This region in the south of Portugal with lasting warm summers and short mild winters has long been a favourite European holiday destination.

Only a short flight away from major European cities and just two hours drive from the capital, Lisbon, the Algarve has, aside from the great weather and the white sandy beaches, many other attractions that contribute to its popularity among tourists.

From east to west, there are numerous championship golf courses to choose from and many have welcomed the world’s top professional golfers and have held the sport’s major tournaments. With a beautiful countryside and seaside, the courses architects complemented the natural landscape with stunning fairways that both the professionals and amateurs thoroughly enjoy. Some of the Europe’s best courses can be found in Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo, Tavira, Albufeira, Portimão and Lagos.

With such an extensive coastline, the Algarve has four large-scale marinas with modern facilities to accommodate boats of all shapes and sizes. The very first one in the region, Vilamoura is also the largest and the others are in Albufeira, Portimão and Lagos.

The Algarve is currently the chosen setting for many international sports events. Every year Portimão hosts the F1 Power Boat World Championship and in 2009 this town became a part of The World’s Leading Regatta Circuit holding the Portuguese Trophy of the Audi MedCup. Also in this area, the new International Race Track – Autódromo Internacional do Algarve – features a F1 circuit and is the scenery for many motor sport events throughout the year.

Then there is obviously the Algarve itself, with its history portrayed in the centuries-old churches and castles which you can find in almost every town. There is the cuisine with the fresh fish, the olive oil and the organic produce and of course the Algarve people with its very welcoming nature.