Portugal re-discovered

PORTUGAL is being re-discovered. The country ended last year with more than 15 billion euros in tourism revenue, which represents an increase of 23.6 percent over 2016, and a daily expenditure of 41 million euros. Tourism and travel revenues currently account for 10 percent of Portugal’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Both Lisbon and Porto are expanding to meet the increased demand with 61 new hotels and 23 remodeled hotels to be launched in 2018. Overall, Portugal’s two largest cities are expecting 4,770 new rooms, according to Association of Hoteliers of Portugal (AHP). In 2017, 44 new hotels were built in #Portugal, with a further 20 remodeled.

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Air Portugal flies backwards . . .

TAP Air Portugal, the 72 year-old Portuguese national carrier, on Friday, flew passengers from Lisbon to Newark via the 70s! The A330 aircraft had been painted in the livery design the airline used from the mid 1950s to mid 70s. 

The “retro flight” might have felt like taking a trip back through the 70s for passengers. The cabin crew wore the airline’s most emblematic uniforms, designed by French stylist Louis Féraud. And even the interior of the cabin, the headrests, meals and even the in-flight entertainment have all been remade, in 70s style.

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TAP now serves three airports in London

TAP’s operation between London City airport and Lisbon launched on 29 October 2017, with the inaugural flight taking off from London City at 7:50pm. TAP now serves three airports in London, offering two daily flights on week-days and one daily flight on weekends from London City to #Lisbon.

With the new addition to its network, TAP becomes the only airline to connect London City, located in the city’s financial centre, and the cosmopolitan destination of Lisbon, and the first Airline to fly this route in the 30 years London City Airport has been operating.

When the final destination is not Lisbon or Porto, passengers can also take advantage of the Portugal Stopover programme on their way out or during their return flight, stopping in Portugal for one, two or three nights for no additional charge to their fare. Since its launch in summer 2016 until the end of last July, almost 70 thousand passengers have already made the most of the programme, and with this new route numbers are expected to rise even further.

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Lisbon: Fish & Flavours

LISBON Fish and Flavours, organised by the Tourism Association of Lisbon, is a well-established and iconic event of the city of #Lisbon.

The idea came about at the hands of the Associação de Turismo de Lisboa, when it decided to support gastronomy. In this regard, it decided to create a festival that would stand out from all others organised in Portugal and abroad. As the theme, one of the country’s best quality and iconic products were selected: fish and seafood.

It started in 2008, in a former parking lot in the Terreiro do Paço itself, leading to the restoration and transformation of the Pátio da Galé. During this restoration, it moved to the Portugal Pavilion, returning in 2011 to the Pátio da Galé, where it remained until 2016.

More than 100 Portuguese and international chefs have attended the event, such as: Bertílio Gomes, Henrique Sá Pessoa, Miguel Laffan, José Avillez, Adrien Trouilloud (France), Claude Troisgros (Brazil), David Pasternak (USA), Diego Gallegos (Spain).

The event takes place from April 5 to April 15 in 2018.

www.peixemlisboa.com

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On the runway . . .

RYANAIR'S summer 2017 schedule from Glasgow Airport got off to a flyer with the launch of three new routes to Lisbon, Valencia and Palanga, Lithuania.

The introduction of these latest services takes Ryanair’s total number of current routes to 19 since the airline set up base at Glasgow Airport in October 2014. A further route to Zadar, Croatia, will launch in July.

Paul White, business development manager at Glasgow Airport, said: “These three new routes to Lisbon, Valencia and Palanga are welcome additions and further strengthen our European connectivity.

“Since the launch of its base in 2014, Ryanair has continually responded to demand by adding new routes at Glasgow Airport.

“This has been demonstrated once again with the airline’s decision to add a further three routes later in the year to Madrid, Frankfurt and Krakow, which will take the number of services operated from Glasgow Airport by Ryanair to 23.”

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Lisbon: New viewpoints, cool bars and the ‘best rooftop bar in the world’

#LISBON might be known as one of Europe's sunniest capitals, but for many visitors it comes to life when the sun goes down. Here are some of the best options in City of Seven Hills.

Check out Lisbon's answer to London’s Shoreditch and the cantina that turns into a nightclub. Built out of shipping containers, Village Underground Lisboa is a club with an arts space.

