Here are 10 great reasons to visit Portugal this year:

ACCOMMODATION

There are a growing number of guest houses, campsites and rented accommodation options ideal for singles, couples, families or groups of friends, as well as plenty of beaches where nudity is the order of the day, frequented by tourists who may be staying in non-naturist accommodation but who still want to go home with an all-over tan.

BEACHES

Portugal has the best beaches in Europe - why do you think we live here! From north to south there's a stretch of coastline to suit everybody, from sheltered dunes to rocky coves, tiny bays to vast stretches of open sands, and shallow lagoons to the crashing surf of the wild Atlantic.

WEATHER

Blessed with over 300 days of sunshine a year, Portugal enjoys the perfect climate to complement its spectacular shoreline. Particularly in the Algarve and Alentejo regions, spring comes early, summers are long and hot, autumn is mild, and even in winter you can get many pleasantly temperate days with sunshine.

TOLERANCE

There is a Portuguese expression, nao faz mal, which roughly translates as ‘it doesn’t matter.’ It perfectly sums up the country’s laid-back attitude towards many things, including nakedness in public, and is the reason why many beaches, even if not officially recognised as naturist, are naturist by default or common consent. Public nudity is not actually against the law in Portugal, and an offence is only committed if somebody feels morally offended and files a complaint - an unlikely occurrence.

PEACE AND QUIET

Compared to some of its larger European neighbours, Portugal’s naturist tourism industry is still in its early stages, and there is currently no equivalent to the likes of Vera Playa in Spain or Cap d’Agde in France in the way of large purpose-built naturist resorts - which many might see as a good thing! Portugal is also a country over twice the size of the Netherlands and only marginally smaller than England, yet with a population of just 10 million - so imagine how much space there is?

LANDSCAPE

For those who like to get out and about, Portugal is one of the most beautiful yet relatively undiscovered countries in western Europe, with scenery ranging from the mountains on the border with Spain to the east and north, the wine-clad slopes of the Douro near Porto, the sweeping plains of the Alentejo, and the spectacular west and south coasts.

HISTORY

Culture vultures have more than enough to satisfy them…historic cities like Lisbon and Porto, walled settlements and castles galore, cathedrals, churches, monasteries and museums, and no less than 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

FOOD & DRINK

There’s far more to Portuguese cuisine than chicken piri-piri. Discover hearty rustic fare in the countryside, sophisticated dining in the major cities, great fish and seafood, and of course Portugal’s world-famous wines and ports.

PEOPLE

Easy-going and friendly, proud of their traditions but happy to welcome visitors to their country and open to international influences, the Portuguese people are a delight. Try to learn a few words of the language if you are a foreign visitor, but don’t be put off… English, German and Dutch in particular are widely spoken in many of the more cosmopolitan areas, not least by the many expatriates who have made their home in this wonderful country.

VALUE FOR MONEY

Despite the ongoing challenges of the credit crunch, exchange rates and the instability of the euro, Portugal still represents good value for money compared to many places in Europe, making it attractive not only to the cost-conscious visitor, but also to anyone looking for affordable luxury.

For more information see the Naturist Holiday Guide at www.naturist-holiday-guide.com