Monte Horizonte

As part of the celebrations of first centenary of the Portuguese Republic, and by order of His Excellency the President of Portugal, the Belem Palace will open its doors to the public between 1 and 5 October

, with a diverse free program, organized by the Museum of the Presidency. The program includes the Centennial celebration and the inauguration of temporary exhibitions: “Propaganda and the Republic,” “The Time of the Republic” and “Meeting of States”, visits to Belém Palace and gardens, music concerts (Sara Tavares, Amalia Today Anaquim Lara Li, Choir Orfeon Former University of Porto, Antonio Zambujo, Mariza, among others), animation, educational and cultural activities. http://www.museu.presidencia.pt/index_detail.php?sid=1181

Portugal‘s Tourism Board has approved € 20 million worth of funding for three new hotels in the Serra da Estrela region, Portugal‘s only ski resort. The board’s Jorge Boss, said work on the new hotels is due to get under way this year. The 4-star Lands Will Be Serrano Hotel located at Algodres is at a cost of € 8.5 million and offers 108 rooms. Jorge Boss said, “investors hope to find the thermal spa waters in the region and build a second complex to include a spa.”  Penamacor at the 3-star, € 6.3 million Quinta Cafalado will offer 52 hotel rooms. The Martep / Penamacor municipality consortium will build and operate the hotel which will help meet the shortage of accommodations for tourism activities that are focused on hunting and nature in the natural reserve of Serra da Malcata, Malcata or nature reserve. The € 4.3 million, four-star hotel, Lotus Charm Will Be developed at Gouveia.

The Azores Regional Government announced the contract for the refurbishment and upgrading of the Spa of Ferraria, in the town of Ginetes, S. Miguel. The spa reopened in June 2010 and its project involved the recovery of the old building and upgrading the baths and surrounding areas and includes access to the cliff.

In a city with a history like Lisbon, it can be difficult to locate the Historic Center since was subject to many changes over time. In terms of Historic Districts, Lisbon has some in its central zone, Alfama Moorish quarter, Bairro Alto and Madragoa. Out of these, the Moorish quarter is of a very specific character, as it was the city of Muslims, who built it when they were expelled from Lisbon in 1147. That tight mesh of the city remained throughout the centuries. This territory is crossed by the Fernandina Walls, currently classified as a National Monument in low visibility but whose presence continues to be the boundary line in the neighborhoods – and a new Action Plan will again be returned to the city in its famous Cerca Fernandina. The action that is structuring the Rehabilitation of Public Space and Urban Environment, will allow the inclusion of Mouraria tourist routes in the city. The usual approaches to the Castle of St. George from Martim Moniz Square and through the stairways and alleys of the old city. The Action Restoration section of the Cerca Fernandina will include restoration of the main crossing of the whole Moorish quarter, from Caldas to Largo-to-Largo Mayor. This is a corridor and intercultural meeting place with joint initiatives between the residents and the various immigrant groups emerging from the 70’s and today by European and intercontinental migration routes: Asia, Africa and South America.  Severa’s Fado House will also play a role in the promotion and dissemination of tourism on the Mouraria. The whole operation scheduled to restore Public Space and the Urban Environment enhances the appreciation of the historical and architectural heritage of the buildings and public spaces in the neighborhood of Moorish quarter, in addition to creating better conditions for comfort and safety. The restoration of the Fernandina walls will be visible throughout the city, as well as the intercultural characteristics of the downtown Moorish quarter. http://www.renovaramouraria.pt/

Portugal made the best rosé in the world in 2010, according to the 275 judges from 40 countries claimed the jury of the Brussels World Competition held in Sicily (Italy).  Produced in the region of the Tejo, the Center for Agricultural Tramagal, the ‘couple Coelheira Rosé 2009′ received the top award presented for the contest – the Best Wine Trophy – the title reserved for wines that get the highest score in its category. And the Coelheira Rosé 2009′ also earned a ‘Gold Medal’ accomplishment achieved by less than 1% of almost 7,000 wines in the competition. Made from Touriga Nacional and Syrah grape varieties, the ‘couple of Coelheira Rosé 2009′ has more volume and structure than traditional rosés, with an alcohol content equivalent to red wine (13.5 C) and should be served at a temperature between 8 and 10.

