What trip fits you the best?

To find out, we suggest you start having fun by facing the challenge we prepared to celebrate our 6th anniversary with you :)

(Yes, it's today!)

On a serious note, we are here to help you prepare your dream vacations.

Our sincere thank you for having trusted us with the preparation of more than 2,000 tailor made travel itineraries which we can proudly remember.

Are you trying to pack your bag or waiting for it to arrive?

Either way, here’s a game to relax a bit!

Try to hit the largest possible number of bags with your travel stick. But be careful, heavy luggage can be dangerous!

On the computer, use your arrows to walk and the space bar to attack. On the smartphone, simply touch the icons.

What does your score say about you?

0 to 90 - the path is made by walking and your starts now. To practice the bag packing for your next tailor made travel, we suggest you start by checking our easy going destinations - maybe a dreamy beach in a country that (almost) nobody has ever heard of. What about Colombia or Palau archipelago (Micronesia)?

91 to 150 - clearly your spirit claims for new discoveries. It’s time to raise the bar and try a tailor made travel to Australia and New Zealand or take a safari trip in Africa. A coast-to-coast adventure in the US or on board a Canadian trains, can also fulfill your soul.

151 to 200 - You’re ready to go on your next great adventure! The ease with which you pack is inspiring. What destination will be your temptation? Madagascar? Gabao? Papua Nova Guiné? Tasmania? We’re sure all the dreams you might have fit your luggage just fine, let us help you pack it. See you soon!

TravelTailors is thankful to Christina Brühl and André Narciso for developing and implementing this game.

Another look at the Serra da Estrela "secret" tunnel

A Hélder Afonso video, from Portugal Seen from the Sky project, shows a new perspective from the already famous"stuck" lagoon,

Covão dos Conchos is no longer a secret - ceased to be so when this video was viewed more than 450,000 times in the P3, a public website of the portuguese newspaper, Público.

A regular traveler in Serra da Estrela, this 49 year-old nurse and photographer took advantaged from his last break on Tuesday, took his adapted drone and made a "beautiful walk about five kilometers" to shoot the location that was presented to him about three years ago. "They first filmed without snow, but I filmed with it", said Hélder referring to the ProBilder video that became viral in early February.

"I went there altough the weather was cloudy and windy, as is normal in Serra da Estrela, and this can be seen in the film", says Hélder who began the air footages with a GoPro and has already won a first prize in an international aerial photography competition in 2014. This time he tried to put his drone in the mouth of the tunnel, built in 1955, creating the illusion that the dam is broken.

Hélder's drone, author of the project Portugal Seen from the Sky, flew over the place and got close to the mouth of tunnel, moving away from there up to 150 meters high. "Inside the hole" is no longer a secret. But still looks like something that got out of a X-Files episode.

Source: Fugas

Lisbon Bookstore in the world top 10 "industrial-chic"

The Guardian newspaper chose the "ten spaces more industrial and chic" in the world. The Ler Devagar ("Read Slowly in english) is one of them. The "flying bicycle" definitely helps.

They were warehouses, underground car parks, garages, factories and even a swimming pool. Now they are "cool conceptual spaces" where "the design is as attractive as what they have to offer as shops, showrooms, restaurants, bars". Or bookstores. 

Among the 10 selected around the world - from France, to United States, Japan, Serbia - there are two book houses: the Librairie Avant-Garde, installed in a former underground car park in Nanjing, Chine, and the Lisbon Ler Devagar, an independent bookstore that opened in 1999 in Bairro Alto, and that after successive house moves, seems to have finally settled their endless bookshelves in Lx Factory (since 2009).

It was this huge high standing old printing house room, with its literature and colorful book spines, that filled the eye of the british newspaper. "If you've always wanted to see a huge wall of books, the Ler Devagar is a good place to go", the paper's authors ensure.

Here "the books are stacked almost to the top of the high ceiling (the equivalent of three floors), while the metal stairs and industrial air balconies lead you to the first floor and around the store". The space doens't has the "moldy" and "dark" enviornment of the typical old bookstores that "fill most of literary fantasies" but "in many ways, the salvaged interior teases the imagination just as a bookstore should do" says the Guardian.  

In addition to the exhibited books, highlight for the sculptures, "being the most prominent a flying byclicle hanging from the cieling", which has become the store brand image, and two bars, that give a "pretty social and creative enviornment".

Source: Fugas

Rocha Vieira is the first Portuguese chef to gather three Michelin stars

Masterchef on a national television channel, the Cascais chef has seen another one of his restaurants distinguished with a Michelin star, after Fortaleza do Guincho and Costes de Budapeste achieved the same award.

"The Costes team has won again! During the night, two Michelin stars fell on Budapeste: the seventh consecutive for the Costes Restaurant and the first (of many, I hope) to the Costes Downtown, that open just ten months ago." It's the Chef itself who sums up the great news on his Facebook page, adding "I'm speechless".

