News

Costa Brothers Portuguese sailors, to the conquest of Tokyo
25 March, 2021 / , ,

The Costa brothers, as they are known in sailing, Pedro and Diogo, are 24 and 23 years old, respectively, and achieved the last wave of access to the Olympic Games in the World Championship of the Olympic Class held in Vilamoura. In the same championship, they were also vice world champions.

They are Engineering students from FEUP, born in Porto, and have been sailing since they were 6 years old. They only joined in 2012, and in 2014 they started competing internationally.

They were two-time 420 national champions in 2015 and 2016 and that year they achieved a historic achievement for Portugal, they won the 420 World Championship in San Remo.

After the 420 World title, they started the Campaign for the Tokyo Olympic Games and they achieved this feat in Portugal, Vilamoura, at the last opportunity, having, in the medal race, achieved the silver medal. The whole fleet of this world championship is qualified for the 2021 Olympic Games.

Sugestões de Pedro Costa

Bar : Adega Leonor

Restaurante : Alma do Cachorro

Local: Guindais

Sugestões de Diogo Costa

Bar : Miradouro Ignez

Restaurante : Alma do Cachorro

Local: Serra do Pilar

Porto is the city of the Camellias
23 March, 2021 / ,

Porto is a vast garden of Camellias planted along the Douro.

These flowers give life and joy to the city of Porto, during sad and grey winter days.

Even in Porto’s cemeteries there are Camellias.

As a way to celebrate this flower, every year Porto is invaded by the Camellia Week in the 2nd week of March, which unfortunately cannot happen this year.

Organized for the first time in 1984, in the Ferreira Borges Market, this exhibition has travelled to various places in the city, such as the Municipal Library, the Monastery of São Bento da Vitória, Serralves, or the Palácio da Bolsa

Year after year, this event arouses the curiosity and enthusiasm of many camellia admirers, collectors and producers, and invites the public to get to know and appreciate the different species of this winter flower, which today abounds and spreads colours throughout the city’s gardens.

The main growers who, over the years, have perfected the cultivation of this flower, multiplying it in the most varied species, have sprinkled the gardens of the city of Porto with colour and shapes.

Camellias are a natural and cultural heritage of Porto.

Porto is a river among camellias.

So, here are some Places to find Camellias:

– Jardim Botânico
– Palácio de Cristal – Gardens and Library
– Museu Romântico
– Casa Tait
– Jardim S Lazaro
– Rotunda da Boavista
– Antiga Igreja de Cedofeita
– Jardim do Marquês
– Parque da Cidade
– Cemitérios de Agramonte e Prado do Repouso

The Women’s Garden
20 January, 2021 / ,

Inaugurated in 1834, Jardim Marques de Oliveira, is a romantic concept, with the shadow of its great magnolias, its imposing lilies, the colour of its camellias and the sounds of the central lake.

Jardim de São Lázaro is the oldest municipal garden in Porto.

Its name comes from the old medieval leprosarium, which was installed there at the beginning of the 16th century and was demolished in the 18th century.

This fresh garden is a pleasant surprise for those who pass by, because it is very well cared for and leafy.

It was designed by João José Gomes, the first municipal gardener of Porto, and still presents its original design today.
The fountain, the bandstand, and the sculptures scattered around the garden, by several nationally renowned artists such as Soares dos Reis, stand out.

During the Portuguese Civil War, Porto was surrounded by a siege between July 1832 and August 1833. It was a very heavy siege for the people of Porto: to the attacks of the D. Miguel troops were added silent enemies such as cholera, typhus, hunger and cold, which transformed the beautiful trees of the “Invicta” into firewood for the population.

On 27 January 1833, King Pedro IV ordered the construction of the Garden of São Lazaro, dedicated to the women of this city, to somehow compensate them for the hard trials faced during the Siege. It was intended to be a place for the ladies of Porto

Although modest in size and sparse in sight, it quickly became popular with the fine society – a must-see place for the families of Porto.

For 30 years, this miniature Public Walk, was the centre of the city’s fancy and fashion.

With no view of the Douro valley, no wide and airy walks, it nevertheless contains a soft perfume, which contrasts with the urban environment in which it is inserted.

It is the meeting point for retired people who play cards, a point of passage of many places, a place of rest for tourists. Close to the Faculty of Fine Arts, it is also very frequented by students.

To the east of the garden is the Municipal Public Library and to the south, the magnificent baroque façade of the old convent of St. Lazaro, attributed to Nicolau Nasoni.