Watch the sun set from Lisbon's newest viewpoint. Amoreiras 360º Panoramic View is the place to see Lisbon from a bird's-eye view. On the 18th floor of the Amoreiras Shopping Centre, it offers 360º views over the city and the Tagus River.

Join a street party and paint the town pink. Once a down-at-heel suburb, Cais do Sodré is now one of the city's coolest neighbourhoods and a hub of great clubs, bars, and original shops. Rua Nova do Carvalho (known as Pink Street) is the liveliest spot for nightlife.

Recognized by the UCity Guides as the Best Rooftop Bar in the World, Silk Club on the 7th floor of the listed Espaço Chiado building offers vistas over Lisbon. The boutique Bairro Alto Hotel opened in 2005 and a decade later it is still impossible to find a hotel in this part of the city that can claim better views. Its roof terrace bar, ever-popular with locals and visitors, is famous for its 37 different gin brands!

During the day, Alcântara is a great place to relax by the river. After sunset, the neighbourhood turns into a nightlife hub. At both Alcântara Docks and Santo Amaro Docks, visitors will find plenty of bars and restaurants in converted warehouses.

www.visitlisboa.com

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TAP launches Portugal stop-over for international travellers

TAP PORTUGAL is introducing a #Portugal Stop-over, giving passengers the option of visiting two destinations, with a stay in Lisbon or Porto for up to three days during the same trip. 

Passengers flying on round trips starting in the UK and flying to North America, Brazil, or Africa as the destination, and vice versa, will be able to enjoy the stop-over. Customers can choose between Lisbon and Porto, whether their stop-over is during the out-bound or return flight, and the number of nights (up to three).

The Portugal Stopover is an online product available through the main page of Flytap.com or directly through portugalstopover.flytap.com.

The launch comes after the recent announcements of new routes to Boston and New York.

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Monarch expands summer schedule

UK AIRLINE group #Monarch has announced the addition of #flights and #holidays to its summer 2016 schedule. The expansion includes two new routes: Manchester, London Gatwick and Birmingham to Lisbon, and Birmingham to Madrid. 

Monarch also said that an additional Airbus A320 aircraft will be based at Birmingham Airport for summer 2016. This brings the total number of aircraft flying for Monarch to 35, with nine based at Birmingham.

The new flight services from Birmingham to Madrid will commence on June 17, operating thrice weekly, while the new Birmingham-Lisbon route will start from June 20, with four services per week. The fares start from £79 for both. The Manchester-Lisbon route starts on May 5, while Gatwick-Lisbon will start on May 3, both operating three flights per week with fares starting from £69.

Following the launch of flights from London Luton earlier this month, a new route from Manchester to Tel Aviv will start on April 19, operating thrice weekly with fares starting from £110.

The extended summer 2016 schedule also includes additional services to several of the airline’s most popular destinations such as Malaga, Alicante, Majorca, and Tenerife.

www.monarch.co.uk.

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Tee Off in Lisbon!

LISBON'S golf sector is looking ahead to 2016, with a series of high-profile national and international tournaments. 

86th Portuguese International Amateur Championship
January-February 2016
Featuring an elegant clubhouse surrounded by a pine forest, #EstorilGolf is one of the oldest courses in Portugal, originally founded in 1929. The course hosts the annual Portuguese International Amateur Championships, which in 2016 will take place between January 27-30 (women) and February 10-13 (men).

Orizonte Lisbon Golf Trophy
February 22-26
This international amateur golf event was launched in 2015 to showcase some of Lisbon's best courses to UK and European golfers. It involves a friendly competition across two handicap categories, bringing together six well-established golf courses.

5th Oitavos Classic
February 25-28
This tournament is at the 18-hole Oitavos Dunes, considered one of the best links courses in the world. Open to amateur golfers, the maximum tournament handicap will be 28 for men and women.

Many of the #Lisbon #Golf Coast's courses are within or close to five-star hotels and resorts.

Direct flights to Lisbon operate from London, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Bristol with TAP Portugal, British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair.

www.visitlisboa.com 

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43037303@N00/4862737889">The Golfer</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license) 

CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR: New York most-searched destination, Dubai a close second

UK flight departures for the Christmas and New Year travel period show that New York is in first place as most-popular destination for a winter break for Brits, for both long and short breaks. 

The next most-popular destinations for Brits are Dubai and Lisbon.

Momondo’s top 10 most-searched Xmas/New Year destinations: 

• New York 
• Dubai 
• Lisbon 
• Bucharest 
• Orlando 
• Porto 
• Bangkok 
• Miami 
• Amsterdam 
• Tenerife

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10770655@N04/11597681383">Happy Holidays 2013 From NYC!</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)

Lisbon tops for golf

#LISBON is the best golf destination in Europe, says the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, which has given its Golf Destination of the Year for Europe award to the Lisbon #Golf Coast for the third time. 

‘We are very proud that, once again, the excellence, quality, and diversity of the region's golf courses have been recognized in this way,’ says Vitor Costa, general director of the Lisbon Tourism Association. ‘Each of our courses has been designed by a renowned architect and promises the golfer a unique experience.’

The area currently has 24 courses.

www.visitlisboa.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42373368@N00/5745048135"></a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Amsterdam, Lisbon, Berlin lead half term holiday choices

#TRAVEL search site momondo.co.uk has analysed all of its flight search results for travel departing during the October half term holidays in the UK. 

Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Berlin took the top three places for searches.

Lasse Skole Hansen at Momondo says: ‘A very short hop from London, at just over an hour’s flight time, #Amsterdam is one of the closest mini-break destinations for Brits, and a city full of charm. With its romantic canals, grand museums, and galleries, Amsterdam can satisfy all types of travellers. Our data shows that European city destinations are the preferred choice for Brits this autumn.’

Runners-up were: 

• Paris 
• Barcelona 
• Dusseldorf 
• Budapest 
• New York 
• Munich 
• Rome

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See Lisbon from the river

THINKING about a break in #Lisbon? The River Tagus, says the city’s #tourism office, gives visitors the opportunity to see a different side of #Portugal’s capital. 

Amphibious tours promise a fun experience, especially when stepping from land into the water – on the same vehicle. The 90-minute tours plunge into the river for visitors to see monuments such as the Belém Tower (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, among many others, from the ‘other side’. www.hippotrip.com 

A colony of bottlenose dolphins made the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve their permanent home a few years ago. Visitors can spot up to 30 dolphins, which live in the warm waters of the estuary and its adjacent coastline, the coast of Tróia and Arrábida. Dolphin watching tours depart daily from these two locations, which are easily linked to the Portuguese capital via public transport. www.vertigemazul.com /www.sadoarrabida.pt 

Visitors to Lisbon can put their sailing skills to the test by taking a sailing lesson in the river’s calm waters. No previous experience is needed, as a team of sailors will teach essential sailing terms and manoeuvres, including hoisting the sails, tacking and docking the boat. www.lisbonbyboat.com /www.palmayachts.pt /www.lisbonbysail.com.pt

Adrenaline lovers looking to see Lisbon's landmarks at full speed can board one of the speed boats which race across the Lisbon coast. A raincoat is highly recommended! www.lisbonbyboat.com / www.veltagus.com 

Birthdays, anniversaries, family re-unions, christenings and weddings can be more memorable if celebrated while sailing along the river. On board a schooner and with beautiful views of Lisbon, visitors can enjoy special occasions with an on-board catering service and music.  www.leaoholandes.com /www.lisbonbysail.com / www.lisbonbyboat.com / www.vertigemazul.com /www.seaventy.pt   

A traditional sightseeing tour along the river is recommended to see the very best of Lisbon with no traffic involved, from Praça do Comercio and Cais do Sodré to the Christ the King Statue and Parque das Nações, characterized by its futuristic buildings. There are also dinner cruises, day-long as well as longer options for visitors who wish to explore not only the Portuguese capital but also places further afield. www.transtejo.pt / www.lisbonbyboat.com / www.dreamboats.com /www.taguscruises.com /www.sailingwithnigel.com  

Direct flights to Lisbon operate from London, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Bristol with TAP Portugal, British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair.

www.visitlisboa.com

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Picture Credit: Panoramic view - Lisboa by Filipe Rocha,user:sacavem (pt) , Sacavem1 11:49, 16 November 2007 (UTC) - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Luxury in Lisbon

A PROJECT to turn the 500-year-old Palacio dos Condes de Lumiares into 5-star luxury serviced apartments has started in #Lisbon, #Portugal.

The plan includes the restoration of the facade of the historic family palace – the only element that remains from the original 16th century building – as well as a complete re-build of the interior.

The Lumiares will include a spa and gym, and a roof-top bar and restaurant.

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Picture Credit: Baixa by Ian Gampon from NYC, USA - BaixaUploaded by tm. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Rental car exit charge at Portugal’s airports

€15 (£11) charge for hire cars collected from mainland Portuguese airport car parks will be levied from March, says Economy Car Hire.

The Portuguese Airport Authority (ANA) will be enforcing the charge from March 1.

The charge will apply initially to mainland Portuguese airports including Lisbon, Oporto, and Faro. But it is understood the ANA is looking at applying it to rental cars collected from airport car parks on Madeira and the Azores.

At Faro Airport, the majority of holiday car hire suppliers work from the airport’s Car Park 4, with around 80% of all cars rented in the Algarve area collected from there.

Economy Car Hire managing director, Rory Sexton, said: ‘Holidaymakers have recently been landed with a new toll charge for using the A22 to cross the Algarve, and now many will have another €15 snatched from them by Portuguese airports.

‘Portugal relies heavily on tourism to prop up its ailing economy. If they want to encourage more Brits to travel there this summer, they've got a funny way of showing it. Portugal is a fabulous place to visit, but if it starts to get a reputation for squeezing tourists for their euros before they've even got out of the airport car park, holidaymakers will simply go elsewhere.’

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What’s new in Lisbon?

Tagus cruise: A new way to see Lisbon is by taking a river tour along the Tagus, the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula. The Belém Tower (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Parque das Naçoes (the most modern parish of the city, characterized by its futuristic buildings), and the Christ the King statue are some of the monuments visitors will be able to enjoy on the two different routes available. www.transtejo.pt

Helicopter tours: Get a bird's eye view of Lisbon with new helicopter tours. Lisbon Helicopters offers two different flight routes above the city centre, and another above the towns of Estoril and Cascais. www.lisbonhelicopters.com

Direct flights to Lisbon operate from London, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Bristol with TAP Portugal, BA, easyJet and Ryanair.

www.visitlisboa.com


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Picture Credit: From top: "Tagus-sun down" by Jorge from Portugal via Wikimedia Commons; "Lisboa (7097370663)" by Ravi Sarma via Wikimedia Commons

Tee off in Portugal …

AN international amateur golf event has been launched to showcase some of Lisbon's finest and best value courses to UK and European golfers.

The ORIZONTE Lisbon Golf Trophy will take place in the Costa Azul region, south of Lisbon, from February 10-15, and will involve friendly competition across two handicap categories, with cultural highlights including a Fado dinner, wine-cellar visit and tasting.

Entry for players costs €530 per person (£440) and places can be reserved by e-mailing info@orizontegolf.com.

ORIZONTE offers the chance to play some of the leading courses in close proximity to Portugal's capital.

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Picture Credit: via Wikimedia Commons

More flights to Lisbon

RYANAIR has added two more weekly flights from Manchester to Lisbon, upping the number of flights to Portugal’s capital to four per week.

According to the Post Office's 2014 City Costs Barometer, Lisbon is the most affordable city break destination in the Eurozone.

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Aroeira tees off

ONE of Portugal's most iconic golfing venues – once known as the Wentworth of Lisbon –is being restored to its former glory by a new management group.

ORIZONTE took over management last summer of the 36-hole complex at Aroeira, the venue for the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997. At its heart are two courses created by Frank Pennick and Donald Steel.

Under the guidance of head greenkeeper Dirk Hoeven, ORIZONTE has initiated a series of measures to improve the playing facilities. While both courses are easily walked, cart paths are being renovated and the irrigation and pumping systems have been updated.

http://en.orizontegolf.com

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Capital golf

LISBON GOLF, which manages seven unsung courses close to the Portuguese capital, has launched an English version of its website – en.orizontegolf.com. It features descriptions of the courses, a guide to key attributes of the region, weather information and news about flights to Lisbon from 10 UK and Irish airports.

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