The best holidays in Portugal as tourists get the green light
The government has given the all-clear for holidays in Portugal, a European favourite. Chris Carter reports
Of the major European holiday destinations, Portugal is the only one so far to have made the government’s green list of places travellers from England can visit once the country welcomes British tourists again. (The rules differ for travellers from the rest of the UK, so do check the latest information.) Fortunately, when it comes to holidays, “Portugal has it all”, says Laura Hampson in the Evening Standard.
Wine country
The Douro Valley, for example, in the north of the country, “where rolling hills flank its namesake river”, is one of the world’s oldest wine regions, as well as a Unesco World Heritage Area. The Six Senses resort, 90 minutes east of Porto, sits in a renovated, 19th-century, terracotta-hued manor house, with 57 rooms and three villas set in 22 acres of land. “While your day away at the outdoor pool before retreating to the wine library in the evenings for in-house tastings.” From £449, sixsenses.com.
A hedonistic beach retreat
“Beaches are what Portugal does best,” says Mary Lussiana in The Daily Telegraph. “Fine golden sands run all along the Algarve coastline, in long stretches or tiny coves, framed by mellow limestone rocks.” Vila Joya, in Albufeira, is the Algarve’s “most hedonistic retreat”. Set on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, it houses a two-Michelin-star restaurant presided over by Austrian chef Dieter Koschina, a small spa, “abundant” gardens, and 22 individually decorated suites, all with ocean views (and some with private pools), not to mention “a cool white-on-white beach shack down on the sand” serving cocktails and sushi. “This is the kind of place that most people don’t leave once they have arrived because nowhere outside is quite as lovely as where they are.” From £673, vilajoya.com.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
A spa for sun-worshippers
The new five-star Savoy Palace, based in Madeira’s “charming” capital, Funchal, is the Portuguese island’s biggest hotel launch to date, says Leanne Bayley for Hello magazine. The suites offer “stunning views” of the sea and the bathrooms come with standalone baths, rain showers and “marble everywhere”. In the spa, you’ll find a sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, ice fountain, sensory showers and an indoor heated pool. Not that sun worshippers aren’t spoilt for choice for sunny spots to “catch the rays” outside. The small infinity pool on the 16th floor is a great spot for enjoying the views. It’s also just the place for sipping cocktails and watching the sun go down. Doubles from €200, lhw.com.
Chris Carter spent three glorious years reading English literature on the beautiful Welsh coast at Aberystwyth University. Graduating in 2005, he left for the University of York to specialise in Renaissance literature for his MA, before returning to his native Twickenham, in southwest London. He joined a Richmond-based recruitment company, where he worked with several clients, including the Queen’s bank, Coutts, as well as the super luxury, Dorchester-owned Coworth Park country house hotel, near Ascot in Berkshire.
Then, in 2011, Chris joined MoneyWeek. Initially working as part of the website production team, Chris soon rose to the lofty heights of wealth editor, overseeing MoneyWeek’s Spending It lifestyle section. Chris travels the globe in pursuit of his work, soaking up the local culture and sampling the very finest in cuisine, hotels and resorts for the magazine’s discerning readership. He also enjoys writing his fortnightly page on collectables, delving into the fascinating world of auctions and art, classic cars, coins, watches, wine and whisky investing.
You can follow Chris on Instagram.
-
Revealed: the best funds to buy before the end of the tax year
Looking to add more investments to your portfolio but not sure where to start? We reveal the best funds to buy now as the end of the tax year edges closer.
By Katie Williams Published
-
4 tax tips for the Bank of Mum and Dad before the end of the tax year
Parents and grandparents wishing to gift money in a tax-efficient way need to be aware of the looming 5 April end-of-tax year deadline. Here are our tips to beat the deadline.
By Ruth Emery Published
-
Val d’Isère is a valley of delights
MoneyWeek Travel Matthew Partridge reviews Airelles Val d’Isere and Hotel Mont-Blanc in the famous French ski resort
By Dr Matthew Partridge Published
-
Review: The Ozen Collection – a dream stay in the Maldives
MoneyWeek Travel Ozen Life Maadhoo and Ozen Reserve Bolifushi, where luxury meets nature, are almost too good to be true, says Nicole García Mérida.
By Nicole García Mérida Published
-
Review: An odyssey through Sri Lanka
MoneyWeek Travel Merryn Somerset Webb explores the South Asian country’s ruins, jungle and fabulous food.
By Merryn Somerset Webb Published
-
Flexjet review: the only way to fly
MoneyWeek Travel Chris Carter flies with Flexjet, a provider of fractional ownership of private jets, to St Moritz in Switzerland for the Snow Polo World Cup.
By Chris Carter Published
-
South American nature holidays – take a walk on the wild side
Travel We find holidays in South America where you can explore nature in all its diversity.
By Chris Carter Published
-
10 most affordable places to rent (and least) in England
As rent prices increase, it’s good to know where renters can get the best value. And which are the least affordable areas, to avoid.
By Nicole García Mérida Published
-
Collectables: The Christmas gift for people who have everything
A collectable is deeply personal. It is the archetypal thoughtful Christmas gift.
By Chris Carter Published
-
Lucknam Park Hotel review: a stately stay in the country
MoneyWeek Travel Matthew Partridge tries his hand at horse riding at the luxury Lucknam Park Hotel in Wiltshire.
By Dr Matthew Partridge Published