It may be cliché, but I honestly had to pinch myself as we hiked the footpaths along the cliffs of the Algarve. The five-kilometre coastal trek from Praia de Benagil back to our villa at Senhora da Rocha was like walking through a series of postcards. Postage-sized beaches, majestic walls of eroding gold-and-cinnamon layered limestone, grottos, caves and other rock formations provide stunning scenery. We chose this region of Portugal because of the seascape, but we soon discovered other appealing aspects: historic towns with cobblestone alleys, markets brimming with fresh produce, pottery shops and, oh yes, delicious feasts of grilled fish and piri-piri chicken.

Judy Slack is an Ottawa freelance photographer who loves to travel.