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“Na Terra no na Lua” (“It’s on Earth, not on the Moon”) is a portrait of life on Corvo Island.

The Azorean world has always been a part of Goncalo Tocha’s life, since some of his family members live on Sao Miguel Island. He went to Corvo for the first time to shoot this documentary, which took him four years to complete. Apart from winning DocLisboa, ” na Terra no na Lua” was also given an honorable mention at the 2011 Locarno Festival, in Switzerland. Corvo is the smallest of the nine Azorean islands, being home to 500 people, but its cultural, architectural and gastronomic heritage is as unique as the 8 sister islands. In 2007, UNESCO classified it as Biosphere Reserve, thus internationally recognizing the island’s singular environmental and cultural features.

The following is an interview with film director Goncalo Tocha, whose documentary about the island of Corvo, ” Na Terra No Na Lua”, was awarded a prize at DOC Lisboa 2011

“The Azores will remain in my camera’s lenses”

How are you connected to the Azores? My family, on my mother’s side, is from there. I mean, my mother and I were born in Lisbon but my grandfather is from So Miguel. So,from my childhood to my adolescence, we used to spend our holidays on So Miguel. There, I had experiences of evasion and Nature that marked me. After some years without going there I returned in 2005, after the death of my grandfather, to engage in a sort of mourning. My first film, “Balaou” (2007), resulted from that trip. Meanwhile, you continue to shoot in the Azores. Your documentary ” Na Terra No Na Lua”, in which you film the island of Corvo, won the Great Prize Cidade de Lisboa at DOC 2011.

I went to Corvo with the idea of making a film, even though at the time I did not know what kind of film I was going to make. There were two people, me, with the camera, and Didio Pestana, with the sound, but we had no idea about what to shoot or about the length of the film. But then this documentary came into existence.

You spoke of your experiences of evasion and Nature in the Azores. Are these two prominent aspects of the archipelago? There, nature is very marking and people are also verymarked by nature. I do not like to separate Nature from people or the opposite, because in the Azores they complement each other. Nature in the Azores is fantastic and different from one place to another, in each island nature transforms itself into something new.

Your idea is to discover the Azores? My idea is to return to places where I cannot get to by myself because I only went there when I was a child, following the instructions of others. Today I go to places that I no longer remember and that I rediscover. On the one hand, nature reinvented itself and, on the other, the Azores itself has also changed. I remember the roads of my childhood and the rocks that cry as the water rolls down the slopes. It is nature that eats us, in the same sense that we were devoured by childhood.

You spoke of some experiences that the Azores offers visitors. Do you take the opportunity toenjoy them? I enjoy experiencing everything in the Azores, with the camera at hand. Just recently I returned to Faial and discovered new and marvelous places that I could not stop filming.

We can conclude, therefore, that your relationship with the Azores is far from ending? There is still much to be discovered in the Azores and I intend to return many times. I constantly think of returning. With this film (” Na Terra No Na Lua”) I went to what is said to be the limit: the island of Corvo. I had never been to the western islands but I ended upmaking a film about Corvo. I managed to capture an island in a film but that is only possible in Corvo, not on the other, larger, islands. But there are other ideas and the Azores will remain in my camera’s lenses.

easyJet confirmed that it will open its 23rd base in Lisbon, with destinations appealing to 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, 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.

As part of easyJet’s aim to make travel easier, we will offer more frequencies and early morning departures, which will enable Portuguese business travelers to take return trips within the same day to key European cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

Initially, easyJet expects to carry 225,000 additional passengers in the first year, with an additional two A319 aircrafts 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.

Catherine Lynn, easyJet’s Customer and Revenue Director said: “We are delighted to be confirming easyJet’s new base in Lisbon. It illustrates our long-term commitment to the market and it will enable us to grow our operations further. Along with significantly contributing to the local economy, our new base will also boost visitors to Lisbon – with over 2 million passengers traveling to and from Lisbon, and 4 million in and out of Portugal in the first year, all traveling with easyJet.”

The base will officially open on April 19, 2012. Seats for the new routes will go on sale at easyJet.com on November 10, 2012.

