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Finding Holiday Flavour In Portugal

By: Mark Bartley

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Holidays in Portugal offer those who enjoy their food the chance to enjoy some of the best-kept culinary secrets anywhere. And with luxury villas in Portugal offering a perfect base from which to discover this wonderful country, there has never been a better time to experience everything that Portugal has to offer. The Portuguese love their food. Portuguese cuisine is characterised by rich, filling and flavourful dishes that rely heavily on a Mediterranean influence but also incorporate a spice-influenced direction to create a unique blend unlike anywhere else. Because of Portugal's links to the Spice Islands of Indonesia and the Pacific Rim, spices like tumeric and vanilla feature heavily in Portuguese deserts and pastries. The most popular deserts in Portugal are cinnamon-flavoured rice deserts, caramel custard and sweet pastries, originally developed by nuns to supplement their income.

With a strong connection to the sea, fish is a major part of Portuguese cuisine. The Portuguese eat more fish per person that any other place in Europe and is only topped by three other places in the world. As a result, fish lovers are more than adequately catered for, with a huge selection of fish dishes from soups through to stews and boiled or fried recipes. Sardines and Atlantic tuna are staple ingredients in many fish dishes, although dried and salted cod is still an important part of the cuisine. Shellfish also features heavily on the menu, and one of the most basic forms of Portuguese cuisine is a fish stew that allows visitors to sample a wide selection of flavours in one simple meal.

Self-catering holidays rather than hotel stays make trying different cuisines easier.

Portugal's villas are of an exceptionally high standard, offering visitors luxury accommodation whilst still retaining a real 'feel' for the true Portugal. Portugal's clement climate allows villas to be designed with an airy layout, making them light, airy and luxurious, with all modern conveniences. This includes the kitchen layouts, so for visitors who prefer to do their own catering the opportunities to explore the markets of the local villages and fishing ports and combine the best local ingredients into their own dishes are well catered for.

If you enjoy eating meat you'll be happy here too and although traditionally eating meat on a daily basis was the privilege of the upper classes, it is now universally found on restaurant menus across Portugal. Whereas many Mediterranean menus focus on poultry and even goat, the Portuguese love their beef and pork, such as the Algarve speciality of fried pork with clams. Red wine is also a big player in Portuguese cooking, giving meat dishes a rich, full flavour that is complemented by the use of herbs and spices such as garlic and coriander.

Getting to Portugal is very cost effective at the moment. Portugal holidays offer food lovers the chance to try a completely different cuisine, and only a short flight from home. Links to Portugal are superb, with modern, efficient transport systems and plenty of international flights with Faro home to the main airport. A combination of fantastic sporting facilities, luxury villas and a rich and varied culture make Portugal a popular destination for those seeking a more exotic holiday experience but within the confines of Europe. English is widely spoken in the main resorts, but for a real taste of Portugal, try visiting the local markets with a phrase book and a willingness to experience new flavours, new ingredients and a warm, Portuguese welcome.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

To experience all this great food villas in Portugal are one option of taking holidays in Portugal this summer. Mark advises travellers to research the various destinations before booking their break.

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