Portugal shares the Iberian peninsula at the south-western tip of Europe with Spain. Geographically and culturally somewhat isolated from its neighbour, Portugal has a rich, unique culture, lively cities and beautiful countryside. Although it was once one of the poorest countries in Western Europe, the end of dictatorship and introduction of Democracy in 1974, as well as its incorporation into the European Union in 1986, has meant significantly increased prosperity. It may now be one of the best value destinations on the Continent. This is because the country offers outstanding landscape diversity, due to its North-South disposition along the western shore of the Iberian peninsula. You can travel in a single day from green mountains in the North, covered with vines and all varieties of trees to rocky mountains, with spectacular slopes and falls in the Centre, to a near-desert landscape in the Alentejo region and finally to the glamorous beach holidays destination Algarve. The climate, combined with investments in the golfing infrastructure in recent years, has also turned the country into a golfing haven. Portugal was recently named "Best Golf Destination 2008" by readers of Golfers Today, an English publication. Fourteen of Portugal's courses are rated in the top 100 best in Europe. If you want a condensed view of European landscapes, culture and way of life, Portugal might very well fit the bill. As well as sedate golfing, Portugal rivals Ireland for having some of the finest surfing in Europe, its pristine beaches during autumn/winter time attracting surfers with the massive waves rolling off the mighty Atlantic.

The Czech Republic (officially known by its short name, Czechia) is a small landlocked country in Central Europe, situated southeast of Germany and bordering Austria to the south, Poland to the north and Slovakia to the southeast. Cities Prague (Praha) — the country's capital and largest city, and one of Europe's premier tourist destinations. Its large and beautiful historical core is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Brno — the largest city in Moravia and the republic's second city, with several excellent museums, an accessible old town, a stunning cathedral, and the annual Grand Prix. České Budějovice – known also as Budweis, an attractive city in South Bohemia with an impressive old town square. Český Krumlov — a stunning medieval and Renaissance town in South Bohemia, home to the country's second largest palace, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Karlovy Vary — a historic spa resort and the republic's largest, especially popular with German and Russian tourists, and the site of the country's most prestigious film festival. Kutná Hora — a historical medieval town in Central Bohemia, home to St. Barbara's Church, old silver mines, and the Sedlec Ossuary, decorated with tens of thousands of human remains. Its attractions are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Olomouc — a riverside university town with a thousand-year history, and the second largest historical centre in the Czech Republic after Prague. Ostrava — a vibrant and sometimes gritty blue collar city with a strong subculture, and a long history of coal mining and steel production. Opava — the former capital of Silesia. Pilsen (Plzeň) — home of the original Pilsner Urquell beer and the Škoda Works, and the largest city in West Bohemia. Telč — a perfectly preserved Renaissance town centre surrounded by shallow man-made lakes. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Zlín - Beautiful example of functionalistic architecture inspired by garden cities of Le Corbusier and rebuilt by Baťa shoemaker family. The town is set in small hills, nature, zoo and spa literally behind a hill.

Prague (Czech: Praha) is the capital city and largest city in the Czech Republic. It is one of the largest cities of Central Europe and has served as the capital of the historic region of Bohemia for centuries. The city is famous for its unique medieval architecture, the historical centre of Prague is inscribed in the World Heritage List.

Slovenia (Slovenija) is a small country in Central Europe - a member of the European Union, Schengen Agreement and NATO. Not to be confused with Slovakia. The country lies in South Central Europe in the Julian Alps at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea, bordered by Austria to the north, Italy to the west, Hungary to the northeast, and Croatia to the south/southeast. Despite its small size, this Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes.