Orient Museum in Lisbon,  celebrates today five years with free entry

As the European city to make the first cultural and trade contacts with much of Asia, Lisbon had to have a space dedicated to the art and culture of the Orient, explaining the role it played in it. 
The Museu do Oriente fulfills that intention. Its collections of Portuguese and Asian art are a most important demonstration of the historical encounters between the West and East. With the same purpose, the collections that assemble traditional cultures of Asia are a demonstration of its richness, of its plurality and its genius, that we want better known in Portugal and in Europe.
More than a museum, this is a cultural center also hosting special events and temporary exhibitions relating to the Far East.

In the NG TOP 10 Ocean Views

Sagres Bay, Portugal

For a whiff of historical romance and swashbuckling adventure, few outlooks outclass the one at Sagres, mainland Europe’s most southwesterly community. In the 15th century, Prince Henry the Navigator came here to found his School of Navigation to train sailors and cartographers, in order to fulfill his quest to expand the known world’s frontiers and open a sea route to India.

Planning: The best way to explore Sagres Bay and Cape St. Vincent is by car or on foot, as there is no public transportation.

by National Geographic

Autódromo Internacional do Algarve

Feel the Adrenaline

The racing school offers motor racing enthusiasts the ultimate opportunity to enjoy a safe learning experience from the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve behind the wheel of a dream car such as a Porche or a BMW. You can choose for a range of experience days tailored specifically to meet the profile of each participant, from racing or defensive driving to driving experiences and hot laps, to car and motorbike track days. With all the necessary safety conditions in place and with a group to accompany you , discover each corner enjoy every minute and experience the thrill of driving on one of the best motor racing tracks in the world.

A Portuguese Super Brand

Vista Alegre

Today, Vista Alegre, more than being market leader in Portugal and possessing the best and most automated porcelain factories in the world, continues to develop and preserve the porcelain made and worked by hand, honoring its history and tradition.

Vista Alegre services are used officially by the President of the Portuguese Republic, and also in the White House and by royalty and many heads of state all around the world. Personages such as Queen Elisabeth II of England, King Juan Carlos of Spain, Queen Beatrice of Holland, ex-President Ronald Reagan and the most recent President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, are all in possession of beautiful Vista Alegre tableware.

But not is it only on the tables of celebrities that can be found pieces of Vista Alegre; also museums all over the world keep valuable examples in their collections.

Vista Alegre pieces sparkle in show-cases of the most famous, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

It is without doubt an institution, in Portugal and in the world, synonymous of excellence and unequalled quality.

STORIES

One of the curious stories in the life of the Vista Alegre factory is the tale of the Duck and Drake. It happened that one day an important order arrived for a duck in porcelain. The artist delegated to carry out this order said, that to make a perfect piece, he needed a live duck as a model. His apprentices quickly set out to find the most beautiful duck on the estate. However, after some days, the duck began to lose its feathers and became emaciated and unattractive. Concerned about his model, the master requested his apprentices to summon a vet to see what was happening to the creature. When the vet arrived he made a brief examination of the duck and rapidly concluded that the bird was ill due to lack of company; it needed a female duck close by. The apprentices went out to find a fine female duck to keep the drake company during his time as a model.   The drake rapidly recovered his plumage and it was said that the piece was particularly beautiful !

Happy Valentine’s Day !

14th February

Madeira Island is a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day. Instead of chocolates and Roses this year again, do something wild and different, let that special someone know how much they are loved, surprise you’re loved one to a memorable romantic week in Madeira Island and enjoy wonderful scenery, romantic sunsets and a taste of the Madeira Wine.

All about pampering in Reid's Palace Hotel

Set in subtropical gardens overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this legendary Orient-Express hotel in Madeira has, for more than a century, been the ultimate place to stretch out in the sun and relax. Its subtropical gardens are internationally renowned, and now feature a spa tucked in among the trees.
Over the years Reid’s has honed the art of pampering every guest. The right place to celebrate love.

Convento da Graça, Tavira

Inspiring Culture

While converting the 16th-century Convento da Graça into a luxury hotel, developers ran into an unexpected problem that canceled plans for a basement spa and pool.

Beneath the old convent and the defensive walls of the ancient coastal city, the excavations uncovered a cobbled street and foundations of a dozen homes built more than 700 years ago by the Arab Muslims who then ruled much of Portugal.

Instead of the pool, there’s now a small museum under the hotel bar. Walkways allow visitors to wander above what remains of the medieval Moorish neighborhood.

Much of Portugal lived under Islamic rule for over 500 years from the early 8th century, when North African invaders overturned the Germanic kingdoms that had held sway over the Iberian Peninsula since the fall of the Roman Empire.

The Portuguese reconquista gradually forced the Arabs south, driving them from their last strongholds along the Algarve coast in 1249. In the neighboring Spanish region of Andalusia, the Emirate of Granada would hold out for another 250 years.

The Pousada de Tavira, Convento da Graça, is located in the Santo Agostinho Convent, founded by Dom Sebastião in the sixteenth century. This hotel in Tavira perfectly combines classic lines with a welcoming atmosphere and modern equipment.

 The Pousada de Tavira has 36 rooms, all with a view to the patio or the garden with pool. All the rooms come with air conditioning, a private bathroom with bath and hairdryer.

 The guests at the Pousada de Tavira can enjoy the outdoor pool on the sun loungers under the parasols or read a book in the drawing room.

The restructuring project of the Pousada do Convento Graça was the sole responsibility of the architect John Sousa Campos, who also included the construction of new spaces.

During the construction of the Pousada’s remodelling, they uncovered archaeological treasures of Islamic origin from the thirteenth century: Bairro Almoada. These discoveries forced some adjustments in the original project design, to allow for the preservation of another important historic legacy, which can be enjoyed at the Patio Moor Bar.

Vila Joya, Algarve

A Hotel For a Marble -Top Table

In the year of 1978, when the Jungs visited the old, abandoned house for the first time, what seduced them was not the scenic view, over the ocean, nor the proximity of the peaceful Praia da Galé - not even the privileged path leading to a secluded beach captivated them into that strange place.

The big house erupted in the middle of a void, inhospitable clearing. Ahead of it the see was limitless; behind it a wasteland stretched, it´s monotony broken at points by heads of ruble. Empty, at rest under a thick layer of dust, a long heavy table with a marble top unexpectedly broke the silence of the house. That was the reason that made them want to stay; it was over that table that Vila Joya was founded.. Two majestic silver candelabra are now set on the marble-top, side by side with a vase of fresh flowers , around the table, the waiters busy themselves in studied and exact gestures. Stories tell of how the engine of a bulldozer and the arms of more than twenty man were needed to placed there - with the stubbornness of a bull, the table remains impassive and indifferent to the parade of time, as to the periodic organization of the Vila Joya dinning-room, it is the ex libris of the hotel. 

The Jungs had found their holiday haven, despite the hesitations of Claudia, who would have preferred a smaller house over that eight-room mansion. Klaus bought it and Claudia had thought of creating a small hôtel de charme, with thirteen rooms. She made a point of taking care of everything personally. In the winter of 1982, the Vila Joya Boutique Hotel was opened, with some friends and acquaintances of the Jungs . None of the two had had any previous experience in the hotel business. But that precisely set the freedom they felt as to the rules of the hotel instruction manuals, and made Vila Joya what it is today. Silently wandering the rooms of the house, meticulously observing the common areas and the large suites, Claudia measured the true potential of her small hotel - its quality has been often recognized and awarded, both in Portugal and abroad , and it comprises the only restaurant in Portugal granted two Michelin stars. The space is open facing the sea; the decoration is sober and minimalist, yet cosy and warming.

Fado, The Portugal´s Heart and Soul

Fado is, by its very nature, the song of Lisbon. It was taken to the four corners of the world by the famous diva Amália Rodrigues, considered the best ever exponent of a very Lusitanian soulful yearning. In 2011, Fado was classified as a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Inspired by a very personal sentiment, a soul that is felt but not explainable, Fado remains the most noble and genuine expression of popular Portuguese culture. And given this very special nature, Fado is always a surprise for visitors to Lisbon.

Fado is fado and cannot be otherwise categorised. It is the music that issues forth from the Portuguese soul. Nevertheless, there are those who seek divisions between professional and amateur fado. The former is sung by those with the voices and talent to make it their profession and ensure the prestige of Portuguese singing extends beyond national borders.

The latter, amateur fado, takes on other characteristics even while incorporating the same sentimental emotion in the singing.In the amateur fado houses, which again thrive in fado’s spiritual home of Alfama and other traditional neighbourhoods such as Bairro Alto, the fado singer is never invited, he or she makes her own invitation. Similarly, there is no pre-set line up. A grilled smoked sausage is served to accompany a few glasses of wine before the lights go down and the magic of such gatherings bursts forth. Whoever wishes to sing, does so giving full reign to their inner sentiments.

The spirit of an amateur fado house is entirely different to those of more established professional fado houses where the full ritual and ceremony of such occasions is brought to the fore in a celebration of emotions and wills.

From the Bairro Alto to the Alfama, discover the best Lisbon Fado has to offer.

by Visit Portugal

PESTANA PALACE HOTEL

Passionate About Hospitality

I simply love this place.  Pestana Palace,  is doubtless one of the best hotels in Lisbon, is a luxury hotel in a 19th century palace located in a residential area of the city of Lisbon, and its gardens, with a variety of plants and subtropical trees, are classified as "National Monument".

 This hotel in Lisbon is located near some of the most important monuments of the city, such as Centro Cultural de Belém, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and Centro de Congressos (Congress Centre).

Choose one of the four royal suites and feel just like a prince or a princess. If you feel spiritual , in the Palace building you can find the chapel or the Spa to get real relaxed.  

All salons are profusely decorated, with French-inspired details. The private quarters of the Marquises have been turned into beautiful and spacious suites. Here, likewise, works of art decorate the walls, complemented by elegant furniture from antique shops and by luxury sofas.

The view to the Tagus river or to the vast gardens of the Palace can be enjoyed from all royal suites.

Pestana Palace hotel is a member of "The Leading Hotels of the World", a symbol that ranks Pestana amongst the most luxurious and refined hotels in the world.

Respect: This is a Great Wine!

Cartuxa by Eugenio de Almeida Foundation

The Alentejo have one of the best terroirs of Portugal that is why wines here are so exquisite.

Once in Evora you can´t afford to miss Eugenio de Almeida Foundation.

Two kilometres from World Heritage denominated city of Evora, and 200 metres from the Cartuxa Monastery from which it takes its name, the Cartuxa Wine Tourism Centre is located at Quinta de Valbom, the former refectory of the retreat for the Jesuits who taught at the University of Evora in the 16th and 17th centuries. When the Jesuits were expelled in 1759 by the then Prime Minister, Marquês de Pombal, the property was taken over by the state. In 1776 it took on a new function as a significant wine cellar producing wines from the region’s grapes. Acquired in the 19th century by the family of Eugénio de Almeida, the Adega Cartuxa (Cartuxa Winery) has undergone various renovations and extensions over the years, but never at the cost of its rich history and architecture. Adega Cartuxa – Quinta de Valbom is now the cellar for aging wines produced by the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation. 

They gladly accept visitors. This is a very pleasant way to get to know our roots. Once in the winnery you will undestand why wine is also culture. Cheers!

All aboard for the Algarve: Fine wines and family fun at the perfect Portuguese resort

By HUGH GORDON, Dailymail

Everyone has their least favourite holiday phrases. Mine include 'international cuisine', 'rail replacement bus' and 'the cost is not included in the price of your package'.

