Alastair Sawday's

The Portuguese are as intensely proud of their rich history as they are of their football and their stunning scenery: terraced vineyards, hill forts, 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.

Out of the places in the guide, half have rooms at under €70 per night for two. Quick reference indices include vineyard owners, places accessible without cars, home-grown produce, river beach nearby and self-catering week end breaks. Readers are guided to the best choice for them with two colour photographs per entry, symbols, maps and clear directions. Every property in the book has been inspected and well-researched, fresh and lively write-ups paint an accurate picture.