| Portugal has a great history as a seafaring country, | | | | travel from your local airport to one of the provincial |
| and throughout history has had the benefit of a large | | | | airports in Portugal with the minimum of fuss, making |
| trading empire. The first travellers in the age of | | | | long weekends increasingly possible for many western |
| discovery founded an Empire which has left its mark in | | | | europeans. |
| many ways, not just in terms of language but also in | | | | The beaches of the Algarve are famous, be they |
| terms of culture. From Brazil to Africa and the Far | | | | large or small, whilst the countryside inland varies |
| East the Portuguese legacy remains in language, | | | | enormously from the lush northern and mountainous |
| religion and culture. | | | | north to the dryer southern areas where the rolling |
| Portugal its' self, with its long Atlantic coastline, has | | | | plains dotted with villages and farmhouses seem to live |
| become a favourite tourist destination with millions of | | | | a timeless existence. |
| visitors every year, many of whom are keen to spend | | | | In Portugal property varies from the resort type of |
| longer in this beautiful country. Quite a few of these | | | | apartment, studio, flat or villa, to the rustic farmhouse |
| visitors like it so much that they decide to buy property | | | | with its own land or the fabulously appointed villa |
| here. There is a terrific choice of locations, depending | | | | overlooking the Atlantic, and there is always something |
| upon the lifestyle that suites you. | | | | there for everyone, be it for full time occupation or as |
| In many parts of Portugal property can still be bought | | | | a weekend and holiday retreat. |
| very cheaply, and with the increasing use of the | | | | The Duoro valley is especially popular for its beauty as |
| internet for many people, allowing work from home, | | | | well as its wines, and many ex-pats have made this |
| rather than from an office, an lot of people have taken | | | | their new home. The Algarve has long been popular |
| this opportunity to move from their home country and | | | | for its beaches and climate, particularly with the British, |
| live in Portugal all year round. Portugal as a place to | | | | whilst there is a large choice of property in quiet |
| retire to has attracted many people, not only for the | | | | villages an in the countryside. |
| more favourable weather but also for the unhurried | | | | The easiest way to find property nowadays is by |
| way of life and the beauty of the countryside and | | | | using the internet so if your looking to come to Portugal |
| coasts. | | | | property can be located before you arrive to save |
| For a lot of people visiting Portugal property is cheaper | | | | time and trouble looking locally. It is also much easier to |
| than at home and indeed than similar mediterranean | | | | actually carry out the transaction with a minimum of |
| properties in other countries, whilst travel is very much | | | | delay nowadays, and many people are following the |
| easier too, particularly with local airports all over Europe | | | | ex-pats example and moving to Portugal for some or |
| greatly increasing their traffic. It is now very possible to | | | | all of the year. |