FOR so many decades, Portugal has long been at the shadow of Spain in terms of luring in British tourists and investors. For decades, Spain has consistently making itself the mecca of tourism in this part of Europe. They have built nudist beaches, have improved them in so that waters on its each beach pass sanitation inspections, have built numerous modern structures like the aquatorium in Barcelona, and have restored their historic cathedrals and Moorish mosques all in their Gothic and medieval glory and everything else in between. Portugal on the other hand is situated in the same Iberian Peninsula where Spain is situated. As such, the climate there is equally temperate with that in Spain – also ideal for tourists during summer. But for so many decades, it has always been Spain which is at the forefront of the tourism industry. Not anymore.

Whether because of a still undetermined phenomenon or because of Portugal’s pushy means to advertise itself, about 18,000 British tourists have bought homes in Portugal in 2006 alone. This, from a total of two million British tourists who come here every year. Maybe they have grown tired of Spain and its Ibiza-like techno and house music after all. Maybe they want to go to an alternative unassuming place – a place as attractive as Portugal. Whatever the reasons are, the numbers speak for themselves. Portugal is slowly luring in more British tourists and residents year after year. There are now about 1,000 holiday homes for rent spread throughout Portugal but more so in its Atlantic resorts. These holiday homes are previously purchased by British owners who lease their properties to other vacationers. Some of these owners only occasionally come to Portugal during summer when the temperature is at its warmest at 18 degrees Celsius. But for the rest of the year, they lease these retreat villas to other tourists. For Portugal is ought to be enjoyed not just during summer where Holy Week festivals abound but throughout the year. Consider this 150,000 pound home with six bedrooms. It is a three-level structure already with a garage for two vehicles, balcony, a huge terrace area, central heating and central air conditioning as well, double glazed windows, aluminum doors, a barbecue area and fireplace.

Algarve in particular has carved a name for itself as one of the premier golfing destinations in Europe and can potentially challenge its Spanish competitors. Villas inside those golf and country clubs are priced at 161,000 pounds. Up north in the fishing villages, one can secure an apartment at 51,000 pounds. It’s nice staying in these unassuming villages because you get to eat fresh fish everyday. Just buy from the fishermen and cook the fish the way you like it. Perhaps you can borrow a few Mediterranean recipes down south. But the cheapest properties can be found in Costa Verde. Flats there run to as low as 40,000 pounds for a one-room villa, 60,000 pounds for a two-bedroom apartment and 132,000 pounds for a four-room one.