Things to do in Portugal

Portugal offers free-wheeling perfection – diverse landscapes, few steep inclines! The Alentejo mixes fertile plains, shady oak forests and duney beaches, while Sintra's lush undulations are scattered with UNESCO architectural gems demanding picture stops. The Algarve hinterland offers gentle hills and woods dotted with ancient villages like Moorish beauty Silves. You want hills? Hit the Serra da Estrela, where wineries flank the ancient university town Coimbra.

Portugal boasts 1,800km of beach-fringed Atlantic coast. Head west beyond the crowds clinging to the resorts around Faro and the Algarve morphs into secluded white sand bays and eye-catching rock formations culminating in the rugged drama of Cape St Vincent, Europe’s most southwesterly point. Heading north, the Costa Vicentina enthrals with miles of wild, deserted beaches, while above the shoreline the Fishermen's Trail is the 120km single-track ocean section of the 350km Rota Vicentina, one of Europe's most breathtaking walks. Among Lisbon's Blue Flag beaches (a short ride from the capital) the dune-backed Guincho is a wide golden local legend. Reaching towards Spain's Galician border, the Costa da Prata (Silver Coast) and Costa Verde combine timeless fishing villages with atmospheric waterfront restaurants and surf spots like Peniche and Nazare - where 2013 saw the tallest wave ever surfed come rolling in.

Bendy unwinding in Portugal is about drawing in scented forest air and tangy ocean breeze as much as dynamic breathing practice and choosing from Iyengar, Hatha or Pranayama. Add the choice between connecting to ocean power in the surf or communing with hill spirits during mountain river dips. Tap into Portugal's timeless human fabric too - caress Neolithic standing stones, reflect in timeworn monastic retreats. Then slumber beneath magical starlit heavens.

The 2013 opening of the 350km Rota Vicentina gave Portugal one of the world's finest walks. 120km hugs the Atlantic on the Fishermen's Trail, while the Historical Way crosses tranquil wildflower valleys, cork forests and Alentejo uplands still paced by shepherds. This old pilgrims' trail is stamped with history – churches, old country houses, time-warp villages where locals delight to chat about their lives and your journey.

Inland from the Algarve beaches, the Serra de Monchique's ancient paths track through orange and almond groves, and woods scented with eucalyptus and arbutus. Long valley views provide ready-made pauses. For geo-drama, the Serra de Estrela constitute Portugal's highest mountains, a north-east national park mixing limestone peaks, mossy waterfalls, granite caves and rippling rivers. In winter, this is also ski country – though luxury retreats offer relaxation amid beauty year-round.