Why Portugal?

An introduction:

Paladares Travel offers gastronomic travel to Portugal, a very special country. But what makes it so special?

Inland Portugal, long overlooked on European itineraries, is now slowly coming to the attention of the discerning traveler. It is not widely known yet that in this country one can discover so much of quality, including for example:

• the fantastic food markets, unique local produce, great chefs and superb wines;
• the country has both outstanding natural beauty, as well as many alluring historical sights;
• the medieval towns of inland Portugal contain some amazing architecture which will entrance you;
• the Portuguese people are particularly friendly, courteous and hospitable.

Whilst these days we are getting more and more familiar with the cuisines of far away countries like Thailand, Japan, and Morocco, Portuguese cuisine, while closer to home, is largely uncharted territory.                                                                                                                  
Portuguese cuisine is traditionally about pure, home style cooking, although nowadays it is also about reinvigorating the traditional whilst retaining its essence.

Many Portuguese chefs, having cooked abroad in the UK or in former Portuguese colonies like Brazil or Macau, are imbuing traditional dishes with elegant new twists, whilst continuing to use the abundance of the local produce from this southern European land. The country has begun a culinary renaissance, not unlike neighbouring Spain

We have fallen for the charms of Portugal and we are keen to share you with you the beautiful food, wines and places this country has to offer.