Monte Horizonte

In the #8 pavilion of FITUR is an appeal to the senses for all who visit the space, through the Fado, now Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Fado at FITUR is a space developed by the Fado Museum where visitors can hear some snippets of the songs from Portugal that won the world. But this is just one of seven areas of culture offered here. There is a literature reading room organized by the Instituto Camões, where visitors can sit and browse a book or watch excerpts from the documentary “Joseph and Pilar” on Jose Saramago. And there is a space for the promotion of Guimarães – European Capital of Culture, the architecture of Siza Vieira and Souto Moura. Food and wine will be present and at the booth, Taste Portugal, there will be presentations of culinary creations.

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.

Carmo’s Boutique Hotel is the name of a stylish five-star property due to open its doors for the first time early next year in the ancient village of Ponte de Lima, in the pretty Minho region of northern Portugal. Scheduled to be officially inaugurated in February 2012, the family-owned hotel boasts 12 exquisitely-furnished guest-rooms and 3 sumptuous suites, each fully equipped with every modern convenience.”Our restaurant will be up to Michelin-star standards with the focus on traditional cuisine from all parts of Portugal,” she adds. Carmo’s is the centrepiece of a large parcel of fertile land in the Gemieira district of Ponte de Lima, upon which horse-riding (the hotel has a paddock of fine Lusitano horses), wine-tasting and horse-and-cart excursions will be popular activities. Furthermore, the hotel offers free transfers to and from the airports of nearby Porto and Vigo in Northern Spain.

The main results of a survey on the Environmental Impact and Social Responsibility of resorts in Portugal for the year 2010:

Energy

- 62.5% of enterprises have implemented measures to reduce consumption

- 91.1% have more efficient lighting

- 87.9% offer adjustable air conditioning (97.1% of 4 * hotels, Lisbon, Alentejo and the North with higher incidence)

- 73.6% have efficient air conditioning systems (86.3% of the 5 * hotels, Lisbon highlighted)

- 75.1% are thermal and acoustic insulation (as the fastest growing, the contribution made by the inns; focus on hotels of 5 *)

- Adoption of solar hot water rose to more than a quarter of the units (especially in 3 * hotels, especially the Alentejo, Algarve and Centro)

- Sources of energy, natural gas is for registered membership, being present in 40% of the enterprises and more than half of 4 and 5 * hotels

- Representation of businesses that generate their own electricity almost doubled within a year to 4% (especially the hotels 5 *)

Water

- 54% of enterprises have implemented measures to reduce consumption

- 85.9% of the units have adopted a change of towels and sheets at the request of customers (especially 5 * and taverns).

- Increase the use of devices to reduce flow and water consumption, present in more than 65% of the units (especially Lisbon and Madeira)

Waste

- 50% of enterprises have implemented measures to better manage

- All 5 * and hostels are now separated by screening

- 35.1% of the units offer rechargeable and non-disposable products (as the fastest growing)

- 42.1% of hotels do composting of organic waste (especially the 5 *)

Certification

- 25% of enterprises have environmental certification and quality

- 28% of enterprises have environmental certification (especially the Alentejo, Azores and Centro; growth and focus on hostels)

- 24% have quality certification, the inns being the fastest growing and adhere to these processes, especially the Alentejo and the Azores Center

The findings of the survey show the increasing contribution of the dwelling to affirm Portugal as a tourism destination development. Click here to see all results in this survey

A festive Mardi Gras celebration is just four hours away if you aim to mark the holiday on the Mid-Atlantic Islands of the Azores. Azores Express/SATA, is offering travel packages starting at $699 per person (air and hotel plus tax, double occupancy). In the Azores, Mardi Gras is known as “Carnaval” a celebration starting on Saturday, February 17, 2012 and continuing through Tuesday, February 21, 2012. Parades and pageants are at the heart of the Carnaval festivities. There is lively music, colorful costumes, hand-made masks and floats. On the island of São Miguel, known for its mild weather, you can chose from several hotels in historic Ponta Delgada, the Azores’ main city. Carnaval has a sweet taste of São Miguel, with street vendors selling fried sweet dough, called Malassadas. The festival on the Azores largest island starts of with a black tie grand ball, and heats up with dance music at the restored Coliseu Micaelense. There is a children’s parade in the streets of the capital, Ponta Delgada, with children in costume from each school district on the island. Then, a massive Carnaval parade fills the streets into the wee hours with music, costumes and dancing. All packages are per person, and include roundtrip airfare between Boston and the islands, six nights lodging, and all breakfasts.