The Lx Boutique Hotel is the newest inn  in Lisbon, located in the  Cais do Sodré district and minutes away from Chiado and Bairro Alto,. The hard opening is set for this fall. .After an investment of round seven million euros. The hotel has 45 rooms,  – and aims to  offer  a real experience of Lisbon. So, each floor has a theme related to Lisbon, from the Tejo Persona (Fernando Pessoa lived in the building for some time, and it was the once famed Hotel Bragança), Fado, Seven Hills and Bairro Alto. The themes of the floors carried over in by panels in rooms with pictures depicting the theme.
The location, near the historic districts of Lisbon, as the Chiado and Cais do Sodre, take the responsibility to conclude that the unit is suitable for those looking to discover Lisbon. The hotel will feature a restaurant that will feature Sushi and other dishes. It is also possible that the brand will be extended to other hotels, since the concept fits within the historic districts of Lisbon. The main channel of unit sales will be the Internet, the final site will be available next month. The official estimated is that 90 percent of bookings are made through this channel. “

http://www.lxboutiquehotel.pt/

In the 19^th century Americans flocked to the Pearl of the Atlantic, Madeira Island. Now, Azores Express/SATA wants to reintroduce Americans to this enchanting island some 750 miles south of Lisbon with new flights from Boston and expanded air and hotels packages.  This fall and winter, Azores Express/SATA has new 6-night packages from Boston Logan Airport to Funchal (via the Azores) with more flights to choose from. Prices, including roundtrip air, hotel, and breakfast start at $859 per person, before taxes and fees. Flights depart and return on Tuesday and Fridays, and there are three new hotels to choose from.

On the service from Boston to Madeira passengers can upgrade from coach to SATA Plus Business-Class for just a few hundred dollars each way. All packages include breakfast. Kids under 6 stay free, and pay only a child’s airfare.

New Hotels

New this year is the sandy and warm island of Porto Santo, considered one of the best beaches in Europe. Porto Santo  is a15 minute flight from Madeira. The Torre Praia hotel is right on the beach, and six nights with air start at a mere $1,059 per person, plus tax.

Back on Madeira, the four-star Four Views Baia and the Orchuidea Hotel are set in Funchal, above the seaside promenade. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, adults and children’s heated outdoor swimming pools, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam bath, massage, laundry service, games room, private parking and a shuttle to and from the city center.

The other hotels offered are all 4 and 5-stars, and include: The Alto Lido, Cliff Bay, Madeira Regency, Tivoli Madeira, Baia Azul, and the new CS Madeira. All hotels offer seaside views, outdoor saltwater pools and full resort faculties.

Madeira has a nearly perfect climate—warm and clear in winter with temperature in the 70s.  Madeira’s fascinating landscape is characterized by volcanic cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea. The islands steep rise creates six unique climate zones, each with its own beautiful flora and fauna that contribute to the comparison of Madeira with Hawaii.

Visitors come for the natural beauty, and they stay to experience the ocean, golf, hiking, deep sea fishing, diving, and old world charm of the island and its mountains and seaside towns. Madeira remains an uncrowned and sophisticated pearl of European charm, where a visitors can experience the sea, mountain hiking, or city culture.

George Washington was a great fan of Madeira wine. Both his inauguration and the signing of the Declaration of Independence were celebrated with Madeira wine. The legendary frigate Constitution was christened with Madeira wine. President Franklin Pierce spent several months exploring the island after leaving office in 1857.

Azores Express has connected New England with Portugal for more than 20 years. Today it offers direct flights on wide body A310 aircraft to São Miguel, the main island in the Azores archipelago. Connecting flights from São Miguel to Lisbon, Porto and/or the islands of Madeira are available. The company is part of the SATA Group.

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

Brancal Manuel, owner of the spa hotel and playful H2otel in Unhais Sierra, Covilhã, is preparing a project to build a cable car to link the town to the Serra da Estrela. The project is a partnership with the Chamber of Covilhã and a Swiss company, whose studies “are already underway,” said the businessman, adding that “now it is a matter of money.”   The project involves the creation of a cable car from the hotel, which cuts across the valley of Unhais, a distance of six miles, to the area of Penhas Health, providing new access to the highest mountain in mainland Portugal. The H2otel is an investment of 15 million by the Brancal Manuel Real Estate Group, designed by architect Jorge Palma, and open since late 2008 with 90 rooms and four stars.  The first lift in the Serra da Estrela began its building in the 60s, but the project was cancelled in the next decade for alleged lack of security. Two buildings, two giant towers and cables supporting the cabins were abandoned for 30 years, between Tower and Piornos, and dismantling the structure started in 1999.

Pensao Favorita, located in Porto is a new hotel that offers interiors by French designer Sam Baron and structural transformation by local architect Nuno Sottomayor. It features a mix of vintage pieces with modern furniture for a low-key bohemian ambience.

