as remote as you can get. Once you’ve taken a flight to the most westerly point of Chile, you’re still over 2,000 miles (3,500km) away from the island. The trip is totally worth it though, with some of the most sensational views in the world, including the world famous Moai statues. Easter Island is about as remote as you can get for an island. Once you arrive at Chile, which is the most westernly point you are still over 2,000 miles away! The trip is totally worth it though, Easter Island has some of the most amazing views in the world, inlcluding the uber famous Moai statues.

Koh Phi Phi Leh

Koh phi phi wasdmade famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio film The beach. Flights to Thailand are getting cheaper and cheaper at the moment, and Koh Phi Phi is best accessed by river from Krabi or Phuket.  The Island was really tampered with during the filming of the movie, but since the tsunami in 2004 most of the islands natural beauty has returned.

Meerufenfushi

The Maldives islands are a total of 1,200 islands of paradise, each one totally unique. The capital Male is worth seeing, but if you are just wanting to relax away from it all, Meeru is one of the best resorts available.

Necker Island

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has most things money can buy, including his own private island. Necker Island in the British Virgin Isles of the Caribbean is about as exclusive as islands come. Resplendent with luxury facilities, the island has capacity for around 30 people, so bumping into other tourists is a rare occasion indeed.