Long flights with even longer layovers may seem less than ideal when you are eager to kick-start your vacation, but your stopover doesn't have to be b...

The recession and rising unemployment may be grabbing the headlines in Portugal but, for visitors, there is much to lift the spirits. A wave of recent openings around the country present a great set of reason to visit Portugal now.

From a western dude ranch to a Florentine palazzo to an African canoe excursion, these 11 trips offer a far richer experience than your typical overnight stay.

One of the busiest and most fashionable streets in Porto is Rua Galerias de Paris, which -- no wonder -- is spotted by some cafes and restaurants reminiscent of Paris.

At AFAR, we believe that (nearly) anywhere in the world could be a place to go in 2013. Maybe it's because we subscribe to the choose-your-own-adventure approach to travel. That said, the following 13 places really stand out for us this year.

On my first visit to Lisbon, Portugal, I jumped in a vintage sidecar and raced around town capturing slice of life moments from Bairro Alto, Alfama, Chiado, Avenida da Liberdade and Marquess of Pombal Square.

At the top, there was an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the city including Rossio Square, the Carmo Convent, the Castle of São Jorge and the Tagus River.

It's not smart to plan a wine tasting tour where each day is packed with back-to-back tastings. It wears out the palate or leads to further bad decisions.

The problem with beautiful beaches is that they tend to be full of tourists -- people like you and me.

'Tis the season to slip on a sweater, tour wine country and taste just-released reds and whites. To help guide the oenological pursuits of others, I polled a few of my fellow travel junkies on where to find the best hotels and resorts in wine country.

In Northern Portugal, the Serralves Em Festa keeps attendees busy with its 240 plus activities and events over the course of 40 hours. The backdrop of this contemporary arts festa, or festival in Portuguese, is Portugal's second largest city, Porto, already well known for its famous port wine.

OK, I get it now. Convincing the public to help with economic recovery requires the promise of immediate gratification -- beyond the threat of imminent economic armageddon. This could be huge for worldwide tourism industry.

I'm drawn to Lisbon mostly because it is a mix of a European city with a Mediterranean climate.