Magical places to retire to

A new report from the editors at Internationalliving.com points to five jaw-droppingly beautiful places to enjoy a magical retirement, for less. In the right places around the world, retirees can combine a fulfilling, affordable lifestyle in stunning surrounds. International Living’s report delves into five beautiful retirement havens—in Portugal, Mexico, Ireland, Peru, and Cambodia—that offer spectacular surroundings, high quality of life, and affordable costs.

A favorite summer retreat of the former royal family, Sintra is full of national treasures. Just a 40-minute train journey from Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, its palaces, mansions, and architectural follies deliver an enchanted setting. 

For those who dream of living a cosmopolitan lifestyle in a gorgeous setting, Cusco—Peru’s most historic city—is a front runner. This 500-year-old colonial gem has ample domed churches and ancient, pedestrian-only cobblestone streets. 

The west coast of Ireland is enormously inviting, with sandy coves tucked away between cliffs and rocky headlands. The difficult thing will be deciding where to settle—from the heathery mountains of Donegal down to the craggy peninsulas of Kerry, the entire western seaboard delivers a bonanza of scenic splendors. Spanned by a cycling or driving route known as the Wild Atlantic Way.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico was officially founded in 1541, getting rich when silver was discovered in the nearby states of Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi. Supplying the mines and catering to the workers and travelers passing through brought wealth to the city. Plus many of the newly rich silver barons chose to live there. Today, its historic center is pretty much the same as it was 250 years ago, and in 2008 San Miguel was declared a UNESCO World Heritage City.

Siem Reap, Cambodia, the exotic sights and sounds of the Kingdom of Wonder shoots Cambodia to the top of many peoples’ wish list. The nation’s rich history, traditions and culture; its ancient temples, royal palaces and saffron-robed monks attract visitors and expats both. Known as Cambodia’s “temple town,” Siem Reap, in north-western Cambodia, is surrounded by the ruins of the ancient temple city.

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Madeira to host WTA Gala Ceremony in 2019

MADEIRA has been revealed as the host for the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2019.  The Portuguese destination, which has taken the title of Europe’s Leading Island Destination four times, will use the event to boost its profile on the international stage.

#Madeira Tourist Board, which also walked away with the title of World’s Leading Island Destination at the World Travel Awards last year, will welcome hundreds of industry leaders to the event.


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Sand Sculpture Festival in the Algarve

FIESA – the International Sand Sculptures Festival is the only event of its kind in the Iberian peninsula in Pera, #Algarve and, given its dimensions, is the largest in the world. The festival which runs from March 1 to November 10 is dedicated to a different theme each year, and occupies an area of 15,000 square metres, showcasing the work of the skilful hands of artists of various nationalities that shape over 35,000 tonnes of sand during a one-month period. 

During the day it, the sculptures can be admired in all their infinite details, and at night there is a varied programme of live music, theatre, dance and circus arts. FIESA also includes a playful and pedagogical dimension, with an area reserved for all those who would like to express their creativity by building sand sculptures.

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Best place to move to: Portugal

EX-PATS from around the world have named #Portugal as the best country to move to in the world. Portugal won the honor through InterNations’ annual Ex-Pat Insider Survey. InterNations surveys the best destinations for expatriates to live and work abroad each year. Portugal was in 9th place just two years ago but is now on the top of the list, followed by Taiwan and Mexico. 

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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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US visitor numbers to Portugal rise in record year

PORTUGAL started 2017 with Travel + Leisure naming it the Editors Pick Destination of the Year. Tourism growth is a huge boost to the Portuguese economy, with economic growth near the top of the European Union and unemployment at a 9 year low. 

According to data from the Bank of #Portugal, in September 2017, revenues generated by tourism jumped 21.3 percent in September, reaching 1.6 billion euros. Revenue from US visitors was up 34 percent or the month over 2016.

The numbers are impressive so far. If in 2016 the total number of American visitors in Portugal was 391,125 with overnights of 910,751, by October 1, 2017 they had already hit 522,653 visitors with 1,196,923 of overnights, which is 34 percent higher than last year’s results and four times higher than just 10 years ago. The number of US travelers for October 2017 was up 44.2 percent over the same month in 2016.   


