We found this to be an extremely user-friendly and practical guide for anyone travelling in Portugal, with plenty of background information on the history and culture of the country and the various regions.  It also provides  many general details about the Portuguese way of life as well as specific information needed by the traveller.  If you do not have the time or inclination to read all the introductory chapters, the Lonely Planet Portugal 2010 edition provides interesting and often amusing footnotes and comments in the margin of many pages.

As well as the above, there are also sections covering architecture, food and drink, environment, the outdoors, transport, health and a very helpful but concise chapter about language and useful phrases for the traveller.  For those wishing to explore there are plenty of maps and particularly useful street plans of major cities and towns.

Each of the regions of Portugal are covered in depth with suggested itineraries giving routes taking in the main places of interest plus an events calendar which may help plan your trip around the timing of various festas and carnivals which take place each year.  Hotels and restaurants, recommended methods of transport, local cuisine, entertainment, shopping, cultural and leisure activities are among the large number of items featured in each area.  There are many hotels, restaurants, cafés and bars listed throughout the book, with the hotels being divided into three different price bands, from which the traveller can choose.  Opening hours and a guideline to prices are also given although we thought that it would have been useful to know if the establishments were open all year or had a set closing day during the week.  With a book like this, it is virtually impossible for all details to be completely up to date but we nonetheless found it to be an excellent source of information and the Lonely Planet web site can also be used for additional updates.

All in all, a highly recommended travelling companion which provides an insight into the colourful and fascinating Portuguese experience.