The Portuguese are as intensely proud of their rich history as they are of their football and their stunning scenery: terraced vineyards, hill forts, river beaches and nature reserves, cork, fig and olive groves and the deep blue, beautiful Atlantic. This guide leads you to guesthouses, hotels and self-catering properties from the simple, cheap and charming to the grandly historic pousadas, castles, forts and convents - and designer-decadent new kids on the block. You'll come across rustic houses with funky & fresh interiors, antique furniture, painted tiles, vaulted ceilings, carved beds, local crafts and the kindest hosts who go the extra mile to make your stay special perhaps with seafood stew, fresh tomatoes and whole crabs; pork and clam casserole; home-grown wine, fresh figs, cherries? The entries in this guide are special in many different ways: we choose places for the warmth of their welcome, their style whether simple or sumptuous and look for good value for money and for environmental awareness. Every property in the book has been inspected. help guide our readers to the best choice for them, and our well-researched, fresh and lively write-ups paint an accurate picture.