Portugal, the little sister on the Iberian peninsula, may often get overlooked by its big sister to the east, Spain. But this small country has a unique culture and is a treat to visit, especially when you get a vacation rental in Portugal and make like a local.

For a small country, Portugal's landscape is quite varied. The northern part of the country is rather mountainous and forested, the center is hot and dry, and the southern part is a popular beach destination. In fact, the Algarve region in the south has recently become quite a golfer's paradise, too. Regardless of where you choose to locate your vacation rental in Portugal, however, you'll find something to keep you busy. From the beautiful beaches (and the usual water sports like surfing) to hiking to visiting historic monuments to sampling the local Port wines to enjoying the country's famous nightlife!

One of the best things about a Portugal vacation rental is that the country is small enough that you can explore it from top to bottom when you've got a centrally-located home base. That way, you won't have to pack and unpack your bags every other night to switch hotels - it's a much more relaxing way to travel, especially with kids or a large traveling group. And there are lots of different kinds of vacation properties to choose from, too. There are apartments in Lisbon (Lisboa to locals), cottages and apartments overlooking the beaches, and private homes in the mountains.

Another excellent thing about a Portugal vacation rental is that this country is still relatively cheap, at least as compared to its bigger European neighbors. Yes, it's in the European Union, and yes, it's on the Euro. But you're apt to find lower prices here than you would in Spain, France, Italy or other more commonly visited European countries. And saving money is always a good thing while on vacation.