Swimming sensation Michael Phelps holidays in Portugal

Fourteen-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps has chosen Portugal’s Algarve region to relax after becoming the most successful Olympian of all time at this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing.

Phelps has spent several days during the past week in the Algarve, claiming that he has chosen Portugal as it is a relaxing place with friendly and open people, and promises to return in the near future.

The Algarve has been diversifying its tourist offering in recent years with a renewed focus on world-class music, culture and sporting events. This year’s Allgarve 08 programme - the entertainment programme for the Algarve – has brought an impressive line-up of high-profile concerts, sporting events and art exhibitions highlighting the region’s reputation for attracting cosmopolitan tourists.

Lou Reed, Simply Red and Diana Krall have headlined the rock and pop concerts. Sports fans such as Phelps will be looking forward to a series prestigious sporting events, including the Portugal Sailing Trophy, the Portimão Formula Windsurfing World Championship, the Portugal Golf Masters and the Portuguese SuperBike Grand Prix in Portimão.

Award-winning French actor Catherine Deneuve and acclaimed Hollywood actor Tim Robbins have attended some of this year’s Allgarve 08 events. Their presence, together with Michael Phelps, shows that the Algarve has become a world-class tourist destination, catering for a variety of tastes.

For more information, log on to Visitportugal.com.