Algarve

Portugal’s premier holiday destination (Algarve) sold its soul to tourism in the ’60s.

Behind sections of the south coast’s beachscape loom massive conglomerations of holiday villas and brash resorts.

Nevertheless west coast is more about nature and less about development.

And the enchanting inner Algarve boasts pretty castle towns and historic villages, cork trees and flower-covered hillsides, birdlife, and the wonderful Via Algarviana hiking trail crossing its breadth.