Rota Vicentina earns First European certification for West Europe

Rota Vicentina has just earned the European certification "Leading Quality Trails-Best of Europe", awarded by ERA (European Ramblers Association), the highest authority at European level in the sector of walking trails.

This seal of quality was inspired by the German seal Wanderbares Deutchland Qualitaetsweg, which for many years has certified and recognised the quality of an important network of trails in Germany.

It is a very demanding certification, which checks a number of factors, including the quality and nature of the terrain, landscape beauty, security, access to tourist facilities, information provided to walkers, the quality of route marking, amongst many others.

The survey resulted on the need to improve some technical details, but in essence the Rota Vicentina passed the test with flying colours with a score well above the minimum required.

This is a fundamental step in the international affirmation of the Alentejo and Vicentina Coast as a hiking and nature tourism destination. With this certification, the Rota Vicentina Association hopes to win over even more confidence from an increasingly demanding international public, and consequently, greater renown among potential new walkers.

There are already 12 certified routes, in countries such as Denmark, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and Greece. This is therefore a first in all of Western Europe, which gives a huge competitive advantage.

A brochure with the 12 European routes already certified was launched during the ITB, in Berlin.

The Rota Vicentina is a network of walking trails along the Sw coast of Portugal that today totals about 400 km of marked trails between Santiago do Cacém and Cape St. Vincent. Inaugurated in 2012, this route was developed in partnership between public authorities and local businessmen, who uphold Nature Tourism as a means for the essential development of this very special region.

Formed by the Historical Way, the Fishermen’s Trail and the new Circular Routes, launched in 2015, the Rota Vicentina offers a unique experience of these two worlds: between the authentic rural culture of the interior and the surprisingly wild coastline of the Sw Alentejo and Vicentina Coast Natural Park, which deserve all of our attention, so that they can be preserved for many years to come.

Find more information at:
Rota Vicentina
https://www.visitportugal.com/RotaVicentina
https://www.facebook.com/rotavicentina
http://twitter.com/rotavicentina
http://instagram.com/rotavicentina
http://vimeo.com/rotavicentina
https://www.youtube.com/RotaVicentina

Source: Rota Vicentina

New Algarve Events App

You're on holiday in the Algarve and you have no idea what's going on round and about where you are located? 

Look no further than a new free application to discover events going on in the Algarve: concerts and festivals, art and culture, gastronomy, sport, holidays and markets and much more. 

Download the event guide app and choose from the best suggestions.

Algarve, events you can't miss!

Download here for IOS and here for Android



Find more information about the Algarve at:
- http://www.visitalgarve.pt/events
- http://www.visitalgarve.pt/
- https://www.visitportugal.com/en/destinos/algarve

Motorhome in the Algarve

Acknowledging the importance of motorhome travel to the Algarve, regional development, land management, environment and tourist authorities, in cooperation with local municipalities, created the Algarve Motorhome Support Network (RAARA). 

The projects stems from a cooperation agreement between the Algarve Regional Development and Coordination Commission (CCDR Algarve), the Algarve Tourism Board (Região de Turismo do Algarve), the Algarve Tourism Associaton (ATA) and the Algarve Inter-municipal Community (AMAL).

Formally established in January 2015, the network includes Camping and caravan sites, Rural camping and caravan sites and Motorhome Service Areas. Its main goal is to promote legal accommodations to stop and spend the night in the setting quality, comfort and safety which motorhome travellers demand.

As part of regional strategy for welcoming motorhome travelers and defined in accordance with good principles of land planning and respect for environmental values, the Network may also include other units that meet the necessary criteria and which help improve the tourist offer in the region.

Find more information here:- Motorhome in Algarve
- Brochure Motorhome in the Algarve 


Source. Turismo do Algarve 

Wizz Air announces new route from Warsaw to Porto

Wizz Air, the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, announced a new route from Warsaw to Porto, Portugal. The new service will commence on 15 May and operate with two weekly flights, on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Located in Northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest and most charismatic cities in Europe. It is renowned for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture and picturesque historic centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Porto is a new destination in Wizz Air’s network of 119 airports.