After completing renovations, the Palácio da Cidadela, or Palace of the Citadel, in Cascais reopens to the public with the opening of the exhibition, “Game of Glory – Twentieth Century Design.” The exhibition examines the main political and social events of this century through humor. The redevelopment of the area includes a pole of the Museum of the Presidency, as well as the definition of circuits for visits various public spaces.  The exhibit will be on display at the Palace of the Citadel until February 26, 2012. The exhibition has been organized from the collection that brings together Peres Ricon’s 2,500 original works and more than 3,200 covering the late nineteenth century and the whole 20th century.

A study by the Economic Intelligence Unit puts the Portuguese capital in the seventh position of European cities for shopping in international travel. The study titled “City Index Globe Shopper – Europe” reveals that Lisbon has had excellent results in the category of ‘Culture and Climate”, thanks to the average number of hours of sunshine a day in the city. The lowest scores were in Lisbon under the category of Hotels and Transport, due to limited road and rail access to the city center, thus lowering the city’s rating. The Globe Shopper City Index – Europe, evaluates the attractiveness of 33 major European cities in terms of purchases during international travel. Each town was classified according to 38 criteria, divided into five categories: Trade, Price, Convenience, Hotels and Transport, Culture and Climate.

The official application of the Azores Geopark for the European Geoparks Network has been sent to the National Commission for UNESCO. The aim is to enhance the connection between geology, volcanic landscape, biodiversity and cultural values. “9 Islands – 1 Geopark” is the application’s motto, referring to the nine islands of the Azores. The international relevance of the region’s geological heritage, its scientific, scenic and educational value, as well as the islands’ vast biodiversity and cultural heritage, count as valid reasons for the Region to be part of the European Geoparks Network. Given the location of the Azores, right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a few hours from Europe, the US and Canada, the archipelago is considered a bridge between two continents and it is certainly a destination not to miss. There is a unique historic, architectural and gastronomic heritage in every one of the nine islands. The landscape is equally impressive and that is why the Azores have become a popular destination. But nature in the Azores is not just for contemplating; there are many activities that allow visitors to interact with it. Diving, walking trails, geotourism, playing golf or whale watching are just a few examples of what you should experienced in the region. But if you prefer health and wellness, you will also find a wide and diversified offer on it in the Azores. For more information please visit www.visitazores.com.

A fresh storefront in Ericeira, Tiago Pires Boardriders features over 500 square meters of fashion, art, surfing and skateboarding. After two locations in France (Paris and Capbreton), Quiksilver laid its bet on the charming Portuguese surf locale for the opening of its new surf shop. Ericeira is the site of Europe’s first international surfing reserve, and was chosen for the opening of the third Boardriders store. A new modern building will house the headquarters. Those who visit the spot, situated between São Sebastião and Ribeira d’Ilhas, near the Ericeira Campground, should prepare for a big surprise. Inside the 540 square meter megastore, customers and employees alike live and breathe surf. Surf boards and TV monitors hang from the ceiling, bright posters dot the walls and shelves with faces of famous athletes over well-known lines of clothing and surf/skate gear, adding to the store’s urban and modern feel. TIAGO PIRES BOARDRIDERS Av. S. Sebastião, 36A, Ericeira Sat-Thurs 9am-10pm, ?Fri 9am-12am

The Open Village Sports hotel has just opened and is located in Mesao Frio,  3 or 4 kms away from the city center of Guimares, that in 2012 will be the one of the European Capitals of culture. With 48 rooms and 3 suites, the hotel has a lounge with an open atmosphere and a restaurant where the flavors of traditional Portuguese Cuisine merge with new recipes. The sports-orientated Hotel has a pool area, gym, soccer field, tennis academy and paddle, medical clinic, conference rooms and a Spa for moments of absolute relaxation.

Tones, themes and flavors.

Come to the Douro between July and October to unearth the secrets of chefs, winemakers and producers, as you take along the smells and flavors inherent to this beautiful region.

