Portugal is one of Europe's most sought after tourist destinations for both city breaks and sun holidays and it's easy to see why. Situated on the same Iberian Peninsula as Spain, Portugal is a charming sun-drenched country that offers excellent scope for hire car touring.
Although it shares the Iberian Peninsula with Spain, Portugal has managed to exert a strong sense of its own unique culture and traditions. Portugal is a diverse land, much of which is untapped by mass tourism. Let your Portugal car hire experience take you on an exciting adventure through sophisticated, flashy marinas, time-forgotten fishing villages, enchanting cork forests, ancient olive groves, sweeping golden bays and lively cities. Driving through Portugal, the vibrant colours of myriad fishing villages and charming coastal towns brighten up your Portuguese travel experience.
Portugal has a proud seafaring heritage, evident at the many marinas, fishing harbours and villages. While in Portugal it's worth sampling the fresh fruits of the sea. Grilled sardines are a favourite dish, readily available at most coastal towns and cities in Portugal.
Portugal's fascinating history from its 15th and 16th century golden age of discovery to the 20th century era of the New State has helped to shape the modern country that we see today. In this country of bustling ports and decadent cities, it's easy to imagine the great explorers plotting their voyages.
Today, the real appeal of Portugal is that it manages to get the balance right between burgeoning modernity and charming traditionalism. One moment you could be driving through the stunning capital, with its bustling shopping malls and elegant art galleries, the next you could be passing a remote beach where fishermen mend their nets. Portugal is a sun-worshipper's paradise. The Algarve's sparkling butter-soft sands, secluded coves and craggy Atlantic-lashed outposts have made it a firm favourite with holidaymakers looking for fun in the sun. However, it's not just the beaches that have the masses flocking to Portugal every year. Portugal's striking cities offer attractions aplenty for city break aficionados. A stroll around the bright cobbled medieval streets of Lisbon or one look at pretty Oporto will tell you why these cities are gathering pace as trendy short break destinations. Meanwhile, outdoorsy types rate Portugal's golf courses as some of the best in Europe and its thrilling Atlantic surf as second to none.
Wherever you travel in Portugal you're always guaranteed to find something exciting to see or do. In terms of lively cities, world-class sporting attractions and beautiful beaches, Portugal has it all. Hiring a car in Portugal allows you to tailor-make your own voyage of discovery, follow the obvious tourist trail or beat a brand new path.
With a rental car you can always afford to take the scenic route. Europe offers some splendidly scenic trails that are a joy to explore with car hire. As we spring into summer, you'll agree that this is the most pleasant, (if not the best) time of year to enjoy a good road trip. To celebrate the beauty of this season, we've selected five of Europe's prettiest itineraries for you to experience nature at it's finest.
1. Romantic Road (Germany)
Travel agents invented the term ?The Romantic Road?, (Romantische Straβe) in the 1950s to describe a disarmingly beautiful 360km stretch of highway linking W'rzburg to F'ssen in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. The medieval bell towers, elegant palaces and turreted walls that you encounter en route certainly conjure up images of fairytale knights and princesses. The road was originally a trade route during the Middle Ages and takes you through long forgotten countryside, knitting together walled towns and picturesque villages. The drive is worthwhile, if only to experience the novelty of entering a town through an arched gateway complete or stopping off to photograph historic guard towers. Once inside, you're free to discover Gothic cathedrals, half-timbered Fachwerk houses, and stunning Alpine views.
2. Ring of Kerry (Ireland)
The Ring of Kerry is one Ireland's most spectacular drive destinations. Such is the feeling of enchantment that you'll no doubt be imagining mythical heroes like Ch?calainn beating a path its glassy lakes and brooding mountains. The route encompasses a 170km circular road, which winds its way from Killarney to Killorglin, taking in the stunning sights of Kenmare, the Iveragh Peninsula, Sneem, Waterville and Cahirciveen along the way.
3. Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos (Spain)
Fearless bullfighters, gleaming cottages, zealous flamenco dancers-Andalusia's ?road of the white villages? offers drivers the chance to experience the essence of one of Spain's most beautiful regions. The most impressive sights along the route include the Castelar de la Frontera which was built in the 12th century. Seventy tightly packed houses are to be found within its walls, each a living museum of culture, tradition and good old-fashioned stoicism.
4. Chiantigiana Wine Route (Italy)
Situated in perennially popular Tuscany, the Chiantigiana Wine Route takes you through a landscape of picturesque villages and lush vineyards. Renowned for its red wine, spectacular views of patchwork scenery ensure that wine isn't the only thing you'll be drinking in. Chianti sits snugly between Florence and Siena. Both cities are famed for their beautiful artistic heritage and are well-worth exploring. Back on the Chiantigiana Wine Route you'll encounter an interesting landscape of wildly knotted chestnut woods and rugged hillside slopes.
5. Loire Valley (France)
Myriad whimsical castles, impressionist's landscapes and writer's muses make the Loire Valley one of the most enchanting places you'll ever visit. Travelling through this scenic landscape, you can't help but encounter some shiny nugget of history or other. Whether it's Jules Verne's House, Jean Proust's famous Guermantes Way or Claude Monet's favourite views, you'll find driving through the Loire Valley brings art and literature to life.
Fiona Hiliard has sinced written about articles on various topics from Car Rental, Travel and Leisure and Portugal Holiday. Fiona writes for Argus Rentals and . Fiona Hiliard's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.