Guest Post: Perfect Portugal

Portugal is one of those holiday destinations that's got a little bit of something for everyone. It's got vibrant cities in the form of capital Lisbon, with its soaring spires and charming cobbled streets. There's lovely rolling hillsides and lush green valleys. Vineyards producing hearty red wines and sweet rosŽ. Sprawling golf courses serving upknock-out views across coast and country. Talk about diversity!

And then of course there's the beach. Most sun-starved Brits make their way to this glorious corner of the Iberian Peninsular to soak up the rays in The Algarve, a popular holiday region on Portugal's south coast. It's a lovely holiday destination characterised by steep honey-coloured cliffs and vast rock formations that rise out of the golden sands, soaring into the cloudless blue above. Bubbly beach resorts flank beautiful bays and long sandy beaches, while lovely whitewashed villages cluster around bustling harbours and dusty trails lead to tiny secluded coves.

It's a heavenly place, but it doesn't demand sky-high prices. If you fancy an affordable getaway this year, you'll find plenty of cheap holidays to Algarve 2013 on offer. One of the best ways to grab a reasonably priced break is to opt for a package tour operator and look for late deals - especially those leaving within the next few weeks. This is traditionally when tour operators slash the prices of their remaining holidays to try and tempt in those last few bookings, so it's a great time to hunt for deals.

There are plenty of tour operators out there. You could choose one of the big names and opt for package holidays by Thomas Cook, or settle for a smaller and more local brand. You could also go your own way and book your flights and hotel independently, which means the onus is on you to organise everything but can often more flexible than a package.

Whatever you choose, Portugal is a wonderful place that's bound to give you a perfect holiday...