Viajar Magazine - Out 2019 - The Best of Portugal

LISBOA TRAVEL MARKET TOURISM PROFESSIONAL MEET AT BTL 2020

SPECIAL

EDITION

FOR INTERNATIONAL

TRADE FAIRS MAGAZINE PARA PROFISSIONAIS OCTOBER / OUTUBRO 2019

SUN AND SEA

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/viajarmagazine ONLINE www.viajarmagazine.com.pt

AVIAÇÃO COMERCIAL E TURISMO Nº 373

THE BEST OF GASTRONOMY AND WINES

WORLD HERITAGE

PORTUGAL

NATURE AND ADVENTURE

PARADISE OF GOLF

The Best of Portugal

Sun and Sea WITH A LONG COASTLINE BATHED BY THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, PORTUGAL HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CLOSER TO OTHER PEOPLES AND CULTURES. FOR COMPANY, THERE IS BRIGHT SUNSHINE THAT TURNS THE SKIN GOLDEN AND WARMS THE SOUL.

T

HE SUN FILLS THE FINE WHITE SANDS OF OUR BEACHES with light and joy. Whether they are immense stretches of sand as far as the eye can see, or little coves sheltered by rocks, each beach have its own dazzling and surprising beauty.

Some are crowded, with lots of entertainment, while other remain deserted and unexplored, holding secrets waiting to be unveiled... there’s always something for every taste and state of mind, whether it’s to stretch out and relax on the sand, take a walk by the sea, to enjoy a date or to have fun and party the night away.

But despite their many differences, the beaches do have something in common: their quality, demonstrated by the large number of EU blue flags awarded each year, certifying their excellent conditions and amenities.

The clear waters of the sea also have different moods. Some beaches have quiet, peaceful seas, especially in the Algarve, which even in the winter is a great holiday destination; others have livelier seas, with waves that are just right for various high adrenaline sports.

Some of the award-winning beaches are to be found in the Algarve, a fact that was highlighted by the prize that the region won in the World Travel Awards in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019, as Europe’s Best Beach Destination.

But there are many different beaches in Portugal and the best one will be the one that suits your mood at the time. Sometimes you may be looking for a sheltered, lessdeveloped beach with few people; at others, you may want something livelier and a party at sunset with your feet in the sand would be perfect; and on still other occasions, you might want wide open horizons and invigorating walks along the seashore.

This list is intended merely as a source of inspiration. Your best option is to make your way along the coast and take a look... the only obligatory stops are the ones you make to go for a refreshing dip and watch the sun sink into the sea. Don’t miss it! 

DIRETOR Francisco Duarte CHEFE DE REDAÇÃO Sílvia Guimarães EDITOR Silva & Rocha Editores, Lda

DIREÇÃO, REDAÇÃO E PUBLICIDADE Rua Jaime Batalha Reis, nº 1C- r/c C 1500-679 Lisboa Telfs.: 21 7543190 • e-mail: viajar@silroc.pt FOTOGRAFIA Arquivo, Fotolia

PUBLICIDADE Carlos Ramos Telfs.: 21 7543190 • e-mail: carlos.ramos@silroc.pt IMPRESSÃO Ligação Visual Lda

TIRAGEM: 7 000 exemplares DEPÓSITO LEGAL: 10 534/85 REGISTO NO ICS: 108098 de 08/07/81 PROPRIETÁRIA: Ana de Sousa Nº Contribuinte: 214655148

The Best of Portugal Many hotels and resorts enjoy stunning views of the ocean and are the perfect places to relax and enjoy their genuine hospitality. In addition, you can sit at a restaurant table to taster the delicious Portuguese cuisine, also tempered by the sun and the sea.

An extensive coastline with soft golden sand on every beach, a long summer and plenty of sunshine all year round make Portugal an obvious choice as a holiday destination.

We know it’s hard to choose just one beach because there is so much variety and the scenery changes as you go along the coast, but here are a few of our favourites.

And it is no coincidence that 352 of our beaches fly the European Blue Flag, and 214 of them are classed as Accessible Beaches!

We know it’s hard to choose just one beach because there is so much variety and the scenery changes as you go along the coast, but here are a few of our favorites.

Why not visit them and see for yourself?

PORTO SANTO, MADEIRA

On the south coast of the island of Porto Santo, 40 kilometers to the north-east of Madeira, is the only sandy beach in the whole of the archipelago, stretching uninterruptedly over a distance of 9 kilometers. Its soft, fine golden sand has made Porto Santo famous, particularly because of the therapeutic properties that it is known to have in the treatment of orthopedic and circulatory problems. To complete this ideal setting for a holiday by the beach, the island’s climate is dry and stable with lots of sunshine all year round, whilst the sea’s warm, clear and peaceful water issues a tempting invitation to all those who enjoy a lengthy swim, making this the perfect place for a variety of water sports.

PORTINHO DA ARRÁBIDA, PARQUE NATURAL DA ARRÁBIDA

One of the most beautiful beaches and a

great place for scuba diving, with unique flora and fauna to be discovered in the clear waters of Pedra da Anixa, a small island just off the beach, here you can discover as well that Galapos, Galapinhos and the secluded Praia dos Coelhos are some of the other beaches in this protected landscape, which are well worth exploring.

COMPORTA BEACH Located on the southern tip of the Tróia Peninsula, the huge sandy extent of Comporta Beach is a regular summer favorite. Forming part of the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, Comporta Beach has been well preserved with the original dune vegetation surviving along with the adjoining pine forest.

NORTH BEACH, NAZARÉ In 2011, this beach became famous for having the biggest wave in the world, surfed by the Hawaiian Garrett McNamara. At 30 meters high, it was a record to be challenged only by the best surfers in the world.

SUPERTUBOS, PENICHE In Europe Supertubos is considered one of the best beaches for tubes if you practice surf. That is a prime spot for major events.

4

VIAJAR 2019 / OCTOBER

BERLENGAS BEACH Located 10 km form Peniche, the Berlengas Archipelago Protected Area, is like a eden, far from the crowds. Considerated as one of the prettiest beaches in 2016, because of the transparency of the waters and the exclusivity of the one of the most controlled beachs of Portugal, Berlengas control the acess of the tourist from May to October on behave of the wellbeing of its fauna and flora.

ERICEIRA A traditional fishing village, Ericeira has developed enormously during the 20th century due to the growing interest in it as a summer resort. It has, however, maintained its original characteristics and its own individual atmosphere.

Fifty kilometres from Lisbon, in an easily accessible area, its beaches are very crowded during the summer, and are considered among the best in Europe for surfing. Ribeira d`Ilhas Beach, where one of the World Surfing Championship contests is held every year, is worth a special mention.

A visit to Ericeira is also an excellent opportunity to try the shellfish and fresh fish dishes, the speciality of the regional cuisine.

Surfing lovers Eden Stretching for more than 850km, the Portuguese coast is a gigantic surfing beach. No other coastal strip in the world can offer such a great number of spots in such a short distance, so in Portugal you can always rely on the waves. empered by tailwinds and a lot of sun all year round, these perfect waves, even magical at times, provide a unique experience for practitioners of various sports. Surfing, bodyboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing and paddlesurfing are just some of the sports for enjoying the Atlantic waves which take the adrenalin levels beyond anything imaginable.

From the giant waves of Praia do Norte, in Nazaré, sought after by the most daring, to the steady, perfect waves of Carcavelos, Ericeira and Peniche, there are many choice spots for surfers.

And they’re not only around Lisbon. The variety is huge, both in the north, at Figueira da Foz, Espinho and Viana do Castelo, and in the south, on the Alentejo coast and the Sagres area, and even in the Azores and Madeira.