Phrases that I do like to hear are 'free taxi service between the resort and the airport', 'a maid will turn down your bed, light candles and put a complimentary chocolate on your pillow' and 'we offer a five-star eat-as-much-as-you-like breakfast buffet'. Ah, those five-star, posh hotel/resort breakfasts! How can the rest of the day go wrong after one of these cornucopian blow-outs?

Breakfasts at the Vila Vita Park resort on the Algarve are a perfect example of this noble culinary art. There are ten kinds of freshly-squeezed fruit juice. Throw in 20 types of tea (but beware the unpalatable English Breakfast which is, in fact, German-made schwarz tea), an endless relay of waffles, charcuterie, more than a dozen styles of eggs... and you get the mouth-watering picture.

There are even bottles of sparkling wine - the ideal morning sharpener for the couple who sat next to us on our Monarch flight from Gatwick. 

Just after the plane took   off at 6.50 am, they ordered his 'n' hers tumblers of Jack Daniels and Southern Comfort.

Breakfast is also the best place to buff up your buffet etiquette. Remember the golden rule: those people (usually Belgians) who sit closest to the food counters seem to prefer white bread, copious amounts of meat and cakes - and over-fill their plates.

(..)

the Algarve's seemingly guaranteed all-day sunshine makes the hotel's daily weather bulletin leaflet - which shows the same bright yellow sun symbol - as pointless as a speech by Nick Clegg.

For those wanting more strenuous activity, you can take tennis lessons. By now, that bacchanalian breakfast might be starting to wear off. Lunch everyone?

Naturally, Vila Vita has eight restaurants - one Michelin-starred. A sample menu: 'Squid ink risotto, bell peppers, watercress and garlic foam.' Puddings cost £8 and house wine is £17 a bottle.

Much of the food comes from the hotel's country estate, Herdade dos Grous, an 80-minute drive north in the unspoilt Alentejo region. Named after the area's majestic cranes that build giant wedding cake-style nests on top of chimneys round here, you can visit for a morning of horse-riding followed by a four-course lunch and wine-tasting.

The riding instructress was multi-lingual Anna ('I'm German but consider myself modern European.')

If you want to escape the encroaching concrete of the Algarve coast and stay somewhere which focuses with a passion on its wine, food and equestrian pursuits, this is an attractive, good value retreat. Double rooms start at £162 and half-board £32 per person.

The estate's signature wine is something special - made from grapes that are harvested during a one-hour period under a full moon in August. Thankfully, after several glasses, there was a minibus shuttle back to the coast.

But the delights of Portuguese wine didn't end there. Next to one roundabout on the old N125 coast road, we spotted an advertising hoarding with a huge picture of Cliff Richard leering down. It directed customers to the nearby shopping mall where you can buy bottles of Cliff's own - non-moon harvested - award-winning local vintage.

If the singer can keep looking so young at the age of 72 on a daily bottle of his Vida Nova red, an active sports life and a diet of cuttlefish, mussels and prawns, flights to the Algarve from Britain will be packed for years to come.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2260979/Algarve-family-holidays-A-little-slice-heaven-Vita-Vita-Park.html#ixzz2I8wPrhnf 

Portuguese Horse Heritage

Coudelaria de Alter do Chão

The Lusitano horse enjoys worldwide recognition. It is famous for its intelligence, size, tameness and courage. Real Coudelaria de Alter was founded in 1748 under D. João V ruling period, in order to breed horses for the Royal Stud Farm. In 1942, the Lusitano horse began to be recovered.

Here you can observe the animals, watch horse riding shows and be acquainted with the history of these remarkable animals.

GAMBRINUS

A gastronomic legend in Lisbon

If you're looking for Lisbon's best seafood restaurant, this is it.

It was established more than 70 years ago and is also a beer house, which explains its name borrowed from the god of beer.

