TANTO, TÃO PERTO!
Portugal is not only one of the least expensive, but also one of the most varied countries in Europe. It is rich in seafaring history, delightful sea resorts and picturesque villages, all nestled in a glorious landscape full of olive groves, vineyards and wheat fields. Portugal was isolated from the rest of Europe by Salazar’s dictatorship for more than 40 years and spent much of the past century sleeping like Cinderella. Progress passed Portugal by almost unnoticed. Nevertheless, this lack of modernity delighted many visitors and it was not long after the end of the dictatorship that Portugal had acquired the reputation of an oasis for stressed out Northern Europeans.