As for bodyboarders, they have in Praia Grande, Sintra, a benchmark not to be missed. This spot is part of every itinerary and hosts an annual event in the world bodyboarding tournament; however, the northern coast and the western Algarve coast have also become popular with bodyboarders.

Guincho is the Portuguese Mecca for windsurfing and has already welcomed the world’s best windsurfers. The wind and the waves guarantee a good show for those on the beach and the pleasure of those in the water. But kitesurfing has also been gathering a growing following, not only here but on other beaches as well, such as Carcavelos, Costa da Caparica and further north in the Aveiro and Viana do Castelo areas.

But there are many other activities to enable you to make the most of the conditions offered by the sea, the rivers and the lakes. From paddlesurfing in the open sea or in the calmer waters of sheltered coves and lagoons, to water skiing and parasailing, there’s a wide range of options for having a good time. You’ll be really spoilt for choice…

AMADO BEACH, ALJEZUR Considered one of Portugal’s best surfing beach, Amado Beach brings them in from across Europe and regularly hosts international competitions. However, it is not just the more experienced out on the water, there are surfing school for those wishing to take a shortcut to proficiency.

Very popular during the summer months, Amado Beach contains all the support infrastructures necessary to ensure the most pleasant of destinations for holidaymakers.

DONA ANA BEACH, LAGOS Sheltered between cliffs, the sands of Dona Ana Beach and their calm and clear waters are one of the highest profile landmarks on the Algarve and one of the most awarded beaches of Portugal. The highly shaped rocks emerging from the sea or dotting the sands provide sunbathers with some shade and endow the landscape with a highly picturesque quality.

HILTON VILAMOURA

As Cascatas GOLF RESORT & SPA

HILTON VILAMOURA AS CASCATAS GOLF RESORT & SPA is located in beautiful sunny Algarve in the southwestern tip of Europe surrounded by golf courses and spectacular beaches. The distinctive Moorish architecture of this modern hotel is set in five acres of manicured gardens set amid lush greenery. During the summer, take the hotel’s private shuttle to Falésia beach and enjoy the facilities of the private concession with the My Almar Beach bar. Refreshing cocktails and tempting bar snacks are served on the deck over the sand. Back at the resort mouth-watering barbecues are served by the waterfall and outdoor pool at the Aquarela Restaurant and in the evening Chef André Simoes introduces you to Algarvean cuisine with strong Mediterranean flavors at the fine dining Cilantro restaurant. The 7 Seven Spa is one of Portugal’s largest spa onsite featuring the most advanced spa and fitness technology. A full range of signature treatments are available in a distinctive aquatic theme with a fantastic indoor thermal pool, lush garden views and the soothing sound of cascading water. Eliminate toxins in the cool

water plunge pool, relax in the leisure pool and stimulate your senses in the hydro-massage pool with jets and Jacuzzi. The 7 Seven Spa Vilamoura was designed to be a therapeutic oasis in which to relax and de-stress, pamper the body, mind and spirit.

FACTS        

176 Rooms and Suites Restaurants and Bars Moscada Restaurant: Themed buffets Aquarela Restaurant: Mediterranean barbe cues by the pool Cilantro Restaurant: Fine dining, Mediterra nean flavors with Algarvean cuisine La Bella Barca: Italian restaurant located in

Vilamoura Marina Rubi Bar: Drinks, live music My.Almar: On Falésia beach, cocktails

and bar snacks

LEISURE AND WELL-BEING 5 outdoor swimming pools, 1 covered heated pool, beach at Falésia with free transfer shuttle, 7Seven Spa: Indoor thermal pool, massages, innovative equipment and treatments, Free putting area, Fitness centre, Paradise Island Kids Club, Snooker room.

SERVICES 24-hour room service, free WiFi in public areas, free transfer shuttle to Vilamoura Marina, free golf shuttle to 5 golf courses, private underground parking. *for information only, per night, per room or suite

PORTUGAL - ALGARVE

www.hiltonvilamouraresort.com Info.vilamoura@hilton.com T + 351 289 304 000 | Faro (25 min route/road)

Com uma localização privilegiada no centro do Algarve, entre Vilamoura e Albufeira e apenas a 300m da praia, o Balaia Golf Village impõe-se pelo seu estilo, distinção e conforto. Perfeitamente integrados em vastos e cuidados jardins, destacam-se 6 complexos de piscinas, que incluem as exclusivas para crianças, uma piscina exterior aquecida. Ainda a realçar os 4 campos de ténis com profissional residente, um parque infantil e um health club com ginásio, jacuzzi, banho turco, gabinete de massagem e piscina aquecida, bem como, uma área para a prática de bowling, um driving range e um campo de golf executivo de 9 buracos e academia de golfe.

BALAIA

GOLF VILLAGE Os restaurantes “A Varanda “ e o “Le Club” ambos com magníficas vistas panorâmicas, oferecem menus requintados que podem ser degustados numa atmosfera elegante e tranquilo.

No Balaia Golf Village, poderá usufruir de dias inesquecíveis, quer procure a calma que os espaços envolventes lhe proporcionam, quer prefira o bulício das zonas próximas mais cosmopolitas.

O website www.balaiagolfvillage.pt permite, a quem o visita, visualizar tudo o que o resort oferece.

Sitio da Balaia, Apartado 917 • 8200-912 Albufeira | Algarve | Portugal t. +351 289 570 200 • f. +351 289 501 265 • e. reservas@balaiagolfvillage.pt

At the heart of the Algarve, between Vilamoura and Albufeira and just 300m from the beach, Balaia Golf Village stands out for its style, distinction and comfort. In a perfect integration with its extensive and well maintained gardens, there are 6 swimming pool complexes, which include children’s pools, a heated outdoor pool. 4 tennis courts with professional resident, a children’s playground and a health club with gym, Jacuzzi, Turkish bath, massage cabinet and heated pool. Also to be highlighted the bowling area as well as a driving range and a 9-hole executive golf course and golf academy.

The restaurants “A Varanda” and “Le Club” with magnificent panoramic views offer exquisite menus that can be tasted in elegant and calm ambiance.

At Balaia Golf Village, you can enjoy an unforgettable time, whether you seek the tranquility that the surrounding spaces offer you, or prefer the “hustle and bustle” of the closer cosmopolitan areas.

The website www.balaiagolfvillage.pt allows visitors to view all that the resort has to offer.

Portugal A World Heritage country IN PORTUGAL, CULTURE AND HERITAGE HAVE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS STEMMING FROM HISTORICAL EVENTS AND THE OUTLOOK OF A PEOPLE WHO, AS THEY LEARNED FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD, ADAPTED THIS NEW KNOWLEDGE TO THEIR WAY OF LIVING AND THEIR LAND.

A

S YOU TRAVEL THROUGH THE COUNTRY, you’ll realise what these features are that make up the Portuguese character. You’ll see them in cities, monuments and landscapes, which in their own way also tell a part of the history of the world. For this reason, they were listed as World Heritage.

UNESCO has already granted World Heritage status to 24 cases, including historic centres, archaeological sites, cultural landscapes, natural parks and intangible heritage. These Portuguese contributions to world history are unmissable and the perfect excuse to know the country from north to south.

HISTORIC CENTRE OF GUIMARÃES Guimarães has a high symbolic value for the Portuguese identity as the birthplace of the nation in the 12th century. The well-preserved city reflects the progress of civic architecture from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The specialist construction techniques developed here were applied the world over in the Portuguese colonies, from Africa to the New World.

HISTORIC CENTRE OF PORTO The landscape of cascading houses tumbling down to Ribeira, by the River Douro, and the waterfront area in Vila Nova de Gaia depict the history of this city linked to maritime activity since Roman times. The Cathedral and the Clérigos Tower, symbols of Porto, the opulence of the buildings, the Baroque churches, the Neoclassic Stock Exchange make this an exceptional urban landscape with a history stretching back thousands of years.

