Monte Horizonte

In the northern hemisphere the March equinox marks the start of spring and has long been celebrated as a time of rebirth.

In a corner of Portugal’s stunning Alentejo region awaits the Amieira Marina, a houseboat holiday company offering visitors the chance to explore Europe’s largest manmade lake aboard their own private houseboat.

Hotel Eduardo VII is a Lisbon classic, and has just undergone a complete renovation encompassing 60 rooms as well as the installation of a wireless system providing free access to all rooms. The Restaurant Varanda on the 10th floor is famous for its cuisine and magnificent view of Lisbon. The aim of these renovations was to reposition the Eduardo VII back as a top hotel, where guests can enjoy comfort and current and functional events. http://www.hoteleduardovii.pt/

Sherman’s Travel considered the Douro Valley one of Top 10 Off-the-path Wine Regions and Porto  one of the 10 Top Wine Regions where vines and great times intertwine.

The 11^th European Geoparks Conference of the EGN (European Geoparks Network) will take place in the Arouca Geopark, from 19^th to 21^st September 2012- an important meeting about Geotourism issues.

Since 2009, the Arouca Geopark has been a classified area by the European and Global Geoparks Networks, under the auspices of UNESCO. It is located in northern Portugal, about 50 km away from Oporto and Aveiro cities. This is a unique geotouristic destination; renowned for its exceptional geological heritage of international relevance, with 41 geosites (the Giant Trilobites of Canelas and the Castanheira’s “stones that give birth” are the most emblematic ones), and its national archaeological, historical, cultural and mining relevant legacy, Arouca Geopark offers distinct experiences for visitors. This mountainous region is famous for its outdoor activities, especially for adventure sports such as rafting, canoeing, canyoning, rock climbing and the network of walking trails. It allows visitors to discover geosites, to enjoy breathtaking landscapes, to meet people and to experience local traditions. Visitors can also taste the famous local gastronomy, based on the indigenous cattle breed and the conventual sweets with traditions, dating back to the foundation of the Arouca Monastery in the 10^th century.

The 55th Film Awards 2012 awards ceremony last week saw a new video on Portugal entitled “Beauty of Simplicity” take a Silver Medal in the Short Film category for the promotional film. The video was the production of Turismo de Portugal.

The Jury honored the World’s Best TV  Programs & Films and awarded three Grand Trophies while only 2 silvers were awarded this year in the Short Film Category. The breathtaking video shows the mix of the ancient and modern, luxury and nature that has made Portugal one the fastest emerging travel markets in Europe.

The 2012 New York Festivals Television & Film Awards received entries from around the globe. All winning entries were selected by a Grand Jury made up of award winning Television and Film professionals. New York Festival’s World’s Best Television & Films competition honors programming in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries. Dedicated to both the Television and Film industries, categories mirror today’s global trends and encourage the next generation of story-tellers: Animation, Comedy, Corporate, Drama, Documentary, Feature Films, Music Videos, News, Promos, Reality Shows, Sports, Telenovelas and Webisodes.

NYF’s Television & Film Award Presentation info is offered at www.newyorkfestivals.com Click here to see the video and here to see all the winners.

Portugal offers a unique, European experience, as there are several distinct areas throughout the country visitors can explore. According to trip advisor the top destinations to visit in Portugal are Lisbon, Porto, Lagos, Cascais and Faro. Traveling to each region provides visitors with an opportunity to see all aspects of the country.

According to recent reviews about trips to Portugal on Trip Advisor, it is easy to manage, affordable, not far away, very friendly, delicious, filled with more than 2,000 years of history, and beautiful in countless, unique ways. It is a nonstop visual feast of dazzling azulejos (tiles), Manueline architecture, medieval castles, clear blazing skies, Roman ruins and dizzying vistas.

Portugal offers visitors a number of places to stay, including hotels, Pousadas, villas, and manor houses. Several hotels are available throughout the year in all locations of Portugal. Pousadas are found in various castles, mansions and palaces throughout Portugal. Manor houses are usually farm cottages or houses that give guests a true Portuguese feel. Villas, which are popular among vacationers, offer scenic views.

Once the center of the richest empire in Europe, Lisbon now faces one of the worst financial crises in the EU. But even as it struggles with rising debt and unemployment, Tony finds out that Lisbon is experiencing a cultural and culinary renaissance.

Some 4.5 million euros has been allocated to restore 33 Romanesque churches in Portugal and Spain over the next four years. An agreement between the Iberdrola Foundation, Junta de Castilla y León and the Ministry of Culture through the Regional Department of Culture of the North was signed recently Bragança. In Portugal there are 18 churches to be conserved in the districts of Porto (six), Vila Real (seven) and Bragança (five). Romanesque architecture is a Medieval architectural style known for semi-circular arches  beginning around the 10th century.  Romanesque architecture was the first pan-European architectural style after Roman Architecture.

