Don´t miss the ObservaNatura 2014 between 11th and 12th of October

Learn more about birds and their habitats at ObservaNatura, that takes place between 11th and 12th of October at Moinho de Maré da Mourisca near Sado River estuary.

This fair is held since 2009 and it is currently the only fair in Portugal dedicated to Ornithology Tourism, a subgroup of nature tourism focusing on birdwatching, either directly or using binoculars or telescopes. The extensive programme for the "ObservaNatura" fair includes workshops, mini-courses, guided birdwatching tours through the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve on foot and by boat, and bird banding sessions. Herons, spoonbills and flamingos are just some of the species which can be observed at this time of year.

The fair has free entry, and is organised by the Institute for the Preservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF)/Sado Estuary Nature Reserve and Tróia-Natura, with many partners, including the Portuguese Tourist Board, Setúbal City Coucil, the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds, the Setúbal Bay Association and Birds & Nature.


OBSERVANATURA Birdwatching fair from Observanatura on Vimeo.


More information:
- http://www.observanatura.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/observanatura

Don´t miss the Rock' n' Roll Lisbon Marathon on October 5th

The Lisbon Marathon will take place in October 5th  which is always competed for against a backdrop of panoramic views by the river or seaside.

The 42 kms distance Marathon sets off from Cascais and follows the Coastal Road (Estrada Marginal), firstly by the sea and then along the river until the finish line at Lisbon's Parque das Nações.

The event also includes two shorter distance races which are within the reach of all those taking part. The Half Marathon sets off from the Vasco da Gama Bridge and charts a 21kms course that also finishes up at the Parque das Nações. It provides the opportunity to cross one of the longest bridges in Europe on foot on the one day when cars have to give precedence to people.

At the same time there is the Mini Marathon which is about 8kms and corresponds to the last stretch of the two races. Very popular with the locals in general, the Mini Marathon is taken by each one in their own stride, whether running or walking, since the main objective is taking part and meeting people.

More information at:
- http://pt.competitor.com/portugal/
- https://www.facebook.com/RnRPortugal

Taste Portugal | London 2014/15

Taste Portugal is delighted to be bringing some of the best gourmet delights, along with esteemed Michelin-starred chefs and a range of special culinary and cultural events to London and the surrounding area, from September 2014 to March 2015, as part of an unmissable epicurean extravaganza.

London, as well as being the world’s most visited city, is officially culinary capital of the world, with a surge in the number of its chefs being awarded their first Michelin star. The city was therefore the natural choice for Taste Portugal - a project organised and presented by the Portuguese Board of Tourism (Turismo de Portugal) - to take place, and we are absolutely delighted to be working with some of the capital’s hottest-ticket, covetable venues. Star chefs – including Luís Baena, José Avillez, Matteo Ferrantino, Dieter Koschina, Ricardo Costa and others – will work together with our executive sommelier Arnaud Vallet, and his colleagues, to offer tasting events and dinners to die for. The secrets of age-old traditions will be combined with contemporary culinary know-how to throw the spotlight on to this exquisite gem of a cuisine.

Please click here for the programme of Taste Portugal | London 2014/15

Download here the "Desire Magazine.

For more information please visit:
- http://www.tasteportugal-london.com
- https://www.facebook.com/tasteportugal-london
- https://twitter.com/TastePTLondon
- https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/taste-portugal-london-201415

The Desertas Islands Nature Reserve received the European Certificate of Protected Areas from the Council of Europe

A Natural Reserve since 1995, in early September the Desertas islands received the European Certificate of Protected Areas from the Council of Europe, an award that attests to the recovery and protection work in the area over the past few decades.
This certificate is in addition to another, that of Biogenetic Reserve from the Council of Europe, received in 1992.
The European Certificate has a validity of 5 years and since 1965 has been awarded to 73 protected areas spread across 29 European countries.

Currently it covers a wide range of geographical areas stretching from Fair Island, in the Shetland Islands (northeast of Scotland), to Teberda National Park, in the Russian Caucasus.

The Desertas Islands Nature Reserve has a total area of 12,586 hectares and is the place where several protected species of the Madeiran fauna have found refuge: the Monk Seal and various birds, such as the Feas's Petrel and the Bulwer's petrel.

More information at:
- http://www.visitmadeira.pt/
- http://www.pnm.pt/
- https://www.visitportugal.com/Vivir la naturaleza en Madeira

Source: Turismo da Madeira 

Azores elected as best Quality Coast destination in Europe

The Azores won the 2013 QualityCoast Gold Award, an international award for the best sustainable tourism destination. 

From 1000 candidates, the jury selected 100 destinations, and from these the Azores were ranked first, for the 4th consecutive year.

The QualityCoast Programme, promoted by the Coastal and Marine Union (EUCC) of the European Union, aims to promote sustainable development in coastal destinations through information strategies addressed to visitors, as well as to establish a world network of coastal communities that share the same principles and good sustainable development practices.

In fact, by winning the 2013 QualityCoast Award the Azores are acknowledged for their good sustainability practices. Among the criteria taken into account by the jury the following stand out: sustainable tourism in places that kept their local identity and natural heritage, scenic beauty and environmental quality.

More information at:
- http://www.visitazores.com/
- http://www.qualitycoast.info/
- http://www.qualitycoast.info/Azores 
- Qualitycoast Brochure

Source: Turismo dos Açores

Lisboa Oceanarium: Best in Europe and the second best in the World by TripAdvisor

Lisboa Oceanarium has been recognised as the best oceanarium in Europe and the second best in the world by TripAdvisor, the largest travel and tourism website with more than 50 million visits annually.

Tripadvisor has published the top 10 best zoos and oceanariums, based on the quality and quantity of user feedback over a period of 12 months.

"Excellent", "must visit", "Wonderful", "Extraordinary", "Amazing", "Awesome" are some of the opinions that can be read to describe the Lisboa Oceanarium, ranking it between first and second place of Lisboa's most reputable city attractions.

The Oceanarium has, over the years, developed innovations and new experiences so as to increasingly improve the quality of its visits. With 16 years of existence and over 18 million visitors, Lisboa Oceanarium is one of the most visited cultural facilities in Portugal.

More information about Lisboa Oceanarium at:
- http://www.oceanario.pt/
- https://www.facebook.com/Oceanario.de.Lisboa
- http://www.youtube.com/user/OceanarioLisboa
- http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravelersChoice-Attractions-cAquariums


Source: Turismo de Lisboa 

Try your luck in the "European Le Mans Series 2014 competition" in Visitportugal.com

Would you like to win a trip to watch the final of the European Le Mans Series 2014 Championship at the Estoril Motor Racing Circuit?

In October, Estoril Motor Racing Circuit will once again be staging a major international motor racing competition: the final stage in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) 2014.
The ELMS is an endurance championship inspired by the rules of the legendary 24 hours of Le Mans and there will be drivers and cars competing here who also take part in the French competition.

We are giving you the opportunity to come and watch this spectacular race. The prize consists of two Full Access passes to the circuit, two lunches in the ELMS tent, where you can enjoy your meal side-by-side with drivers and teams, and a two-night stay (double room on bed-and-breakfast) in one of five of the region's top hotels.

What are you waiting for? Fill in your details now and enter the competition!

Link to the competition: https://www.visitportugal.com/en/passatempos/231871