Azores Express/ SATA offers direct flights on wide body A310 aircraft to São Miguel, the main island in the Azores archipelago. Connecting flights from São Miguel are offered to Lisbon and the island of Madeira. Azores Express has connected New England with the Azores and mainland Portugal for more than 20 years. The carrier is part of the SATA Group, which connects the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, with the world.

For more information and reservations, contact Azores Express at 800-762-9995, www.sata.pt.

“It was in the spirit of pride that the house was kept for generations in the same family. It runs along the Fernandine Walls with access to Ribeira, enjoying a privileged surrounding, overlooking the old part of town and the Serra do Pilar.” says Álvaro Aguiar, retired aviator.The place where Francisca, spent part of childhood took over a year to be rehabilitated to open in August, as the Casa dos Guindais. The project architects, Sofia Marques de Aguiar and Ernesto Jimenez, maintained and enhanced the original structure, with the wooden beams and stone walls. The pleasant garden at the rear, was accessible to all guests. The house has five autonomous studios (two of them, ideal for families) with kitchenette and bathroom, decorated with taste and comfort. It is he who takes the role of concierge, gives guests the keys, take any questions about their stay and give some advice on Porto. Located in the historic center, there are plenty of reasons to visit. From € 54. www.guindaisbooking.com

Matosinhos aims to be the “port” of the arts by aligning itself to become one of the major artistic centers in Portugal.  Represented in major museums in the world, the famous Spanish painter and sculptor Gerardo Rueda (1926-1996) had an artistic background, from Cubism to the to neoconstructivism.  The Modern Art Centre is divided into three different core areas:  -Anthology of Gerardo Rueda that is comprised of16 works, presents pieces from various periods of his production, with special emphasis on the final stage.

-Exhibition of Modern art collection Gerardo Rueda-dedicated to a part of his immense collection, in which there are approximately one hundred works.

-Temporary exhibition of Luis Noronha da Costa-consists of about 30 works and entitled “Noronha da Costa: the Transformation of the Image“. The anthology combines several periods of the artist’s work most being represented in the collection of modern art generated by Rueda.

Leite-creme custards and a free stay to cheer up during the low season – The town of Ponte de Lima will offer overnight stays and custard, free to visitors, to promote tourism in the off season. The “Off Season of Ponte de Lima is on the rise” and will run until April 21, 2012. Besides the town and the local business association, there is also a company organizing events for Tourism North of Portugal.

Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, which opened in July 2010, is the ‘natural’ family friendly escape for those who want the best of a beach resort with the luxury of ‘home comforts’.

Open for dinner every day except Monday, MoMo (as the restaurant is called) located at Casino de Lisboa is operated in conjunction with the Lágrimas group and specializes in dishes from China, Japan, Vietnam, India and Thailand.

From the 19^th to the 22^nd of July 2012, Lisbon will host the Tall Ships fleet and visitors from around the world at a unique maritime event, full of fun and entertainment! Lisbon will play host to 60 Tall Ships and 5,000 crewmembers representing 49 countries around the world. The event “The Tall Ships Races 2012 Lisbon” will have the old part of Lisbon as a backdrop. The North Side of the Tejo River, between Santa Apolónia and Terreiro do Paço, will see one million visitors that are expected to visit the Tall Ships, attend concerts with a unique surrounding and enjoy many other activities that are being planned by the organization. The highest moment of “The Tall Ships Races 2012 Lisbon” happens in July 22^nd, when the 60 Tall Ships will sail down the Tejo River before heading back to the open sea.

The hotel component of the venture Aparthotel do Pestana Tróia Eco Resort will open in 2014, including a 4-star aparthotel in the beach town of Troia, south of Lisbon. The aparthotel will be the third phase of the project that will have 150 apartments and a Beach Hotel & Suites, which has been deemd a five-star hotel. The project was designed by the architect James Mitchell, and will have a restaurant and bar, fitness center, spa, function room and several meeting spaces. The project will only encompass 50% of the total area, the remaining portion of which will be protected and preserved.

Pedro Gadanho has been appointed as new Contemporary Architecture and Museum Design curator at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Born in Covilhã, mainland Portugal, Gadanho holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Porto where he presently teaches. A designer, curator, critic, researcher and author, he also holds a Master’s degree in Art and Architecture from the Kent Institute of Arts and Design (UK). He is the editor-in-chief of  Beyond, Short Stories on the Post-Contemporary a “bookzine” started in 2009 through Sun Architecture and the editor of the blog ShrapnelContemporary.