UNWTO and UNESCO have certified Alqueva in the Alentejo region of Portugal as a starlight destination for tourism. Alqueva, within which the Amieira Marina is set, is the first site to be granted official ‘Starlight Tourism Destination’ certification.

Following demand from customers to create a new river cruise holiday along Portugal’s River Douro, Viking River Cruises is thrilled to launch its new itinerary for 2013: River Douro, Portugal’s River of Gold.

Planning the annual summer family holiday can be a tiresome task. Dad wants outdoor adventures, mum wants some peace and quiet and not to mention the teenage kids who are reluctant to travel with their parents, let alone be dragged along the tourist circuit…Enter Amieira Marina!

The Royal Palace of Mafra will undergo preservation work in seeking recognition as a World Heritage Site. The work requires an investment of 4.3 million euros. According to the City of Mafra the project includes the wide footprint of the palace (Terreiro D. João V) and the Alameda Gardens (next to the Infantry Training School) and “aims to contribute to promoting the harmonious connection both physical and functional as an asset to the village itself. “  About 600 thousand euros, financed by EU funds and Turismo de Portugal will enhance the monument. The restoration of the six historic organs in the basilica can play simultaneously for the first time in 200 years.  The contract also provides for the reorganization of vehicle traffic at the monument with the removal of parking in front of the palace and a restricting circulation zone just two lanes in both directions.  The works include a contract for urban renovation planned for the town of Mafra, estimated at 6.9 million euros.

Fodors: 21 Places to Go in 2012 says: Guimares, with its UNESCO-designated historic center, is the 2012 European Capital of Culture (it shares the title with Maribor, Slovenia),which means visitors can expect a robust roster of musical performances, art exhibitions, and cultural events. Top off your culture fix with an excursion to the Douro Valley vineyards and a stopover in the seaside city Porto, thirty minutes south of Guimares.

The Island of Madeira will host the 36th Annual Conference of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), an event that will take place from the 14^th to 17^th of June, 2012 at the Pestana Casino Park Hotel, which should include some 200 participants. The conference is being organized by the Association for the Promotion of Madeira with the support of Turismo de Portugal in London, and will include a program of activities that allows members of Conference to explore the island.

In Lisbon, Ginginha is having a cool rebirth. The long gone, but not forgotten ginja bar, Ginginha do Carmo, is reopening with many of the same characteristics as the old landmark, such as the high balcony of marble and many jars of ginja liquor, stored in a tight space of seven square meters. Between the mid 1930’s to the late 1960’s, the bar served up shots of the iconic Lisbon drink in the exact same location. Owner Jorge Rosmaninho has brought back the business, located at the bottom of the stairs at Calcada do Carmo, 37A – and everyone is welcome to sample Ginginha in a standard glass (1.2 Euros) or a large (1.50 Euros) and follow up with a sweet egg from Portalegre, and a Quijada of Sintra. Besides the Ginginha they carry beer, red currant, Capilé, coffee, cappuccino, lemonade, orange juice, iced tea and hot chocolate.

Tourism of the Alentejo region will implement a Restaurant Week, to promote local food and wines. Details have not yet been announced. In Serpa, Évora and Nisa be sure to sample the protected origin’s local cheeses, all unique with their own characteristics, and all irresistible to the nose and palate. At the end of your trip, stop by one of the cheese-makers in each area and be sure to take some cheeses home as souvenirs.While you are in the Alentejo, discover a new olive oil route running from the north to the south of the region. Include in your itinerary a visit to Moura to see the olive press at the olive oil museum at Lagar de Varas do Fojo, and learn from this important remnant of traditional technology how the oil used to be made.

Alcobaça is a pottery town, with its blue and white pieces being sold around the globe. The local Group Arfai & IGM, specializing in the manufacture of modern decorative ceramics and exporting them to 20 countries all over the world, is opening it horizons. In 2006 they designed a specialized type of tourism with a personalized guide and factory tours for groups of at least 10 people, where the whole production process of making a decorative ceramic piece is shown from the very beginning until it’s loaded on a truck. Following a visit to the factory store, you can enjoy a welcome drink of Ginja. Now they are adding a Thematic Tour – Art in Paint - Visit the factory circuit’s production, followed by a short experience of painting.  A chance to experience “live” the art of painting on ceramics, under the careful guidance of two guides, each visitor can practice painting on ceramic, by decorating an object and then visit a factory shop.