ALTO DOURO WINE REGION The vines that produce the famous Port Wine grow in the majestic River Douro valley, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. Its characteristics and the work of Man who has fashioned the valley into terraces over the course of many centuries have transformed it into a unique landscape of exceptional beauty.

VIAJAR 2019 / OCTOBER

The Best of Portugal

11

COIMBRA UNIVERSITY, UPTOWN AND SOFIA Founded in 1290, Coimbra University is the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe. Particularly during the 18th century, it defined the character of the city as a student town, on the urban, architectural, artistic and social levels. Examples are the Paço das Escolas, the Graça and Jesus Colleges, the Joanine Library, the Botanical Gardens, Coimbra Uptown, Rua da Sofia and the ancient academic traditions and usages. From its inception, the university has been a disseminating hub of scientific knowledge and a reference of Portuguese language and culture all over the world.

PRE-HISTORIC ROCK ART SITE IN THE CÔA VALLEY The River Côa Valley boasts an immense open-air gallery of rock art, along a 17km stretch, on which the modern building of the Côa Museum provides a contextualised view. This exceptional concentration of cave paintings from the Upper Palaeolithic (22,000 to 10,000 years BC) is the most important example of early human creativity, unheard-of until now at a similar level anywhere else in the world.

CONVENT OF CHRIST, TOMAR For its historical significance and artistic importance, the Convent of the Order of Christ in Tomar and the Templar Castle form a unique monumental group. Work done over the centuries reflects the history of Portuguese art, with examples from Romanesque art, Templar symbolism, the Gothic and Manueline styles from the era of the Discoveries, through to Renaissance art, then Mannerism in its various facets and, finally, Baroque in the architectural ornamentation.

MONASTERY OF ALCOBAÇA This is one of the most important European Cistercian abbeys, a symbol of the Cistercian Order. It was founded in the 12th century, by donation to Bernardo de Claraval by the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques.

The church, begun from its apse, as was the

MONASTERY OF JERÓNIMOS AND THE TOWER OF BELÉM, LISBON custom, with three naves on the same level, the two-nave transept and the ambulatory, creates an impressive ensemble for its simplicity, grandeur and austerity.

MONASTERY OF BATALHA A masterpiece of creative genius, the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória was erected on King João I’s orders in acknowledgement for the victory of the Portuguese over the Spanish at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.

It is the major monument of Portuguese late Gothic, where one of the first examples of the Manueline style appeared. Bearing witness to an exchange of influences in the arts, it is one of the most beautiful monastic buildings in Europe from the late Middle Ages.

The Monastery of Jerónimos is a remarkable work of architecture commissioned by King Manuel I in the early 16th century. It is considered the “jewel” of Manueline style, exclusively Portuguese, incorporating architectural features of late Gothic and Renaissance, associated with a royal symbolism that makes it truly outstanding.

King Manuel I also commissioned the construction of the Belém Tower, achieving an innovative and effective plan for the defence of the river and the protection of Lisbon, within a system of crossfire with other defensive structures at the entrance of the estuary. A symbol of the King’s prestige, it is decorated with Manueline motifs, including knots, ropes, ringed spheres, crosses of the Military Order of Christ and naturalistic features. 

The Best of Portugal

CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF SINTRA Sintra was one of the first places in Europe to experiment with Romantic architecture in the 19th century. King Consort Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, married to Queen Maria II, converted the ruins of a monastery into a castle, bringing together in a brilliant manner Gothic, Egyptian, Islamic and Renaissance features, surrounded by exuberant, exotic grounds to the taste of the period.

The same model was adopted in other palaces of the Sintra Mountain and served as inspiration for other European landscapes.

GARRISON BORDER TOWN OF ELVAS AND ITS FORTIFICATIONS Close to the border, you will find in Elvas the largest star fort in the world, about 10km in perimeter and with an area of 300 ha. A unique testimony to the development of military strategic design, it incorporates various monuments: the castle, two forts, three small forts, the walls and the majestic 7km long Amoreira Aqueduct with 843 arches.

THE “CANTE ALENTEJANO” (ALENTEJO SONG)

12

VIAJAR 2019 / OCTOBER

Sung in choir by groups of men and women and without any use of musical instruments, the “Cante Alentejano” is a unique and genuine musical expression from the Baixo Alentejo region. Not specific to any genre or social status, it consolidated itself at the beginning of the 20th century with the rural classes of a region that developed through the agricultural and mining industry.

MANUFACTURE OF COWBELLS, ALENTEJO The manufacture of cowbells, recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage, is a unique art that has existed in the Alentejo region for over two thousand years. This percussion instrument has an unmistakable sound and plays an important part in the soundscape of rural areas where animals are still herded.

There are only 13 skilled masters of this traditional craft in the whole country.

CENTRAL ZONE OF THE TOWN OF ANGRA DO HEROÍSMO, TERCEIRA ISLAND, AZORES Angra do Heroísmo, with its remarkable

FADO, INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE Sung by a solo performer and accompanied by the classical and the Portuguese guitars, Fado has its origins in the historic districts of Lisbon - Mouraria, Alfama, Bairro Alto and Madragoa, and is associated with the fate of destiny and love. Rendered with intensity and soul, it is today a music of the world, an acknowledged symbol of Portugal.

HISTORIC CENTRE OF ÉVORA Évora, dating back to Roman times, had its golden age in the 15th century, when the Portuguese Kings established their residence there. Its unique character lies in its whitewashed houses, the indoor tiled decorations and the wrought-iron balconies, all of which make it a representative urban landscape of an historical period (16th to 18th centuries).

Its monuments had a decisive influence on Portuguese architecture in Brazil.

MEDITERRANEAN DIET The Mediterranean Diet is a key part of Portuguese gastronomy. It is based on fruit and vegetables, high quality bread and largely unrefined cereals, fresh and dried pulses (beans, chick peas, broad beans etc.), dried and oily fruits (walnuts, almonds, chestnuts, raisins etc.), olive oil as the main source of fat, and the consumption of fish.

Unesco considered it to be nothing less than a lifestyle, also highlighting the sense of conviviality, celebration and the passing on of knowledge at mealtimes.

BISALHÃES BLACK POTTERY HANDCRAFT, VILA REAL

architectural setting, was a mandatory port of call between Europe and other continents from the 15th century to the advent of steam ships in the 19th century. Its imposing fortifications, built over 400 years ago, are rare examples in military architecture.

LANDSCAPE OF THE PICO ISLAND VINEYARD CULTURE, AZORES On Pico Island, you will find a remarkable example of volcanic rocky soil, seemingly barren, in an extraordinary viniculture landscape. The hills sloping down to the sea, marked by a grid of black stone walls separating the vineyards, attest to the work of generations of small farmers who tamed a hostile environment, creating their own way of life and a wine of great quality.

LAURISILVA OF MADEIRA On the north-facing slopes, covering an area of 15,000 hectares corresponding to 20% of the Island, the primitive forest of Madeira has survived five centuries of human intervention. Having virtually disappeared from the European continent, it preserves its subtropical characteristics, forming the largest and best preserved laurel forest in the Atlantic islands.

ROYAL BUILDING OF MAFRA - PALACE, BASILICA, CONVENT, CERCO GARDEN AND HUNTING PARK (TAPADA) The Royal Building of Mafra includes the Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park (Tapada). It is one of the most emblematic works built in the 18th century by the order of the King, D. João V, which transformed the location into one of the most important examples of Baroque.

Among its significant features are the six organs of the Basilica and the historic Library, which has a collection of 36,000 volumes, from the 15th to the 19th century.