The Algarve Promotion Bureau has announced the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) will head to the destination in 2012. Organized by Reed Travel Exhibitions, IGTM 2012 exhibition will be the 15th edition of the world’s premier global event for golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media and is to take place from November 12th–15^th, 2012 at the Tivoli Marina Hotel in Vilamoura. The Algarve has attracted golfers for over 30 years and with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, calm winds and championship standard golf courses, the Algarve provides some of the best golfing conditions in Europe. António Pina, president of the Algarve Tourism Board said: “It is with considerable pride that Portugal, and more specifically the Algarve, will once again host the prestigious International Golf Travel Market. “With exceptional facilities and an enviable year-round climate, IGTM 2012 will provide the Algarve with a significant opportunity to promote the region as a first-class golf destination,” he added. Purpose-built for tourism in the 1970s, the Algarve has developed into a cosmopolitan destination, attracting nearly six million visitors each year who come to play the region’s 35 golf courses designed by some of the game’s great names including Sir Henry Cotton, Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo and the late Seve Ballesteros. Pina added: “We look forward to welcoming global golf tourism suppliers, buyers, official dignitaries and media to the Algarve. The region is home to a selection of the world’s finest golf resorts and luxury hotels, all supported by a wealth of leisure facilities, high-class restaurants and vibrant bars. Peter Grimster, exhibition manager of IGTM said: “Portugal has been at the heart of the golf travel business for three decades and it has established itself as one of Europe’s finest destinations. For more information please click here and here.

easyJet confirmed that it will open its 23rd base in Lisbon, with destinations for both business and leisure passengers. The initial operations will commence with five new services, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Bordeaux and Venice and a brand new destination – Asturias (Spain), in addition to its 16 existing routes. Travelers will now have a wider range of choices, with 21 routes from Lisbon and over 150 flights per week during the peak season. Initially easyJet expects to carry 225,000 additional passengers in the first year, with an additional two A319 aircraft that will be permanently based in Lisbon. As part of its commitment to establish a base in Lisbon, easyJet will be recruiting around 100 employees for the base, the majority of which will be cabin crew and pilots. These additional flights will create further indirect jobs in various areas, from ground handling at the airport to the tourism industry. The base will officially open in April 2012, and seats for the new routes will go on sale at easyJet.com on November 2011. EasyJet’s existing routes portfolio at Lisbon: ?Barcelona, Basel/ Mulhouse/ Freiburg, Berlin, Bristol, Edinburgh, Geneva, Liverpool, London (Luton and Gatwick) and Lyon. Find more details at http://corporate.easyjet.com/media/ and at www.easyjet.com

The Bazar da Lapa is (more or less) all that, but not exactly. It’s a place where, in the last day of each month, citizens organize themed events and sell things, a little of everything. It can be lingerie, dresses, jackets and other women wear, boots,  shoes, purses, lamps, tables, candles, fabrics, perfumes, champagne, organic olive oil and gourmet canned-goods. From the last Wednesday of each month, the bazaar opens with a new theme. And every month, few know what lies behind that door, at No. 88 Rua da Lapa to Bela Vista in Lisbon. It is only known that the products are nice, they have quality and prices are good. Very good. For months in which they are clothed in a thousand and two thousand euros to 50 or € 100. You can find Portuguese products are only sold “out there” as in the case of sardines the “Pinhais e Cia.”, which exports 98% of its merchandise. The idea is original. Source: Visão.

The beaches of Portugal have entered into competition for the selection of the 7 Wonders – Beaches of Portugal, whose election focuses on three areas: Environment, Tourism and the Sea. The process started in November with the opening round of applications on a site created for this purpose. All beaches to consider in the election process will be organized by the country’s ten regions and seven categories. After a selection process by 70 experts to come up with a list of 70 pre-finalists, and then by a panel of 21 notables, the shortlist of 21 finalists for public voting will be presented in May 2012. The public will vote via text, phone call, web (www.7maravilhas.pt) and Facebook. The “7 Wonders – Beaches of Portugal ” will be revealed in September. The country’s geographical representation is assured by the presence of at least one finalist in each of the 10 regions of the country and around the selection and voting process is audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers & Associates – SROC Ltd.

