Ana Carvalheiro

Portugal is a country with an amazing historical and cultural tradition... with castles, churches, friendly people, great weather, world class golf courses, sandy beaches and mouth-watering food and wine offering something for everyone in the family. This makes it a perfect holiday destination.

I had a chance to return to Portugal, the country where I was born, this past July with my family to visit other family and friends. My boys age 4 and 1 absolutely loved it.

I am from a small town called Cantanhede, which is an hour south of Porto and 2 hours north of Lisbon. People have a laid back, slow paced life here; most places close between 12:00pm and 1:30-2:00pm for lunch and people meet at one the local cafes for their espresso.

Praia de Mira is one of my favourite beaches - with miles of white sand dunes, crystal clear waters, small cafes on the beaches offering anything from hot to cold beverages, sandwiches and appetizers.

There are a number of restaurants to choose from, lovely hotels and apartments, shops and a local daily market offering fresh fish, meat, dairy, pastries, vegetables and fruit. It offers a truly authentic experience.

The night life is great, with many different “discotecas” to choose from.

The streets of Portugal through the months of July and August are packed with locals and tourists from all over the world. Also in these months Portugal is lit with local outdoor street festivals with live music from local bands and famous Portuguese singers, traditional folklore dancers, sky lit fireworks, games and rides.

It is truly a memorable and fun experience for the entire family.