Centro de Portugal Region

Bussaco National Forest

Saturday, 04 February 2012 00:00

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

Portugal has the world's largest live nativity scene

Friday, 16 December 2011 00:00

The Largest Living Crèche in the world is in Santa Maria da Feira is now open to the public. This scene occupies a total of 1500 square meters and shows the audience about seven thousand pieces of artwork, and approximately 95% were made to order. The Crèche is still a major symbol of Christmas around the world, and Portugal did not lose sight of the tradition. This is the seventh consecutive year, and organizers have no qualms in saying that it is the biggest Crèche in the world. Within the space, visitors can observe the traditional manger scenes, but can also see train tracks, cable cars, monks and loggers. In the cave, there is a spaceship in which cyclists race the Tour of Portugal, a journey shared by polar bear, a train, waterfalls, Santas and even Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Admission is free for all ages.

Find a new retreat a few miles from the Aldeias de Xisto

Wednesday, 30 November 2011 00:00

Dutchman Jack Brouns travelled Croatia, nearly the length and breadth of it, in search of a place to open a tourism business. After passing through Spain, he had yet to find the right place. Due to "emotional issues" he travelled to Portugal, headed for the center on Portugal’s interior, searching for his "dream place." "I arrived on a bad weather day, I was tired, and all of a sudden I saw this house for sale. I thought: this is it." The Quinta da Palmeira, formerly belonging to actor Philip Sinde’s family and which includes a mansion of 1890, was recovered for three years and converted into a four-star rental accommodation opened a few months ago. The original design was kept.Outside, near the pool, the walls of stone and slate are a reminder of the house’s proximity to the village of Piódão (located 21 kilometers away). The exterior, surrounded by greenery, is indeed one of its greatest business cards. The small village of Cerdeira, where this project is located, is 6 kilometers from Benfeita, another village of the Arganil shale area. And in the courtyard, stands a 160 year-old palm tree (palmeira in Portuguese) after which the estate was named.The 8 rooms (6 doubles, one single, and one 4-person apartment with a kitchen and living room) stand out due to their dimensions (35 to 40 m²) and a decoration of different colours and concepts.“Some have a more classic feel to them, others a romantic one, others a rustic touch,” says Jack Brouns. The first floor, which used to house a wine cellar, is now highlighted by violets.You can relax in the living room or dine in the restaurant lead by swiss chef Mirjam which offers traditional Portuguese meals (3-course menu for €25). One of the breakfast options, for example, uses the estate’s orchard fruit (oranges, lemons, plums, pears, and apples).With a view of the Açor ridge, near the Serra da Estrela, this new tourism project is close to natural beauties such as the Mata da Margaraça (Margaraça forrest) and the Fraga da Pena waterfalls. However, Jack Brouns’ project is far from completed. In the coming year, he intends to extend the accommodation unit to an old olive oil mill across the street.

WHAT TO DO

Apart from walking and mountain bike trails, the estate promotes:

- Culinary workshops (lead by chef Mirjam) 30 Oct – 4 Nov, 6-11 Nov, 20-25 Nov

- Olive picking and culinary workshop 13-18 Nov

QUINTA DA PALMEIRA
Rua Principal, 36, Cerdeira, Arganil
Tel # 235 728 125
€100 to €110 (rooms)
€120 to €140 (apartments)
www.quinta-da-palmeira.com
www.qportugal.com

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.

The Palmaz hotel in Oliveira de Azeméis (Centro region), is the first eco-hotel in the country

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 00:00

Set in natural surroundings of the river Caima River Valley, and opened in April 2011, If Palmaz was a wilderness, the Hotel Rural River Valley would be an oasis. And whether this is the most appropriate comparisons or do not, the fact is that the first large country hotel operating wholly from renewable energy can, at first sight, have the effect of surprise and comfort that the image a refuge for hikers in the Sahara would thirsty. They divided the 30 rooms decorated by different concepts, each suited to one of the four elements found in nature. It is a philosophy that fits into the hotel's green policy and at the same time, allows the use of an appropriate palette of tranquility and quiet. The hotel includes a suite of four rooms, one that is adapted for guests with limited mobility and, later, several single rooms, all spacious, all with a large balcony and full of potential - for breakfast for sunbathing.There are no houses in sight, no cars, no electricity poles with wires disturb the blue, just the colors of the trees, the voices of birds, and at dawn is still dark, almost mystical experience of chimes of the chapel bell, the sensitive ears to agree a prayer to Mary which is passed, strange in the early morning air. For those who want to stay at the oasis, the offer includes the library, with some 200 titles, especially literature that belonged to Maria Jose Duarte Nunes and was donated by the hotel manager.