The awards that "rained down" on Costes brought it international fame, after becaming the first Michelin star restaurant in Hungary. In the last year, Rocha Vieira exchanged Budapest for his hometown Cascais but continued to lead the destinations and the kitchen concepts of "his" hungarian restaurant - where, in loco, the space is controlled by his former sous chef, Palágyi Esther. In 2015, another Costes was born in the city, the Downtown, in the Prestige Hotel.

Rocha Vieira arrived in August at Fortaleza do Guincho, and replaced the veteran Vincent Farges, the man who, for a decade, led that kitchen. Despite Farges' exit, the restaurant held the Michelin star, that was previously conquered and mantained in 2016.

The chef´'s exchange to Cascais was truly a homecoming return. The 36 year-old chef, was born and lived in Cascais up to his 19s. After that, he went to London to study gastronomy at the renowed cooking school Le Cordon Bleu. In the meantime, he would work in several top restaurants in England, France or even Spain. In 2008, he arrived in Budapest and opened the Costes restaurant. He won the first Michelin star in Hungary, just after two years of the Costes opening.

Shortly after the Michelin stars have been confirmed, Rocha Vieira wrote on his page: "Once again the dedication and teamwork proved that the effort of a lifetime always pays off, Far from what it was my home for the past seven years. I proudly celebrate in Portugal, but I want to send a hug to my comrades in Budapest".

In Portugal, José Avillez became the first portuguese chef winning two Michelin stars (thanks to his Belcanto restaurant). In the country, there are also two more Michelin stars: Hans Neuner with Ocean (in Armação de Pêra, Algarve) and Dieter Koshina with Vila Joya (in Albufeira, Algarve).

Source: Fugas

Portugal, a destination to (re)discover in 2016

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - BELCANTO

Dating back from 1958, Belcanto has been satisfying its customers for a long time. The restaurant was taken over by one of the most prominent chefs of Portugal’s culinary scene, Michelin-starred chef José Avillez. 

Portugal’s rich culinary tradition and fresh ingredients serve as inspiration for the menu, so it exceeds your expectations if you are looking for traditional food.

With a superb location, being placed near the São Carlos Opera House, it is the go-to place for a great dinner after a show or simply to enjoy a bottle of one of the 300 Portuguese wines you can find here.

It has been considered as one of the best restaurants in the World by the acclaimed "The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List” and is one of the finest places to savour a sofisticated meal in Lisbon. 

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - BICA DO SAPATO

Owned by the acclaimed actor John Malkovich, Bica do Sapato is one of the best restaurants in town. It was designed to appeal to a wide array of customers and, as such, you can find several different styles in here. 

By the ground floor, you can find beautiful, 70's inspired decoration to go with the traditional portuguese cuisine, with just a tad of other mediterranean flavors. 

The upper floor, though, is an entirely different story. In it, you can taste what is probably some of the best sushi in town.

Having been a portuary building, deactivated in the meantime, Bica do Sapato offers vast amounts of space, high-ceilinged rooms and - of course- an absolutely terrific view of the Tagus river through its plate-glass windows. 

With chef Manuel Bóia, one of the best portuguese chefs of his generation, this restaurant near the Santa Apolónia train station will surely be appreciated by all visitors of fine taste.

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - FEITORIA

Feitoria Restaurante & Wine Bar is located within the fabulous five-star Altis Belem Hotel & Spa with a stunning view over the riverfront. The Kitchen is taken care of by one of the most respected portuguese chefs, Michellin starred chef João Rodrigues. In Feitoria you will find the true essence of portuguese author cuisine, where all the ingredients are treated with the utmost respect for its quality and origin. Prepare yourself for a great culinary journey where bold portuguese flavours meet the most exotic cuisines in the world, reinventing the maritime Discoveries golden era. Authentic flavours that are complemented by an extensive wine selection, including moscatels and ports.

Remember to make a reservation as this amazing restaurant is normally bustling with gourmet enthusiasts and fine dining lovers.  

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - ELEVEN

This modern Michellin starred restaurant is located over a hilltop on Parque Eduardo VII, which gives the place a certain calmness in the middle of the city's buzz. Up there you are surprised with one of the most  fantastic views over Lisbon, framed by the gardens. On the outside, the building shows minimal and straight lines, using organic elements as iron, wood and stones, with great wide windows over the Tagus River. The interior decoration take on traditional elements such as cork, xyst and wood to give it a modern elegant switch exuding timeless chicness.

The restaurant’s Kitchen is runned by chef Joachim Koerper, a german chef that made Lisbon his home. The restaurant’s signature dishes are cooked with high quality and local seasonal ingredients, presenting a new menu each Season. The food is as cosmopolitan as the location it is served, with modern mediterranean interpretation of flavours. On the restaurant’s terrace, in the summertime, it is possible to enjoy a nice time on its Bistro Bar.

