Portugal

Both are worth visiting, but they offer very different experiences. The Azores are all about volcanic landscapes, crater lakes, hot springs and whale watching, while Madeira is known for dramatic mountains, lush hiking trails and rugged coastlines. If you have time, you could easily visit both.

The Portuguese Camino is one of the main routes to Santiago de Compostela, beginning in Portugal and crossing into Spain. The most popular route starts in Lisbon or Porto, with the coastal route from Porto offering a particularly scenic alternative. You don't need to be a hardcore hiker either, there are shorter sections you can tackle if you don't have time for the full route.

It's Portugal's famous custard tart, with flaky pastry and a creamy, slightly caramelised filling. You'll find them in bakeries all over the country, and yes, eating your way through as many as possible is a perfectly legitimate part of your Portugal itinerary.

Portugal is generally one of the more affordable countries in Western Europe, although prices have risen in popular destinations. Hostels, local restaurants, supermarkets and public transport can help keep costs down, while Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve tend to be more expensive.