Portuguese Quest

This dynamic city set on a magnificent bay is famed for its carnival, its natural beauty and friendly people. See the famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches.Shop till you drop in the modern and sophisticated shopping centre.

Originally settled by European pirates and slave traders, this picturesque fishing village is now decidedly chic. Unheard of until Brigitte Bardot was photographed sashaying barefoot along the beach in 1964, it was suddenly all the rage. Surrounded by hills draped in luxuriant vegetation, this paradise found is a high-end resort with an international flair. More than twenty beaches beckon sun-worshipers and water sport enthusiasts, and the sophisticated boutiques of Rua das Pedras will delight shoppers. Gone but not forgotten, Brigitte in bronze greets you on the seaside promenade.

Brazil’s first colonial capital, Salvador was the center of its sugar industry and slave trade. African rhythms became part of the fabric of the local culture, most interestingly in Capoeira, a mix of martial arts and dance, and Candomble, a religion of ritual and magic imported along with the slaves. Pelourinho, the historic center, is an architectural jewel, with an array of opulent churches – carved and embellished with an abundance of gold leaf. Much of the fine work was done by slaves, who once it was completed were not allowed inside. Thus they labored at night for a century to build a beautiful church for themselves – Our Lady of the Rosary.

Located on the northern part of the island of Sao Vicente, the capital city of Mindelo is considered “Cape Verde’s answer to the Riviera”, complete with brightly colored colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and a variety of lively bars, cafés and restaurants. Go to the top of Monte Verde for panoramic views of Porto Grande and Bahia das Gatas Bay, and visit the historic Torre de Belem, which overlooks the city center, and is conveniently located next to the bustling fish market. Spend the day at one the island’s many beaches—including Laginha, Praia Grande and Calhau—or head to Sao Pedro, renowned as one of the best Cape Verdean beaches for windsurfing. At night, head to the Praca Nova district for an evening of dining, dancing and local music.

A notoriously festive destination, Tenerife is the biggest, most well-known of Spain’s Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. The volcanic island is characterized by rugged, steep coastline and miles of beaches, popular for kite surfing and swimming. Teide-Pico Viejo, Spain’s tallest peak, towers over the island, and its national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The aptly nicknamed “pretty island”, La Palma is one of Spain’s Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. Walk along the rim of the crater at Volcán San Antonio then set out to one of the viewpoints at the Caldera de Taburiente, an enormous crater-like depression at the center of Caldera del Taburiente National Park. At the highest point of La Palma sits El Roque de los Muchachos, an important observatory as the clear and cloudless skies above the island make it one of the best places in the world to see the stars.

Madeira has its share of captivating squares, picturesque villages, idyllic landscapes, and stunning views; it also offers some unexpected pleasures.

There are numerous parks and gardens – wild and natural, manicured, Oriental in sensibility, and one attached to the villa of an erstwhile prince.

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its magnificent harbor made it a logical trading port as far back as the Phoenicians, as well as a departure point for 15th century voyages sponsored by Prince Henry the Navigator, patron of Portuguese explorers. The city is rich in architecture, from Romanesque and Gothic to Post Modern, and criss-crossed by monument-studded grand boulevards. Today it is seeking a place on the world stage by hosting, in addition to its own active cultural calendar, film festivals, art, fashion, and design shows, book fairs, marathons, and rock concerts.