Active Travel

Pico - one of the best places in the world to live

Monday, 19 April 2010 00:00

Pico Island in the Azores is, according to Islands Magazine, 'one of the best places in the world to live'. And, as an example look at the new Baía da Barca aparthotel -with  an ultra-modern design. Baía da Barca is a short walk from the town center, it also features a fine range of comforts such as a sauna, small spa, outdoor pool and spacious living rooms in all ten apartments where guests can congregate around the fireplace on a winter's evening. Future plans at Baía da Barca include a regional restaurant, live local-style entertainment and more apartments on an adjacent plot.

Adventure and history along the Gary Fisher Villages Trail

Friday, 09 April 2010 00:00

Tour the countryside surrounding Lisbon from the seat of a mountain bike. A2Z Adventures has organized two challenging biking adventures this year, highlighting the natural and historic beauty of the villages and farmland surrounding Serra da Estrela. This 330 mile ride will bring you whizzing down rocky hills, past ancient castles and through quiet villages that have stood in this scenic area of Portugal for almost 1000 years.  Mountain biking legend Gary Fisher took this tour on one of the initial rides and gave it his stamp of approval.The first tour is from June 6-12, 2010 and the second is from Oct. 2-8, 2010. Click here for more information on this unforgettable trip. 

Kayaking trip down the Douro River by Explorers Corner

Wednesday, 17 March 2010 00:00

Enjoy a new travel experience on the Douro River Valley. This 9 days tour combines fun and good exercise between stays in one wine farm (Quinta) after another. There will be plenty of opportunities for long hikes in addition to fun paddling. The local port, wine, and great Portuguese meals are good compliments to the physical activities. However, the heart of this adventure is the hospitality of the Portuguese families who warmly receive us in their Quintas and share stories of their craft and deep ancestral roots - steeped in the Old World Tradition that still lingers by the banks of the river. The best way to enjoy this travel gem is from the comfortable seat of a quiet kayak or by walking through the hillsides and vineyards along the river. Just imagine picking juicy, ready-to-be-eaten Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, or Touriga Nacional grapes off the vines from the seat of your kayak as you float down a glassy river. Prices start at $4,390 per person and do not include international airfare or mandatory trip insurance.

Birds & Nature offers bird watching tours starting at 70 €

Monday, 15 March 2010 00:00

Portugal possesses a fantastic diversity of habitats and consequently of birds in a relatively small area, the week birding program designed by Birds & Nature provides for visits to several rich areas without the necessity of travelling long distances.

A Beginners Course in Birdwatching is being offered in the BioRia itinerary and Aveiro salt pans of Centro de Portugal Region on April 10 to 11, 2010 for 70 € (1 people); 120 € (2 people)

Weeklong Birding Adventure starts at 1.200 euros per person - 7 Days/6 Nights Program- Start at the Hotel Rural Barroca d’Alva, in the heart of the Tejo estuary (about 20 minutes). Visit several areas and a variety of habitats within this huge nature reserve, including the Barroca d’Alva rice fields and pastures, the salt pans of Ribeira das Enguias, the inter-tidal mudflats and salt marshes of Hortas and the cork oak woodlands of Pancas. Overnight at the Hotel Rural Barroca d’Alva. Next,  explore the Sado estuary area (about 30 minutes), to explore some of the interesting sites in this protected area: Zambujal, Gâmbia, Monte Novo de Palma, Batalha, Carrasqueira and Comporta (inter-tidal mudflats, salt marshes, salt pans, rice fields, reed beds, cork oak and pine woodlands). Overnight at the Hotel Rural Barroca d’Alva. Then - travel to the Alentejo (about 90 minutes). Visit the great Castro Verde plains and the Pulo do Lobo area (rolling plains and bluffs and hills associated with the Guadiana valley). Overnight at the Hotel Vila Galé Clube de Campo. Visit other special sites of interest in this part of the Alentejo region, including Mértola, Pomarão and Mina de São Domingos. Overnight at the Hotel Vila Galé Clube de Campo. And, travel to the Algarve region (about 45 minutes). Visit the complex of canals, saline flats and salt pans of the Castro Marim area. Overnight at the Hotel Vila Galé Albacora. Visit several habitats such as dunes, open water, inter-tidal mudflats, salt marshes, salt pans, reed beds, lagoons and pine woods of the Ria Formosa area. Price includes bird guide, transfer from/to Lisbon Airport, ground transport (including fuel and tolls), accommodation for 6 nights (including breakfast) based on two people sharing in excellent quality hotels, use of optical equipment (quality binoculars and telescopes) and field guides, entrance fee in private or protected areas and participant’s accident insurance.

More details at http://www.birds.pt/week-long-trips