Charming Portugal Inns Lure Euroxplorers with rates like 65 Euros BnB
Spring is a wonderful time to be in Portugal. Flowers bloom on the warm hillsides of the Madeira islands and in the southern Algarve region. Temperatures climb into the 70s -- Portugal has Europe's mildest climate --and airfares are still quite affordable.
Families can look forward to fantastic sights -- including 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites that include the vineyards on the island of Pico in the Azores and the Vale do Coa Archeological Park. There's great golf, lots of scenic castles that kids will want to move into, lots of coastline for exploring. The people are also friendly and welcoming, and their distinctive cuisine has many dishes that even the youngest family members will enjoy.
So say our friends at the Portugal Tourist Office, who sent us information about some upcoming deals.
There's great value to be found in the country's smaller towns and villages. Portugal's network of pousadas -- small hotels and inns refurbished from former manor homes, castles, monasteries and other historical properties -- offers a variety of offers on their comprehensive website. Each offer is seasonal; for example, now you can book a "Pousadas Short Breaks" from €95-€140 per night based on a 2N minimum. In other words, two of you can enjoy two nights in a charming room, with daily breakfast and 1 lunch during your stay, for under €200, valid through March 31st.
Valid through October 28th is their Pousada Passport, an option that gives you five nights in any pousada, plus 3 coupons for 20% discounts on meals at these inns, for only €475. It's valid for a room for two, includes daily breakfast, and for each extra bed in the room you pay only €35. Some pousadas also charge a weekend supplement, but it's a good basic deal, and if you spring for €610, you can get a car in addition for five days of exploring. (Travelers age 55+ pay only €400, so bring the grandparents along.)
If you're traveling during the February holidays, there's a great "Carnaval" package for a 3-nights stay in a standard double room. These rooms sleep four, and the offer comes with buffet breakfast, Welcome drink, free stay for children up to 12-years-old in parent's room, and free meals for the kids when they dine with parents in the restaurant (Child Menu). This Family Carnaval vacation is priced at €110-€150 per night, with a 3N minimum and it's valid during the February Mardi Gras season. For more information on these two offers, visit the pousadas.pt website.
Solares de Portugal is another option for savings, with a network of 96 manor houses, family homes and stately palaces. Their properties are divided into three categories: Quintas e Herdades which are quiet, rural places; Casas Rústicas or the rustic manor houses of rural farms; and Casas Antigas, the country's luxurious estates and heritage homes. (One of these estates in Barcelos is pictured above.) Depending on location, they provide a range of different activities such as golf, tennis, cooking classes, wine tasting, horseback riding or, in season, swimming, canoeing and even hunting.
Solares de Portugal has specials on lodging beginning from €65 per double room per night with breakfast included. Enjoy a family home where you can book several rooms together, wake up with an excellent breakfast and discover Portuguese gastronomy and wines.
Visit the Solares website and buy vouchers online that you exchange for overnights at their properties. These rates and vouchers are valid throughout 2010; for more information and bookings please contact the CENTER site or call them at +351/ 258 931 750.
If you're ready to plan a getaway, call 1-800 PORTUGAL or visit OrderPortugal.com and ask for the Tourist Office's free guidebook -- it's very useful. Additionally, you can see a calendar of current events and festivals at Portugal Tourist Office.