The garden is the only one in the city that is still surrounded by a railing.

It is one of the most beautiful romantic gardens in Porto.

Learn about Siza Vieira through his work
7 October, 2020 / , ,

The most renowned Portuguese architect has designed  created homes, museums, schools and even a metro station in the area of ​​greater Porto.

The Casa de Chá/Restaurante da Boa Nova and the Piscina das Marés, both in Leça da Palmeira, are two of the most famous works of this architect. Dating from the 60s, an early stage of his career, both are located in the hometown where he was born. In addition, in Matosinhos, the Monument in honour of the poet António Nobre, the esplanade of Leça da Palmeira or the swimming pool of the Quinta da Conceição are other examples of the work of the Pritzker Prize winner.

In Porto there are also several public spaces designed by Siza Vieira, such as the Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade do Porto (Porto Faculty of Architecture), the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Serralves Foundation; projects which were completed in the 90’s. Siza Vieira’s trait also exists in social housing, such as the San Vittore district or the neighborhood of Bouça, in office buildings and even the tomb of the poet Eugenio Andrade.

Among his most recent works and more visible to the general public are, for example, the renewal of the Avenida dos Aliados and the metro station of Sâo Bento, both located in the city centre.

Siza Vieira is also responsible for the new Chapel Afurada in Vila Nova de Gaia, which will soon be built. Marco de Canaveses, Gondomar and Vila do Conde are also cities with projects created by the architect.

Axis Golfe Ponte de Lima
28 September, 2020 / ,

The Axis Golfe Ponte de Lima, opened on September 15, 1995.

With 18 holes for a par of 71 with 6005 meters, located 2 km from Ponte de Lima, and about 70 km from Porto, with access by the highway.

In a typical rural area of ​​Minho, the golf course is a mixture of plain and mountain, with the first 9 holes in the hills, and the second in a flat area.

These unique characteristics of northern Portugal delight players with fantastic views of the Lima River valley, as well as contact with the typical Minho life.

Halfway between holes 1, 10, 9 and 18, the Club House is located, where you can find various services, in which we highlight a Golf store, equipment rental, restaurant, bar, terrace, saunas, swimming pool and 2 tennis courts.

In the surrounding area, the accommodation options are attractive and have all the facilities to provide its guests with comfortable and quiet stays. We can advise the Axis Ponte de Lima Golf Resort Hotel

Rua do Sobreiro n.º 533, Fornelos
4990-625 Ponte de Lima

Tel: (+351) 258 743 414
E-mail: reservas@axisgolfe.com
www.axishoteisegolfe.com

Estela Golf Club
27 September, 2020 / ,

Founded on October 27, 1987, with 6148 meters in length and 18 exciting and challenging holes, playing at the luxurious Estela Golf Club means having as a backdrop three kilometers of coastline in the Atlantic Ocean.

Exclusive access to the beach and refreshed by the Atlantic breeze clime in summer and heated by the Gulf stream in winter complete the dream scenario.

The comfort and beauty of its Club House, with its traditional and authentic cuisine, captivate its countless visitors who, in the year 2018 alone, exceeded ten thousand.

The field:
The fairways of Estela Golf Club are narrow, especially in the landing areas, and are surrounded by dunes, so the pressure is on the tee shot.
There are few fairway bunkers at Estela Golf Club, as the dunes and the various lakes on the course form natural obstacles of rare beauty.
The greens at Estela Golf Club are firm and fast. To get there it takes effort and skill, but once there most shots to the greens are opened allowing the ball to roll.

Lugar do Rio Alto
Estela 4570-242 Póvoa de Varzim

Tel: (+351) 252 601 814
E-mail: geral@estelagolf.pt
www.estelagolf.pt

Golf in Porto and North
25 September, 2020 / , , ,

Golf in Portugal also has a history and it is exactly from the beginning that we will start this article.

It all started in 1890, with the opening of the Oporto Golfe Club. By the hand of English aristocrats, linked to the Industry, who lived in the Douro.

Northern Portugal is a region with many diversities and with every reason to believe that it only has qualities. Rain, normally abundant in this region of the country, is an essential characteristic for the creation and maintenance of golf courses.

Without forgetting the warmth of its people and the strong and diverse gastronomy, combining secular traditions and the ‘twist’ of new trends, the North has the production of some of the best wines in the world, of which we cannot fail to highlight the unique and exclusive Port Wine.

The golf has been added to all this, with unique design courses that are combined with beaches and mountains in perfect harmony.