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON – CASA DO ALENTEJO

This restaurant right in the center of Lisbon, in Baixa neighborhood, located in a noble house formerly known as Alverca Palace, is more than a place to have delicious food, it is a cultural institution where you can get to know more about the biggest region in all Portugal, the Alentejo region. Get dazzled by the Moor inspired décor on the patio and the fabulous dinner rooms upstairs, one beautifuly decorated with portuguese tiles and the other exuding classic lavishness.  Right when you enter the building you are transported to a scene from a tale from some ancient Arabian book, with a beautiful patio and mosaics all over. The food is very flavorful, typical of the rural roots from Alentejo, with great chorizos and blood sausages, great variations of pork dishes and superb wine that you can savor while listening to representative dances and cantares alentejanos, that recently have been listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - OLIVIER AVENIDA RESTAURANTE

A local favorite, you better make a reservation if you want to go to Olivier Avenida Restaurante. Located on a side street near cosmopolite Av. Da Liberdade in Hotel Tivoli Jardim, with a classic luxurious interior design, with pink satin décor inspired by Marie Antoinette and teardrop chandeliers and mirrors, this restaurant by chef Olivier serves a mixture of Portuguese, French and Mediterranean dishes. They are also famous for their brunch and gourmet snacks served on the counter while having a drink in the trendy oval bar.

It is a place to see and be seen, as it is a common choice amongst local celebrities. 

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - TÁGIDE

With over 30 years of experience, Tágide is still a sound name amidst trendy gastro pubs and traditional restaurants. The restaurant is located within a magnificent 18th-century townhouse in Chiado quarter and the first-floor terrace offers a panoramic view over the city, with the River Tagus on the horizon.

Beside the great variety of food you can taste on the degustation or seasonal menu, with a perfect marriage between Portuguese and French flavors, you can enjoy a lighter meal on the Tágide Wine & Tapas bar on the ground floor.

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - FORTALEZA DO GUINCHO

Fortaleza do Guincho, housed in a five-star hotel with the same name, opened in 1998 and since then it received many awards, including a Michelin Star in 2001. The menu changes according to the season, with a strong French cuisine influence, favoring local and fresh ingredients. The wine cellar is one of the most varied and exclusives in the country.

From the presentation of the dishes to the service, everything is thought up with great care and designed to offer a luxurious experience, exuding refinement and sophistication.

Probably the most dramatic location of any place to eat in the Lisbon area, with an outstanding view to a wide expanse of the Guincho beach, the restaurant is a superb location for an unforgettable experience. 

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - TAVARES

The oldest restaurant in Lisbon and one of the oldest in the world, opened in 1784 and since then Tavares had closed and re-opened several times. This restaurant is full of history and charisma. An icon of the Portuguese romanticism from XIX century immortalized by the literary works of Camilo Castelo Branco and Eça de Queirós.

With a refined atmosphere, it is decorated with golden colors, Venetian mirrors and tasteful chandeliers. Here you will be dinning where great names from Portugal’s political, literary and high-society circles had unforgettable meals. 

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - VALLE FLÔR

Valle Flôr is considered the most luxurious and high class dining experience to have in the city of Lisbon. The restaurant is located in the Pestana Palace, in one of Lisbon’s seven hills, it was built in the 19^th century for the Marquis of Valle Flôr.

It is in itself an attraction for the many tourists that come nearby to visit the Belém neighborhood. The lavishing Louis XV inspired décor will instantly leave you breathless.

There is a dress-code, though, no shorts, sneakers or sweats are allowed and gentlemen should wear a jacket for dinnertime. 

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - AREIAS DO SEIXO, COSTA DE PRATA

The heavy wooden doors of this eco-savvy hotel, 40 minutes north of Lisbon, open onto a magical world, with a rope swing beside reception, hand-written chalkboards filled with literary quotes, a huge driftwood bench outside for basking in the sun and a long and very inviting swimming pool. The Love Rooms on the first floor have views out to sea, mattresses on reclaimed Moroccan doors, fireplaces inside and outside and a thrilling sense of style that reflects the Cape Verdean heritage of Marta Fonseca, one of the owners.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - FAZENDA NOVA, TAVIRA

If you really want to get to know the Algarve, stay at this thoughtfully renovated country house. British owners Tim and Hallie Robinson have scoured the area. The couple makes fantastically helpful hosts with their spot-on advice about the best food markets, the restaurants serving the tastiest fish, where to buy the local wicker and straw, and where to find little coves that are only accessible by boat. But it will be hard to tear yourself away from the lovely peace of the house itself, which is 25 minutes inland from Faro. The grounds are a delight, rambling and romantic. 

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - IMANI COUNTRY HOUSE, ÉVORA

Many people who come here are drawn by the Almendres Cromlech, Portugal's most important Megalithic site, which dates from 6000 BC to 4000BC and is minutes away. Those who return, however, do so for Imani itself, it's perfectly round swimming pool, 13 hectares of garden and parkland where the two donkeys, Almendra and Eça, graze and Cat, the cat, roams through the fragrant lavender that lines the cobbled paths. The long drive is flanked by cypress trees leading up to a row of what were once stables and are now six bedrooms with one more up a flight of stairs.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - MONTE CHORA CASCAS, MONTEMOR-O-NOVO

