Carnival Season Hits Portugal!



Carnival in Portugal

There is no escaping the Carnival season here in Portugal, with everyone, young and old, making plans to take part in their local procession which will take place through the streets of Portugal next week. All the shops here on the Silver Coast are crammed with exotic costumes that are being enthusiastically snapped up in preparation for the big day.

Carnival in Portugal has a long history that dates back hundreds of years and is typical of a Catholic country. The celebration is an annual opportunity for everyone to let their hair down and be really indulgent before the start of Lent. Visitors are welcomed to join in the fun, although most prefer to take up a spectator’s position in a bar or café along the route.

Most of the towns and villages here on the Silver Coast will hold their Carnival parades next week making February a great time to visit Portugal and sample the true Portuguese way of life.

Take a look at the Portugal Holiday Rentals website for a great choice of fully equipped holiday villas and apartments in the best locations on the Silver Coast and book your holiday now.

Let the Carnival begin!

Portugal Holiday Rentals - Unique Package Holidays in Portugal



A Beautiful Silver Coast Beach

If you fancy spending your holidays in Portugal this year then look no further than Portugal Holiday Rentals – a leading holiday company here on the Silver Coast that specialises in high quality villas and apartments in all the best locations.

Portugal Holiday Rentals has a unique twist however, and is able to offer not only great holiday accommodation but in addition a range of tours, trips and activities that you can book through the website – allowing everyone to build their own dream package holidays in Portugal!

Through the Portugal Holiday Rentals website you can arrange to go canoeing, cycling, quad biking or even kite surfing! Or for those who prefer something a little more relaxing there is an interesting choice of escorted tours to some of the most beautiful towns and cities on the Silver Coast and beyond.

Lovers of the grape will really enjoy a wine tour which can be tailored to suit you, but will always include some delicious tastings and the opportunity to buy some wine from the vineyard where it was made. Portugal has never been a country to export its wine to any great extent, so you will in for a pleasant surprise when you taste the quality.

If you wish to simply enjoy a relaxing evening in your Portugal holiday villa then you should book our team of professional caterers to come and cook for you. A summer evening with dinner by the pool has to be one of the best memories you will have of your Silver Coast holiday.

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Look Out For Windmills on Your Holiday in Portugal!



Windmills in Portugal

Windmills are a familiar sight in Portugal and have been used as a source of power for centuries. The countryside here on the Silver Coast features miles of rolling hills which are often topped with a windmill or two, some are in ruins but others are renovated and occasionally still working. A working windmill in Portugal is usually open to the public and a peak inside is a great way to learn more about the rural way of life in times gone by.


When booking holidays in Portugal it is a good idea (although not necessarily essential!) to hire a car so that you can get out and about and explore fabulous regions such as the Silver Coast at your leisure – you should also make sure that you keep your camera handy so that you can capture the moment when you spot a stunning view or a picturesque scene such as an old fashioned windmill in a field of wild flowers – a photograph is such a great way to bring back happy memories of your holiday!


Of course these days, with modern technology, windmills in Portugal have changed their appearance somewhat. Portugal may be a quiet unassuming country but it is also one of the world leaders in renewable energy, a large quantity of which is produced by wind power. Tall forests of elegant turbines can be spotted on top of mountain ranges and taller hills throughout Portugal generating around 20% of country’s electricity, (note that these wind farms have been carefully placed so as not to spoil the countryside, or your holiday!) and who knows, these modern windmills might just become the subject of holiday snaps in the future. . .

Why Choose Portugal for Your 2012 Summer Holiday?

If you are wondering why so many people choose Portugal for their summer holidays, you have probably never been here. Portugal has everything you need for a perfect holiday in the sun – and so much more . . .

One of the first reasons people decide to spend their summer holidays in Portugal is the fabulous weather – Portugal enjoys a warm sunny climate with long hot sunny days throughout the summer and sparkling crisp days with stunning blue sky in the winter.

Portugal is famous for its great beaches – huge stretches of golden sand where there is plenty of room for everyone, even at the height of the holiday season. The people of Portugal are proud of their country and enthusiastically welcome visitors from overseas with open arms, so when staying in Portugal you can be sure of a warm welcome every where you go.

Eating out is a holiday pleasure that most of us enjoy, and even the most enthusiastic cook needs a day off now and again. So holiday makers are always surprised and delighted when they realise how good but inexpensive restaurants, bars and cafes in Portugal can be.

Portugal is a beautiful and historic country with ancient castles and picturesque fishing villages - where visitors can explore and discover the Real Portugal, with a photo opportunity around every corner - and only 2½ hours from London.

If the reasons above are still not enough to convince you that spending your 2012 summer holiday in Portugal is a good choice, take a look at the cost . . . what a bargain!

Visit Obidos On Your Holiday in Portugal



Obidos A Jewel on the Silver Coast, Portugal


Once again its time to mention the fabulous medieval town of Obidos presided over by the magnificent castle. This superb example of wonderfully preserved history is one of the finest medieval towns in Portugal and a delightful place to while away an afternoon on your Silver Coast holiday.


Visitors enter the walled town through the ornate main gateway, Porta da Vila a majestic archway decorated with beautiful 18th century tiles, and once inside find themselves in a ‘living museum’ comprising a maize of cobbled streets lined with pretty white washed houses. Obidos is known as a jewel on the Silver Coast and it is easy to see why.


Adventurous visitors can walk around the top of the thick stone walls that surround the town and admire the view over the Silver Coast countryside from the elevated hill top position.


The main street is the place to go for a spot of holiday souvenir shopping, the little shops are full of interesting gift ideas including clothes, bags, ceramics and various works of art, many by local Silver Coast artists.


Obidos also has a good choice of quaint restaurants, bars and cafes where you can enjoy a refreshing drink or meal before you head back to your holiday home.


Portugal Holiday Rentals have a great selection of holiday villas and apartments on the Silver Coast all within a short drive of Obidos as well as some of the finest beaches on the Silver Coast.