Team Castaway are lucky enough to have visited Portugal for over thirty years. We're still amazed when we speak to keen travellers who have never visited the country - they really don't know what they're missing! Since making our huge decision to make our base there, lots of people have asked "Why Portugal?" - and that got us thinking. What is it that drew two Scots consumed by wanderlust to move to the Algarve?
We'll start with the weather, because as you can probably guess that's an obvious attraction -especially given we spent the last chunk of our lives in rainy Manchester! The climate is absolutely magnificent with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The Algarve boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year and very little rainfall, meaning you can enjoy the many outdoor activities the area has to offer. Anyone who hails from the UK will appreciate how much of a novelty it is to be able to plan a BBQ and not need to put up a brolly or a gazebo when the weather takes a turn for the worse!
It's not just about the weather though. Portugal is a fascinating country with bustling big cities like Lisbon and Coimbra; the dry golden plains of the Alentejo region, and tiny picture perfect villages in the Algarve where you feel welcomed like a local after a couple of days. That's one of the best things about the country - good people make good places, and the Portuguese people are so warm, friendly and kind - they make you feel at home.
Very few people enjoy that moment when a holiday comes to an end - but each time we left Portugal it seemed to get harder to get on that plane. We felt genuinely lost without our daily walks along the beach; amazing fresh produce from the farmers' markets; time spent with fabulous Portuguese friends, and the endless possibilities of adventure. When it hurts your heart to leave a place, we realised that was perhaps a sign we were destined to end up making that country our home.
We could go on for hours about why we love Portugal (we haven 't even mentioned the food, the culture, and the wine!), but we think if you find those special off the beaten track spots, it's very easy to fall in love with the country. We hope to show you in the coming months just why you should give it a try - and if you've already been, let the Castaway blog be your guide around the hidden spots we've found that we know you'll love!
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