There are 46 nominees from 20 countries, with the decision from the European Museum Forum to be announced in May. Created to help improve the knowledge of this natural phenomenon, the Interpretation Centre of the Capelinhos Volcano is an indisputable reference in regards to geotourism in the Azores. In architectural terms, the project respects the island’s geological features, as it is submerged in volcanic sands. Inside, the history of the volcano is told by films, holograms and multimedia contents. But before ending the visit, it is mandatory to go up to the lighthouse. From there, one can contemplate some unique shapes created by nature and a ground similar to that of the moon, with the blue ocean as a background.

Soccer enthusiasts often declare that Cristiano Ronaldo is “the world’s best athlete” and that José Mourinho is “the world’s best coach.” Though these comments pass from fan to fan, the superlatives are certainly not official. There are, however, a number of “world’s bests” — try the World’s Best Almond Tart, the Best Pão de Ló in the Universe, the World’s Best Fish and the World’s Best Chocolate Cake. Marketing strategies or not, these titles give us something to be proud of.

1. “Light and Airy” – THE TART (A Tarte) - “Once upon a time, there was an almond that wished it were a tart.” That’s how the story of the almond tart began, once a dream in the mind of Vasco Valenca de Sousa, then a challenge given by Catarina Noronha to introduce it to the world. “The Tart” is a relatively new concoction, only about two months old. Yet its story extends much further back. It starred in Vasco’s dinner parties with friends, who always begged him to bring the pastry along when he was invited. Vasco always tried to improve his work, from when he first created the almond tart using an old recipe book he inherited from his mother to when he began to sell it in public. A food engineer by profession, Vasco paid close attention to his friends’ feedback to perfect his dessert. “It was a constant effort until the end: crispy, with a light and airy crust,” he explains. During one of these group dinners, his friend Catarina dared him to sell the tart to the public. He first let the idea marinate. When he was ready, he named his creation The World’s Best Almond Tart, “because with every tart I made, I would say to myself, ‘This one is even better than the last.’” When they decided to go through with the idea, the pair opted for a name that was a little simpler. It remained “The Tart”. His first tart was sold at the Mercearia Criativa in Lisbon. Two days later, Carlos Moura Carvalho, the store’s owner, asked him to make 10 more. The business was launched. “The Tart” is now distributed at Grande Lisboa through various partners, including Mercearia Criativa in Lisbon, QB Essence in Oeiras, Gelato Mio in Miraflores and Momentos da Nossa Terra in Cascais. Orders must be placed one day in advance. Call 93 440 2618 or 93 804 5830, or visit its Facebook page for more information. Price: €17.50

2. “Pure and Unique” – The Best Pão de Ló in the Universe - “It was about a year ago, at one of Miguel (Júdice) and my regular dining excursions, that we tried this pão de ló for the first time,” remembered Raquel Rodrigues, public relations director of the Lágrimas group. The discovery happened in Raia, in the county of Castelo de Paiva, where this dessert is handmade by António Oliveira’s Casa do Pão de Ló. “We found it different from anything we’d ever had before, and we wanted to add it as a Lágrimas Group product.” They baptized it “The Best in the Universe,” partly a poke at the “Best Chocolate Cake in the World,” but ultimately a way to promote truly delicious dessert to an ever-growing audience. “It’s important that we create a brand so that people remember us; that they remember pastéis de Belém, pão de ló, chocolate cake, olive oil and cheese. We have these extraordinary products and we need to promote them more assertively,” Raquel said. “‘The Best’ doesn’t literally mean the best, but it’s pretty high up there. And when we say this pão de ló is the best in the universe, what we mean is it’s the best that we’ve ever tried.” Before launching the product, food critics and pão de ló experts gathered to try a bit of the cake and effectively decide if it could be fairly entitled “the Best in the Universe.” “They agreed to let us launch it under that name.” They registered the brand, which continues to belong to António Oliveira, and, in March of 2011, the cake was available for purchase. Plain (with eggs only) or chocolate, “The Best Pão de Ló in the Universe” can be found at all of the group’s members, except those with specific signature menus (such as Arcadas da Capela and Eleven). The cake can also be purchased to take home. All you have to do is order it from Hotel Infante de Sagres in Porto, or Cantina da Estrela or Terreiro do Paço.