++ Mount Giestal Villas & Spa – this unit of rural tourism in the Alentejo, was opened at the end of October. The new resort, located in the municipality of Santiago de Cacém, village of Abela, has ten cottages with traditional checkin area, games room, lounge and terrace. The buildings are surrounded by oak trees. The Spa has a wide offer of massages and baths, and guests can also enjoy the gym. Among the services provided are still the pool, tennis courts, bike rides that can be extended by 70 acres of property. The main materials used in bed frames, tables and various decorative pieces are made of cork or oak wood, which grow naturally in Portugal.

++ Rossio Hotel**** – Portalegre – Set to open in early 2012 -  The Rossio Hotel will be a new four star hotel situated in the city of Portelagre in the Northeastern Alentejo. The location, on the Rua 31 de Janeiro, near the Rossio Square made it easy to the name the hotel. It it will offer 18 rooms, suited by its location in the center-of-town for tourism and business customers.  “Built from an existing historic building, the structure was largely built from scratch since the existing one was in bad shape,” says Ana Salgueiro. The Rossio Hotel is owned by local construction company – Seconfral.Of the 18 themed rooms, 12 are twins and the remaining six are double rooms, one being intended for people with reduced mobility. The hotel also has two spaces with fitness equipment, a computer room, a small meeting room, breakfast room and parking with direct access to the floors of rooms for your convenience.

++Solar S. Mamede – An inn at the heart of the Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede is getting set to welcome guests soon. Solar de Sao Mamede is in the so called “Tourist Triangle of North Alentejo of the towns of Castelo de Vide, Portalegre and Marvão, three locations, three counties with lots to see, visit, feel and do.

++Nespereira e Moinho Velho – São Teotónio (Set to open late January 2012) -  A unique haven in Portugal’s Alentejo undiscovered and unspoiled National Ecological Reserve. Loquat is a privately owned static SET high in the Alentejo region of Portugal, the National Ecological Reserve provides a rural escape. The Nespereira e Moinho Velho – São Teotónio was designed for families, couples, single parents and individuals in search of total serenity, with stunning landscapes. Those who demand good taste, comfort and the sensitive approach to nature and the environment will thrive here.  Surrounded by 240 hectares of cork forest, this rural retreat boutique comprises four private individual villas and luxurious 4 ‘Nature Hideaways’ – beautifully restored 1970′s mobile homes. The accommodation provides the utmost in comfort, seclusion and proximity to nature. Guests at the Nespereira property offered two very distinct types of accommodation – spacious, sophisticated and well appointed ‘Taipas House’ villas or ‘Nature Hideaways’, the ultimate in luxury camping. All accommodation is self catering but is serviced daily and cooks and shopping services can be arranged.

++ The Tapada da Mata EcoResort & Spa – Évora is the new project of Manuel Policarpo that is scheduled to start operating mid-2012. The project embodies the transition of the business travel agency for the hotel. Remember that the company, formerly known Policarpo Travel and Tourism, sold to two travel agents last year. The hotel has been awarded a four star hotel accreditation with 52 suites / bungalows. The hotel unit results from a joint effort of investors, in order of six million euros. Tapada Forest Eco-resort, named after the five hectares of land which will be built, is based on “sustainable tourism environmental practices and policies from construction to hotel management,” says Manuel Policarpo, adding that the construction area is only 5,000 meters.

It’s true! Already at this time, the passage of year was indicated by bonfires, which were lit and that accentuated the vibrancy of Madeireans’ homes. Later on, in the 18th century, the residing British community introduced rocket fire to signal the New Year’s beginning. ?A century later, a Madeirean banker – João José Rodrigues Leitão – chose to recreate this tradition and the truth is, from then on, wealthy families from the island competed among each others in the rocket launch, promoting a fireworks spectacle which range spread from the higher city areas. This firework display, already at the time, provided the perfect excuse to extend all night long celebrations taking place in the ballrooms.?Over the years this show continued to grow, finding more supporters, until in 2006 it was internationally recognized by “The Guinness World of Records” as the “biggest fireworks display of the World”, which has not yet been overtaken.

Pedro Gadanho has been appointed as new Contemporary Architecture and Museum Design curator at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Born in Covilhã, mainland Portugal, Gadanho holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Porto where he presently teaches. A designer, curator, critic, researcher and author, he also holds a Master’s degree in Art and Architecture from the Kent Institute of Arts and Design (UK). He is the editor-in-chief of  Beyond, Short Stories on the Post-Contemporary a “bookzine” started in 2009 through Sun Architecture and the editor of the blog ShrapnelContemporary.