The calendar of these events is as follows:

August 12^th: Chef Vítor Claro from the Albatroz Hotel and Niepoort Wines

August 26^th: Ljubomir Stanics of 100 Ways (100 Maneiras) and producer Cristiano Van Zeller of Vale Dona Maria

In September and October, we will also be graced with the presence of chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, chef Mathiw Villa Joya, Alexandre Silva of Bocca Restaurant, and pastry chefs Francisco Gomes of Colonial and Nuno Diniz of York House. The wines presented include Chryseia, Post Scriptum, Casa d’Arrochella Farms and Santa Júlia de Loureiro Farm.

Price per person: € 370 (double room accommodations, all activities included)

http://www.aquapurahotels.com/

Morgan and Jacob’s Guesthouse is the newest hostel that has opened in the fishermen’s quarter near the local fish market in Aveiro. The building dates back to the beginning of the 20^th century. It is located at Praça do Peixe, nº 26 3 800 – 243 Aveiro.

Furadouro Boutique Hotel Beach & Spa – Located at Furadouro beach (in the city of Ovar, 45 km/28 mi away from Porto and 42 km/26 mi from Aveiro), this modern beach hotel offers ocean view rooms with a balcony, as well as garden view rooms (most with balcony). The hotel features a restaurant and bar, room service, spa, Turkish bath, sauna, heated indoor pool, gym, private garage, laundry room and meeting rooms. This non-smoking hotel offers shuttle services on request. Besides the glorious sea and the delight of discovering a small fishermen’s village, visit Ovar to explore the art of Portugal’s “azulejos” or painted tiles. Furadouro beach is located 4 km (2.5 mi) away from Ovar, a quick ride along the bicycle trail. It is located at Avenida Infante D. Henrique, nº 734 Praia do Furadouro 3880-355 Ovar. For more information call + 351 256 590 090

Grand Hostel of Coimbra – The Grand Hostel of Coimbra is situated at the heart of the Quebra-Costas district. It is a century-old building with beautiful high ceilings and wooden floors. It is located at Rua Antero de Quental, nº196, 3000-031 Coimbra. For more information call +351 239 108 212

The words ‘cheap holidays’ usually conjure up a mental image of poor quality, concrete sky-rises on the Costas or being fenced in behind barbed wire at all-inclusive fortress-like hotels in Tunisia.

A new Eco Suites Resort by Vida é Bela (Life is Beautiful) is located in Santiago do Cacém. For more information visit www.ecosuitesresort.com.

The Vincci Hotels will open a new hotel in downtown Lisbon in 2013, which will be the second in the Portuguese capital. The project, amounting to 15 million dollars, involves the rehabilitation of a building and its conversion into a hotel, media reported. The new Vincci in Lisbon will be a four star hotel.

“Mysteries of Lisbon,” directed by Raul Ruiz and presented by Music Box Films, opens on Friday, August 5, 2011 in New York City at the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center and IFC Center.

The film, produced by Paulo Branco, is an adaptation of nineteenth-century Portuguese novel, “Mistrios de Lisboa,” by Camilo Castelo Branco. The action in the film takes place over three decades in Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. It involves adventures, coincidences, revelations, vengeance, betrayals and love affairs. “Mysteries of Lisbon” has won several awards, including the Louis-Delluc Prize 2010, Best French Film Award and the 2010 Silver Shell Best Director at the San Sebastin International Film Festival. Ruiz’s film also won three awards at the 16^th Edition of the Portuguese Golden Globes. For locations and playdates visit http://www.musicboxfilms.com/mysteries-of-lisbon.

Tours For You is promoting six unique events in Portugal. The best quartets of classical music in the world and the accommodation of charming hotels in Portugal create the ideal environment for the events. With the addition of private, special venues such as the Baroque Library of Coimbra or the Palacio da Bolsa in Porto forlive concerts, cocktails, dinners, as well as interaction with the artists,Tours For You offers high-quality, privately organized programs. Each event will have a minimum of 40 participants and will cost 2,750 euros per person, including four nights’ accommodation, among other inclusions, such as meals, cocktails, and private concerts. Six dates are available from February to November 2012. See the calendar at http://www.parnassusmusicalholidays.eu for more information. This is an ideal program for a couple, a small group or even as a corporate incentive. It is also very versatile since thefour nights can be combined with a holiday in Portugal with more nights.

