In 2019, can’t Skip Portugal!

Recently awarded by the World Travel Awards for the second consecutive year, the World’s Leading Destination 2018, Portugal also continues to be one of the safest and most affordable countries in Europe. Add to that, 2019 is going to be a year full of fun events for all ages!

With winter temperatures rarely falling below 10º C, Portugal is the perfect spot for a mild winter trip. Climb ancient castles; discover vibrant cities filled with history but also modernity;  visit the several sites classified WorldHeritage by UNESCO;  indulge in delicious local cuisine and wines; play golf in the Algarve or go surfing in Nazaré, Peniche or in the Alentejo coast. 

Visit the cosmopolitan cities of Lisbon and Porto, but do not forget the enchanting towns of Center of Portugal or the breathtaking mountains villages in the North. Go island hopping in the Azores or in the Atlantic pearls of Madeira and Porto Santo.

Portugal loves guests and the whole country is embracing its popularity with new trendy hotels, award-winning restaurants, revamped museums and attractions.

As you see, you must put Portugal on your 2019 bucket list ;)

Happy New Year!

Portugal, an ideal destination for a winter break

With an average of more than 300 sunny days a year, winter in Portugal is a delightful season with plenty of activities to keep you busy. 

A walk along the beach is a great idea at any time of year or alternatively, you could opt for our "ecovias", such as Vila Nova de Gaia, the Estrada Atlântica or the Rota Vicentina, where you can enjoy a view of the sea as you walk or cycle. 

When it comes to adrenaline-packed sports, surfing is always a good choice, especially since there are always good waves along Portugal's extensive coast.  But your prefer golf, Portugal offers exceptional conditions for golfing, especially in the courses of Algarve and on Estoril Coast, voted as the best golfing destinations in Europe and the world on a number of occasions.  

Whether it's the world heritage scenery of the River Douro, or in the Azores or Madeira, a river cruise is a great way to spend some leisure time. 

Take the opportunity to discover our monuments and museums or our historical city centers, some of which classified as world heritage. Take a look too at the contemporary buildings and marvel at the urban art in Lisbon that has created veritable open-air galleries.  

Eat a healthy lunch of fresh fish on a seaside esplanade, and sample our convent sweets too, such as the world-famous pastel de nata (custard tart). And your meal will taste even better with one of our excellent wines. Whatever you decide to do, you will take home many lifelong memories of your time here.

Honey Cake of Madeira: traditionally linked to Christmas

The Honey Cake is one of Madeira’s most traditional food dishes and is traditionally linked to Christmas. It is customary to prepare it on December 8th, the day of Our Lady of the Conception, in order to acquire, during that period, the characteristics which make it unique.

The Honey Cake of Madeira, which can be preserved for a whole year, is prepared with treacle, its origins dating back to the heyday of sugar production in the archipelago.

Madeira Honey Cake recipe: 

Ingredients for the leavening:

-500 g unleavened flour
-30 g leavening (baker's yeast)
-about 3 dl water
Knead the flour with the yeast, make a ball, cover with plastic and let rise for 2 to 3 hours.

Remaining ingredients:
-1000 g unleavened flour
-350 g sugar
-300 g butter
-150 g lard
-clove (about 1.5 g)
-fennel (about 1.5g)
-15 g cinnamon
-50 g nuts
-50 g chopped almonds
-lemon zest
-400 g mixed crystallized fruit
-150 g sultanas
-15 g baking soda
-juice of 1 orange
-8 dl Madeira molasses
-2 dl Madeira wine

Baking instructions:

Mix the butter with the sugar until creamy, add spices and juice of an orange and a little lemon zest. Melt the molasses and lard together and add to mixture. Add the flour and baking soda and mix for about five minutes. Add to this dough the leaven previously kneaded and continue to mix for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Lastly, add the crystallized fruit and mix for an additional five minutes. Let rise for 24 hours. Place the dough in greased and wax paper-lined pans (only the bottom of the pan) and decorate the cakes with almonds and nuts on top. Bake them in a 190o degree oven, for 25 minutes. Honey cake is broken by hand.

