The Algarve — from the Arabic “Al-Gharb,” meaning “the West” — is the southernmost region of Portugal, with a coastline that stretches for around 100 miles from the Spanish border to Cape St. Vincent. The beaches of golden sand attract Northern Europeans but are unlikely to be of particular interest to Americans. The coastal golf courses, however, are excellent. Inland, the Algarve is hilly, with picturesque white villages surrounded by forests of cork trees. The region is famous for its distinctive cuisine, which is centered on seafood, especially sardines. The drive north from the Algarve through the Alentejo to Lisbon is scenically dramatic and culturally fascinating.

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