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The Bay of Horta combines beauty and history

Friday, 20 January 2012 00:00

The Bay of Horta, on the Azorean Island of Faial, now belongs to The Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club, after appreciation from an international jury. This proves once again the commitment of the Azores to sustainability and environmental preservation. The Bay of Horta was chosen among 30 other bays worldwide, being acknowledged for its natural beauty, as well as for its natural, historical and cultural quality. Among the criteria required for induction to the Club, the landscape and environmental sustainability of the bay and surrounding areas were decisive, as well as the bay's natural, commercial and tourist importance for the Harbor of Horta, the preservation of the area and of the island. Also noteworthy is the bay's central location in the Atlantic Ocean, making it accessible from both the United States and also Europe and Asia. Also known as Blue Island, Faial is the third most populous island of the Azores and its bay is, in fact, one of its main attractions. However, there is a lot more to do in Faial. From whale watching and swimming with dolphins to diving and boat riding, sailing, surfing or hiking, the hardest part is actually to decide what to do. And, of course, it is mandatory to enjoy the Azorean cuisine. All nine islands of the Azores offer the same possibilities, as their valuable cultural, historical and architectural heritage.

Montados to apply for World Heritage

Monday, 09 January 2012 00:00

The technical teams responsible for application for World Heritage in January are working on an application for the Montados. These cork oak woodlands, known as “montados” in Portugal, have been used to produce cork and graze livestock for centuries, making them a haven for wildlife. Forty-two bird species depend on them, including the endangered Spanish imperial eagle (with a global population down to 130 pairs), as well as rare species like the black vulture and black stork. Smaller birds, such as robins, finches and song thrushes, migrate to the Iberian Peninsula’s cork forests from northern Europe, along with blackcaps from the United Kingdom. In spring and summer, the cork forests are home to a rich variety of butterflies and plants, with more than 60 plant species recorded in just one square meter. In more remote parts of these protected lands, the rare Iberian lynx can still be found.

The cork oak is the only tree that can regenerate its bark. Natural wine corks are from the bark of these trees, which are stripped every nine years. One particular tree, known as the “Whistler Tree” because of the many singing birds attracted to it, is said to be 212 years old. It is estimated that this tree alone had produced 1,000,000 corks by the year 2000.

Alentejo Tourism is expected to have "the process of the application completed in July 2013" for the file is delivered to the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris (France).

Rally of old-fashioned pubs in Coimbra

Monday, 28 November 2011 00:00

The city of Coimbra is planning a Route of Tabernas de Coimbra. The idea is to create a roadmap for traditional food and drink that tourists can visit when traveling to the country. The city is currently undertaking a survey of the various establishments falling into this category.  The survey will encompass not only the historical center of the city but also other areas of Coimbra to gain a taste from the pallet of the entire region. Some of these areas were the scene of gatherings and meetings of students and revolutionaries.

Fado a candidate to be Intangible Heritage of Humanity

Wednesday, 09 November 2011 15:32

The candidature of the Fado to be Intangible Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO) was officially launched on January 28, 2011 at a ceremony held at the Teatro Municipal S. Luiz, Lisbon. The submission of the application was made by Councilwoman of Culture of the City of Lisbon (CML), Catarina Vaz Pinto. According to Mayor Antonio Costa the scientific work that underpins the application is of great importance. "Whatever be the decision of UNESCO, has already have built a museum and a knowledge of Fado that is much deeper than we had. For that alone, this is a candidacy that has been worthwhile, "he said.