On May 14, 2011  the town of Covilhã inaugurated the Cheese Museum and Town Hall of Peraboa. The only one in its region, the Cheese Museum allows visitors to understand the production process of some of the best cheeses in the world, appreciated and recognized internationally in both tourism and gourmet circles. In a 634 square meter area in the town of Peraboa, the Cheese Museum represents an investment of over 500,000 euros. The new space runs as both a museum and a gourmet cheese shop, which allows each visitor to experience something different. Included in the building are a reception and information area, themed rooms, 2D and 3D projections, interactive games, an indoor garden, a tasting room and a shop with recreations of the various activities from the field (shearing, milking, etc.).  An iron, wood and stone building, reconstructed by the City of Covilhã and enhanced with multimedia, visitors can get to know the methods and the environment surrounding the craftsmanship process of Serra Cheese (Queijo da Serra), as well as the techniques and even the tools used in order to create this delicacy. At the museum, it’s also possible to get to know the characteristics of Kosher sheep cheese, produced in Peraboa according to Jewish rules. On the same day, the City inaugurated the Peraboa Town Hall. The construction includes the town hall headquarters, a post office, meeting rooms and multipurpose rooms for the Town Assembly, a kindergarten with cafeteria, locker rooms, a patio and other facilities. The project is valued at more than 342,000 euros. In the Teachers House Restaurant, the gourmet route associated with the Cheese Museum, there is a tasting of regional products. This equipment was opened in September 2009, and has been a strong driver for the town, allowing for the dissemination and preservation of both local cuisine and the Serra da Estrela cheese. It is set at a series of investments over 870,000 euros, which will greatly enlarge the town of Peraboa and the county of Covilhã.

The chef, who owns two eateries, will cook the codfish á Bras, live in the NBC studios in Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, arond 9:45 in the morning. This is his fourth time on the Today Show. Rui Correia is 39 years of age and was born in Porto. His family settled in Yonkers, NY. After having thoughts about a career as a soccer player, he opted for the cullinary world attending the New York Restaurant School. He owns two restaurants – the ‘Douro‘ in Greenwich, Conn., and ‘Piri-Q,’ in Mamaroneck, Westchester County, New York.‘Today‘ had a Luso-American co-host in Meredith Vieira and is the highest rated morning show in the United States.

Geoffrey Wells’ debut novel, A Fado for the River, is a historically based political thriller about love, liberation and self-determination. Wells offers readers a rare glimpse into a corner of the world and period of history unknown to many.The author captures the turmoil in Mozambique at the time of the 1974 Carnation Revolution in Portugal, which marked the end of Portuguese colonialism. The book draws from events within the author’s own experiences. Those vivid memories and Wells’ own self-determination to share his story and create a global dialogue drove him to write A Fado for the River and publish it as an Ebook with a strong social media presence.

The Hotel Turismo do Minho, in Vila Nova de Cerveira, prepared a program for visitors to explore nature on the seat of a bike. Along the path, riders see regional highlights such as Adro Velho, the Old Churchyard, the Castro Farm (Quinta do Castro) entrance, the Tower of Lapela and the Gafei Convent. The trail makes both cultural and ecological entertainment easily accessible to participants over a peaceful view of the Minho River. The Pedais program features a two-night getaway in double rooms with an included breakfast buffet and a bicycle trip along the Minho River’s Eco-Trail. During high season (July 1 – August 31) rates per person run between 99 euros and 156 euros (for a themed suite). The three-hour trip covers 22 km (14 mi) between Valença and Monção, over the Rio Minho Eco-Trail, which follows along an old railroad track. F

Families looking for a great deal on a last-minute summer holiday can take advantage of fantastic discounts announced by the Algarve’s luxurious Monte da Quinta resort.

The InterContinental London Park Lane will crack open one of the world's most expensive bottles of port, worth over £2,500, to mark the opening of InterContinental Porto-Palacio das Cardosas on 14 July.