The range of locally caught seafood is impressive and boasts creatures long-forgotten from the deep. Staff, robed in purple velvet waistcoats (unbelievably, there are 65 of them in total!), take their business extremely seriously and each dish can be tailored to specific wishes. 

There are two entrances to Gambrinus, one to a sit-down restaurant (complete with concierge), the other to a less formal saloon-style bar. The latter is more suitable for lunchtime crowds and late-night diners. Exotic wood panelling provides a 'home-from-home' for the politicians and men of letters who occupy the crisp linen-covered tables. This place makes all other mere mortal cervejarias look like McDonald's. Recommended, if your idea of heaven is a lightly buttered langoustine on a porcelain plate.

Opening hours: 12pm to 1:30am every day.

The address of the Gambrinus restaurant is: Rua das Portas de Santo Antão 23, Santa Justa, Santa Justa, 1150-264 Lisbon.

The nearest Metro station is Restauradores.

Portugal on the Top 10 countries for 2013

For GLOBE SPOTS

For the fifth year, The Globe Spots have captured what's happening on the travel scene. They focused on destinations that they think will be hot - or at least should be. All this is of course based on dubious rumors  crazy speculations and a bit of travel experience.

This is the quote for Portugal :

"Portugal oozes 'old European charm'. Medieval towns and historical quarters are full of squares, churches and monasteries. Narrow lanes are flanked by old skew houses with crooked balconies draped in drying laundry. Here, neighbours still share the latest gossip or discuss politics from their windows. Pastry shops and taverns are found in such abundance it makes you wonder whether the Portuguese eat at home at all. The pace is soothingly slow and any day seems to be a good day for a drink. Chances are that after a few days in Portugal, you’ll find yourself sitting in a small square with a glass of tawny port in your hand, no matter whether you previously liked the stuff or not. It's just one of those things Portugal does to you."

Exhibitions

LAUGHTER: A SERIOUS EXHIBITION

Electricity Museum / Lisbon

20 October 2012 to 17 March 2013

The EDP Foundation presents a great exhibition on laughter at the Electricity Museum. Co-organised with Produções Fictícias, “Laughter: A Serious Exhibition” includes painting, drawing, installations, video, photography, sculpture & performances, film, cartoons, television programs, shows, literature, works by national and international artists, from some of the most important museums and private collections.

Curated by José Manuel dos Santos, João Pinharanda, Nuno Artur Silva and Nuno Crespo, this project arises from a profound investigation into comic and humorous devices, as they were and are used by different protagonists, at different times and in different fields. 

“And because nothing is more serious than laughter, creating an exhibition on that subject is, in our times, to think critically about life, the world, society”, says José Manuel dos Santos, the EDP Foundation’s Cultural director. From art to history, literature to film, philosophy to theology, politics to sociology, psychology to medicine, the exhibition also includes some unprecedented pieces commissioned by the EDP Foundation especially for this exhibition.

 “Laughter: A Serious Exhibition” is comprised of almost five hundred works by more than 300 artists and occupies the Electricity Museum’s entire exhibition floor. After great bibliographical (Callas, Amália), thematic (POVO/People, LÁ FORA), modern and contemporary art (Manuel Baptista, Vick Muniz, Julião Sarmento, Joana Vasconcelos, Edgar Martins, Vieira da Silva, Vitor Pomar, EDP New Artists Award) exhibitions presented at the Electricity Museum in Belém, the EDP Foundation marks the new season with this exhibition whose doors are open to the public until 17 March 2013.

Admission to the exhibition – which is open every day from 10am to 6pm (except Monday) – is free. Guided tours and children’s workshops are subject to prior booking.

Lisbon

The Best Bistro in Town

It´s not only the food, it´s the atmosphere at Bistro 100 Maneiras that i love the most. Don´t take me wrong, the food is fantastic, from one of the best chefs in town, but this is far from being just a place to eat. This is really the best place to start a night out in Lisbon.

Located in Chiado at the doorstep of the Bairro Alto district, this is the second restaurant of chef Ljubomir Stanisic who continues to do things his own way here.