EasyJet, the British airline, introduces three daily flights between Lisbon and Madeira. There are now 15 scheduled direct daily flights to major Portuguese airports.

The Romanesque Route though the Sousa Valley, won a distinction in the category of best draft tourism project, from Portugal Tourism. The sub-region of Vale do Sousa has important and valuable assets consisting of Romanesque buildings. These are part of collective memory but also represent the potential of a qualifying cultural and tourist area.

Portugal has recently been awarded top honors for family vacations in Europe, according to a recent survey conducted by the British Post Office. Beach vacations in Faro were shown to be especially popular, and among the best value destinations for family escapes in Europe, as costs of goods and services were far less than in other, similar destinations. The Post Office survey, which polled British travelers about their biggest gripes on vacation, found there to be little bad-mouthing about the Algarve in Portugal, where trips in Faro shine as a top attraction to the region.

The new Via Algarviana is growing and about to move forward with new investments. The paths will be expanded, the access improved, there will be more signage and promotion, and not a surprise given the overwhelming response the project has received. The Via Algarviana starts at the River Guadiana in Alcoutim and runs west to the Atlantic. It is one of the most impressive walking trails in southern Europe.

Since it’s March 2010 reopening, Nature Tourism has been the main focus of Vila Gale Albacora. The first three months activities of nature tourism offered at the integrated hotel were to benefit 2,800. This was announced in a statement from the hotel group, adding that the activity of greatest success, the most requested, was the visit to the Center museum, attracting 1920 people in that period. As was widely reported, the offer in terms of Yellowfin and nature tourism focuses primarily on activities related to the Natural Park of Ria Formosa, including visits to the Museum of the Tuna Fisheries, traditional boat trips, a catamaran ride, bike ride, hiking, guided tours in Tavira, bird watching, kayaking, observing marine life and equestrian rides. During the summer months the emphasis is on, walking or cycling with the Salinas tours, kayaking and a ride on the Ria Sunset in a traditional boat as well as sport fishing, boating, sailing, and kite surfing.

Visitors looking for a different way to appreciate the historic town of Sintra can now do so from an electric bicycle. A full day’s rental costs 30 euros for individuals or 24 euros per person for a group of three persons or more, with a half-day’s rental costing 19 euros and 17 euros, respectively. For people wanting to see the best of the region, the suggested Parks tour comprises Pena Palace, Monserrate Palace, Moors Castle and Capuchos Convent, including all the parkland surrounding them. Open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., the electric bikes can be found next to the clock tower in the centre of Sintra.

To discover the Minho region, Pousadas de Portugal has developed a special package with itineraries including Guimaraes, Barcelos, Viana do Castelo and the Peneda-Geres National Park.  The departures points are the Pousada Santa Marinha and Pousada Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, in the historic city of Guimarães, and the packages are available from 30 euros per person with lunch included.

Portuguese stages in the last months of 2010 will welcome some super stars including Lady Gaga, Shakira, Michael Bublé and U2 .Here are the highlights!

SEPTEMBER

10 – Leonard Cohen at the Atlantic Pavilion , Lisbon Unplugged Festival Lisbon Tapada da Ajuda , Lisbon (Jay Jay Johanson, Rita Redshoes, Torino, Lula Pena, Berle and Broadband)

11 – Unplugged in Lisbon Festival Tapa Help , Florida (The Veils, David Fonseca, Au Revoir Simone, Nikolaj Grandjean, Betty, Sinamantes) Mayra Andrade at Theatro Circo , Braga

12 – Supertramp at the Atlantic Pavilion , Lisbon

14 – Supertramp at Pavilhão Rosa Mota , Porto
14 – Limp Bizkit at the Atlantic Pavilion , Lisbon

17 – Atari Teenage Riot at Hard Club , Porto

18 – Danko Jones at Hard Club , Porto

19 – Eels at the Coliseum in Lisbon

21 – Blixa Bargeld & Alva Noto at the Teatro Maria Matos , Lisbon

22 – Goldfrapp at Coliseu de Lisboa

23 – Wave Pictures at Santiago Alquimista , Lisbon

24 – Thieves Like Us in MusicBox , Lisbon
Wave Pictures at the Casa da Musica , Porto

28 – Jóhann Jóhannsson Ishra & String Quartet at Teatro Maria Matos , Lisbon

30 – Amy Macdonald at Coliseu de Lisboa

OCTOBER

2  – Dead Hand and Pop dell’Arte in the Casa da Musica , Porto
2 – U2 (with Interpol in the first part) at the Stadium of Coimbra