The black crockery from the village of Bisalhães, in the municipality of Vila Real, mainly composed of practical pieces, was classified due to the specificity of the production process, using ancestral techniques. One of the aspects that makes it unique is that it is fired in kilns (dug in the subsoil), which affords the clay the characteristic black tone.

THE ART OF ROYAL FALCONRY, SALVATERRA DE MAGOS Practiced in Portugal since the 12th century and still preserved in Salvaterra de Magos, the art of falconry is a traditional form of ecological hunting, of low profit, dating back centuries. Those who practice it highlight the partnership between man and bird of prey, communion with nature and the beauty of the bird’s flight.

SANCTUARY OF BOM JESUS IN BRAGA The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus in Braga is an architectural and landscape complex that evidences Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles, the construction of which was begun in the 16th century. The monument evokes the Sacred Mount of Christian Jerusalem, crowned by the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which is accessed by means of a long Via Sacra.

BRAGA

A Time Travel RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE OLDEST CHRISTIAN CITIES IN THE WORLD, BRAGA WAS FOUNDED BY THE ROMANS IN 16 BC AND, TO THIS DAY, IS NAMED BRACARA AUGUSTA IN HONOR OF THE EMPEROR CAESAR AUGUSTUS. IT IS A CITY WHERE YOU CAN SEE AND FEEL HISTORY, WHILE EXPERIENCING THE FUTURE. BRAGA IS A TECHNOLOGICAL CENTER WHERE MANY SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL STARTUPS HAVE SPRUNG UP, THE HEADQUARTERS OF A RENOWNED UNIVERSITY (UNIVERSITY OF MINHO) AND THE INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (INL) - ONE OF THE LEADING INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CENTERS.

BRAGA IS… Culture Capital of Eixo Atlântico do Noroeste Peninsular (Atlantic Northwest Peninsular Axis) 2020; 2º Best European Destination 2019 (Europeans Costumer Choice); European City Sport 2018; Media Arts UNESCO Creative City (since 2017); IberoAmerican Youth Capital 2016; European Youth Capital 2012.

Braga is the third largest city in Portugal with about 181954 inhabitants. Located in the north of the country, in the Minho region, Braga has an area of ​​183.4 km2. It is the youngest district capital in the country and one of the youngest in Europe.

HERITAGE Braga’s Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Portugal and the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is one of Braga's main attractions and a landmark in religious tourism. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Santa Bárbara Garden the meeting point of all generations.

ACCESSIBILITY Braga occupies a privileged geostrategic position, at a distance of less than an hour from Porto and Vigo (Galicia, Spain). Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport is just a 30-minute drive away and is close to the region's main seaports: Leixões, Viana do Castelo and Vigo.

In terms of mobility, the city has also shown a smart and sustainable attitude. With regard to mobility, the use of ecological means has been fostered. One of the important measures was the requalification of the East River Ecopista and the Pedestrian Route Network.

CULTURE Braga has a well-defined strategy in the context of cultural intervention, having been focusing on educating audiences from a culture based on past, present and future.

Altice Forum Braga is a place that already has more than 100 events held since May 2018 and more than 200 thousand visitors. These are the numbers of the Altice Forum Braga, a reference space in the north of the country for holding major events. An economic, entrepreneurial and cultural hub.

Events – Semana Santa (Holy Week), Braga Romana (Roman Braga), Braga Barroca (Braga Baroque), São João de Braga (Saint John of Braga), Festival Internacional de Folclore (International Folklore Festival), Braga Natal (Christmas Braga) - and many others that present themselves in contemporary times – Noite Branca (White Night), MimArte, Festival para Gente Sentada, Semibreve, Encontros da Imagem (Image Encounters), BOCA - Biennial of Contemporany Arts.

The Municipal Stadium of Braga was a project of the renowned architect Eduardo Souto de Moura and has been nationally and internationally recognised. With a landscape that merges between an old quarry and a valley, it is a reference for architecture lovers.

The tourism activity in Braga has been leading Braga to become one of the main Portuguese destinations.

Taste Portugal!

THE FOOD IN PORTUGAL IS A CLOSELY GUARDED SECRET. PORTUGUESE CUISINE HAS EVERYTHING TO PLEASE EVEN THE MOST DISCERNING PALATE BECAUSE IT IS BASED ON GENUINE QUALITY PRODUCTS, COOKED ACCORDING TO TRADITIONAL RECIPES OR TO THE MOST INNOVATIVE AND UNUSUAL TRENDS.

T

HE MOST DISTINCTIVE FEATURE OF PORTUGUESE CUISINE COMES FROM THE SEA. Their habitat and specific geomorphological location in the Atlantic give the fish unique conditions for birth and growth that enable them to acquire a taste and texture hard to match elsewhere.

As you enjoy a simple grilled fish, always fresh like the seafood that abounds from end to end along the coast, you can be sure that you are in Portugal! Cataplanas, bouillabaisses and any other fish or seafood dish are also excellent choices.

For meat dishes, our main suggestion is cozido à portuguesa, a mix of meats, vegetables and various sausages, cooked in a delicious way.

We have excellent DOP (Protected Denomination of Origin) meats, from north to south, whether it’s beef, pork or kid. Many vegetables and fruit also preserve the taste of the old times, and some also have the DOP label, especially as many are produced organically.

Portuguese olive oil is of prime quality and is part of every dish, including cod (for which it is said that there are 1001 recipes!), which we excel at preparing and enjoying.

Each dish is matched to the right wine. The whole country produces wine and, while Port wine is famous, but the Douro, Alentejo and many other table wines are no less superior.

And the cheeses! While Queijo da Serra (mountain cheese from Serra da Estrela) tops the bill, all the cheeses from Centro de Portugal, Alentejo and the Azores are delicious.

SWEETS ARE FROM HEAVEN The sweets... well, what can we say? They are divine! We should give thanks to God, like the nuns used to do in the old days while preparing their recipes of sugar, eggs and almond in the seclusion of their cloisters. The result of the balance between flavour, creaminess and crispiness is another icon of Portuguese cuisine, considered a truly heavenly sweet: the pastel de nata (custard tart)! It is delicious with coffee, which we drink in the form of espresso.

At the end of a meal, we might make a toast with some Port or Madeira, fortified wines that have been spreading our name to faraway lands for centuries. Or with an excellent sparkling wine produced in Portugal, to celebrate a memorable meal provided by the country’s talented chefs.

VIAJAR 2019 / OCTOBER

The Best of Portugal

17

DISTINGUISHED BECAUSE THEY ARE THE BEST Portugal has a number of other products that also help to distinguish what is eaten in Portugal. The Protected Denomination of Origin (DOP) meats from local breeds - Bísaro pig and black pig, Arouquesa, Maronesa, Mertolenga, Barrosã and Lafões beef, Barroso kid (charnequeiro and transmontano), Terrincho and Bragançano lamb - whose producers work hard to maintain their succulence and flavour.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are the basis of Portuguese cuisine and of its more Mediterranean characteristics, typical of a healthy, simple and varied cuisine. They are the product of a fertile land, which is adopting the new organic production processes that are friendly to both consumers and the environment.

For seasoning, we have another Mediterranean product, pure aromatic olive oil that is conquering international markets with every passing day.

Fish, soups, salads and cheeses are all seasoned with it. Yes, even the wonderful mountain cheeses produced in Portugal that the world has yet to discover. The creamy, oily or dry goat and sheep cheeses also make us bless the heavens.

FROM THE GRAPES TO AN EXQUISIT BOTTLE Portugal is a country of strong wine tradition, and the excellent quality of its wines is recognised across the world, with numerous awards and distinctions won in international competitions. And to appreciate and know them, nothing like visiting the regions where they are produced, and wine is an excellent excuse to also discover the landscapes, heritage, culture and the people who live here.

