Portugal

Portugal has become everyone's favourite discovery, and it wears the attention gracefully. Lisbon tumbles down seven hills in a cascade of azulejo tiles, yellow trams and viewpoints made for one more glass of vinho verde. Fado drifts out of Alfama's doorways after dark, and the custard tarts are a legitimate itinerary item. Porto answers up north with port lodges across the river and a bookshop so beautiful it needs timed tickets. Between and beyond: the Douro Valley's terraced vineyards, best from a boat or a wine estate veranda. The Alentejo's cork forests, whitewashed towns and star-heavy skies. The Algarve's golden cliffs and sea caves. Surf towns, palace towns, university towns. Portugal is warm in every sense, brilliant value and almost suspiciously photogenic.