The house, or "monte", is a typical old Alentejan farmstead. Seven pared-back bedrooms, with terracotta floors and vases of fresh flowers, spill out onto bougainvilleas-edged terraces, some private, most shared. Boldly colored walls are offset by heavy white Portuguese linens, Provençal-style lamps and sun-bleached wood. Shutters and ceiling fans keep the whole place breezy in the height of the summer and there's a swimming pool in the garden, as tempting for its view of the 13th century castle that dominates neighboring Montemor-o-Novo as for its cool water.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - MONTE DA FORNALHA, ALENTEJO

Surounded by gnarled olive trees and glossy-leaved oranges and limes, the main house here is topped by a row of typically squat Alentejan chimneys used to smoke the slightly spicy local sausages and black hams. It was inhabited by 10 different families in the 18th century and, over the past 15 years, owner Orlanda Alves has created a hugely welcoming spot, knocking down partitions to make six large bedrooms. It's an excellent base from which to explore the off-the-beaten-track Alentejo, with its dusty hilltop towns and centuries-old castles.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - VILLA PEDRA, COIMBRA

Arriving here, after winding upwards on narrow roads that cut through wildflower meadows, it's gorgeous. When the car stops, silence falls, broken only by the whistle of the wind and the distante honking of geese. Victor Mineiro, the architect of these seven fantastically renovated cottages and adjoining restaurant, will appear. He brims with enthusiasm for a project he has spent more than a decade working on, since him and its partner Manuel Casal decided to breathe new life into the abandoned village.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - L' AND VINEYARDS, ALENTEJO

Breathtakingly and innovative when it opened in 2011, with its rooftop windows that roll back at the flick of a button for views straight up to the star-studded night sky, L'AND continues its stellar theme by becoming the first restaurant in the Alentejo region to gain a Michelin star by the hand of chef Miguel Laffan. The 22 bedrooms are set out among the vineyards with their airy interiors. Across from the rooms is the swimming pool, edged by thick-cushioned, charcoal-coloured daybeds, a small lake and a Caudalie SPA.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PORTUGAL - VILLA EXTRAMUROS, ARRAIOLOS

It's unsual to find a contemporary Bed and Breakfast (B&B) in this neck of the woods, where knobbly old farms and thick-walled manor houses dominate the landscape. Villa Extramuros is a boldly minimalist space, which is filled with a clever combination of designer objects and the region's cork and marble. The five bedrooms look out over the countryside and nearby Arraiolos, crowned with its 14th century hilltop castle.

LAGOS - BEST NATURAL ARCH IN THE WORLD

A few kilometers from the city of Lagos, Ponta da Piedade is a challenge to the view. Go on a boat ride and dive into its cliffs and natural arches. Ponta da Piedade is composed for various rock formations, with up to 20 meters high approximately, and it is one of the region sights with greatest photographic interest. On the local, it is possible to visit the various existing caves guaranteeing a pleasant and unique tourist experience.

ALGARVE - BEST PLACE TO RETIRE OVERSEA

Nowhere in the world could you embrace a better overall being-retired experience than in Portugal's Algarve. This region offers great weather, one of the most stable climates in the world and 3.300 hours of sunshine per year. Portugal ranks as the 17th safest country in the world, Algarve receives high marks for safety. The Algarve Atlantic coastline is punctuated by jagged rock formations, lagoons and extensive sandy beaches, many awarded coveted Blue Flags from the European Blue Flag Association.

PENEDA-GERÊS NATIONAL PARK

Peneda-Gerês is the only national park in Portugal, located in the northwest Norte region. The park spans an impressive 703 square kilometres of clear lakes, boulder-strewn peaks, dramatic valleys and oak and pine forests. Throughtout the park, visitors can find over 100 granite villages, which remain relatively untouched since the 12th century. Expect cobbled streets, oxen, blacksmith shops, shepherds and traditionally-dressed women. Adventure-seekers can hike, kayak and raft surrounded by the beautiful natural landscape.

CASCAIS - LUMINA FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

The Lumina Festival of Light, in Cascais, a lovely port/beach town west of Lisbon, integrates the Top 10 European light art festivals. Cascais hosts Lumina, in September, which involves trails of light around the harbour and old town, three days of sound and light displays and lucent installations in various squares and parks.  

TRAVELTAILORS BLOWS FIVE CANDLES!

TravelTailors celebrates five years on March 8 and invites customers, partners and friends to join the party. To celebrate "five years of great success, thanks to our invaluable customers", the TravelTailors have the door open on March 9, monday, and offer birthday cake and drinks to all its customers, partners and friends, from 17.00 pm.

ALENTEJO - STARLIGHT TOURISM DESTINATION

For nearly 290 nights a year, the skies around Lake Alqueva, in the Alentejo region, are an astronomer's dream: clear, dark and with little light pollution to interfere with stargazing. That's why the area was declared the world's first "Starlight Tourism Destination" by UNESCO. Visitors to the region can take astronomy workshops or borrow telescopes and binoculares to view on ther own. Don't miss the astronomically significant megaliths surrounding the lake.

LISBON - MUSEUM OF ELECTRICITY

O Museu da Electricidade, overlooking the Tagus River, in Lisbon, is housed in an old power plant that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of its contents. Discover the history of electricity, sciences and industrial archaeology through especially kid-friendly interactive exhibits. Rotating photography and contemporary art installations are added to the museum's surprising offerings. 