The Douro and Alentejo regions are where you will find the largest number of places dedicated to wine tourism, but there are wine production units receiving visitors all over the country, including the Algarve. To fully get to know the vineyards, the wineries and taste the wines, why not stay overnight and explore the surrounding area too?

The central region contains historic cities like Viseu, Coimbra and Aveiro on the coast, and other charming places like Buçaco with its century old spa. You will also find excellent wine tourism units, some of which are owned by old Portuguese wineries, although they have all have kept up with current trends in wine production and use the most modern production methods. These establishments are well-equipped, and take advantage of their ancient historical legacy, sometimes even including small museums.

The Alentejo is a fertile region in wine tourism units, and it is here that one can find several leading national producers and its quality is appreciated worldwide and was considered the best wine region in the world to visit in 2014 by readers of the prestigious American newspaper USA Today. The wine producing quintas (farms) and herdades (estates) lay within this landscape of vast horizons, and they are also renowned for their hospitality and cuisine. At their centre is Évora, another World Heritage city, whose beautiful, serene historical centre will leave you enchanted. You can also participate in the grape harvest and observe the different stages in the making of a wine. Highlight also goes to Reguengos de Monsaraz, which in 2015 was the European city of the wine and proposes many initiatives which are not to be missed such as astronomical observations with wine tasting, harvesting of grapes to create a commemorative wine, themed events and food and wine dinners.

Worldwide famous...

Porto and Madeira wines One of icones of Portuguese cuisine is Port wine, considered both sumptuous and sensual. Its unique characteristics come from the soil, man’s hard work and the sunshine that ripens the fruit.

When we think in the grapes grown in the oldest wine region in the world we have to smile as we realise that nature and man knew how to unite to create a truly exceptional product. This region was classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, as well as the Lodges in Gaia where these wines age.

Acknowledged all over the world as a tourist destination par excellence, the Island of Madeira also owes its celebrity to the wine bearing its name, which has earned fame and prestige in the most varied parts of the globe.

Appreciated across the world, this “nectar” is one of the Island of Madeira’s key features. Chosen to celebrate the Independence of the U.S.A. in 1776, praised by Shakespeare, cherished by kings, princes, generals and explorers, Madeira Wine is undoubtedly a genuine treasure.

THE DIVERSITY OF THE CENTER OF PORTUGAL IS A MAGNIFICENT SENSORIAL EXPERIENCE. APPRECIATE THE LANDSCAPE, BREATHE THE FRESH AIR, FEEL THE CULTURE, LIVE THE TRADITIONS AND ENJOY THE GASTRONOMY. THERE ARE SO MANY WONDERFUL FLAVORS COMING FROM THE SEA, THE COUNTRYSIDE, THE CITY AND THE MOUNTAIN.

CENTER OF PORTUGAL A travel through unique flavors

SO LET US BEGIN A GASTRONOMIC TRIP through the Center of Portugal where people are warm and tables are always filled with delicious regional dishes and desserts.

Do not worry about your diet. You will burn all the extra calories with invigorating walks across the mountains or along bright sandy beaches of blue waters that invite you for an undeniable refreshing swim.

OUR JOURNEY BEGINS in the city of Coimbra recently elected European Gastronomic Region in 2021. Take a stroll through the labyrinthine historic streets of this former Portuguese capital and enter in the taverns full of traditions that refuse to surrender to time. Behind rustic wooden shutters, you will find amazing flavors such as moelas (stewed gizzards), ossos (pork meat with bones), pica-pau (fried beef or pork with pickles and black olives) and streak with pitau sauce, among others.

For dinner, delight yourself with one of the three most typical dishes of this marvelous city, once called Aeminium. Try the chanfana (traditional goat stew), the lamprey rice or the Leitão da Bairrada (roasted suckling piglet). For dessert, delicious conventual sweets will surprise you, such as the sopa dourada das freiras de Santa Clara (golden soup of Santa Clara nuns).

DO NOT FORGET TO go to Rabaçal and taste its famous sheep or goat matured cheese. After some irresistible slices, you will certainly be ready for a walking tour to the Roman Villa of Rabaçal. Visit the ruins of a large housing complex from the 4th century. Already at the time existed the habit of mixing cheese with honey. An ancestral recipe to try and get surrendered.

DRIVE TO THE MOUNTAIN. Destination: Lousã. You will discover 12 charming schist villages in this area, the perfect place to buy pure honey, dark amber in color, almost black, with a peculiar aroma due to the heathers nectar. Enjoy and stroll.

IT IS NOW TIME TO GO TO THE COAST. Feel the beach, the sunshine and the smell of freshly grilled fish. Sit at one of the many terraces of Praia da Barra, in Ílhavo. Make a pleasant walk along the beautiful ecopista (ecotrail) that connects this beach to Vagueira beach.

On the way back, stop at Costa Nova and enjoy the tripa, a typical pancake filled with one of many different amazing flavors. Go to Aveiro and buy some of those little wooden barrels full of famous and delicious ovos moles (wafer filled with soft eggs). Some for you, some to offer. Enjoy the famed aveirense eel stew. If you are

a fan of this delicacy, you may also travel to Murtosa, well-known for its enguia em escabeche (marinated eel).

LET THE COMPASS POINT TO THE SOUTH. In Nazaré, try the local fish stew or the cataplana (fish, clams and seafood in a copper pan). You will love it!

Spend the rest of the afternoon swimming or surfing in its blue-green waters. Live more relaxing moments in Praia do Sul or, if you want a more radical experience, choose the Praia do Norte. In both cases, reward yourself with a selection of mixed grilled fish at the table of a seafront restaurant, at the end of a memorable day.

COME AND VISIT THE CENTER OF PORTUGAL!

ARE YOU YET MISSING THE MOUNTAIN? Head to Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain in mainland Portugal and taste its unique semi-soft and buttery cheese with Sabugueiro artisan bread, made in the community ovens of this charming village known as “the highest of Portugal”. A great delight, you will see!

Go down to Fundão towards the Serra da Gardunha, where the climate and peculiar soils create the ideal conditions to give birth to the famous fleshy and sweet cherries.

This is the cherry on top of your trip?

Many more are waiting for you.

www.turismodocentro.pt www.facebook.com/turismodocentro

Between nature and adventure PORTUGAL MAY BE ONLY A SMALL COUNTRY, BUT THE VARIETY OF ITS LANDSCAPES AND SPECIES IS SUCH THAT ANY TRIP, HOWEVER SHORT, IS A PLEASURE OF DISCOVERY.

F

ROM THE TOWERING MOUNTAINS TO THE VAST PLAINS, from the wide sandy beaches with their gently rolling waves to the jagged coastline battered by rough seas, the country has a little of everything.

And there are also the islands of Madeira and Azores, oases of calm and tranquillity in the middle of the Atlantic, with lush vegetation, extinct volcanoes and caves full of natural carvings.

Wherever you are, the sun shines all year round, offering a mild climate that is ideal for enjoying nature and the outdoors.

Some of these places are true sanctuaries that have been preserved intact since the beginning of time. And many are the habitat of rare species of flora and fauna that enjoy here the ideal conditions to develop.

You can discover them on a walk for observation and contemplation, or in more adrenalinefilled sports and radical activities. They are unforgettable moments, and you will go away with the best holiday memories.

SCHIST VILLAGES Hidden between mountain slopes of leafy vegetation, the schist villages are one of our best kept secrets, but one that their pleasant, friendly inhabitants enjoy helping to reveal.

