For the second consecutive year the readers of USA Today, one of the US newspapers with the highest circulation, gave Portugal the first place in the annual list of the ten best European countries.

“Portugal is less iconic than the famous countries but provides a variety of opportunities to travellers: charming villages, excellent food, fascinating folk music, cultural opportunities, a beautiful coastline and even world-class surfing”. The visiting card that appears on USA Today (the newspaper that sells the most in the USA, with a circulation over 1.6 million daily copies) well illustrates the charm that is assigned to Portugal. This time, Portugal was chosen by the newspaper’s readers from all over the world as the best destination in Europe in 2015 – as had happened in 2014. The vote was one of the most fiercely contested, yet the country, “often underestimated, has all the trappings to be a beautiful European country”, said the newspaper, leaving behind destinations like Italy, Austria and Germany, at second, third and fourth places, respectively.

“Apparently, Portugal stole the hearts of our readers, ensuring the highest number of votes”, wrote USA Today. The sidewalks and medieval castles, sunny beaches, delicious cuisine and its History yet to explore are attributes that make Portugal a favourite destination. “Whether you are swimming in the turquoise waters of the Algarve, sipping a glass of Port wine in a café of Porto or listening to Fado’s melancholic lament in Lisbon, Portugal’s understated beauty is quite obvious”.

Source: Visão magazine