In this blog we post local travel tips and information about
Portugal and the Portuguese culture. Enjoy!
Portugal and the Portuguese culture. Enjoy!
 Portugal is one of the finest destinations in Europe for birdwatchers. Despite its small size, our country comprises a big concentration of distinct habitats, which attract a wide array of bird species, from tiny ones to others with a large wingspan. In total there have been registered almost 450 different wild birds across the country.
In this journal post we tell you some curiosities about birdwatching in Portugal so grab your binoculars, field guide and notebook.
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 Portugal’s southern coast is a famous summer destination for both Portuguese and foreigners. The sunny weather, golden sheltered beaches, warm sea and delicious seafood are the highlights, which always attracted a huge amount of tourists. However, the rapid tourism growth changed the previously chilled atmosphere of this coastal region and some small towns lost their charm along the way… Somehow Sagres seems to be an exception to the rule, particularly after peak-season, and below we tell you why it should be on your bucket list.
 August is obviously the busiest time of the year in terms of tourism. However there are still some islands in the archipelago of Açores that are relatively unknown and worth exploring even during peak season. That's why we elected Flores and Corvo as our August 2019 destination! These islands belong to the western group and are the ones located further away from Portugal mainland. Find out why we feel they're a great retreat to unplug from the frantic city pace and connect with nature and a simpler day-to-day life.
 Serra da Arrábida Natural Park is a protected area with 16.521 hectares located in the central part of the country and by the sea. It extends from Sesimbra to Palmela, already in Setúbal, and the whole southern stretch is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean.
June is a terrific time to explore this part of the country because the weather is nice, it's not as crowded as it is during July and August, and the natural scenery is a stunner. Below we’ve highlighted some of the main reasons to visit this natural reserve.  With Spring threatening to settle in it's time to plan an escape to the countryside of Alentejo. Serra de São Mamede Natural Park was considered a protected area 30 years ago, on the 14th of April, and occupies an area of 56.000 hectares. We've elected this natural park as our April destination for 2019 and in the article below we'll let you know why.
 With the Weekend-Break Bookpacks available it’s time to start planning some short escapes throughout the country. There are options for everyone and here are a few of our favourite destinations.
 We know winter calls for a cup of tea by the fireplace whilst the rain falls outside. However, that doesn’t mean we have to do so at home…
There are many places worth visiting during winter across the country! First of all because there are destinations that have a special charm during this time of the year and secondly because it’s off-peak season, meaning there are no crowds and prices won't drain your wallet. In this article we challenge you to take a winter break and give you some great options for you to choose from.  2018 is water under the bridge. The beginning of the year is time for new resolutions and travelling more is always a good one!
Portugal welcomes travellers from all over the world all year round. There are many destinations worth visiting and for the second year in a row we came up with a list of “When to go Where”. These are our 2019 picks and we’ll tell you why. In October temperatures tend to decrease a fair bit, particularly in the mountainous regions. When the thermometer lowers people start craving for hot beverages, blankets and a cosy fireplace to stay warm. Aldeias do Xisto are a great destination during this time of the year. There you’ll find a curious mix of genuine people, comfort food and beautiful natural landscapes, which creates the perfect scenario to really unplug from the frantic rhythm of the daily routine.  Walking is free, relieves stress, sparks creativity, helps you sleep better, is a great way to stay fit without intense physical effort, and the list goes on… Everyone is well aware of the uncountable benefits of walking on a daily basis and it is fairly easy to squeeze a short walk here and there on weekdays and a longer one during the weekend. However, holidays tend to ruin good habits and the walking routine is replaced by the tempting moto “eat, sleep, repeat”. What if you could pair both and go for a “walk, eat, sleep, repeat” kind of day? Rota Vicentina is the perfect place to do so. It matches spectacular walking trails, beautiful beaches, fresh and delicious food and peaceful villages where relaxing and going offline seems almost mandatory.  |