BEST RETREATS TO PRACTICE YOGA - OLEIROS

The Evolution Yoga Retreat Center, located at Amieira - Oleiros -, is one of the top five retreats to practice yoga in Europe. With a maximum capacity of only ten people, this retreat guarantees tranquility and rest in the rural setting of Amieira. Chosen the preferred type of accommodation in the main house or a caravan, the visitor can enjoy courses that combine Ashtanga and Yin Yoga.

MADEIRA - CASA VELHA DO PALHEIRO

The Madeira island, is the most exclusive in tourism. Example of that is the Casa Velha do Palheiro, located in Funchal - Madeira -, offers 37 rooms. The old farmhouse is, nowadays, a luxury hotel. How couldn't it be, is important to make allusion to Madeira wine and quality of gourmet gastronomy at Casa Velha do Palheiro, as well as other infrastructure associated with it. 

PORTO - THE HAPPIEST CITY OF EUROPE

Porto is the city that has the highest joy of living from 31 European cities. According to a study, that was developed by SMART, held at European level. The "Invicta" obtained 86 points, followed by Hamburg (85), Cologne, Munich and Barcelona (all 80). The SMART study involved 3,269 people in 31 European cities and tried to answer the questions "What does it mean to live in the city?" and "To what extent do citizens love or not your city?".  

ALENTEJO - BEST WINE REGION OF THE WORLD

Alentejo is Portuguese wine region located in the southern half of Portugal, the region covers about a third of the country and is sparsely populated. The Alentejo was considered the best wine region of the world to visit. The climate in much of the Alentejo is not naturally conducive to the production of fine wine, but modern technology can compensate for natural deficiencies, irrigation supplements. The region is noted for it vast cork production but has in recent years garnered attention for its table wine production.

LISBON - BEST OCEANARIUM OF EUROPE

The oceanarium of Lisbon, located in the Parque das Nações, which was the exhibition grounds for the Expo 98. It's the largest indoor aquarium in Europe. The Lisbon Oceanarium has a large collection of marine species like: penguins, seagulls and other birds, sea otters, sharks, rays, seahorses, starfish, sea anemones, corals, octopuses, amphibians, jellyfish, among others. In total it is about 16.000 individuals of 450 species. In winter the oceanarium is open since 10.00 a.m until 6.00 p.m, and in summer is open since 10.00 a.m until 7.00 p.m.

COIMBRA - WORLD HERITAGE SITE

The city of Coimbra is considered World Heritage Site and the tourists doesn't know. A study made by the University of Coimbra concluded that most visitors doesn't visit the city of Coimbra because of the received award and only a few know of this award. Although the study concluded that most of visitors came to the city in August, and the main type tourist travels alone.         

THE YEATMAN - BEST HOTEL OF THE YEAR

The Yeatman hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, has been awarded Best International Hotel in the Food & Travel 2014 reader awards. The winners were announced on the awards ceremony held at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London. The Yeatman hotel offers to their guests 82 rooms and suites, each one with a private terrace and view over the Douro river. Other international awards recently bestowed to The Yeatman include: best of Wine Tourism, Great Wine Capitals of the World, Best Wine Hotel 2014, Best Hotel Spa Europe 2013, among others.

GREEN PORTUGAL - SOUTHWEST ALENTEJO AND COSTA VICENTINA NATURAL PARK

The Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park is the longest stretch of protected coastline in Portugal, covering an area of 76,000 hectares, around 80 km of which, located between the Odeceixe beach and the fishing village of Burgau, in Vila do Bispo, are part of the Algarvian coastaline region. Here is a natural sanctuary in which the seashore is interrupted by steep cliffs, beaches and sand dunes. With respect to marine plant life, there are 460 species of algae along the coast. Among the great diversity of animal species that live in the park are otters, foxes, wild boars, badgers, wild cats and the Iberian lynx. However, it is the birds that are the great attraction of the Costa Vicentina. The streams are home to herons, storks, kingfishers and moorhens, while the coastal rocks shelter ravens, seagulls, magpies and birds of prey.  

HAPPY 2015!

Don´t forget to visit Portugal :)

SALT - ILHA DOS PUXADOIROS

The Island of Puxadoiros, is a white and crystal clear place dedicated to the traditional saltworks restoration in Aveiro. It's possible to see the process of hand-harvest by scraping only the top layer of salt before it sinks to the bottom of large salt pans. This is the most amazing process. However, you can also understand the importance of the plants, brids and microorganisms to this environment. Productive activities are complemented with nature tourism, to give a good experience to visitors.   

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

GREEN PORTUGAL - NATURAL PARK OF SINTRA-CASCAIS

Palaces and gardens mix with vegetation and mist, offering an almost magical landscape with many viewpoints, including Pena Palace and the Moorish castle, a site that UNESCO has declared a cultural landscape. The two faces of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, near Lisbon, are its wild coastline and an extensive range of hills, and it's hard to believe that there is still such intact nature at this point on the Portuguese map. On a clear day you can see the coast where Capes Raso and Roca mark out the borders of the park. Large stretches of beach such as Guincho, a mecca for windsurfers, and cliffs where the wind and waves impose their own law, creating legends such as Boca do Inferno (the Mouth of Hell) and Ursa beach, are just some of the park's attractions. 

