Dos Tres Irmaos beach in Algarve, Portugal.

Portugal

Situated on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal has a rich, unique culture, lively cities and beautiful countryside. It's a relatively small country covered in a surprisingly large variety of landscapes. The North is home to green mountains, while the centre is known for its rolling vineyards and spectacular slopes. Further South, the Alentejo region is stark and dry, while the Algarve is famous for its white beaches.

The state of Portugal is 900 years old and it has its own distinct culture, quite different from neighbouring Spain. This can be seen in the lively festivals, traditional music and hearty food - the latter influenced by traditional peasant food, seafood from the coast and the spices of its colonies in the east.