In this magical world, where time passes more slowly, the hospitable people always have the time to welcome visitors, and to share their stories, crafts and traditions. Just as we like to savour their gastronomic delights, made from recipes passed down from generation to generation! Or take with us a handmade article in linen or wood into which the local craftsmen have put all their knowledge.

This land also has preserved castles that appear to emerge out of the mist, straight out of fairy tales, and museums and monuments that bear witness to what life was like many years ago.

But much of their charm is in the pure nature.

In the river beaches with crystal clear water where you can spend moments of relaxation.

And in the forests you can discover on foot following the “Schist paths “, or on the bike

trails defined by the Mountain Bike Centres according to various levels of difficulty, and which also provide support to bikers. There are also other extreme sport alternatives such as canoeing, climbing, abseiling and rope slides.

ADVENTURE FOR ALL Those who visit us will discover a lively people who enjoy the climate and the pleasure of being with each other, often in the open air, experiencing various activities surrounded by nature.

From kite surfing to bike rides over hill and dale, or rock climbing, abseiling and zip wiring for the more adventurous, the options are endless for those who like to keep active.

For those wanting to pump the adrenaline, Portugal has some great challenges in its perfect waves for surfing. Or windsurfing, sailing or paragliding with winds that are guaranteed to get the thrills soaring. Skiing and parasailing, too, provide some amazing experiences.

Try rafting, canyoning and canoeing on Portugal’s rivers. And discover their sources deep

GERÊS, the one and only

within the earth, going potholing to delve into unexplored caves.

To enjoy nature in all its charm, we recommend some calmer activities, such as hiking or horse riding, taking in the fragrance of the wild flowers on a beautiful sunny day. Or mountaineering, where apart from the stunning views, you can reach the highest peaks to be rewarded with a view of the nests and flight of birds of prey. There are also boat trips to see dolphins and whales, images that you will never forget.

There’s no shortage of ideas and suggestions, the landscapes offer a wealth of diversity and the fine climate will surely be on your side...

We might even say that in Portugal, the best companion for adventures is Nature!

BIRD WATCHING Portugal is regarded as one of the best destinations in Europe for bird watching because it has an excellent concentration of different habitats.

This richness and variety attracts a great diversity of species, with around 330 occurring

here regularly, some of which are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula.

On a short car trip you can get from the estuaries and other wetlands to the pseudosteppe and the steep river valleys, or from the cork oak or holm oak forest to the coast. In the estuary of the River Tejo alone, which is just 20 minutes from Lisbon, it is fairly easy to see over 100 species of birds in a single day!

The Peneda-Gerês National Park, in the far northwest of Portugal between Upper Minho and Trás-os-Montes, is the only Portuguese protected area classified as a such.

It is a world apart in which human activity and nature are harmoniously integrated, preserving ancient values and traditions clearly evident in the village communities of Pitões das Júnias and Tourém.

The lush vegetation in all shades of green includes a forest of holly, the only one in Portugal, and endemic species such as the Gerês lily, which brightens up the fields with its shades of violet-blue. Rivers and streams flow through the Peneda, Soajo, Amarela and Gerês mountain ranges, which comprise the park, rushing down in waterfalls and then spreading out into reservoirs. The landscapes are breathtaking.

You might sometimes manage to spot a roebuck (the Park’s symbol) or its predator, the Iberian wolf. More common are the ponies, small wild horses that run free in the mountains. You may also come across the Barrosã breed of cattle or the dark-haired Castro Laboreiro dogs, guarding the herds that move to the rhythm of the seasons, between the mild and the wintry. These are the villages and mountain areas related to the ancient transhumance, to where the people today move only the cattle: valleys and low altitudes in winter, the highest places in summer, according to the availability of pasture.

FEELVIANA SPORT HOTEL

With a sophisticated concept of leisure and comfort, FeelViana Hotel is a pioneering and innovative project, resulting in the perfect fusion of nature and well-being, relaxation and evasion, sports and adventure.

FeelViana Sport Hotel is a haven of contemporary design with unique architecture, where wood is the key player.

Perfectly set in the vast pine forest of the Cabedelo beach, it breathes the sea, the mountain and the river that surround it. In this exceptional scenario, a bold, unique and exclusive space is born, bringing along a new way of enjoying the Nature, relaxing, practicing sports and feeling the unrivalled charm of Viana do Castelo.

FEELVIANA SPORTS

CENTER

At FeelViana Sports Center, we propose the practice of sports such as Kitesurf, Windsurf, Stand Up Paddle, Surf, Sailing, Trekking, Trail Running and Bike Tours (rental and classes or experiences). We also have a Pumptrack, a Wake Park, a well-equipped Gym as well as Yoga and Pilates classes. Plenty of options to please everyone: family, friends and kids… fun, action and adventure is guaranteed! | Kitesurf | Foil Kite | Surf | Windsurf | Sailing | Biking | Running | Trail Running | Trekking | Pumptrack | Gym | Yoga | Pilates WAKEPARK | Wakeboard | Wakesurf | Wakefoil | Beginners Windsurf Lessons | Stand Up Pddle | Wake Park Bar

Rua Brás de Abreu Soares 222 • Cabedelo Beach 4935-159 Viana do Castelo • PORTUGAL

45 minutes drive from Porto International Airport, with many direct flights from all main European cities

FEELVIANA SPA Inspired by the sea, the FEELVIANA SPA brings the strength, serenity and vitality of sea life to indoors, where we provide treatments with organic seaweedbased products.

A sanctuary for contemplation, it is the right place to recharge your energy and immerse yourself in absolute relaxation. It is a site for evasion and well-being that will make you escape routine and reconcile with yourself. | Massages and Treatments | Indoor Swimming Pool | Sauna and Turkish Bath

With 46 Rooms (of which 15 Suites) and 9 Bungalows, FeelViana is a space of comfort right in the Nature. In addition to the FeelViana Sports Center, the hotel also comprises a wonderful Spa (with an Interior Pool, Sauna and Turkish Bath), a well-designed and functional Business Center, a Lounge Terrace, an Outside Pool, a Gym, a Kids Club, a Pumptrack, a Wake Park, a Beach Bar & Sports Station and excellent Restaurants.

FEELVIANA RESTAURANTS RESTAURANT A classic but bold menu, with traditional products reinvented by our Chef. Creative and delicious dishes to enjoy in the comfort of our glazed room, with the dunes and the Atlantic in the background, or in the terrace over the sand.

+351. 258 330 330

www.hotelfeelviana.com

TAVERN A more relaxed suggestion, based on diversity and tradition, but always with the Chef’s twist. Snacks, boards, smoothies, salads, toasts and small dishes ideal to socialize and to share. Comfort food served non-stop between 12h30 and 23h00, ideal for a late lunch or for a relaxed sunset in our Lounge.

info@hotelfeelviana.com

The Best of Portugal

24

VIAJAR 2019 / OCTOBER

Azores

The green islands MOTHER NATURE HAS CREATED A LAND FULL OF NATURAL BEAUTY, READY TO BE EXPLORED, IN THE BLUE IMMENSITY OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN: THE AZORES.

T

HE AZORES ORIGINATED AS A RESULT OF THE 1766 VOLCANOES that are to be found in this archipelago, nine of which are still active. The Azores Geopark was born out of all this natural wealth, as part of the European and Global Network of Geoparks. Its aim is to promote and protect the geological heritage of the archipelago.

The Azores Geopark is unique worldwide because it offers 121 geosites scattered throughout the nine islands and surrounding marine area, mirroring the vast volcanic geodiversity of the archipelago. There are nine islands, but only one Geopark!

To the East, on the island of Santa Maria, the beaches of warm white sand are inviting, and the vineyards covering the slopes like an amphitheatre resemble giant staircases.