SALT - VIANA DO CASTELO

The Hotel Flôr de Sal in Viana do Castelo, it's a wonderful place where it is possible to sunbathe, near to the sea, like if you were at a mediterranean resort. Also, you can enjoy of the hotel spa, rested on the chaise long, looking to the deep and beautiful atlantic sea. The beauty of north coast it's gorgeous to fall in love.

We recommend you to dinner in the Saleiro restaurant, admiring the amazing panoramic view over the sea.

GREEN PORTUGAL - NATURAL PARK OF SERRA D'AIRE AND CANDEEIROS

This park has more natural wonders with hundreds of limestone caves on the surface and as many underground, formed by the action of underground streams, probably the largest salt water reserves in the country, all littered with stalactites and stalagmites. About twenty-five species of orchids decorate the landscape of the park that is home to all types of reptiles, birds, mammals and invertebrates. It seems like this area has already been a park for millions of years, as proven by the dinosaur footprints (discovered in 1994) that you can see and touch at the edge of the Serra de Aire. 

FALLING IN LOVE, IN LISBON

“Saudade,” the famous Portuguese word that has no translation, could be described as a profound state of longing for something you love. It's the love that lingers after someone is gone. It has become a thread that runs through all aspects of Portuguese society, the foundation of its mentality, a tune that always plays subtly in the background.

The meaning of that Portuguese word explain what visitors feel when they visit our country and leave. The monuments, the gastronomy, the climate, the people and other attractions explain the feeling of "falling in love, in Lisbon".

SALT - PORTO

One of the best secrets of the Porto city is the "Bom de Sal" restaurant. In this place, salt is the main ingredient. You and your cardiologist can be unworried because the salt used on dishes is controlled by the chef.
We suggest you to try the beef of maronesa veal, the bread and garlic sausage with cabbage shoot in filo pasta and the codfish of "Bom de Sal" - you will not regret.

The best of Portugal

Amy Fernandes tells you about the allure of this mighty little country and how to make the best of your stay at Lisbon, Porto and Sintra.

If there’s something like living languidly on the edge, then Portugal is the place where people live it. 

But give it time and slowly you’ll see the edge making itself felt, gently but surely, to ensure that this small, linear country stands out against the weight of the rest of mighty Europe. So what is it that sets Portugal apart from the others? Is it the old fashioned monasteries made new in luxury chic resorts? The stories it tells through its seas and oceans? Or its historic cities that are modern yet quaint? 

 

Palaces of Romance

Castles peeping out in Sintra

Sintra is a good place to start. Actually, the fabulous luxury resort Penha Longa Ritz Carlton is a great place to start. History begins on the plush grounds, where a 13th century monastery was built by the Hieronymite monks in 1355; today, it houses a beautiful chapel, and dining halls which, we hear, are super places to host weddings. Not to forget its vast golf links and rooms to lose yourselves in, if you have the time that is, because Sintra calls. This little town is an oasis of medieval grandeur. It stubbornly refuses to step into the modern world. No wonder then, that it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995. A host of palaces beckon. The Moorish Castle, the quizzical Penha Palace, which when you look at it, makes you wonder whether it’s Moorish, Arabic or Roman. It’s like walking into a fairy tale book and trying to figure out whether Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty or Snow White lived here. Here’s where you’ll  hear of the romantic, King Ferdinand, who left a lasting legacy of fine taste and culture. A 20-minute drive from Sintra to Cascais reveals a panoramic view when you visit Cabo da Roca, described by Portugal’s pet poet Luis de Camões as, ‘the place where land ends and the sea begins’, which probably sounds more romantic in Portuguese. It’s the westernmost point of mainland Portugal and continental Europe, and offers an unending view of the ocean, which could induce motion sickness, suicidal thoughts or the realisation of how much of a dot you are in the universe.

Porto and the  golden river

The Douro River

Porto, the place where the world famous Port is made is a ‘must stop’. If you have just a day, go backpacking and lose yourself in the streets; don’t worry, people will help you find your way around. Or take a boat ride on the Douro river (meaning gold) where the city flanks you from both sides and you can glimpse its former glory.

Lovely Lisbon

But if it’s the rush of the city you’re looking for, Lisbon (or Lisboa as the Portuguese call it) is the place to be. We were lucky to be there right in the middle of the 2nd Fado Festival in Alfama, one of Lisbon’s oldest and most charming districts. A tip: wear flats and discover the up and down narrow and winding streets of the city. The evening of Fado (listed as World Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO) seemed to have the whole of Portugal and fado-singing countries descending on its streets. Pubs, bars and restaurants were brimming over with music and loudspeakers blared in competition with fadistas outdoing each other with their music. A festival of mournful music? You’ve got to be kidding! This was fun and fado, like we’d never seen. We chomped on beefana (sausage-laden sandwiches), chorizo-stuffed bread, cheese toasts, which seemed to go down well with soulful music and of course the local beers, Super Bock and Sagres. 

