The name of this area of Portugal really doesn’t do the actual venue itself justice. For starters it is not a park – at least, not only a park. The translation is ‘Nations Park’ or ‘Park of Nations’. It has plenty more to offer the casual visitor and tourist, so let’s see what you can expect to find there when you pay a visit.

Before the 1990s this area would not have been worth visiting at all. But since a massive overhaul took place during that decade the area has changed beyond all recognition from how it used to be. And indeed this is a good thing, since it now offers plenty to see and do when you go there.

The Oceanarium is just one of the delights you will find at the Parque das Nacoes. Situated in Lisbon this has the honour of being one of the biggest of its kind around the globe, so you can expect a fascinating visit. You can see many of the ocean’s most amazing creatures up close when you go.

You can also see the Vasco da Gama Tower, a building which resembles a sail and is located at the Tagus River. There is also a huge shopping mall which also takes the name of the famous explorer, so as you can see there is plenty to enjoy with regard to sightseeing and wandering around this area.

One thing you will notice is the amount of greenery in the Parque das Nacoes. The Alameda dos Oceanos is a charming place to visit since it has pathways, trees and shrubs that make for interesting and calming surroundings to walk through. There is still a feeling of newness about much of this area, which was originally created for the Expo 98 World Exhibition. But it is good to know that this part of Lisbon is well regarded and indeed called home by some people in Portugal.

In short if you are visiting Lisbon during your Portuguese holiday you should definitely see what was created as the Expo area, and what has remained as an area to be enjoyed by all.

Whenever people think about visiting Portugal they automatically tend to think of the Algarve. But while this is an amazing part of the country it only forms a small strip of it along its southern edge. There is a lot more to explore than this – and you can miss out on a lot if you don’t head north as well.

A classic example is the city of Porto in northern Portugal. Not only is this the second biggest city the country has to offer, it also welcomes tourists for many different reasons.

One of these has to be the historic centre of the city. This is so well regarded with its cobbled streets that UNESCO voted it as a World Heritage Site. You can also visit the local museum to find out more about Porto and its long history. Its roots have been traced back as far as the 4th century, so you can see that wandering around the city will reveal much of its long past.

You should definitely make a beeline for the Cleric’s Tower if you want to grab a good view of the city. This was built in the mid-1700s and it is locally known as the Torre dos Clérigos. The view you will get over the rooftops from the very top is quite amazing, and well worth taking your camera for.

Another unbeatable sight is at Ribeira do Porto. This is the waterfront area of Porto, and the mix of buildings seemingly stacked on top of one another is a delight to see from across the water. There is a lot to explore here and you can spend hours just watching the world go by. It is a pretty area and you will no doubt want to take advantage of the many bars and cafes which are right by the water itself.

As you can see there is a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to Portugal. So don’t just head straight for the Algarve – explore some other parts of the country as well. Porto alone has a lot to show you.

There are some sights that you simply cannot miss when you go abroad. And if you happen to be heading to Lisbon in Portugal anytime soon, make sure you see the Belem Tower.

It is quite a sight because it is standing just off the coast itself. It wasn’t always like that though – it was originally built on an island. But because of the erosion that has occurred since it was built back in the early 1500s the tower now stands alone. The waves lap around the base and it looks quite eerie at times standing where it does.

So what can you expect from this tower when you pay it a visit?

Well you will certainly notice the depth of detail that is present in the design. The windows and archways are nothing if not ornate, and the turrets are in a truly Gothic style, as are many of the other features present. Perhaps fittingly given the long history and style of the building, the tower is now a World Heritage Site, which should help to protect it for a long time to come.

It might seem a little strange that you can now stand on the beach just a stone’s throw from the Belem Tower and look up at this historical building as the waves lap around it. It certainly is quite a sight, and one only hopes that the relentlessness of the water around it will not one day do any permanent damage.

The year 2010 will mark the centenary of the year when the Belem Tower was declared a national monument in Portugal. It will be interesting to see whether it is commemorated in any way, although if you are planning on having a Portuguese holiday next year there would be no better time to fit in a visit to the Belem Tower during your stay.

Find the Avenida da India once you get to Belem. Bear in mind that the tower is closed every Monday, although it is open all year round from 10am. Enjoy your visit – and enjoy the feeling of standing on a tower that is nearly 500 years old.

Portugal is one of the world's leading destinations in the market for golfing holidays, according to the Association of Independent Tour Operators.

A spokesman for the association said that one of the main advantages of Portugal for golf tourism is its number of courses and temperate climate.

He described the Algarve as "a particular favourite" and said that the area is home to one of the densest concentrations of high-quality golf courses in Europe.

"The area has developed an infrastructure to cater specifically for golfing enthusiasts – from dedicated staff handling golfing queries at hotels to shuttle bus services taking guests to courses," the Aito spokesman added.

Holidaymakers looking for a golf holiday that is more "off the beaten track" were advised to visit destinations such as Estoril and Sintra.

Portugal is home to nearly 70 high-quality golf courses, which have played host to some of Europe's top competitions. In 2007, the country won the International Association of Golf Tour Operators award.

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The World Trade Organisation statistics show a 10% rise in visitor numbers to Portugal last year and it's expected that the levels will increase even further in 2008, according to a report from Homes Worldwide.

Commenting on this, the managing director of property firm Owner Invest, Mark Bingham said: "Portugal has proved to be an extremely popular tourist destination in recent years. The increase in visitors has been pivotal in the growing demands on the Portuguese property market."

Recently, the Portuguese government highlighted the need to develop both national and international tourism and implemented a strategic plan to improve the country's infrastructure and service levels. is evidence of a successful plan, which is good news for the country's economy and subsequently should continue to encourage property investors to Portugal, especially in popular areas such as the Algarve, Lisbon and the Silver Coast.

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