The Vendimia (grape harvest) takes place each year in Jerez de la Frontera and its surrounding areas and lasts for around a month. The region is well known for its sherry production, with many vineyards and bodegas offering tours and sherry tasting, and this harvest is a very important time for

When we came to choose our favourite Paradors, the hardest part was determining the criteria with which we could have a fair and useful attempt at selecting our favourite Parador. After much debate, we went with our hearts and each of us chose the Parador that appealed to us most.

Portugal is one of the easiest and most enjoyable countries to explore by car and boasts very varied landscapes – from the hills of Estrela and the Geres National Park to the beaches of the Atlantic and the broad estuary of the Tagus – and grand cities and towns that