We understand long holidays are usually taken during Summer when warm sunny weather is a given. However, travelling during off peak season has its perks: there are no crowds, the hotel fares are cheaper and the destination is sure to be more authentic.
Plus with the undeniable climate change winter is no longer a marked colder and harsher season, particular near the coast. With an average of 300 days of sun and mild temperatures, our country is a delightful destination during winter time as well. Here we picked a few destinations that have a special charm during Winter.
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We've chosen the town of ARCOS DE VALDEVEZ and the village of SISTELO as "Where to go in October 2019", not only because they have a handful of characteristics that make them a complete destination but also because they have a special charm during this time of the year.
When the green shifts to warmer colours and the leaves start to cover the pavements and paths, these hidden gems in the north of Portugal are a perfect hideaway. Below we gather some of the must do's when around. 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. 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.
Peniche is a famous holiday destination mainly due to surfing. Apart from the surfers, who visit all year round, during summer time Peniche is also a chilled holiday destination that manages to keep its fishing town vibe. A visit to the nearby archipelago of Berlengas makes a great day-trip to explore its historical and natural heritage.
Below find the main reasons to visit this special peninsula and its neighbouring islands. This is the ultimate aim: achieve a balanced life.
We need to juggle family, friends, work, exercise, meditation (and so on) without loosing it. The trick is establishing the priorities, defining the goals with achievable timmings and working inside out towards them in a conscientious manner. With enough time to reflect, evaluate and humility to recognise our flaws there is always room to improve. Below are some ideas to ease the mind and (re)gain quality of life, all attainable whilst enjoying our beautiful country. 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.
When the Portuguese navigators got to shore in 1420 they baptised the island as Madeira (wood in Portuguese) because of the amount of plants, bushes and trees they saw. At the time Madeira was a dense wild forest, but slowly it turned into a beautiful well-tended garden that wows whoever visits, specially during Spring.
This time of the year is great to explore the archipelago and we'll show you why. |
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