3. “Fresh and Flavorful”  - The Best Fish in the World – Hand-fished so as not to destroy the environment, “The Best Fish in the World” makes its way to the Miosótis shops in Lisbon three times per week from Sesimbra. This began in July 2011 through a dual effort by Ângelo Rocha, Miosótis’ owner, and Miguel Zegre, of Fixe em Casa, a sea-to-home fish delivery company. “Miosótis is a store that sells organic products, so I figured it made sense to sell sustainably caught fish,” Ângelo explained. “We’ve sold fish before, but it was all imported, which was absurd.” Ângelo looked for a solution in the Portuguese market, but to no avail. He brought up his problem during a public discussion about fish, in Sesimbra, which was also attended by Manuel Cardoso, a colleague of Miguel Zegre. After talking at length, they decided to embark on this new adventure. But it wasn’t easy to set sail, especially since neither of them had any certification in sustainable fishing. The certification was offered by SATIVA, which required that the fishing process follow a series of rules in order to be recognized as a sustainable process, from the act of fishing itself, to the type of boat used, the method of collecting the fish, transportation, period of time between capture and distribution and financial compensation to the fishermen — facts that, according to Ângelo, “act as a guarantee” for the consumer. “We learned where the fish came from and how much the fishermen were paid,” he said. “The sale cost is calculated as a function of the purchase cost in order to ensure that the appropriate profit is reverted to the fishermen, in this case 50 percent,” Miguel added. After passing this hurdle, the product was registered as “The Best Fish in the World.” Marketing? “Yes,” responds Miguel, but “a fish like this could only be the best in the world.” “The Best Fish in the World” is hand-fished (using hooks or traps, depending on the species) by small boats no more than ten meters long and with a maximum of five workers. The fish go directly from the boats to the Fixe em Casa warehouse in Sesimbra to be packaged. They reach the client within 24 hours of being fished. Deliveries are made on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at R. Óscar Monteiro Torres and at R. Sá da Bandeira, in Lisbon, and are available for sale shortly after.

4. “Merengue and Mousse” – The Best Chocolate Cake in the World – Carlos Braz Lopes has lost count of how many times he’s told the story of “The Best Chocolate Cake in the World.” It is a well-known Portuguese success story. “The cake was born as a dessert at the Mercado de Santa Clara restaurant 15 years ago, after traveling to Paris,” he recalled. “I ate a cake in Fauchon that really captured my attention. It was a flourless cake, made from a merengue and mousse base.” After arriving in Portugal, he tried to replicate what he tasted and the result was a chocolate cake that quickly earned its fame. “People began to place orders to take the cake home, which wasn’t really normal, considering this was a restaurant’s dessert,” he said. When he opened Cozinhomania, a kitchen store, in Campo de Ourique, he decided to deliver an extra punch by making the cake there in a homemade oven. The smell worked wonders on the store’s clients, and when they asked if it really was as good as it smelled, Carlos Braz Lopes would respond, “It’s the best chocolate cake in the world.” Originally known as the Campo de Ourique chocolate cake, the joke transformed itself into a bonafide business known by the same name. It became “The Best Chocolate Cake in the World.” Twelve years have passed since then. “Initially, the name was pretty widely criticized. They called me presumptuous,” he said with a smile on his face. “An exaggeration; a tease that went farther than I ever expected. There are various components that contribute to its success: its story, which people have come to know and love; the great name; but, most importantly, the quality of the cake itself, which is excellent.” Carlos prides himself on keeping the cake’s quality consistent. “I still use the same chocolate, butter and salt that I’ve always used, and I don’t skimp on the measurements. This same thing for twelve years,” he said. Besides Portugal, the cake is sold in Rio de Janeiro, in S. Salvador da Bahia, Brasília, S. Paulo, Sydney, Madrid and Seville. Washington, St. Petersburg, Singapore, Macao and Hong Kong are cities it hopes to reach as well. “The Best Chocolate Cake in the World” is sold semi-sweet and sweet at its store in Lisbon (R. Coelho da Rocha, 99) and Porto (R. Dr. Barbosa de Castro, 70), as well as online. Price: €30

ALSO…

Other “bests”

Brands registered under the “best in the world/universe/planet” designation:

?      The Best Massage in the World by Oporto Medical Spa

?      The Best Relaxing Massage in the World (registration expired)

?      The Best Music of the Planet

?      Ach. Brito, The Best Soap in the World (currently requested for a community trademark)

?      Carlsberg, Probably the Best Beer in the World

?      Comfort Office, the Best Coffee Break in the World

?      Landeau, the Best Chocolate Cake in Lisbon

?      Mundospa.com, the Best Massage in the World

?      The Best Rice Pudding in the World (registration expired)

?      The Best Olive Oil in the World (registration processing)

?      The Best Chocolate Cake of the Ribatejo

?      The Best Cheese in the World, Quinta da Cerdeira

?      The Best Pork in the World, Agrobacorinho

?      The Best Cars in the World

?      The Best Boats in the World

?      The Best Hamburgers in the World

?      Os Melhores Hamburguers do Mundo (registration expired)

Source: National Institute of Industrial Property and Visao

ClubstoHire.com – Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley's off-course business venture – has launched a new five-star pairs' competition which will take place on three fabulous courses in the Algarve during May.

Specialist tour operator, Grape Escapes, has added Porto to its growing collection of wine destinations with two to three night trips available from March 2012.

Monte da Quinta is offering golfers the chance to earn money back on their holidays when they stay at the Portuguese resort at any time this year.