Inside Portugal Travel

Tourism, Culture, Entertainment, Regional Products, Handicrafts in Tras-os-Montes

Miguel C. — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Open since August 2009, Anda D’I is largely a cultural promoter. Tourist and artists from around the Northeast Transmontano, share the culture of this remote region of Portugal. Live the day-to-day ancient traditions. This is the part of Portugal with two official languages, and has festivals of Masks, Pauliteiros (dancing sticks), ancient foods and unique landscapes, magnificent castles, etc ... Based in Bragança - and all are invited.

Guimarães 2012 - European Capital of Culture is up and running

Miguel C. — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Guimarães 2012 is the European Capital of Culture, kicked off with a large gathering of creators and creations - music, film, photography, visual arts, architecture, literature, thought, theater, dance and street arts. Over the period of a year, Guimaraes is the center for cultural diversity. http://www.guimaraes2012.pt/

Bussaco National Forest

Miguel C. — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The Bussaco National Forest offers many trails and sights that seem to replicate what the lands were prior to human settlement. On the trails one can see a wide range of trees and plants, fountains, and valleys. The Bussaco Forest also holds military and religious landmarks such as the Military museum, built in memorium of the Battle of Bussaco fought during the Napoleonic invasions, and the Convent of Santa Cruz. These trails vary in degree of difficulty, from easy to intermediate, and trekking footwear is recommended.

++ Visits in Buçaco

Visit 1: The Convent of Santa Cruz - In 1628 the Diocese of Coimbra donated a large piece of land to the Order of Discalced Carmelites. On the piece of land the Order constructed the Convent of Santa Cruz, which was an active monastery for two centuries, until the abolition of religious Orders in 1834. Some parts of the convent still remain from the early days, including paintings, sculptures, and tiles.

Visit 2: Convent and Gardens of the Bussaco Palace Hotel - One of the main places of interest in the Bussaco National Forest is the historic, and royal, Palace Hotel. Originally built as a hunting lodge for the last kinds of Portugal, the architecture is both romantic and representative of the nationalist culture. Additions have been made to property, including buildings, ponds, and gardens.

Visit 3: Convent and The Bussaco Woodlands - The Bussaco Woodlands is home to a wide range of plants and enormous trees. It is one of the richest natural forests in terms of natural, architectural, and cultural heritage. The area is divided into three different landscapes, including the Arboretum, the Gardens and Valley of the Ferns, and the Relict Forest. Today it is a living laboratory and an important subject of study for several Portuguese universities. Trekking footwear advised.

Visit 4: The Bussaco Woodlands - A beautiful landscape with many landmarks and natural formations. Trekking footwear advised.

The visits and walks are subject to prior booking.

Visits are provided in English, Spanish and French for groups with a minimum of 15 persons. Bookings for smaller groups are accepted subject to the payment of the fee applied for a group of 15 persons. For information and booking please call (+351) 231937004 or email: atividades@fmb.pt

The new CS Salgados Mar Hotel is on schedule to open during 2012

Miguel C. — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The hotel is set in an idyllic location right on the Salgados beach dunes. This elegant 5 star hotel is inspired by its exclusive and natural surroundings and offers fantastic views across the Algarve coastline, golf course and nature reserve. Suited for adults and families, inside every room or suite you’ll find sophisticated surroundings including walkout balconies, sought-after modern amenities including flat-screen television and Internet access.

Relax and enjoy our restaurants and allow us to cater to your every need with signature beverages and light snacks in our four theme bars. Indulge and pamper yourself at our exclusive Ocean SPA and experience the delights of time spent away from the everyday stresses of life,.

260 accommodation units;

Direct access to Salgados beach from the pools (± 200m) through a purpose-built pathway over the dunes;
2 Outdoor pools (one of them with 60 meters long);
3 Restaurants (1 Buffet, 1 A la Carte and 1 Snack-bar);
3 Bars (2 Lobby and 1 Pool bar);
SPA with pool with whirlpool features, sauna, steam bath, gym room and 3 treatment and massage rooms;
Seasonal entertainment program;
Mediterranean style gardens;
Wireless broadband internet connection;

Top Guimaraes

Miguel C. — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

A new organization dedicated solely to raising awareness in Portugal and around the world. TOP Guimarães wants to change how local businesses work on the internet. They guarantee the maintenance of its content and regularly report its performance on their website. All this at the lowest price in the market, as well as high flexibility in the method and frequency of payment.

Portuguese Kayaks tailor-made for Olympic champions

Miguel C. — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Seventeen years ago Manual Ramos, nicknamed “Nelo”, began making canoes in the garage of an abandoned house. Now he is building kayaks used by 75% of the Olympic qualifiers for the 2012 summer games in London and has been named the official supplier. Back in 2008, Nelo’s kayaks were used by 20 out of the 36 medals distributed for canoeing and kayaking. Having been the first national canoeing champion before building his business, there is no doubt how greatly Nelo has benefited the sport. The company is responsible for the design of each model it has produced, which has mounted to a total of over 30,000 models.

High cuisine fly with TAP Portugal

Miguel C. — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The dissemination of Portuguese cuisine has always been easy on the aircraft of TAP. Over the next months TAP passengers can experience the culinary creations of six of the most reputed chefs of Portugal. Through the art of Luis Baena, Henrique Sá Pessoa, Ljubomir Stanisic, Leonel Pereira, Marco Gomes and Miguel Castro e Silva, who joined the culinary consultant for TAP. Vitor Sobral, the company will present the world the unique characteristics of Portuguese cuisine. They are, of course, signature dishes, but always inspired by the best Portuguese tradition. The initiative lasts until October 2012. Altogether there are 12 recipes that are based on the beef and two of the more traditional raw materials of Portuguese cuisine, cod and octopus. This initiative reinforces the role of TAP as a global showcase the essence of items such as the Portuguese culture, gastronomy or enology. In this context, recall that three Portuguese wines served on board aircraft of the company were recently honored by the U.S. magazine Global Traveler as the best served by airlines around the world. For more information please visit www.flytap.com.

Portugal: Michelin Stars 2012!

Miguel C. — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

We all know that Michelin stars are a hallmark of fine dining quality, and this year's guide recognizes 12 restaurants throughout Portugal.

The outstanding restaurants offering "very good cuisine" (i.e., one star) are: - Feitoria/Altis Belém (in Lisbon), - Tavares (in Lisbon) - The Yeatman (in Vila Nova de Gaia) - Henrique Leis Gabriel (in Almancil) - São Gabriel (in Almancil) - Largo do Paço/Casa da Calçada (in Amarante) -Fortaleza do Guincho (in Cascais) -Arcadas da Cappella/Quinta das Lágrimas (in Coimbra) -Il Gallo d'Oro (in Funchal), and Willie's (in Quarteira).