P587ORACLE 587 Mon10 Feb C4 1702:11  1/5       by Ian Wallace Some of the finest beaches in Europe, fabulous golfing facilities and a dash of mediaeval grandeur have combined to make Portugal one of the top holiday destinations. Once you are there eating, drinking and other incidental expenses are extremely good value for money - but package holiday costs are higher. There are three main holiday areas, most popular by far is the Algarve, with the Estoril and Costa Verde areas to the north trailing behind. more follows > Holiday Guide.580 Tourist Rates.586
P587ORACLE 587 Mon10 Feb C4 1711:18  2/5        by Ian Wallace Hordes of Britons have been pouring into the Algarve over the past 10 years. In the early days it was only the adventurous holidaymaker that took advantage of its unspoilt coasts. The onslaught of tourism has not left it entirely unmarked. Many building sites have sprung up but the coastline remains just as beautiful and the inland mountains just as spectacular. Portugal remains an excellent spot for a value for money holiday. more follows > Holidays Guide...580
P587ORACLE 587 Mon10 Feb C4 1711:42  3/5        by Ian Wallace Estoril is Lisbon's playground with its smart villas and colonial air giving it a more sedate charm than resorts in the Algarve. Close to the beautiful capital city, Estoril has miles of golden beaches and a nightlife dominated by its casino. If any part of Portugal remains unspoilt it is the Costa Verde. The Green Coast bounds Portugal's northernmost provinces of thickly wooded hills where only the granite peaks reach for the sky. more follows > Holidays Guide...580
P587ORACLE 587 Mon10 Feb C4 1714:24  4/5        by Ian Wallace Traditional package holidaymakers head for the stay-put beach style hotel and self catering deals on the Algarve and Estoril coasts. But there is now a growing band of tourists who have discovered the meaning of the word "tour". They are hiring a car and finding the "real" Portugal. Usually working to fixed itineraries they stop at a different hotel each night after a day following their own route. The hotels range from simple Pousadas to former Palaces. more follows > Holidays Guide...580
P587ORACLE 587 Mon10 Feb C4 1702:34  5/5        by Ian Wallace Eating and drinking are invariably very cheap in Portugal, nowhere more than in the Algarve where there is the added attraction of being able to eat outdoors. Fish plays an important part in tourist meals - with clams, sardines and prawns always in demand. Another popular dish is Chicken Piri-Piri, a spicy dish which goes down particularly well with a cooling glass of crisp Vinho Verde, a delightful local wine. A good meal for two should not cost more than £6! More information: Portuguese National Tourist Office, 1-5 New Bond Street, London, W1Y ONP. more follows > Holidays Guide...580