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Most popular activites in Portugal

THE most popular activities in 2017 were the boat trips, with the trips to Benagil caves being the favourite choice. Located between Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra, Benagil’s beautiful sea cave is listed in the world’s “Top 10 Coolest Caves” according to the American online newspaper The Huffington Post. Benagil’s cave is actually one of many caves along Lagoa’s coastline but is certainly the most stunning, attracting thousands of visitors. Algarve Fun also provides boat visits to Benagil and other caves from 20 euros per person.

Also kayaking and snorkeling activities have grown in popularity in 2017 with a younger, active and sporty demographic of tourist being attracted to the Algarve for its challenging activities that combine sports and the sea. On Algarve Fun’s website you’ll find kayaking and other activities available along all the Algarve coast. 

Since the company's foundation in 2014, the most popular attractions in Algarve still are the water/theme parks, boat tours and increasingly so watersports. Albufeira is still the busiest city for tourism but the west coast and Lagos is also growing in popularity especially for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, biking and other adventurous activities.


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Portugal: Europe's fastest growing destination

PORTUGESE tourism achieved one of the best European performances in 2017. The World Tourism Organization revealed that #Portugal is Europe’s fastest-growing #destination. During 2017 Portugal received in total more than 2300 prizes and distinctions!

In fact, it was such a good year that Portugal was the country receiving the most awards - 37 to be precise - at the World Travel Awards, the most prestigious of tourism awards. Including the “Europe’s Leading Tourism Destination” but also Europe’s Leading Cruise Port (Lisbon), Europe’s Leading Island Destination (Madeira Islands) and Europe’s Leading Beach Destination (Algarve). Turismo de Portugal was also considered “Europe’s Leading Tourist Board”. These 37 Oscars of Tourism, reinforce the position of Portugal as the third most peaceful country in the world and the 14th most competitive country.

In 2017 visitor numbers should exceed 21 million coming from over 134 different nationalities in 2017.

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Madeira: World's leading island destination

FOR the third year in a row, the World Travel Awards has recognised #Madeira Islands as the World’s Leading Island Destination of 2017.

Competing alongside with other emblematic and exotic island destinations, Madeira again collected the annual award that recognises excellence in the stand-out tourism brands and locations around the world, distinguishing itself as the best island tourist destination on the globe since 2015.

The “Tourism Oscars” were awarded at a ceremony held on December 10th, in Vietnam.

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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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Party in Portugal

MEJI Media and their brand "Banter Hen & Stag Weekend" are welcoming Portugal and some of its cities as part of their destinations for hen and stag do weekends in Europe. As of March 2017, "Banter Hen & Stag Weekend" are launching 3 destinations including: Lisbon, Porto and Albufeira.

#Portugal is one of the most requested destinations for hen and stag dos, with constant sunshine and lots of great activities to invest your time in. With ready-made packages to inspire a hen or stag do of any kind, Portugal is known for its unique experiences.

With a variety of daytime and night time activities, Portugal knows how to keep the party flowing. Activities include bar crawls, cocktail making classes, dolphin tours, evening meals, karting, paintballing, river boat party cruises and so much more.

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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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Make your way to Madeira

THE #Madeira wine festival celebrates one of the most famous products from Madeira Island, Portugal taking place from August 27 until September 10.

The Wine Harvest Festival is always the perfect excuse to visit Madeira. In Funchal, the light, sound and music shows are the high points of the celebrations that take place at other points on the island.

Head to the Estreito de Câmara de Lobos parish, 12 km from Funchal and take part in one of the oldest local traditions of the live wine harvest, whether picking grapes or following the grape harvester groups.

festasdovinhomadeira.visitmadeira.pt

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Driving towards another record year for Golf in the Algarve

WITH a staggering 43 nine or 18-hole layouts that can be played all-year-round, it’s no wonder the #Algarve draws hundreds of thousands of golfers to its fairways each year.  The Algarve is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, and more than half of its courses decorate the 150-mile coastline, which also boasts spectacular beaches, picturesque rocky coves, quaint fishing villages and a rich cultural heritage.

The Algarve continues to exceed #golf visitor records after a flying start to 2017, while it has also retained its place as the best value #holiday destination for UK tourists.

The region is widely-regarded as Europe’s number one golf destination with 43 fabulous courses and hit an all-time high for golf visitors numbers in 2016 with almost 1.3m rounds throughout the year – an increase of more than 10 per cent on its previous record in 2015.

But the surge has continued into 2017 and the sights are now set on another new record after nearly 328,000 rounds were played in the first quarter of the year – another six per cent rise on last year’s figures.