With its newest Portugal service, Wizz Air now offers a total of 123 routes to 22 countries from Poland. Seats on the new route are already on sale and can be booked on wizzair.com 

Destination	Days	Starts
Porto	Wednesday, Sunday	15 May

Gabor Vasarhelyi, Communications Manager at Wizz Air said: ”We are delighted to add another attractive route to the ever growing WIZZ network. Porto is now the second Portuguese destination available on our low fares from Warsaw and we are confident that it will be as popular among our customers as Lisbon is. Seats on our new Poland route to the charming city of Porto are already on sale on wizzair.com. Our friendly Polish crew looks forward to welcoming you on board with a smile!”

Wizz Air was recently named 2016 Value Airline of the Year by the editors ofAir Transport World, one of the leading airline trade magazines.

Source:  Wizz Air 

New flights from Porto Santo to Denmark

The Airline Danish Air Transport  started lasted 29th of January a new air charter operation from Billund, Denmark, to Porto Santo. This is a seasonal operation and will last up to April 29^th 2016.

This connection to Denmark is an absolute premiere at Porto Santo Airport adding to a second weekly connection to Copenhagen, starting at February 11^th up to 21^st of April 2016.

With these connections, we estimate an increase of more than 3 thousand disembarked passengers at Porto Santo Airport.

As usual, to mark this new operation, Porto Santo Airport prepared a reception for the arriving passengers, offering Madeira wine and flowers.

Source: ©ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, SA

Valentine’s Weekend in Portugal

Portugal is a land of romance. Something intangible hangs in the air that will seduce and enrapture you.

No-one can resist the charm of a medieval castle adapted to modern times, where you can indulge in the comforts of living. Or a spa, a memorable meal, an endless stretch of beach, a wine tasting, a cultural and leisure programme.

Close to Lisbon, Sintra, in Monte da Lua, is a destination that never disappoints. The 19th-century palaces and mansion houses in the romantic setting of the world heritage landscape of the Serra de Sintra are ideal places to celebrate a special occasion. You can count on quality service and there are specific programmes.  

Close to Porto, the force and temperament of the River Douro are a hallmark of a powerful landscape, a reflection of the passion of those who live in the world's oldest demarcated wine-producing region. The port wine produced and aged here is bound to be your top choice to toast this new stage in your lives. We suggest staying at one of the estates in the Douro Valley, for a more intimate and attentive ambiance. Or you could go for a cruise along the river, lasting several days, which would give you the opportunity to visit the riverside villages and explore a region that is also world heritage.

The combination of luxury, history and nature is highly appreciated as a way of marking a special date and in this respect Portugal has much to delight visitors with a refined taste. The Pousadas de Portugal chain gives you the opportunity to spend the night in such places as castles, palaces and charm hotels, including, for example, Óbidos, a small, walled town, informally known as Vila das Rainhas (Town of the Queens). Other magical and inspiring places include the Mata do Buçaco (Buçaco Woods) and Quinta das Lágrimas (Estate of Tears), in Coimbra. And there is also the Parque Termal de Vidago (Vidago Thermal Spa), in the north of Portugal, whose palace is internationally famed as being one of the best places to get married.

For those seeking an idyllic scenario in which to enjoy romantic evenings and dinners to the sound of the sea, there is the Estoril Coast. This resort, which once provided refuge to kings and princes, and still retains the charm of yesteryear, may be a good option. In southern Portugal, the Algarve coast, with its golden cliffs and hidden beaches, is sure to please.

On the Island of Madeira, the year-round pleasant climate and the variety of parks and gardens give you the perfect opportunity to enjoy nature at its best in a refined and sophisticated setting, whether your preference is for a hotel with a sea view or the tranquil ambience of an old estate. A sunset boat trip or a mini-cruise to Porto Santo are also ideal ways to fire your passion.
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No-one can resist the charm of a mediaeval castle adapted to modern times, where you can indulge in the comforts of living. Or a spa, a memorable meal, an endless stretch of beach, a wine tasting, a cultural and leisure programme.

Discover some of the most romantic and inspiring places in Portugal.

Competition "Meet McNamara in Nazaré"

Want to win a trip to Portugal and meet the big wave legend Garrett McNamara?

21 Days, 7 Regions, 2 Archipelagos and one of a kind Surf Trip

Join Garrett McNamara and his crew in this trip around Portugal to discover some of the best waves around the country.

Watch the documentary, answer correctly to the question in our website and win a trip to Portugal to meet in person the surf legend Garrett McNamara. 

The prize will be drawn among the participants who correctly answer the question. You have until 29 february to participate. 

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