3 – U2 (with Interpol in the first part) at the Stadium of Coimbra

7 – Placebo at Lisbon Coliseum
7 – Andrew Bird at the Aula Magna , Lisbon
Mad Caddies at the Pasta Café Concerto , Coimbra

8 – Mad Caddies, Fitacola Humble and the Incredible Almadense , Almada

12 – Apocalyptica at the Casa da Musica , Porto

13 – Apocalyptica at the Aula Magna , Lisbon

14 – Lloyd Cole at the Casa da Musica , Porto

15  – Misty Sintra Festival at Centro Cultural Olga Cadaval (Dez Mona, Rodrigo
Leão & Cinema Ensemble, Tó Trips / Tiago Gomes, Mazgani, Nicole Eitner,
Sandy Kilpatrick, Rui Miguel Abreu DJ Set

16  – Misty Sintra Festival at Centro Cultural Olga Cadaval (Tiago Bettencourt &
Mantha, Joan As Police Woman, Flee Flee Bandido, Mark Kozelek, Mendes, John
alone and abandoned, Walter Benjamin, Marcia, The Soaked Lamb, Gomo, Rui
Miguel Abreu DJ Set)

17 – Misty Sintra Festival at Centro Cultural Olga Cadaval (Hindi Zahra, Mayra
Andrade, Piers Faccini, Lloyd Cole Small Ensemble, Emmy Curl, Frankie
Chavez, Lie, Noiserv
Mystery Jets at Santiago Alquimista , Lisbon

19 – The Psychedelic Furs at the Coliseu dos Recreios , Lisbon

20 – The Psychedelic Furs at Teatro Sá da Bandeira , Porto
The Swell Season at Santiago Alquimista , Lisbon

22 – Hauschka at the Teatro Maria Matos , Lisbon

25 – A Flock of Seagulls at the Aula Magna , Lisbon

25 – Mika Trellis in Coimbra

27 – Tindersticks at Coliseu do Porto

28 – Tindersticks at Lisbon Coliseum
28  – Seu Jorge at Coliseu do Porto

29  – Seu Jorge in Lisbon Coliseum

NOVEMBER

2 – Anathema at Tivoli Theatre , Lisbon
2 – Michael Bublé at the Atlantic Pavilion , Lisbon
2- Greg Dulli in Santiago Alquimista , Lisbon

3 – Anathema at Hard Club , Porto
3 – Greg Dulli at Hard Club , Porto
3 – Michael Bublé at the Atlantic Pavilion , Lisbon

4 – Crystal Castles at Teatro Sá da Bandeira , Porto

7 – Broken Social Scene at the Aula Magna , Lisbon

8 – We Have Band in MusicBox , Lisbon
Broken Social Scene at the Casa da Musica , Porto

9 – ! at Lux , Lisbon

10 – Vampire Weekend at Campo Pequeno , Lisbon
! Teatro Sá da Bandeira , Porto

11 – The Drums at Lux , Lisbon
Vampire Weekend at Oporto Coliseum

12  – Interpol at Campo Pequeno , Lisbon

13  – Xavier Rudd at Hard Club , Porto

14 – Xavier Rudd at the Aula Magna , Lisbon
The Walkmen at the Coliseum in Lisbon

18 – Arcade Fire at the Atlantic Pavilion , Lisbon

19 – Efterklang at MusicBox , Lisbon

21 – Shakira at the Atlantic Pavilion , Lisbon

22 – Joe Satriani at Campo Pequeno , Lisbon

24 – Gogol Bordello at Campo Pequeno , Lisbon

26 – Anne Clark at Theatro Circo , Braga
Katatonia’s Incredible Almadense , Almada

27 – Anne Clark at Centro Cultural de Aveiro
Katatonia at Hard Club , Porto
The Divine Comedy Theatre in Aveiro , Aveiro

29 – The Divine Comedy at the Teatro Maria Matos , Lisbon
29 – Alice Cooper at Campo Pequeno , Lisbon

30 – The Divine Comedy at the Teatro Maria Matos , Lisbon

DECEMBER

3  – James at Campo Pequeno , Lisbon
Masayoshi Fujita & Jan Jelinek Radian and the Teatro Maria Matos , Lisbon

4 – Fennesz, Brandlmayr & Dafeldecker and Ben Frost at the Teatro Maria Matos ,
Lisbon
4 – James at Pavilhão Rosa Mota , Porto