Note: Use pans with removable bottoms, with a diameter of 15 cm and a height of 4 cm and place dough

Source: Turismo da Madeira

New year´s Eve Festivities in Madeira

If there’s a place to come and celebrate life, then that place is Madeira. As each year draws to a close, the end is commemorated of yet another cycle of 365 days that have been lived as intensely as our memory allows us to recall. 

The Christian traditions of Christmas time combine with the displays of rejoicing at the arrival of the New Year, in a rich and extensive programme of cultural, ethnographic and artistic events that continue throughout the month of December and carry on till Twelfth Night.

The specific conditions of Funchal’s naturally-formed amphitheatre transform it into a giant crib lit by the thousands of lights placed up and down the city’s main avenues, resulting in a most extraordinary scenario.

 Allow yourself to be tempted by the wares in the shops of Funchal and give yourself up to the frenzied activity of shopping. Here you can buy anything from the latest international brands to the most diverse handicraft articles. Funchal is like a giant outdoor shopping centre. 

An island in festival, both at the hotels and in the restaurants, bars and streets, where, in order to mark the transition to the New Year, the skies of Funchal are lit up with a gigantic firework display  2018/2019 that will last around eight minutes and is distributed over 38 firework stations in the Funchal amphitheater (31 stations), in the sea (5 stations) and Porto Santo Island (2 stations). One of the most important tourist drawcards in Madeira, in 2006 this magnificent show was internationally recognised by the Guinness Book of Records, as the “Largest Fireworks Display in the World”.


Find more information at:
- http://www.visitmadeira.pt/Newyearseve

New year´s Eve in Setúbal

Setúbal welcomes 2019 with celebrations along the riverfront, including three stages with musical performances, street food trailers along the river bank and fireworks on the river Sado.

It will be another Blue New Year’s Eve (Fim de Ano Azul)  in one of the most beautiful bays in the world. All the events are free and take place in three stages:

• Dolphin Tent – Fishermen’s Wharf | DJ Paulo Di-Light
  11h00 p.m – 02h00 a.m.

• Fishermen’s House Stage | Beliche
  12h15 p.m. – 02h00 a.m.

• Rockalot Stage – Saúde Beach | Jorge Nice
  12h15 a.m. – 02h00 a.m.

At midnight, the fireworks will fill the river Sado with light and colour, following the countdown shown by illuminated numbers placed on a thirty-meter high structure, so everyone can see them. 

The longest night of the year is also celebrated in more than sixty restaurants and bars located along the riverfront and the Luísa Todi Avenue, which will remain open till late and entertain all those who choose Setúbal to welcome 2019.

Find more information at:
- https://www.mun-setubal.pt/fim-de-ano-azul/?

New Year in the Algarve

Albufeira

Christmas is over. Now it's time to look forward and think about New Year's Eve. How about a trip to the Algarve?

In celebrating the last day of 2018, several municipalities in the Algarve put on a show for the longest night of the year. 

There are programmes for all tastes and ages, from street entertainment, free music events and fireworks, restaurants and hotels with lots on offer to make New Year’s Eve more glamorous, a fantastic atmosphere and the Algarve’s warm hospitality.

The setting is perfect, you won’t want to miss it; the only thing missing is you. Come and see in the New Year in the Algarve, you are our guest of honour!

Check here the several programmes:- 2018'19 Albufeira's New Year's Eve
- Portimão's New Year's Eve
- 2018/2019 Tavira's New Year's Eve
- Quarteira's New Year's Eve
- Lagos's New Year's Eve
- Faro's New Year's Eve
- Réveillon 'Arade Music Fest' 2018/2019
- New Year's Gala and Concert with Rui Veloso

Source: Visitalgarve

Leiria, the Christmas City

Leiria, the Christmas City will spread magic between December 1st and 27th, in order to liven up the holiday season and encourage imagination and tradition.

The ice rink, the Santa Train, the enhanced lighting in the city, the shows for thousands of children and the Santa Claus house in the center of the city are some of the attractions of this Christmas in Leiria.

Find more information at:
- https://www.visiteleiria.pt/leiria-cidade-natal