DURING a business trip to London recently, a taxi driver ruined my journey by berating me with his views about the dreadful state of the UK and, especially, the capital city.

To be honest, I'm not a fan of the Big Smoke but what enthusiasm I had mustered up was quickly suppressed.

Rewind to six weeks earlier and I was in another cab, this time soon after arriving in the Algarve.

The sun was shining and that, of course, helped to improve the disposition of both driver and passenger.

However there was something else fundamentally different… my Portuguese friend clearly loved, and had great pride, in his country.

On the 40-minute journey from Faro Airport to my hotel we talked about everything from cuisine to football.

And so began what was to be a five-day cultural feast.

My host was the Algarve Promotion Bureau and its aim to convince me that its region had more to offer than golf and beaches.

Take for instance the spa resort of Monchique to the north west of the region.

Nestled between two mountain peaks and surrounded by cork, pine and eucalyptus trees, the location could not be more different from the sun-baked and bustling coastal resorts.

And yet it's a place many regular visitors to the Algarve haven't even heard of.

It's a similar story an hour or so north east of Faro, where I visited a fascinating little town called Alcoutim — fascinating because the narrow Guadiana River upon which it sits forms the natural border between Portugal and Spain.

A 14th-century castle and pleasant river cruises are Alcoutim's main attractions, but it is also popular with walkers.

Meanwhile, just 40 minutes east of Faro, is what many believe to be the prettiest town in Portugal.

Tavira, which sits on the River Gilao includes more than 20 churches, an impressive seven-arch Roman bridge and a short ferry trip takes you to the Ilha de Tavira — one of the best beaches to be found on the entire coast.

There was something gloriously consistent wherever I went, especially when it came to the food and the people.

On the coast I tucked into a seafood Cataplana, a dish named after the special utensil it is cooked in, and in the mountains I was served with what can only be described as a banquet of chorizo, black sausage, hams and wild boar stew.

Back at Alcoutim, the jolly owner of the Guerreiros Do Rio River Hotel laid on a spread that included deep-fried eels and cod croquettes.

Evening meals were often kicked off with a chilled, white Port, try some for a Christmas treat, and rounded off with a more than generous measure of its better known ruby cousin.

The Portuguese reds, although not readily available in the UK, more than held their own and the local distilled spirit Medronho, or 'firewater', was an altogether different experience.

As I reluctantly left my hotel for the airport — my head still numb from the firewater — the same taxi driver who had collected me was waiting outside but this time the roles were reversed — I spent the whole journey telling him how great I thought the Algarve was!

Details: For more information go to www.visitalgarve.pt.

Marc stayed at the Villa Vita Parc Hotel, which is close to the village of Porches between Albufeira and Portimao.

This five-star luxury resort is popular with celebrities and among the most recent guests was American pop star Anastacia.

It boasts nine restaurants, a luxury spar and its own 18-hole putting green. Those with deep pockets can even charter the Villa Vitta yacht!

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