São Miguel, the largest island, is seductive with its Sete Cidades and Fogo Lagoons. The power that emanates from the earth is felt in the geysers, hot thermal waters and volcanic lakes, as well as in the tasty “Cozido das Furnas” slowly cooked inside the earth.

In the Central Group, the islands of Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial and Graciosa are set harmoniously in the deep blue sea, where whales and dolphins can be spotted, to the delight of visitors. On Terceira, the World Heritage town of Angra do Heroísmo, as well as its festivals, is steeped in history. Faial is the cool blue of the hydrangeas, the marina painted colourfully by yachtsmen from all over the world and the extinct Capelinhos volcano, which resembles a lunar landscape. In front is Pico, a mountain that emerges from the sea, with vineyards planted in black lava fields, a

unique culture that also has World Heritage status. On São Jorge, the highlights are the Fajãs and the cheese, a unique specialty with an unmistakable flavour. Graciosa, graceful in both name and appearance, is an island of green fields covered with vineyards that contrast with its peculiar windmills.

In the Western group, on the island of Flores,

the beauty of the natural waterfalls and lakes carved out by volcanoes is dazzling. The tiny island of Corvo has a broad, beautiful crater at its centre, and attracts many species of birds coming from both Europe and America.

Whether you are a lover of quiet walks or an adrenalin junkie, the Azores have more than 60 hiking trails with all the conditions

Whale and dolphin watching The Azores, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, is an archipelago of nine islands showing nature in its purest state, and one of the largest whale sanctuaries in the world.

Among the resident and migratory species, some common, some rarer, you can see more than 24 different types of cetaceans in the waters of the Azores. There are also resident communities such as common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, with which it is possible to swim, and there are whales that use the Azores as a migration route. Spotted dolphins, sperm whales, sei whales and baleen whales are more frequent in summer. Blue whales can easily be sighted in late winter. One thing is certain: whatever the season, there are always discoveries to be made.

for walking safely. Venture out and discover unique landscapes between paths totally wrapped in Nature.

These are the Azores. Nine islands, nine small worlds that have as many similarities as differences, but where the friendliness of their inhabitants is shared by all.

VIAJAR 2019 / OCTOBER

The Best of Portugal

25

Madeira What a magesty...

RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ATLANTIC, THE ISLANDS OF MADEIRA AND PORTO SANTO ARE A HAVEN OF NATURAL BEAUTY. THE EXOTIC COLOURS OF THE FLOWERS STAND OUT FROM AMONG THE BLUE SEA AND THE EMERALD GREEN VEGETATION; THIS IS AN ARCHIPELAGO WHERE TWO THIRDS ARE A PROTECTED AREA AND WHERE THE LARGEST LAURISILVA FOREST IN THE WORLD IS LOCATED.

T

HE SPRINGTIME TEMPERATURE, FELT ALL YEAR ROUND, cries out for open air activities. You can go for a walk along the network of levadas (irrigation channels), visit the city of Funchal and discover the heritage associated with the Discoveries or roam freely around the island.

Boat rides are an excellent way of admiring the coastline from a different perspective.

Right in the middle of the Atlantic, the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo are a haven of natural beauty. The exotic colours of the flowers stand out from among the blue sea and the emerald green vegetation; this is an archipelago where two thirds are a protected area and where the largest Laurisilva forest in the world is located.

The springtime temperature, felt all year round, cries out for open air activities. You can go for a walk along the network of levadas (irrigation channels), visit the city of Funchal and discover the heritage associated with the Discoveries or roam freely around the island. Boat rides are an excellent way of admiring the coastline from a different

perspective.

In such a naturally welcoming environment, balance and well-being are taken for granted.

Madeira offers various tourist complexes and accesses to the sea with prime conditions for leisure boating and scuba diving. The island of Porto Santo, in particular, is the ideal place to escape from stress and undertake a thalassotherapy programme, or a beach holiday combined with a spot of golf.

Popular feasts, which take place all year round, are opportunities to appreciate traditional gastronomic flavours and see Madeira partying, especially for the Carnival parades, the Flower Festival, the Atlantic Festival and, above all, the end-of-year fireworks display.

LIVING NATURE One of Madeira’s greatest tourist attractions is its exuberant, diverse vegetation, whose combination of the tropical and the Mediterranean produces a patchwork of plants that are rich in shades of green, and of various shapes and sizes.

The Madeira Natural Park was created in

1982 to preserve this vast natural heritage, a worldwide rarity. The park is classified as a Biogenetic Reserve, and in it you can find a unique range of flora and fauna, with some rare species such as the Orquídea da Serra (Mountain Orchid), unique in the world, and also large trees belonging to the Lauraceae family - the Madeira laurel, the bay tree and the Madeira mahogany, as well as shrubs, ferns, moss, lichens and other small plants typical of the Laurissilva forest, included by UNESCO in its World Heritage list.

The numerous trails and Levadas (irrigation channels) which crisscross the endemic Laurissilva Forest will delight trekkers, with their breathtaking views over the mountains and, for the more adventurous, a climb to the Areeiro and Ruivo Peaks will take you above the clouds, with the island at your feet.

You can also explore the coastal area’s majestic cliffs, pebble beaches and natural rock pools, which bear witness to the island’s volcanic origins. Or you can take a ferryboat or a plane to Porto Santo to enjoy the several kilometres of golden beaches.

The GOLDEN ISLAND The Island of Porto Santo is a haven of gold and blue, where the pace of everything is tranquil, inviting relaxation and rest.

Right in the Atlantic Ocean, Porto Santo, 11km long and 6km wide, has been long dubbed the Golden Island, for its extensive, stunning 9kmlong beach of fine and silky sand, bathed by turquoise waters. The climate in Porto Santo, mild all year round, with a sea temperature ranging between 17ºC and 22ºC, makes this island always attractive, even in the winter.

Welcome to

MADEIRA ARCHIPELAGO

A PERFECT DESTINATION Madeira islands have magnificent views, dense and green forests like the unique Laurissiva, volcanic mountains, gardens with exuberant flowers, exotic fruits flavours and possibility to dive in the blue Atlantic Ocean. It is perfect destination for those who seek a bluer sky and a brighter sun. The local people are friendly, easy smile, providing outstanding hospitality which inspires calm and safety.

In addition to its stunning scenery and luxuriant mountain and thanks to its excellent geographical location and mountainous relief, the archipelago has a surprisingly mild climate throughout the year, with moderate humidity and pleasant average temperatures of 25ºC in Summer and 18ºC in Winter.

NOT ALL IDYLLIC DESTINATIONS ARE THAT FAR. Sometimes we can find breathtaking and amazing sceneries just next door. Madeira archipelago (with the islands: Madeira, Porto Santo (also Known as “Golden Island” due to its amazing beach with therapeutic properties), Desertas and Selvagens, (natural reserves) . Only the two larger islands (Madeira and Porto Santo) are inhabited.

The archipelago is located about 500km from the African coast, and 1000km from Europe. So, with about 3 hours’ flight, you can find a real paradise to recharge your batteries and live unique experiences.

TOURISM OF QUALITY AND EVENTS FOR ALL TASTES

Besides a wonderful climate, Madeira also offers, a tourism of quality: hotels with excellent facilities, great restaurants, with delicious local and unique cuisine, an interesting history, warm seawaters, marvelous nature, a range of tours and activities such as the famous “Levada walks ”, that mark by its difference and personalized support.

And there are also events for all tastes all year round: > CARNIVAL – 22 February /March > FLOWER FESTIVAL – April/ May > ATLANTIC FESTIVAL – June (Weekends) > MADEIRA WINE FESTIVAL – August/September > COLUMBUS FESTIVAL (Porto Santo) – September > MADEIRA NATURE FESTIVAL - October > CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS December MADEIRA AND PORTO SANTO WELCOME YOU WITH MUCH TO OFFER!

