Monte Horizonte

The Grande Hotel do Porto has been renovated and reopened maintaining the classic lines of the original model. Each of its 94 rooms is fully equipped with direct dial telephone, individually controlled air-conditioning, safe-deposit box, mini-bar, electronic wake-up alarm call and satellite TV. Hotel amenities also include a bar and reference rooms, as well as Renascença Restaurant, which specializes in traditional Portuguese dishes and international cuisine.

Marisol‘s Flor de Sal is made from salt crystals that float on top of the salt water in open-air tanks. Traditionally, salt is the product that is left when the seawater evaporates. The company makes its salt in Tavira in the Algarve in a traditional Salt pan in the Ria Formosa and Castro Marim Marshland Nature Reserve and is hand-harvested and sun-dried with the machines. Simply – the salt is derived from evaporation by the sun and the wind. Highly prized in culinary circles, it’s a soft waxy salt that has all the minerals from the sea – especially magnesium and calcium – and it is 100% natural. Techniques used in Tavira date back thousands of years to the Phoenicians. A Fleur de Sel 100g bag costs € 2.

The Centre of Portugal is a destination of excellence for the practice of the “wave” sports: surfing, body boarding, kite surfing, and kayak surf. The region is famous for the quality of its beach breaks that can be found on the Beaches of S. Jacinto, Barra, Murtinheira, Mira and Tocha. The wave of Cabedelo is internationally referred as one of the most consistent ones in Europe. Also worth mention is the wave of Buarcos.

The City of Batalha will invest 3.5 million euros to reactivate the spa complex of Salgado in the town of Branco, a project which aims to combine health, welfare and recreation. The spa complex of Salgado is made up of a two storey building that will offer changing rooms, gyms, doctors offices, several treatment rooms, whirlpools and a spa. The Salgado spa was in operation until the 1950s, and its waters used primarily for treatment of respiratory diseases and rheumatism.  The investment includes a loan of one million euros from the European Regional Development Fund.

The area to the south of the River Tejo has many little nooks and crannies of incomparable beauty and romanticism, ideal for those in love.

Cross over the Ponte 25 de Abril and head for Sesimbra. Continue along the road to Cabo Espichel. Proudly and faithfully standing guard at this isolated headland is the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Cabo (Our Lady of the Cape).

Discover an entirely new panorama by making your way up to Sesimbra Castle, from where you can enjoy a view over the whole of the bay.

Move a little closer to the sea by driving down to the seaside village of Portinho da Arrábida. In the very heart of Arrábida Natural Park, take some time to enjoy a long walk along the beach. From here, you can even walk all the way to the beaches of Galapos and Figueirinha. Next, head on to Vila Nogueira de Azeitão where you can taste some of the local wines in one of the region’s famous cellars.

Don’t return to Lisbon, however, without first passing through Setúbal. From the Pousada de São Filipe, there is an excellent view over the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, and, at Palmela, you have the chance to enjoy the sight of a truly glorious sunset from the castle tower.

The 2011 International Wine Tourism Conference & Workshop will take place from 30th January to 6th February on the banks of the Douro River in the Pousado do Porto, Palacio do Freixo in Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Designed by the architect Nasoni and built in the mid 18th century, the Palácio do Freixo (Freixo Palace) is one of the most remarkable examples of Portuguese civil architecture from the baroque period. The Pousada has preserved the entire façade of the palace buildings, which became a National Monument in 1910. The charming setting, the cuisine and the considerable on-site capacity make this the ideal choice not only for the Wine Tourism Conference but also as a venue for the Wine Tourism Workshop.

The Porto conference promises to be every bit as exciting as the previous conferences. We have a number of novel attractions to entice you and plan to provide you with a Port flavour and a memorable experience. The Pre-Conference day will happening in the Vinho Verde region and will take place on Sunday 30th January, followed by the conference and exhibition from Monday 31st January to Wednesday 2nd February. International tour operators and travel agents will join together to meet international wine tourism providers such as wineries, hotels, tourist boards, wine routes, incoming agents, to discuss grape escape ideas for the FIT, MICE. The conference program will offer many opportunities for professional contact and development. It involves a three-day program of 40 talks, posters presentations, workshops, panel discussions and symposiums. It also gives delegates a chance to meet wine-makers, writers, bloggers, celebrities and of course fellow wine lovers and travelers from around the world. www.winepleasures.com