Portugal won 9 World Travel Awards for Europe

In the World Travel Awards (WTA) for Europe ceremony that took place last Saturday, August 31, in Antalya, Turkey, Portugal won 9 out of 41 nominations and besides the repeated victories from last year, these were the 9 awards attributed to Portugal:

-Europe's Leading Beach Destination: The Algarve, Portugal
http://bit.ly/17yrUW4

-Europe's Leading City Break Destination: Lisbon, Portugal
http://bit.ly/18wOVHQ  

-Europe's Leading Golf Destination: Portugal
http://bit.ly/133RORJ  

-Europe's Leading Island Destination: Madeira Islands
http://bit.ly/17hyHRv  

-Europe's Leading Boutique Resort: Vila Joya, Portugal
http://bit.ly/19bG1lo  

-Europe's Leading Design Hotel: The Vine Hotel, Portugal
http://bit.ly/15lcDpz  

-Europe's Leading Golf Resort: Hotel Quinta do Lago, Portugal
http://bit.ly/18kxTxF  

-Europe's Leading Luxury Resort: Conrad Algarve, Portugal
http://bit.ly/17ysaEo   

-Europe's Leading Villa Resort: Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, Portugal
http://bit.ly/1ftMpWG

The WTA are considered the "Oscars" of the tourism industry and celebrate 20 years in 2013.
See the full list of winners here

Wines from Douro and Porto

Discover the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. The Douro awaits you. Let the Port Wine Route surprise you!

The Douro Region is the oldest demarcated wine region, having had the 'title' since 1756. Stretching along the River Douro valley, a UNESCO world heritage site, the excellent wines produced here include the famous port wine.

The Port Wine Route offers the particular advantage that it can be done by car, train or boat, the river is navigable from Porto to Barca D'Alva, on the border with Spain.

Let yourself be enchanted by the Douro landscape, the valleys, the winding river, the terraced vines, the pure air... And take the opportunity to visit some of the estates that produce the Douro and port wine, such as Quinta do Noval, Quinta do Seixo, Quinta do Vale Meão and Quinta do Crasto.

For a trip up the river, take a barco rabelo (flat-bottomed, square-sailed boat) from the quay at Gaia and go as far as Régua, where you can make a historic journey on the old steam train. At Pinhão, visit the famous azulejo panels in the station, cross over the bridge and follow the winding roads that run alongside the river.

Combining quality with sophistication, stay the night at the Solar da Rede, in Mesão Frio, or at the Vintage House hotel, in Pinhão. An atmosphere that you will not want to leave!

More information at:
- http://www.ivdp.pt/
- https://www.facebook.com/VinhosdoDouroedoPorto
- https://twitter.com/ivdp_ip

On the Santiago Route

The Routes of Santiago, crossing towns and countryside, link important places of worship all over Portugal and have been walked by pilgrims for centuries. Walk the Routes of Santiago and embark on a journey to discover Portugal and yourself!

The final destination of these routes is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where the remains of the apostle James are buried. Before his death Saint James evangelized the Iberian Peninsula which at that time was a Roman province. The Saint has been venerated since the IX century and his worship spread during the Middle Ages, giving rise to numerous pilgrimages of devotees from all over Europe.

In Portugal there are several routes according to the pilgrims’ point of departure; however it’s possible to single out three major routes. Along the various routes there were pilgrim's hostels providing accommodation and hospitality in general, built by order of the Portuguese kings who where themselves devotees of Santiago.

The North Way path, the most ancient, starts in Porto or in Braga and is very fascinating since it passes through the places where Santiago was, like Rates (where he ordained Peter as the first bishop of Braga, who then gave his name to the Romanesque church), Guimarães and Braga, this last a contender with Compostela for the title of the Center of Christianity in the peninsula. This route split into two, one along the coast, the original path which cut through the region in a straight line, the other in the east: the Route of Geira Romana (the ancient Roman road), which crosses Gerês up to Portela do Homem.
The Inland route links Viseu to Chaves, and is increasingly taken on account of the new signs marking the way and the opening of pilgrim’s hostels. Passing through Lamego and Vila Real, it converges on Via da Prata, the ancient Roman commercial road which crosses the west of Spain from North to South and was used by pilgrims coming to reach Santiago from Seville.
Further south, the Tejo Way was also known as the Central Portuguese Route. It starts in Lisbon and there are two traditional routes from here, one along the coast which passes through Sintra, Alcobaça and Batalha, and the other one along the banks of the river Tejo with a stop in Tomar, the Knights Templars’ headquarters.
Nowadays this route which crosses Coimbra, is also the crossroads with pilgrimages to Fatima, and is one of the most frequently-used pilgrim paths.
Whether inspired by the faith of the Pilgrim or simply out of love of adventure and contact with nature, all lovers of hiking and trekking will respond to the Routes of Santiago.

