Greatest places. To be visited and admired. Portugal.

COIMBRA UNIVERSITY is recognised as a WORLD HERITAGE by UNESCO

The University of Coimbra has now been recognized as World Heritage site at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee, which is happening now in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The great University joins the historic centers of Angra do Heroismo (Azores) ofPortugal, city of Porto, Évora and Guimarães, the grand monasteries of Batalha and Alcobaça, the Convent of Christ (Tomar), the Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower, the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, the ancient engravings of Foz Coa, the region of Alto Douro Wine Region, the landscape of vineyard culture of the Pico Island (Azores), the fortifications of Elvas and Madeira laurel.

Portugal is a truly unique place!

Magic of Atlantic Islands. Azores, Portugal.

TERCEIRA ISLAND

Terceira's port once welcomed galleons laden with spices from the Orient, and gold and silver from the Americas Even today, its historic city streets transport you back to the 16 and 17 centuries. Out in the country, flat green fields in a chessboard pattern are dotted with dairy cows, and white houses nestle against the blue sky.

Terceira's locals have been welcoming people to the island for centuries, and enjoy traditional pastimes like street bullfighting, “tourada à corda”, and modern sports such as golf.

With its seamless blend of past and present, Terceira island is indeed a perfect place to spend exciting and complete holiday.

ANGRA DO HEROÍSMO, A WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Built in the 16 century, Angra do Heroísmo was the first European urban centre, and has achieved World Heritage status as a result. Its old streets highlight the city's fine architectural heritage, as do its churches, palaces and museums, together with the fortress

that defended the city and port from pirates.

Once you've sampled the delights of Angra do Heroísmo, you should visit the historic town of Praia da Vitória. Here you'll find the gothic church of São Sebastião, built by the first

settlers, and the manor houses, churches and chapels of São Carlos, Fontinha, São Brás and Lajes masterpieces of imperial architecture dedicated to the cult of the Holy Ghost.

BEAUTIFUL, UNSPOILT COUNTRYSIDE

Terceira's unspoilt countryside complements the fine historical monuments of its towns. The island boasts green landscapes and mountain ranges that are great for walks, beyond

which you can glimpse flower-dotted fields and the blue of the sea and sky.

A walk in the hills will also unearth some of Terceira's geological wonders, like the Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz, a 15 km wide volcanic crater, and the caves of Algar do Carvão with its lava stalactites and stalagmites.

You'll also find a challenging golf course on the island, and two marinas that give Terceira a cosmopolitan atmosphere by attracting yachts crossing the Atlantic. The surrounding sea offers much for those wanting an active holiday. Fishing, diving, surfing, windsurfing and sailing are the main sports on the island and those who enjoy swimming can take advantage of Terceira's natural pools – formed when volcanic lava met the cold sea.

From May to September, Terceira is the scene of many colourful traditional festivals. The Festival of the Holy Ghost, Festas do Espírito Santo is repeated in every village, and followed by a large banquet.
While the centrepiece of the Festival of St. John, Festas Sanjoaninas , is a procession of enthusiastic crowds.

Festival season also means good food. Popular traditional dishes include “alcatra” – an exotic spicy beef stew plus black pudding and octopus, whilst local sweets are varied and delicious.

No meal on Terceira would be complete without a glass of Biscoitos wine, a local speciality with its own dedicated museum

by visitportugal

Creative travelling

Creative travelling. Is when you go off beaten tracks and choose something unusual
Portugal - is a land of unusual. Just look:

Sunniest beaches and World Records waves - check
Unique wines, result of unusual grape casts and hot/cold winds from 2 continents - here they are
Grand river valleys. Endless fields and mountains with 800 year old Castles on top - yes it is here, called World heritage 

Most delicious seafood and rural interior cuisine variations? unheard of in the rest of the world, but here

Palaeolithic monuments? Yes here it is. In the middle of Portugal 

Travel. Discover. Be special and find special.
In Portugal 

Travellers delight. Beauty of history. Lisbon, Portugal

Absolutely unforgettable.. One of most imposing. That is why Lisbon is that famous and is considered as one of best 5 European destinations.

Because of its World Heritage status sites.

This cathedras is something special. Although it's almost impossible to distinguish something among this variety of unique sites here.. But still

Towering above the cityscape from a side of famous romantic Alfama area hill, this ancient and one of most important cathedrals has got thousands of stories to tell

It witnessed so much during centuries and centuries of great wars, great developments, great reins, catastrophs, parades and life stories.

Grand Sé de Lisboa

When you enter it you found yourself in another époque. Another reality. Very strong feeling.

And besides this - it is a fascinatingly beautiful monuments, still transmitting its lights to us, as almost 900 years ago

Discover! Explore one of the most romantic, mysterious, beautiful cities. Lisbon. Portugal.

Portugal. Alentejo. Nature and heritage. Relaxation.

Located in Southwest Portugal, the Costa Alentejana is a region with unique characteristics, accessible in just a few hours from any major European airport.

Very few destinations in the world combine, in such harmony, development and tradition, comfort and nature, and an itinerary of excellent sporting, cultural and leisure activities within a peaceful natural and built landscape that invites relaxation, entertainment and discovery.

The Costa Alentejana is probably one of the best-kept secrets of the traveller’s world.

Although increasingly visited by domestic and international tourists, this region has managed to preserve all the original and authentic characteristics that made it a sanctuary

of nature and relaxation.

Enjoy this leisure, taking all the time in the world.

The first step is to choose one of the many hotels in the region. Modern hotels, quiet ‘pousadas’ - a family owned boutique hotel type accommodation,  small lodgings that make hospitality a work of art.

Comfort,  variety and great taste, which extends to the table of any of the local restaurants too.

Delicious gastronomy delights! Fresh fish, selected meat, organic vegetables, irresistible desserts made from traditional popular recipes, or those from regional abbeys.

Alentejo cuisine has many regional specialities within itself and  is a result of centuries of refinement and is one of Portugal’s greatest treasures.

Open all year round

Now, choose the best time to come. It’s quite simple really. From March to November, we generally find the lowest temperature is a pleasant 11C’.

Winter occurs in the remaining three months, sun and very mild temperature, that invites us to indulge in various pleasures here: wine tasting, regional gastronomy proving in front of fireplaces, the luxury of falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the surf.

Sun is the most famous resident of the Costa Alentejana. It warms thousands of miles of unexplored beaches and illuminates a sumptuous landscape that offers unforgettable views.

Discover the region that is home to ancient Roman settlements, centuries-old castles, towns and villages full of history.
Visit the casino, the museums, the nature and wildlife parks. Discover crafts, music and culture celebrated at fairs and festivals.

On the Costa Alentejana, we like to savour life slowly, welcoming those who arrive with an itinerary of appropriate physical activities.

Golf is one of our passions. Another is to surrender the mind and body to the care of the spas in the region.

And a list of activities is actually really extensive! Fishing and diving, boat trips on the river or along the coast. Watching birds or dolphins. Hiking and horseback riding. Surfing, bodyboarding, canoeing... All dedicated to four key things: health, fun, relaxation, making the most of this breath-taking landscape, without disturbing nature anyhow.

Costa Alentejana is a natural reserve of comfort and relaxation. A land of authentic people and customs, that shunned mass tourism and which has learned to develop and modernize without losing its essence. This identity cherishes, above all else, time.

Time to live, feel, taste and learn. Come and discover it all and enjoy yourself!

by CostaAlentejana