The Algarve Promotion Bureau has announced the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) will head to the destination in 2012. Organized by Reed Travel Exhibitions, IGTM 2012 exhibition will be the 15th edition of the world’s premier global event for golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media and is to take place from November 12th–15^th, 2012 at the Tivoli Marina Hotel in Vilamoura. The Algarve has attracted golfers for over 30 years and with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, calm winds and championship standard golf courses, the Algarve provides some of the best golfing conditions in Europe. António Pina, president of the Algarve Tourism Board said: “It is with considerable pride that Portugal, and more specifically the Algarve, will once again host the prestigious International Golf Travel Market. “With exceptional facilities and an enviable year-round climate, IGTM 2012 will provide the Algarve with a significant opportunity to promote the region as a first-class golf destination,” he added. Purpose-built for tourism in the 1970s, the Algarve has developed into a cosmopolitan destination, attracting nearly six million visitors each year who come to play the region’s 35 golf courses designed by some of the game’s great names including Sir Henry Cotton, Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo and the late Seve Ballesteros. Pina added: “We look forward to welcoming global golf tourism suppliers, buyers, official dignitaries and media to the Algarve. The region is home to a selection of the world’s finest golf resorts and luxury hotels, all supported by a wealth of leisure facilities, high-class restaurants and vibrant bars. Peter Grimster, exhibition manager of IGTM said: “Portugal has been at the heart of the golf travel business for three decades and it has established itself as one of Europe’s finest destinations. For more information please click here and here.

easyJet confirmed that it will open its 23rd base in Lisbon, with destinations for both business and leisure passengers. The initial operations will commence with five new services, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Bordeaux and Venice and a brand new destination – Asturias (Spain), in addition to its 16 existing routes. Travelers will now have a wider range of choices, with 21 routes from Lisbon and over 150 flights per week during the peak season. Initially easyJet expects to carry 225,000 additional passengers in the first year, with an additional two A319 aircraft that will be permanently based in Lisbon. As part of its commitment to establish a base in Lisbon, easyJet will be recruiting around 100 employees for the base, the majority of which will be cabin crew and pilots. These additional flights will create further indirect jobs in various areas, from ground handling at the airport to the tourism industry. The base will officially open in April 2012, and seats for the new routes will go on sale at easyJet.com on November 2011. EasyJet’s existing routes portfolio at Lisbon: ?Barcelona, Basel/ Mulhouse/ Freiburg, Berlin, Bristol, Edinburgh, Geneva, Liverpool, London (Luton and Gatwick) and Lyon. Find more details at http://corporate.easyjet.com/media/ and at www.easyjet.com

The Bazar da Lapa is (more or less) all that, but not exactly. It’s a place where, in the last day of each month, citizens organize themed events and sell things, a little of everything. It can be lingerie, dresses, jackets and other women wear, boots,  shoes, purses, lamps, tables, candles, fabrics, perfumes, champagne, organic olive oil and gourmet canned-goods. From the last Wednesday of each month, the bazaar opens with a new theme. And every month, few know what lies behind that door, at No. 88 Rua da Lapa to Bela Vista in Lisbon. It is only known that the products are nice, they have quality and prices are good. Very good. For months in which they are clothed in a thousand and two thousand euros to 50 or € 100. You can find Portuguese products are only sold “out there” as in the case of sardines the “Pinhais e Cia.”, which exports 98% of its merchandise. The idea is original. Source: Visão.

The beaches of Portugal have entered into competition for the selection of the 7 Wonders – Beaches of Portugal, whose election focuses on three areas: Environment, Tourism and the Sea. The process started in November with the opening round of applications on a site created for this purpose. All beaches to consider in the election process will be organized by the country’s ten regions and seven categories. After a selection process by 70 experts to come up with a list of 70 pre-finalists, and then by a panel of 21 notables, the shortlist of 21 finalists for public voting will be presented in May 2012. The public will vote via text, phone call, web (www.7maravilhas.pt) and Facebook. The “7 Wonders – Beaches of Portugal ” will be revealed in September. The country’s geographical representation is assured by the presence of at least one finalist in each of the 10 regions of the country and around the selection and voting process is audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers & Associates – SROC Ltd.