The name "Portugal" has been derived from Roman term, Portus Cale, which means the modern city of Porto. It is located near the mouth of Douro River. The Romans referred to this region as the province of Lusitania. The thing that comes to mind when we think of an ideal includes the sandy Portugal beaches and the lovely climate.

The cuisine of Portugal; which is very famous also varies by region. The regional dish of Alentejo is pork & clam stew cooked in cataplana (tightly sealed steamer). Bacalhau has been the national dish since fifteenth century, when Portuguese began fishing on the Newfoundland Coast. Past'is de bacalhau is another popular appetizer. Piri-piri, a popular seasoning, is a hot red chili, which is often used for seasoning barbecued chicken.

For a gastronomic day out while on a , one can consider lunch at Fora d? ?gua by the sea. You can enjoy traditional English Tea at Reid's, sample fusion cuisines in Choupana Hills and try vodkas with mango sorbet in Caf? do Museu. And do not leave the ?floating garden? without a glass of the Madeira wine, famous across the globe, at Madeira Wine Institute. Since Madeira lies close to the sea, there are several wonderful seafood dishes and numerous types of fresh fish available in its restaurants. Limpets, shrimps, tuna steaks, octopus and fillets of Madeiran scabbard fish, are just some examples of the many regional specialties. You should also opt for typical regional dishes, which include tuna steaks served with fried corn, delicious "espetada" (grilled beef on spit of laurel) and special bread cakes.

Besides the wonderful sightseeing opportunities, culture and Portuguese cuisine, Portugal beaches are one of the priorities while on a Family Holiday in Portugal. Two of Portugal's 4 sides have been flanked by the Atlantic Ocean. It embellishes the nation with 800 kilometers of spectacular coastline and several sandy beaches in Portugal.

Located near the Lagos is Meia Praia. This beach stretches for around 6 miles and is counted amongst the favored beaches of Portugal. It is the perfect way to start a family Holiday in Portugal, as there are several activities for your children to do such as sand castle building, investigating interesting bits washed up on to the shore and shell collecting.

Finally, the place in Portugal where you can spend several days for a Family Holiday in Portugal and explore some hidden cultural secrets is the amazing 'Minho' region. Here, Portugal was born as a country in 1139.