From the end of March to the beginning of April, Portugal hosts a hot air balloon race, with numerous teams from various continents taking part. The balloons fly from Vila Pouca de Aguiar (25km northeast of Vila Real in Tras Os Montes) to Loulé in the Algarve, stopping at Braga and Guimarães in the Minho, Porto in the Douro, Santarém in the Ribatejo and Estremoz in the Alentejo. They generally take off at 7am each day and travel to the next town by 5pm. On the last day in Loulé, there is usually a big party to celebrate the end of a fabulous flight. If you're in Portugal at this time, look up for the balloons - it's a spectacular sight.

Easter Sunday is celebrated with great fervour in São Bras de Alportel with the exuberant Easter Festival. The men of this inland town carry decorated torches while running through the streets shouting Hallelujah. When they reach the parish Church, the flowers are carefully laid out on the floor so the priest may walk over them.

Fátima is Roman Catholic Portugal's most powerful symbol of religious devotion. On 13 May 1917 the Virgin Mary reportedly made her first visit to three shepherd children in the fields near to near to the town. Today more than four million people make the pilgrimage here. A candlelight procession takes place through the town to the Sanctuary on 12 May, culminating in the Adeus ("farewell") procession the following day. As the Virgin Mary is carried from the high altar to the Chapel of the Apparitions, the crowd becomes emotional, waving farewell with white handkerchiefs. It is an extraordinary sight.