The interior shows a beautiful Art Deco décor, left behind from a previous restaurant.

Spread over two floors, there are views of the river down the hill.

The menu is very similar to that of the first 100 Maneiras, mixing Portuguese and international influences.

It was not from France or Russia, but from their homeland, that Ljubomir imported the name "Bistro".  It means clean and clear in Serbian. Clean and bright kitchen is what is practiced here. Clean and clear is the space, all painted white.

The Bistro 100 Maneiras is open from lunch to dinner. 

Don´t leave without trying the Cheek pork with mashed celery, mushroom risotto and tiger prawns or scallops with asparagus.

At the end ask for a chocolate cake with ginger and curry or a milk-cream vanilla.

There always will be a certainty: the certainty of a "happy ending."

Bistro 100 Maneiras

Adress: Largo da Trindade, 9, Chiado - 1200-466 Lisboa, Portugal

Coimbra

City of Love and Knowledge 

In the center of Portugal you can´t miss the the University of Coimbra. One of the oldest in Europe. Founded in Lisbon by King Dinis in 1290, it was finally transferred to Coimbra in 1537, occupying the buildings of the medieval royal Palace. During the reigns of João V and José I the university was extensively restructured, not only in its teaching but also by the construction of new buildings in Baroque or neo-classical style.

Quinta das Lágrimas, the place to meet romance 

"I wish i was born here!"

Amália Rodrigues

More than just a hotel, a trip back in history. Nature, charm, elegance and new experiences – those are the essence of the Quinta das Lágrimas.

A comfortable retreat in a palace dating from the 18th century, restored in all its grandeur. For centuries a private family seat which was host to kings and emperors, the Quinta das Lágrimas is now open to all who appreciate the art of good living and wish to discover the legend of the love between Pedro and Inês.

The Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas offers three different types of accommodation in the Palace, the Garden and the Spa. The Palace rooms, in which the Duke of Wellington and the 19th-century King Miguel once stayed, have the romantic charm of the past, allowing for a stay in history. The Garden rooms have the serenity and freshness of the Botanic Garden and a view of the scene of the love between Pedro and Inês. The Spa rooms, equipped with hydro massage tubs, feature modern design and offer magnificent views over the Quinta’s woods and the city of Coimbra. 

The Hotel’s kitchen makes use of the traditional regional produce to create unique dishes which change four times a year, according to the seasons. It is a “Market Kitchen” which uses only fresh produce. In the Michelin-starred Arcadas restaurant you can enjoy the flavour of fresh herbs from our garden, and oranges, lemons and avocados from our own orchard.

Contemporary Art at Fundação Serralves, Porto

Julião Sarmento:White Nights

In Serralves you will find a representative collection of Portuguese and international contemporary art. Untill March in the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art you can visit the world’s largest-ever retrospective exhibition of the work of Julião Sarmento (Lisbon, 1948). Over the last four decades, Julião Sarmento's work has achieved widespread international circulation, making him one of Portugal’s best-known contemporary artists. His numerous exhibitions over the past decade have been shown in institutions such as the Tate Modern, London (UK), the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo (Brazil), the Fundación Marcelino Botin, Santander (Spain), the Van Abbbemuseum, Eindhoven (Netherlands), and the MNCARS, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid (Spain).

Sarmento's work explores themes of eroticism and sexuality, and questions concepts such as desire, absence, time and language, using different techniques - such as painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, film, photography and performance. In the inaugural session of this new exhibition, the artist will present a series of performances that have been specifically designed for this occasion, which will be performed in Serralves Villa by leading figures from the worlds of fashion, dance and other performing arts.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a major monographic publication on the work of Julião Sarmento, co-published with the prestigious German publisher, Hatje Cantz.

Challenge your Senses 

Largo do Paço in Amarante 

The restaurant Largo do Paço in Amarante (near Porto) worth a visit during your stay in the north of the coutry. Indulge yourself and be surprised with a true feast for the five senses. It seems strange that a space full of refinement, actually a palace, which by nature pays tribute to the past,  shelter  such a innovative and daring kitchen. The service, room and sommelier, is perfect, as if to prepare the ground for the creations of Victor Matos, a chef with as much determination as reliable and of course hand for dishes that delight, one by one,  from the amuse bouche to dessert. The already one Michelin star chef takes the stand as a candidate for a second one. They promise themselves some moments of gastronomic experiences. "The crab and lobster," "The Fall" (egg cooked at low temperature, with wild mushrooms, asparagus and Parmesan foam) and "The Emperor of the Azores and crustaceans" (with oysters poached in white wine from Douro) are titles for later recall. "The Citrus" are a great farewell, tarts with lemon and mandarin 

sorbet with limequat.

Fully fulfilling the Relais and Châteaux Association demands on quality and gastronomical uniqueness, the regional and mediterranean inspired cuisine, turns the Restaurant into a must visit place, which will surely delight you.The restaurant is also perfect for a private family lunch or a business dinner.

In case you wish to experience a complete Degustation Menu, we recommend an early reservation.

reservas@casadacalcada.com

Douro

Culture, Tradition and of course…the Wine

The Douro is a land of passion and tradition, with a culture that is organically bound to its history, religion, agriculture and to the simplicity of its people. The museums and the more erudite cultural expressions live side by side with the fairs, pilgrimages and adoration of saints.

Those who live in the Douro region have a culture of their own, a regional culture that has great consideration for the past and Nature. Walking through some of the oldest streets you will have the feel of travelling through time and you go back dozens or hundreds of years witnessing history.

Upon reaching the city of Porto, take some of your time to visit the Port wine cellars, where wine, harvested in the terraced Douro, is being stored for centuries. In the Douro Valley you can also find Port wine and table wine cellars. This Is the right place to taste and buy the old ports.

Wine lovers can find a range of activities around the Douro wines. Learn about the farms that produce the famous Port wine, where you can participate in the harvest or stay during your stay. There are marvelous landscapes and the people will love to show you around. 

Freixo Palace Hotel

Beauty Sleep in a Palace classified as a National Monument

The Pousada do Porto, Freixo Palace Hotel, opened in October 2009 and is the first Portuguese Pousada in the Oporto city.

 The adaptation of the Pousada do Porto, inserted in a palace which has been classified as a National Monument since 1910, was by architect David Sinclair and decorated by architect James Mitchell. The building is located on the banks of the Douro River, named after the famous Wine Region in Portugal, which dates back to Roman times.

Characterised by its sumptuous eighteenth century construction, the work originally was authorised by the celebrated Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni. Nicolau Nasoni was one of the most significant architects of the Oporto city with an important contribution to the Historic Heritage where attention is also given to the Tower of the Clergy, ex-libris of the city. At the time of construction the Tower of the Clergy was considered to be the highest building in Portugal standing at 75 metres high.

This typical palace was ordered built by the Dean of the Cathedral of Oporto, D. Jerónimo de Távora e Noronha – a wealthy lord within Douro and Minho and responsible for bringing the famous Italian architect to Oporto.

Later the building and its gardens were sold to the Harmony Company who then installed a mill which was extended in the 50s and 60s.

The Pousada do Porto consists of 2 separate buildings which are connected: that of the Palace where you can find the restaurant, the bar, the lounges and the meeting rooms, and the old Harmony mill factory which has 87 comfortable rooms some of which come with a magnificent view of the Douro River.

This hotel in Oporto has on offer in its establishment, a modern Spa where you can relax in the Turkish baths, the heated indoor pool and sauna, as well as being able to book massages.

Inside the Palace you will find the restaurants, which surpass in excellence and that salute the Portuguese cuisine with small contemporary shades which alter seasonally. The lounges and the bar are also areas of comfort and wellbeing.