Paradise of golf I

T’S HARD TO FIND A BETTER DESTINATION FOR A GOLF HOLIDAY. Chosen five years in a row, between 2014 and 2018, as Best Golf Destination in Europe and the World by the World Golf Awards, Portugal has a great variety of courses with features suited to the various levels of difficulty and available budget.

DESIGNED BY FAMOUS ARCHITECTS There are more than ninety courses around the country, with varied courses and great golf challenges, recognized by the most experienced golf professionals.

Many of the courses were designed by famous architects such as Robert Trent Jones Jr., Jack Nicklaus, Arthur Hills, Nick Faldo, Severiano Ballesteros, Henry Cotton, Rocky Roquemore and Arnold Palmer, the creator of the award-winning Victoria Golf Course, one of golf’s flagship courses, where the Portugal Masters has been held since it was first staged in 2007. One thing they all share is their environmental quality and the harmonious way in which they blend into the natural surroundings.

The Algarve and the Lisbon Coast are wellknown destinations for more experienced players and have won several international awards. They host major competitions on the professional tours, as does Madeira with its mountain courses. In the Azores, there’s also rustic golf that is played in a rural setting. But it was in Porto and the North that it all began, where Espinho, the second oldest course in mainland Europe, is located.

But the biggest challenge while you’re playing is not to have your concentration broken by the beauty and light of the surrounding countryside. We have courses that overlook the sea flanked by cliffs and dunes with white sand. And others surrounded by lakes and mountains, where the perfumes of flowers and herbs blend and become impossible to distinguish one from the other.

ALGARVE, ONE OF THE BEST GOLF DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD Repeatedly considered to be the best golfing destination in the world by magazines devoted to the sport and by international associations of specialist tour operators, the Algarve lives up to this distinction by maintaining an unrelenting quality.

PLAYING GOLF IN PORTUGAL REMAINS IN THE MEMORIES OF ALL THOSE WHO TRY IT. AND WHY? EXCELLENT COURSES IN STUNNING SETTINGS, A MILD CLIMATE ALL YEAR ROUND AND THE FRIENDLY WELCOME GIVEN TO GOLFERS.

With an ideal climate that lets you play throughout the year and a wide variety of almost four dozen courses, the region is a golfers’ paradise. Most courses are located in protected areas, with stunning views.

They are internationally recognised for the quality of their facilities, and they have been designed by prestigious players and legendary champions such as Sir Henry Cotton, Rocky Roquemore, Arnold Palmer and Ronald Fream. On top of all this, there

VIAJAR 2019 / OCTOBER

The Best of Portugal

29

Golf all year in MADEIRA

are excellent golf pros, a varied network of hotels and good accessibility, ranging from direct air links with many destinations in the world to easy transfers between Faro airport and the various resorts.

The courses are spread from one extreme of the region to the other. By the beach or further inland, flat or hilly, the choice is varied, but any of them can offer you the chance of birdies and eagles, and maybe even a hole in one. Between Lagos, Sagres and Serra de Monchique there are courses with varying degrees of difficulty, where the greens and fairways are framed by beautiful natural scenery. It is in this area, near Portimão, that the first course opened in Algarve is to be found, Penina Hotel & Golf Resort, which has been awarded on several occasions as one of the best in Europe.

that require the use of various clubs. Many are peppered with the indigenous species of the region, such as fig, olive, carob and oak trees, so a round of golf is like taking a walk in nature. Additionally, the panoramic views over the River Guadiana, the Atlantic, the mountains and the Ria Formosa Natural Park are so beautiful that the golfers’ concentration can be broken, jeopardising their tee shots.

True tests to the technical capabilities of even the most accomplished players, who have to put their strategies to the test, many of these courses are host to important international tournaments, such as the Algarve World Cup or the Cup of Nations. The Portugal Masters is part of the PGA European Tour and has been held at the Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura since 2007.

THE MOST LUXURIOUS

ALSO FOR BEGINNERS

The most central area, between Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo is one of the most luxurious in the Algarve and also one of the best equipped for playing golf. These courses combine links and fairways with cliffs, lakes and bunkers, providing a high standard of holes. Take, for example, hole 16 at the Royal Golf Course in Vale de Lobo, the most photographed in Europe: a demanding Par 3 in which three spectacular sea cliffs stand between the tee and the green. Or hole 6 at Pine Cliffs, that is on the edge of a ravine and requires a shot over the beach.

In Sotavento, the courses are more level, but their imaginative designs provide challenges

But the Algarve is also for beginners. There is a wide range of Golf Academies with an international reputation spread across the region, where you can take your first steps or improve your golf technique. They are provided with sophisticated equipment, use innovative teaching methods and are supported by pros certified by the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) who are competent in several languages. Most courses also offer training programmes, and for those who want to practice their short game on their own, there are practice areas and several pitch and put courses spread across the region. A wide choice for golfers of all levels!

Like an eternal Spring, Madeira is a golf destination par excellence all year round.

The climate is mild throughout the year, the untouched nature offers clean air and unforgettable walks, the cuisine is rich in tradition-steeped flavours. Here, you will not be short of choices for a memorable holiday. And it is just a few hours by plane from Europe.

The tradition of golf on this Island dates back to 1937, when the Englishmen Miles, Leacock and Blandy built the first nine-hole golf course. You can practise on one of two courses, Palheiro Golf and Santo da Serra Golf Club, with 18 and 27 holes respectively, both notable for the beauty of their surrounding landscape.

Currently, Madeira has all the facilities to welcome golfers of every handicap, including prime quality accommodation, which makes the islands a paradise for the lovers of the sport who will not fail to delight in the challenge of each hole and the surrounding scenery.

BTL 2020: from the 11th to the 15th of March

FIL will be once again the tourism stage in Portugal IN ITS LAST EDITION, BTL was considered one of the best ever. 71,000 visitors, including professionals and public, have shown the growing interest and vitality of a sector that represents around 15% of Portugal’s GDP. For five days, BTL is the most important platform to spread news, new services and to close new business deals, apart from providing the possibility of purchasing a holiday or a short break at exclusive prices to the thousands of visitors.

“After years of successive successes, BTL claims its position as the most important event of the tourism sector in Portugal. Apart from the activities generally carried out during a tourism fair, BTL takes up the challenge of continuing to innovate and follow the trends of an area that has been changing at a steady pace over the last decade based on

the changing consumer profiles, technology and also the perception of luxury. Portugal is definitely on the world tourism route and BTL aims to reinforce this positioning through a consolidation of the notoriety strategy and innovation from those who work daily to the so-called smile industry” says Dália Palma, Event Manager of BTL. The 2020 edition will have as primary focus a Wine Tourism area which will have its own space to promote flavors and brands of the Portuguese wines, as well as hotel structures that provide unique experiences in this area. Another novelty is BTL Festivals, an area that has shown a strong growth and that invests on the diversification and decentralization, as an engine of touristic flows outside major urban centers. Companies, services and programming are the starting point to show the best that is done in our country. Another highlight of the event

will be BTL Lab, a space for debating and reflecting that has been affirming itself at the event. In 2020, the Fair will also have other discussion forums such as Conferences and debates particularly on the role of women in development and leadership in this sector.

Another aspect to highlight is the Hosted Buyers Program that reinforces the image of the national tourism across borders in main markets such as the Chinese, American or Japanese.

Organized by FIL and the AIP Foundation, BTL 2019 involved 46 international destinations including Malta, Syechelles, Jamaica and Tanzania who participated for the first time or others who participate on a regular basis such as Brazil, who mark their presence in a fair that assumes itself as the center of the capacity and strength of tourism in Portugal.