Portugal

(When Aldous Huxley remarked that 'For every traveller who has any taste of his own, the only useful guidebook will be the one he himself has written', he had presumably forgotten that the erudition and experience of a traveller and writer like Ian Robertson would take most people a lifetime to acquire.This book, the fullest and most complete as well as the most entertaining companion to Portugal to be found today, earns its place in every visitor's pocket. Whether you are bound for the Algarve and want to explore beyond the beach; or whether you want to re-live Wellington's masterly campaigns of the Peninsular War; whether you find yourself in Lisbon, one of Europe's most beautiful and underrated cities; or whether you want to discover the origins of port in the upper reaches of the Douro, you will find in this book the facts you need and the background that will amuse and enlighten. An enthusiastic explorer of Portugal over many years, Ian Robertson is frank enough to warn against the excursions that may disappoint as well as to point out the unexpected byways that should not be missed.Handsomely illustrated and fully equipped with maps, chronology and practical tips, Portugal is essential to visitors to that country, and to those with memories of it they would like to deepen or enlarge)