Winter Breaks to Portugal

Winter Breaks to Portugal

By Amelia Harwood –

Portugal is home to some of Europe’s most beautiful coastlines, and if you’re looking for a warmer climate to enjoy come winter then making your way to the southern region of Algarve will provide you with the perfect break from the colder and darker regions of the north. The kids are grown up, which means that you don’t have to spend your entire Christmas season elbowing through crowds doing their seasonal shopping this year if you don’t want to. Indeed, if you’re considering a winter getaway, or perhaps hankering for a new way of life in Europe, here are few reasons why Portugal might be just what you are looking for, and a tip or two to enhance your experience.

1. The Winter Weather

fall scents for your home

Portugal provides Europeans with a great opportunity to enjoy warmer winter weather without having to travel terribly far. With mean day-time highs of 16°C (61°F) in the month of January, and an average of five hours of sunshine per day, it’s easy to see why so many people trade-in the cold, rain, and snow, for temperate sunny days in southern Portugal.

2. Great Outdoor Activities

One of the best parts of having fantastic weather is that it allows you to get outside and enjoy all the local activities available to you. One of the reasons Portugal is becoming a huge retirement destination, is the a wide variety of fun activities that take place all year round; from strolling some of Europe’s must stunning beaches, to enjoying a round of golf on a manicured course designed by the great Jack Nicklaus.

Winter Breaks to Portugal

3. Explore Quaint Towns and Historic Sites

In southern Portugal’s Algarve region, you’ll discover the distinctly Portuguese town of Faro, which is filled with historic and well preserved medieval buildings, a quaint and scenic marina, and an old town that is full of pedestrian walkways, cafés, restaurants and bars to enjoy. If you’re the type of person who enjoys a little culture during your relaxation, then you’ll love a visit to Faro.

4. Rent Out a Private Property

One of the best ways to enjoy your stay in Portugal is to rent out a private property as opposed to a hotel room. By doing this you truly have a property that will grow to feel like a home away from home. A private apartment, cottage, or house, will also give you ample living space to enjoy your privacy, and will also allow you to host visitors, both local and from home.

Winter Breaks to Portugal

  1. Booking in the Off Season

One of the best parts about heading to Portugal during the winter season is that the majority of the major resorts are closed, and this means that guests will enjoy a much more relaxed and quiet pace. If you’re looking to head somewhere where you don’t have to worry about the hustle and bustle of holiday crowds, then you will quickly find there is plenty of peace to be found wintering in Portugal.

With a mix of scenic beaches, historic towns, fun activities, and delicious food and wine, the question should really be, why wouldn’t you want to escape winter on the southern coast of Portugal?

 

Amelia Harwood is a retired travel agent, and writes travel copy for blogs and magazines all over the world, drawing on her years of experience in the field. Amelia now lives in the Algarve with her husband Henry.

Images by Luis Ascenso, Freebird and Rui Ornelas used under the Creative Commons license. 

 

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Winter Breaks to Portugal
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