Short days, long nights

Lisbon's amazing night life

Like in neighbouring Spain, the nights here are long and loud and the residents who live cheek by jowl on these happy streets don’t seem to care. They egg people on to enjoy themselves, while a few bring their armchairs out on the streets at 10.30 am living vicariously through the party animals. Bars overflow into streets, cabs (easy to find even at 2.00 am) are happy to speed you to your next night spot. And the choices are plenty: from the cafes in Chiado to the bars in Bairro Alto, wherever you decide to go, people are warm and welcoming; you will feel at home.      

Lisbon's famous Jeronimos Monastery's Gothic acrhitecture

The days are different and offer you two choices: the chic downtown Lisbon with its European Union offices, corporate HQs, KFC and broad avenues with high-street shopping or the quaint Mario Miranda Lisbon that lives in the old city where you will also find the Belém Tower and the Castle of São Jorge with a breathtaking view of Lisbon. Sit at a cafe and listen to Portuguese music or visit the magnificent JeronimoS Monastery with its fascinating Manueline and Gothic architecture. Shop at the cobbled streets of Bairro Alto where the imposing statute of Camões will greet you at the top of a steep avenue.  Don’t forget to try Ginjinha, a delicious cherry liqueur in an edible chocolate cup.

Inside the Jeronimos Monastery

GOOD TO KNOW
–No place in Lisbon is too far from another. We stayed at the very efficient and luxe Four Seasons Hotel Ritz, which is a five-minute walk downtown, which in turn is another 10-minute walk to the hotspot Chiado or the Bairro Alto. The service is super, the location is central and it allows you to enjoy the city unhampered
by distance. 

–Portugal does not have its own international airline although TAP serves Europe and domestic destinations. However, pick Turkish Airlines as we did. The flight is smooth, the food delicious and if you’re travelling Club, you cannot afford to miss the lounge in Turkey. Stay a day or book yourself a later flight to bask in the two-storey luxury here.

2014-10-28 08:06

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GREEN PORTUGAL - NATURAL PARK OF SERRA DA ESTRELA

The Natural Park of Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain peak in Portugal with an altitude of almost 2000 meters at the tower (it's highest point), it is the largest protected area and it's the place with lowest temperatures in Portugal (minus 20 degrees celsius). In this visit it's possible to follow the course of some portuguese rivers like the Mondego, the Zêzere and  the Alva, they will take you to breathtaking places. Take advantage of those moments of communion with nature to observe it, discovering the diversity of plants and birds. With the snow it's possible to try ski, snowboard or snowmobile. There are several pistes with support infrastructure, as well as synthetic snow pistes for skiing at any time of the year.

SALT - CASCAIS

In the Penha Longa Hotel Spa & Golf Resort or The Oitavos Hotel Spa, both near to Cascais, it's possible to enjoy an massage with salt from Dead Sea in oil of seaweed called Fucus Serratus. The massage make you fell like you're in heaven. The beauty treatment is called Salt and Shine Exfoliation by Voa. This is a detoxifying and draining massage, with salt and seaweed that you will not want to miss.

Lonely Planet´s best value destinations for 2015

1. Tunisia

Brightly coloured tiles in blue, yellow and green cover the interior of an open-roofed mosque building in Tunisia. Don your sunglasses and prepare to be dazzled by the multicoloured Al-Zaytuna mosque, one of Tunisia’s architectural gems. When it comes to Tunisia, the conversation has moved on from safety to recovery for tourism, and a renewed appreciation of why the country is such a compelling destination. Most travel warnings have been dropped and travellers are once again tuning in to North Africa’s most compact package. This year prices will remain tempting to lure travellers back, and lower crowds will mean that those who do come will get a more rewarding experience whether they stay in cosmopolitan Tunis, head for Star Wars sets or explore the Roman remains that dot the north of the country. Seasonal charters from European airports to Djerba can be an excellent-value gateway into Tunisia.

2. South Africa

Currency fluctuations mean that for certain travellers South Africa is more affordable than it has been for many years. Instead of just rejoicing in the undercooked rand, consider what South Africa offers value-seeking travellers at any time. How about fantastically accessible wildlife watching for all budgets, bargain public (and traveller-friendly) transport and free entry to many of the country’s museums? Most visitors will find something to please their budget, whether it’s a cheap-and cheerful Cape Town seaside cafe or an affordable safari campsite. Come in South Africa’s shoulder seasons (March to May, September and October) for the best combination of low crowds and comfortable weather.

3. Shanghai

A market seller in Shanghai smiles broadly as stallholders around her serve raw meat and clothing to customers. Throw yourself into the throng of Shanghai’s markets for a taste of local life. For all the upscale new openings in China’s most famous coastal city, Shanghai remains reassuringly affordable for budget travellers. No-nonsense dorms start at less than US$10, and the pleasing pricing continues through budget and midrange hotels until you hit the less-than-friendly international big names and trendy boutique accommodation. It’s a similar story when eating out: characterful street-treats for a dollar, and big portions in popular restaurants for little more. Best of all, walking the city’s safe and buzzing streets is the best way to take the pulse of this fast-changing metropolis. SmartShanghai (smartshanghai.com) is a great place to keep pace with new happenings in this ever-changing city.

