Walking and cycling: Hilly northern Portugal, with its cobbled villages and traditional way of life, is a favourite among walkers. The region has a surprisingly good local train and bus service to enable circular walks. Most specialist companies offer linear self-guided hotel-to-hotel walks on the mainland and walks from a single hotel base on Madeira and the Azores.

Our selection: Headwater Self-guided weeks on Madeira and two carefully researched mainland walks: a spectacular coastal walk in the Alentejo and a week in the unspoilt Beira region staying at the four-star Convento de Belmonte (£1,057 including most meals, flight extra). There are also cycling weeks in the Alentejo and an easy lagoonside Porto ride.