Find more at: http://www.visitportugal.com/On the Santiago Route

Until September 8, don't miss the SATA Airlines Azores Islands Pro

Come and see the exhibitions of the world’s best surfers during the SATA Airlines Azores Islands Pro, which takes place in São Miguel. This event is part of the World Qualifying Series of the Professional Surfers’ Association and has been classified as a Prime Event, which is the highest grade awarded in this sport. The setting that has been chosen for this tournament is the beach of Santa Bárbara, close to Ribeira Grande on the northern coast of São Miguel island, whose waves are greatly appreciated by the many aficionados of this sport.  More information at: - http://www.azoresislandspro.com - http://aspeurope.com/azores/ - http://www.aspworldtour.com/

Rua Augusta Arch: New Cultural and Tourist Attraction in Lisbon

©Turismo de Lisboa

Lisboa has a new cultural and tourist attraction, the Rua Augusta Arch. Opening to the public on August 9, it been totally renovated and now enjoys a fabulous viewpoint that offers visitors a unique panoramic view of the city.

Accessible by an elevator, whose entrance is located on Rua Augusta, the gazebo at the top of this monument offers a breathtaking view of the emblematic Terreiro do Paço public square, the Baixa district, Sé Cathedral, São Jorge Castle and the river Tagus.

Inside, visitors can also learn about the history of Lisboa's triumphal arch, from the start of its construction after the earthquake of 1755 until its completion in 1875, through an exhibition in the "Sala do Relogio".

And enjoying the same splendor of a bygone era, at the top of the arch you can see the sculptures of Célestin Anatole Calmels representing Glory crowning Genius and Valor. In the lower level, there are sculptures by Vítor Bastos, representing the historical personalities of Nuno Alvares Pereira, Viriato, Vasco da Gama and the Marquis of Pombal.

To celebrate the opening of the Rua Augusta Arch to the public, a multimedia show was projected onto the arch itself, called "Arch of Light" by Nuno Maya and Carole Purnelle.

The Rua Augusta Arch will be open to the public daily between 9am and 7pm, with tickets at 2.5 euros. Admission is free for children up to five years old.



Source: Lisboa Inside

Please vote for the VisitportugalPoster - Happiness is your destiny

Please vote for the VisitportugalPoster - Happiness is your destiny - on World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) 2013 Poster Competition

Vote here: http://lmd.unwto.org/en/poster-competitor/visit-portugal-happiness-your-destiny

Sudoeste Festival: 7-11 August in Zambujeira do Mar

The Sudoeste Festival is the biggest summer festival in Portugal.

It takes place in August in Zambujeira do Mar, a fishing town on the Alentejo coast famous for its beautiful beaches and mild temperatures.

For five days there are performances by bands of various types. The show carries on through the early hours and onwards with electronic music, but to know all that will happen, take a look at its official website.

As always, the party takes place at Zambujeira do Mar, a fishing town on the Alentejo coast famous for its beautiful beaches and mild temperatures. Those who acquire the festival pass have access to free camping, which means a vacation week for a very nice price!  




Meo SW Guide: http://sudoeste.meo.pt/en/meo-sw-guide

Tickets: http://sudoeste.meo.pt/en/tickets

Line up: http://sudoeste.meo.pt/en/line-up

Find more informationa at:
- http://sudoeste.meo.pt/en
- https://www.facebook.com/MEOSudoeste
- https://twitter.com/MEOSudoeste
- http://www.youtube.com/Meo Sudoeste
- http://pinterest.com/MEOSudoeste
- http://instagram.com/MEOSudoeste#