You can also learn about Porto’s history (both the drink and the city) and other facets of Portuguese identity at the World of Wine, a sprawling complex of museums, restaurants and bars overlooking the city. Though Porto is defined by its air of dignified history, modern architecture, cosmopolitan dining, vibrant nightlife and artistic activity are injecting new life into the city. 7. The Minho Comprehensive selection of maps throughout and beautiful full-colour photography to inspire you as you plan your unforgettable journey

The country’s rail network is headed by CP (Comboios de Portugal), which has handy rail network maps online. They run four main types of long-distance service: Note that before flying to Portugal, be sure to request MyWay service through your airline up to 48 hours before your departure time. MyWay provides service getting you through the airport – and sometimes off the plane (as not all planes in Portugal connect to the jetway, requiring access via stairs). The mercury soars in August, with sweltering days best spent at the beach, or, better yet, in the water (surfing, snorkeling, SUP adventures). This is Portugal’s busiest tourist month, and reserving months ahead is essential. The 76m-high (249ft) Torre dos Clérigos, designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni in the 1700s, is Porto’s signature landmark. The baroque tower soars above the city rooftops and visitors can climb 225 steps to reach far-reaching city views from the top. It's not an experience for the claustrophobic – the structure definitely wasn’t built with big crowds in mind!Porto’s west coast location, at the intersection of the North Atlantic Ocean and the Douro River, makes for some epic sunsets. When the daylight starts to fade, Porto hipsters grab a beatbox and some cold beers and head to the narrow park along Passeio das Virtudes, which slips down the hillside in a series of terraces. When you see how busy this place gets, you’ll realize that Porto sunsets are serious business. The beachfront at Foz do Douro is another top spot to catch the sun's last rays, as is the Jardim do Morro in Vila Nova de Gaia. 11. Experience world-class acoustics inside the Casa da Música Praia do Camilo is a prime example of the small sandy coves that dot the coastline of the Algarve region. The small, dramatically set beach is located on the outskirts of Lagos, a pretty resort town with cobbled lanes and picturesque squares enclosed by 16th-century walls. Practical information on money, getting around, unique and local ways to stay, and responsible travel

Planning tip: Can't be there for Fat Tuesday? There's an alternative. In Podence, a small village in Portugal’s northwest, Carnaval is celebrated differently from the rest of the country – here, it’s a unique end-of-winter celebration that inherited the pagan traditions of former Celtic settlers and is part of Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Villagers take part in the Caretos (masked men) parade, and they cover their faces with handmade tin or leather masks depicting a demon-like figure and wear cowbells around their waists. 8. Stay in a traditional schist village Planning tip: The village itself is smaller and quieter than towns in the central Algarve, but if you want some action, you'll find it happening at terrace bars and restaurants along the main drag of Rua Comandante Matoso. 2. Faro Fun insights that will pique your curiosity and take you to the heart of the place – embrace Alentejo's slow paced vibe with olive harvesting and horse riding; discover riverside Porto by bike and stop for freshly grilled seafood in Afurada; dive in the crisp waters of the human-made Azibo reservoir Key events: Festas do Sítio Nazaré, Queer Lisboa Film Festival, Feiras Novas Ponte de Lima, Concertos na Avenida Porto, Festival Flamenco Lagos. October is harvest season in wine country Further north, you’ll find Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, a vast, rugged wilderness of dramatic peaks, meandering streams and frozen-in-time stone villages. Dozens of hiking trails crisscross the reserve, taking walkers past old Roman roads, castle ruins or sparkling waterfalls.Planning tip: Before heading out on coastal walks or surfing the waves, visit the Museu do Mar e da Terra da Carrapateira, an endearing ethnographic museum with photos depicting traditional lifestyles over the years in Carrapateira. 8. Galé One of Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês' unforgettable hiking experiences is the Via Geira, an ancient Roman road that once stretched nearly 322km between Braga and Astorga (Spain), and now has World Heritage status. The most beautiful stretch begins at Portela de Homem, where the Roman milepost XXXIV still stands. Lovely sunny weather makes May an ideal time to visit, especially if you’re hitting a long-distance trail like the Via Algarviana or the Rota Vicentina. The crowds are beginning to arrive in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, though it’s still a fairly relaxed scene compared to the summertime high season. The mountains, the seaside, cobblestone-lined city streets? Portugal has plenty of options when it comes to travel. With a week at your disposal, you can combine a bit of urban adventure with scenic getaways nearby. If you have Lisbon in mind, you can spend several days there, along with day trips to Cascais, Sintra and the beach-dotted Setúbal Peninsula, or spend a couple of days in Évora or on the lovely Alentejo coastline. Spring arrives with a flourish, bringing warmer temperatures and abundant sunshine in both the north and the south. April sees a profusion of wildflowers in the south. Easter processions add excitement, as does Liberation Day (April 25), when you can see parades and fireworks in some towns.

Hidden in northern Portugal’s Aveiro region is one of Portugal’s best inland walks. The Passadiços do Paiva take you along a series of staircases and walkways that cling to the hillsides overlooking the gurgling Paiva River. Enjoy beautiful views over a rugged valley and plenty of opportunities to cool off, with three river beaches along the way. At the journey’s end (or beginning), you can make an optional visit to Ponte 516 Arouca, the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge.Christmas music, lights and decorations take over many streets, cafes and shop windows as Lisbon embraces the holiday. Despite the slightly colder days, Lisbon is a reasonably jolly and warm city this time of year. Portugal’s famous port lodges are located in Porto’s cross-river sister city Vila Nova de Gaia. Gaia, as it’s more commonly called, is easily reached via a stroll or metro ride across the iconic Ponte de Dom Luís I, which was built by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). Tour and taste Porto’s eponymous tipple at vintage cellars such as Ramos Pinto, Graham’s or Taylor’s, with the latter offering stellar views of the Douro River from its rooftop terrace. Planning tip: For fresh-off-the-boat seafood, factor in lunch in Matosinhos, where an entire street (Rua Heróis de França) is enshrouded in the smoke from sizzling outdoor grills. 3. Climb the Clérigos Tower The Portuguese have a special fondness for the Minho, a verdant region of vineyard-covered valleys, mountainous wilds, isolated beaches and picturesque river towns that seem little changed by time. The gateway to the region is Braga, a city with Roman ruins, a fabled medieval cathedral and tranquil flower-trimmed plazas sprinkled with outdoor cafes and restaurants.