7 – Herbie Hancock at Campo Pequeno , Lisbon

8 – Herbie Hancock at the Casa da Musica , Porto

9 – Deftones at Campo Pequeno , Lisbon

10 – Lady Gaga at the Atlantic Pavilion , Lisbon

16 – 30 Seconds To Mars at the Atlantic Pavilion , Lisbon

18 – MGMT at Campo Pequeno , Lisbon

The new Conrad Algarve Palácio da Quinta is scheduled to open 2011. Located in one of the most exclusive resort developments on the Algarve, the Conrad will feature approximately 158 guest rooms and suites designed to reflect a contemporary Portuguese style. The hotel, situated in a prime seven hectare mixed development site approximately 10km from Faro International Airport, will enjoy a key position close to some of the world’s most famous golf courses when it opens in 2011. The hotel will be set amongst extensive landscaped gardens and terraces, featuring several swimming pools and lakes, and guests will be able to enjoy a luxurious 1500 square meter spa and health club. The hotel will feature a selection of restaurants offering some of the best Portuguese and international cuisine, together with a stylish wine and cocktail bar with an alfresco terrace.

The Apparitions of Fátima have turned the town into one of the world’s major centres of the Marian cult. The largest gatherings of devotees occur on 13th May (especially the Candlelight Procession on the night of 12th May and the “Adeus” (Farewell) Procession on 13th May, which closes the celebrations, and on 13th October.

A commission led by the Mafra Town Council has been set up, including the ministries of Culture, Defence and Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, the Lisbon Patriarchate and Turismo de Lisbon. Located in Greater Lisbon, Mafra is a reference of Portugal’s Baroque Art and the candidature to UNESCO represents added value for the local, regional and national tourism, given its excellence both in historic and natural richness.

The Azores, Cape Verde, the Canary Islands and Madeira remain the most popular destinations. With an increased capacity on board new cruise ships, Europe is is offering new itineraries and more affordable prices to continue to attract cruisers. Since 2008, the number of passengers on Europeis cruise ships has grown 12%, despite economic conditions.

Lisbon ferry company Transtejo has a cruise option on the River Tejo: running until Sunday October, 31st are two daily cruises that depart from the main Terreiro do Paço terminal in downtown Lisbon. (Costing 20 euros or 10 euros for kids and senior citizens), the Tejo cruise lasts for two hours and thirty minutes. Or, the one-hour  Discoveries cruise costs just 15 euros (7.5 euros) and departs from Cais do Sodré. Both cruises include free water and other drinks on-board, along with the services of multi-lingual staff specially trained to provide a wide range of tourist information for passengers.

Whatever the water sport, the Azorean seas provide the ideal conditions for sailing, surfing, windsurfing or water skiing. Some of the highest quality diving in the world is also available off the islands. The volcanic origins of the Azores have also resulted in spectacular ravines, cliffs, caves and lava tubes, known locally as “Mysteries”. Wind and sea erosion has created natural lava bridges and arches. The Azores also provide excellent conditions for caving and potholing, in the many caverns and craters found on almost all the islands. Walk the coastline or take to the sea, and experience the many attractions of these unique and fascinating islands.

The U.S. market grew in the first half of 2010 by 15.9% in terms of hotel guests in Portugal and 10.5% in the number of overnight stays. The average stay was 2.18 nights. It all ads up to 264,121 room nights for American tourists in Portuguese hotels in the first 6 months of 2010, according to data from Turismo de Portugal.  Nationally, 165,892 were in Lisbon, Algarve 28,691, 24,435 in Porto, 17,594 in the Centro Region, 12,711 in the Azores, Madeira had 8,754 and  finally 5,954 in the Alentejo. By percentage, the Azores was the fastest growing region where the number of American guests was up+27.3% over a year ago, and two other regions also had increases above 20%, including the Centro, with +25.7% and Lisbon, with +24.8%. Then came the Alentejo, with +17.8% up, and the Algarve, with an increase of +13.1%, while Porto/Norte and Madeira reported declines of 21.9% and 3.7% respectively. Nights spent by tourists from the U.S. To Centro had the strongest growth in percentage, with +26.8%, ahead of the Azores, with +19.3%, Lisbon, +16.2%, and the Algarve, with +6%. Madeira is the region where American tourists spent on average more time (4.19 nights) and the Alentejo is where they had a shorter stays (1.54).

On the weekend of 11 – 12 September, a group of 15 wine producers in the region of the Tejo will first open their doors of their wineries to tourists, to participate in the grape harvest and wine tasting. The initiative, called “Open Doors do Tejo”, is organized by the Tejo River Regional Wine Commission (CVR Tejo). More than a thousand participants will get the unique opportunity to be a part of the secrets a region full of cultural diversity, architectural, landscaping, restaurant plus a bullfighting tradition. Wine production in this region has seen a 25% increase compared to 2009 production – totaling 68 million gallons of wine.