Any golfer from any corner of the world, who has already had the experience of playing on one of these wonderful courses, knows well that it is worth returning.

VINHOS a Descobrir – Wine Market
25 September, 2020 / ,

A wine show, favoring contact with visitors and tourists.

Visitors will have the possibility to speak with the Producers, purchase wine, glass and bottle, as well as regional and gourmet products, enriching their experience.

During the Wine market, daily harmonization with wines will be carried out by an expert, sharing his knowledge so that the discovery of the best combinations is even more beneficial.

Parallel activities:

Get Together Professional – meeting with professionals from the sector: restaurants, wine cellars, bars, distributors and professional bloggers, to make the Producers and their wines known.
(Saturday the 26th, between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm)

Daily Harmonized tastings, promoting the association of wines and gastronomy with gourmet products and regional products.

DJ in Chill Out environment

Dates: 26 and 27 September 2020
Location: Ferreira Borges Market,

Admission: 3 €
Entrance with glass: € 5, including a € 1 discount voucher when buying € 10 or more in wine.

Klimt & Monet in Porto
18 September, 2020 / , ,

Immersivus Gallery is the first gallery for immersive arts experiences in Portugal and aims to be a national artistic reference in the field.
Impressive Monet is a reinterpretation of the paintings from the founding father of Impressionism, showing the journey beyond the frame through the artist’s endless search for capturing light.

The audience will be immersed in the artist’s impressionism movement and will feel entailed by the lines and colors that are part of Monet’s world.

Brilliant Klimt’s show traces the biographical path and the artistic legacy of the Austrian artist through his iconic painting – The Kiss. This will be the main thread of the journey while exploring the influences of Klimt’s world.

Impressive Monet & Brilliant Klimt

21.08.2020 – 15.11.2020

Alfândega do Porto

Bilhetes / Tickets / Billetes – 9€

(Português) O Sol Voltou ao Porto – As Praias do Porto
4 August, 2020 / , ,

The sunny days and heat encourage you to go to the beach and in Porto you do not have to go far to find a quiet place by the sea to sunbathe, stroll, savour a delicious meal or a cool drink.

Being in a city by the beach is an easy dream to fulfil for those who are in Porto. Visit the nine Blue Flag beaches where you can enjoy the summer without giving up the city life.

PRAIA DAS PASTORAS
(SHEPHERDESS BEACH)
The beach is delimited by two piers, which protects it from the wind. It is here that the Douro River flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
It has this name because it was customary for the shepherdesses to bring their sheep here to graze on the herbs and smell the seaside.

PRAIA DO OURIGO
The bathing tradition dates back to the 16th century, when it was said that these waters healed diseases.

PRAIA DO HOMEM DO LEME
(HELM MAN BEACH)
It’s ideal for those who have children, since it has two playgrounds. It is a rocky beach, with an area of 374 sq
meters. The name comes from the bronze statue, placed on Avenida de Montevideu, which pays homage to the fishermen.

PRAIA DO CARNEIRO
(RAM BEACH)
It has an extensive beach and has been very popular since the 19th century. Some centuries ago it was agrazing area. A folk tale tells that it was here that one of those sheep strayed from its fold. The image of the
sheep was eternalized on top of the Chalé Suíço (a kiosk that still exists today in Rua do Passeio Alegre).

PRAIA DE GONDARÉM
A beach with 115 meters of extension. The name of this beach derives from the Latin and means something like “rest in the battle”. It has a stone wall that is covered because of high tides, making it safer for children.

PRAIA DOS INGLESES
(BEACH OF THE ENGLISH)
As the name implies, it was a beach preferred by the British community of Porto. An 86 sq meters sandbank, an area of very smooth slopes and fine sand.

PRAIA DA LUZ
A small beach framed by rocks and a garden area on Avenida do Brasil. When the tide is low you can see two pontoons supporting the baths of the 19th century.

PRAIA DO MOLHE
(QUAY BEACH)
It has an extension of 168 meters and it is named after the coastal structure, similar to a pontoon that advances into the sea and limits the bathing zone. The landscape is embellished by the Pérgola da Foz, a cement balustrade built in the 1930s that functions as a privileged gazebo over the sea. The staircase and the surrounding area make it one of the most beautiful beaches in Porto.

PRAIA CASTELO DO QUEIJO
Located next to Castelo do Queijo. It is a rocky area, much sought after by fishermen and people seeking to take advantage of the medicinal properties of rocks.