Just two weeks after its launch, Jet2.com’s new route from Belfast to the golfer’s paradise of The Algarve in Portugal, is proving popular and has even won the support of World Champion amateur golfer Danielle McVeigh from Kilkeel, County Down.

Qype.pt goes live today, giving Portuguese consumers direct access to over 1.9 million reviews and recommendations of shops and services across 166,000 cities worldwide.

Pharmacia Restaurant - Integrated into the building of the National Association of Pharmacies, the Pharmacia restaurant opened in May 2011. Given the location, it is intended to recreate the imagery and environment of an old pharmacy. The project is led by Susan Bliss and Tania Martins (responsible for Taberna Ideal) and focuses on Portuguese cuisine. It is the spirit of conviviality and informality. It is as if you were at home with friends, sharing platters and conversation. The dinner menu consists of four appetizers and two surprise dishes. On the terrace a la carte service throughout the day is available. The menu is the responsibility of chef Susan Happiness. The space also includes a cocktail bar, designed from Portuguese drinks such as port, Muscat, or Brandymel fro, which is the specialty of Tania Martinez. For more information call 213462146.

Lisbon’s Darwin’s Café- The Darwin’s Café was built into the Champalimaud Foundation and inaugurated in February 2011. Its name is a tribute to one of the fathers of modern science. The project bears the signature of the Department of Architecture Lanidor. Space management is the responsibility of LA Caffé. The chef is responsible for Antonio Rune.

Restaurant Tejo – Located in Edifício do Mar do Oceanário, the Tejo restaurant has three menu options, which are very affordable, with quality assurance of all the ingredients for a healthy diet. The traditional soup, the dishes of Portuguese cuisine, and Mediterranean inspired fish and salads, but also the folders, live cooking, are just some of the proposals in this space. The restaurant opened in April 2011. It thrives on building architecture and is toasted by the Tagus river, in harmony with a contemporary and cosmopolitan. www.oceanario.pt

Guilty by Olivier – As a result of a partnership between the chef and businessman Ricardo Azenha, Guilty is located in a cosmopolitan city, next to Avenida da Liberdade and was inaugurated in April 2011. It is a versatile and affordable space, offering a diverse menu in a relaxed location, open to various audiences. The menu offers a wide selection of entrees, pizzas, salads, burgers and folders. The big highlight is an innovation of Chef Olivier: papardelle with piglet and snow peas. The decor, designed by Sofia Costa, refers to an industrial, yet cozy atmosphere, in which shades gray and silver are used. Noteworthy are the brown leather club chairs, straight from the ovens of Italy and a wall covered with wood from thousands of cases of wines from all regions of the country. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays the kitchen is open until one o’clock in the morning and animation dj continues until dawn.

Restaurant Alma Lusitana – Opened in April 2011, Alma Lusitana has a privileged location, just across the River Tagus, in Cais do Sodre, and consists of two distinct spaces. One of them, with capacity for 150 people, is six meters from the Tagus. The other, with 100 seats, offers a rustic decor, with stonewalls and wooden ceilings. Between the two areas there is a lounge area (with capacity for 100 people), ideal for an aperitif or digestive. There is a stall of fresh fish to its customers. Grilled fish and meat are also in sight, in an area with no glass and smoke. All dishes are traditional cuisine, served in a saucepan and iron, from Trás-os-Montes, pans craft. For more information call 213467052.

Paradigma Restaurant – Situated in the historic center of Cascais, with a view over the village and the ocean, is the Paradigma (former Foral da Vila), which was opened in May 2011. It is a relaxed restaurant with a fusion cuisine. The space is modern, contrasting with some classical pieces of decoration. The quality of cuisine, delicious cocktails, friendly service and unique view are its main strengths. For more information call 214822265.

Opened in March 2011, Basic Braga is a low cost hotel situated near the railway station of the railway, just minutes from downtown. Housed in a reclassified building, which has a modern and functional feel. Rui Silva directed the architectural project and the decor is designed by Nuno Rodrigues, with the interior architect’s office Metrobox. The predominant brown and white, references to land-based clay and granite, typical of the region, and also wood, material that is identified with the aesthetics low cost. White, gray and red dominate the rooms, while LED lighting creates an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation.