Portugal extends COVID rules: Where should you go to beat the crowds this summer?

euronews.com:

Portugal has extended its COVID rules until the end of August, but remains open for all travellers.

Since July, the country has been welcoming visitors back regardless of their vaccination status, with no need to take a test or fill out any forms.

A state of emergency is still in place however, which the Portuguese council of ministers has just extended until 31 August. It means that everyone over 10 must wear face masks on public transport and when travelling by taxi or other means of transportation.

Minister of the presidency Mariana Vieira da Silva even warned that “additional measures” could be introduced in autumn if the pandemic worsens.

The continuing mask mandate has not deterred tourists who are returning in their droves to the sun-soaked, relatively cheap and varied destination.

So where should you go to escape the crowds this summer? Here are a few of our recommendations.

The Azores are a collection of nine Portuguese islands located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean.

Split into three groups, the islands are home to a wealth of biodiversity and numerous volcanic cones and craters. They have been hailed an ‘eco-tourism’ paradise and are home to numerous historical buildings, including 15th century churches and manor houses.

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The easiest island to fly to is Sao Miguel, but the best island to escape the busy tourist hotspots is Corvo. It has its own domestic airport which offers flights between three of the other islands. Alternatively, you can travel to Corvo via ferry from Sao Miguel.

Corvo is the smallest island and the entire island is in fact an extinct volcano and was formed from its previous eruptions.

Less than an hour away from Portugal’s capital Lisbon is the small