Portugal has quietly become one of Europe’s most celebrated travel destinations, and it’s easy to see why. Lisbon is a city of extraordinary character — hilly streets of azulejo-tiled buildings, vintage yellow trams, ancient Moorish castles and one of the world’s great live music traditions in fado. The neighbourhoods of Alfama, Bairro Alto and the revitalised riverside district of Belém each offer distinct flavours of this captivating city. Beyond Lisbon, Portugal rewards exploration at every turn. Porto — the country’s second city, perched on the banks of the Douro — is a UNESCO-listed treasure of baroque churches, medieval alleyways and the famous port wine lodges that line the Vila Nova de Gaia bank. A river cruise through the Douro Valley is one of the finest ways to experience Portugal’s interior — terraced vineyards, quintas and dramatic gorges unfolding over several days. The Algarve in the south delivers world-class beaches: the dramatic ochre cliffs of Praia da Marinha, the sweeping sands of Meia Praia near Lagos and the more sheltered beaches of the Ria Formosa natural park near Faro. Inland, the medieval walled city of Évora and the palaces of Sintra are among the finest historical sights in the country. Portuguese cuisine is another compelling reason to visit — bacalhau (salt cod) prepared in hundreds of ways, fresh grilled fish, pastéis de nata custard tarts and exceptional wines from the Alentejo and Vinho Verde regions. Portugal is excellent value for money, warm from April through October and genuinely welcoming to Irish visitors.