4. Samoa

Crystal-clear waters, empty beaches, what more could a traveller ask for? It feels like we’ve heard this one before: ‘Beautiful, undeveloped tropical paradise seeks underfunded travellers for discreet liaison. Applicants must enjoy no-nonsense budget buses and simple, idyllic beach hut accommodation (fales), owned by local families, who tend to throw in dinner.’ So as with so many places before it, we’d say get to Samoa soon. Best visited by jumping off from New Zealand or Australia, these islands are one of the best travel deals in the Pacific. The markets of Apia, Samoa’s capital and largest town, offer a great introduction to everyday life. Maketi Fou, the biggest, is the place to come for souvenir hunting and Samoan street food.

5. Bali

Vibrant green vegetation and palm trees form a silhouette against a mist-shrouded volcano illuminated by half-light in Bali. Palm trees, misty rice paddies and looming volcanoes – all part of Bali’s exotic (and budget-friendly) blend. While many budget-traveller favourites have grown up and got proper jobs running overpriced resorts, Bali never stopped delivering the goods. In fact, while backpacker-friendly beachside bungalows and other affordable digs still abound, with reasonable costs for food and transport thrown in. Bali is also pretty stonking value for mid-range adventurers who delight in air conditioning, distinctive Balinese style and a large range of quality places to stay. And of course, Balinese spa treatments are rightly famous, and cheaper than in many other places. Bali’s international popularity is evidenced by the large number of winter flights from Russian cities, offering the unlikely combination of a snowy Trans-Siberian journey and a week on a Balinese beach.

6. Uruguay

Algea-covered rocks emerge from the surface of glassy blue-green water, and a distant lighthouse juts out over the sea in Cabo Polonio, Uruguay. A beacon blinking out to budget travellers… or a lighthouse in Cabo Polonio, Uruguay.  While Brazil’s travel scene burgeoned as the World Cup rolled into town, Uruguay looks a better-value choice for a short excursion into South America. This proud buffer state has much to enjoy: sizzling steaks, laid-back Montevideo and a hip beach scene that tempts travellers further round the sandy coast each year. While you should watch out for peak-time costs on the coast, this remains an underrated, affordable corner of South America. The sleepy riverside town of Fray Bentos is home to a memorable museum: the former factory of the world-famous beef processor of the same name.

7. Portugal

A small yellow boat glides under the metallic Dom Luis I bridge over the Douro River in Porto, Portugal; the far bank has a cluster of white and yellow blocks of flats. That Portugal’s Algarve region trumps prices at other European resort areas isn’t a surprise to regular visitors. This surf and family-friendly region remains the destination of choice for a more-than-sun seaside holiday, and it’s not all that great-value Portugal has to offer. Lisbon, as happening as Barcelona with fewer crowds, and cheaper, is set to get a whole lot more accessible as low-cost airline Ryanair opens a base in the Portuguese capital. Head anywhere in the country off the tourist trail, and costs come down further. For a great-value tour of Lisbon hop on tram 28, which rattles around taking in many of the city’s highlights, including the Alfama district and the views from the Miradouro de Santa Luzia for €2.85.

8. Taiwan

Dragons coloured scarlet, green and blue adorn three pointed temple roofs in Jiufen, Taiwan. The roof of Fushan Temple in Jiufen, one of Taiwan’s colourful temples. Taiwan delivers great all-round value. Taipei is significantly cheaper than Hong Kong, Seoul or Tokyo, and while hotels are a bit expense, dorm beds and homestays abound in Taiwan and camping is common in a lot of the island’s national parks and forests. Rail passes are standardised and cheap on fast and modern lines. Admission to many attractions and temples is cheap, and even major museums are affordable. Eating, perhaps the main attraction in Taiwan, is accessible to all whether tucking into dumplings at a street stall or enjoying high-end fare at lower prices than comparable cities. A large bottle of Taiwanese beer will set you back around NT$120 (US$4), or much less if you get one from a grocery shop.

9. Romania

The gothic outline of Brasov’s Black Church and silver-domed buildings in Brasov, Romania, in front of the thickly forested Carpathian Mountains. The splendid skyline of Brasov in Transylvania – within grasp of lighter pockets. Eastern European nations frequently appear in best-value lists, but in Romania’s case the entry is entirely warranted. Now vigorously connected to the rest of Europe by budget airlines, accommodation compares well in all price brackets to bigger-name destinations in the region. Bucharest is a case in point, where hotel beds largely welcome business travellers, so holiday season is, unusually, low season. Away from here there are budget-friendly homestays in medieval villages, spectacular castles and the unique Danube Delta, best explored by inexpensive, if slow, ferries. Private vans known as ‘maxitaxis’, together with buses and minivans, form the cheapest way to get routes, times, fares and departure points.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/best-value-destinations-for-2015#ixzz3IOvpjEya