Outside you can find the gardens with its main feature being the pool and the old pontoon, an irresistible lure to pass the end of the day reinvigorating. The direct access to the river and the long path along the marginal allows the guests easy exploration of the area around the riverside. Enjoy the transfer service to the city and book your transfer at the reception with departures from the Pousada do Porto to the City Centre (Avenida dos Aliados) and vice versa.

The Pousada do Porto is around 2 km from the Campanhã railway station and the Oporto airport is 20 minutes by car, also there is free parking at the Pousada.

Café Majestic, Porto

Where muses, thinkers and artists can get together 

The Majestic Café, designed by architect João Queiróz and inspired in the works of his master Marques da Silva, is still one of the most beautiful and meaningful examples of Art Nouveau in Porto. The building, implanted in the corner between Santa Catarina street and Passos Manuel street in 1916, included already a reference to establishments oriented towards the pedestrian street, as it is also mentioned in the reconstruction description.

The striking marble facade, ornamented with beautiful floral elements and winding shapes, is a good reflection of the decorative style of that time. The main facade boasts two elegant columns and three rectangular windows. Over these, a pediment crowns the composition with the Majestic's initials. On each side, two amused little-boy figures seem to invite people in.

Inside, Art Nouveau is all around in the rectangular-shaped room. The curved symmetry of the wooden frames and the decorative details attract the eyes of any keen observer. The walls are covered with large mirrors showing some aging signs, and holding a few lamps with elaborate metalwork; this creates a clever illusion that this space is larger than it actually is.

Plaster sculptures of human faces, naked figures and flowers confirm the wavy sensual style - two rows of leather seats, which replaced the original ones made of red velvet, create a cozy and elegant perspective of depth.

The winding contour of mirror frames, the lamplight, the marble details, and the smiling busts covering the walls up to the ceiling, give the café a golden and comfortable atmosphere that fosters relaxation and easy chatting. The Majestic breathes luxury, refinement and comfort.

The inside patio, built in 1925, is a retreat of delicate contours, with a staircase and a small balustrade, designed as a conservatory. Under the supervision of master Pedro Mendes da Silva, this corner of the café was a symbol of a new era for Majestic. A bar was built and connected to the café through a staircase, thus allowing the opening of another entrance in Passos Manuel street, "...where Port wine would be sold. This is the reason why a regional style Portuguese architecture was chosen, not only for the bar but also for the outside wall".

The new facade was designed and built in a different style from the international interiors of the café - this new space, without totally clashing with the previously existing one, presented a more rural style representing what Raul Lino would later call the casa portuguesa (traditional portuguese house).

That same year, the Majestic served the tastes of a varied clientele. Once again architect João Queiróz was called in to design a new modest, yet gracious shop window in the restored wall, overlooking Passos Manuel street used to sell tobacco and rappee. A year later, in 1926, this area was enlarged and leased to Tinoco & Irmãos Company and was transformed into a "small cabinet (...) selling tobacco".

In 1927, with new times and new ways ahead, the bar was expanded to "provide and serve beer in the existing terrace". This terrace area contains several moods. From the pure and architectural style of the entrance, reflecting the architect's Beaux Arts roots, we pass on to the decorative style garden crowning the architectural structures and ending up in a Ionian doorway, that makes the connection with the outside facade, including large, transparent and sensual spiral shells, in the typically modern style, which anticipate the feminine sculptures on the outside. The leafy and luminous conservatory is currently used in the summer for music concerts, playing the role of Majestic's third cultural space. It may be hard to choose between this and the grand piano area inside the café or the art exhibitions that take place in the ground floor, previously occupied by the pool tables.

In 1992, under the auspices of the Barrias family, the café closed down for a refurbishing project to be carried out under the supervision of architect Teresa Mano Mendes Pacheco.

In 1994, after the interior floors were replaced and the original furniture was restored, the Majestic reopened for business. Some photographs found by Fernando Barrias conveyed the original spirit of this place and allowed its luminous past to be sensitively reproduced in the present.