Aside from the quality of the golf courses, the hospitality and the fabulous climate, golfers also know they can expect exceptional value for money as, according to the recent Post Office Holiday Costs Barometer, the Algarve is the best value holiday destination throughout the eurozone once again for 2017.

The Algarve was one of 14 beach resorts in the eurozone surveyed by the Post Office for price checks on meals, drinks and other holiday essentials, coming out on top of the pile for British holidaymakers on a budget.

Visitors know that prices for meals and drinks – one of the biggest costs for tourists – do not come any cheaper than along the stunning Algarve coastline, which can make a huge difference to holiday costs.

Maria Manuel Delgado e Silva, ATA golf product manager, said: “Last year was a hugely successful year for everyone associated with our golf tourism industry but it’s fantastic to see this continue into 2017.

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Experience Madeira

THE municipality of Câmara de Lobos presents a new tourist attraction, ‘The Câmara de Lobos Experience’, arising from a partnership between two established tour operators, Carristur - YellowBus and Madeira Green Train, in addition to other local cultural and economic entities.

This new tourist route gives visitors the opportunity to visit different places of interest passing through the city’s narrow streets and stopping to visit the Henriques & Henriques wine cellars, the convent of San Bernardino and the Pico da Torre viewpoint.

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Floral Funchal

MADEIRA'S flower scene is bursting with colour throughout the winter and spring. For those keen to take advantage of the warm temperatures – which average a comfortable 20C+ - Prestige Holidays has a selection of late offers and early booking discounts to the Capital of Portugal’s floating garden isle.

The charming converted manor house Quinta das Vistas stands in substantial gardens atop a hill overlooking Funchal and is famed for its gourmet cuisine. It also offers an extensive spa facility with a range of treatments as well as Jacuzzi, sauna and a Turkish Bath.

The luxurious family run Quinta da bela Vista is a five-star property ideal for couples who want to explore the nature trails behind the hotel as well as take in the city sights of Funchal, which is a 10 minute complimentary shuttle ride from the property. Guests can also pop over to the neighboring island for lunch and a Spa treatment at sister hotel Port Santo.

The super stylish Royal Savoy has an oceanfront location with huge terraces boasting uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean, plus an extensive range of facilities including two outdoor seawater pools, a health suite, games room, internet corner, cocktail bar and various dining choices; so much so, the hotel feels like an upmarket cruise liner.

www.prestigeholidays.co.uk

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Top Four Walking and Cycling Holidays

BAVARIA'S Allgäuer Alps, Germany, ideal for remote, off-the-beaten-track adventure.

Few cyclists have discovered this unspoilt region, through the scenic Vils Valley, traffic-free lanes carved through towering Alpine mountain ranges, whilst exploring the traditional music, food, language, architecture and customs of the region.

COASTAL Cycling in the Algarve, Portugal, ideal for year-round cycling in the sunshine.

This tour links Vila Real de Santo António on the Spanish border with Cabo de São Vicente (Sagres) in the west. The diverse route passes beautiful beaches, charming fishing villages and stunning nature-protected terrain.

SUDTIROL, Lake Garda & Valpolicella, Italy, through deep valleys and apple orchards down to the shores of stunning Lake Garda.

Scenery, culture and food are concerned as this tour covers two countries, each boasting spectacular lake and mountain views in the Italian Alps. Punctuated by ancient castles, rolling vineyards and quaint villages, the trip allows guests to visit the romantic city of Verona as well as the famous Lake Garda, and sample the finest Italian wines in San Pietro in Carino.

ST. MORITZ and Lake Como, Switzerland and Italy, epic mountain views without the climbs.

Breath taking mountain views, this route is hard to beat, especially since it includes a leisurely ride on the iconic Bernina Express, which is renowned for its scenic Alpine vistas. Glamorous St. Moritz with its ancient mineral springs, chic restaurants and shops, as well as the stunning Lake Como, passing through valleys and picturesque villages along the way.

All itineraries in the BSpoke Tours portfolio are self-guided and include bed and breakfast accommodation within three and four-star hotels, flights and transfers, luggage transfers between hotels, route maps, GPS (on request), a personalised itinerary, onsite assistance, bike hire, panniers and puncture repair kits.

www.bspoketours.com 

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Six Senses Douro Valley named the No. 1 hotel in Portugal on TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2017

Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal 

SINCE opening in 2016, Six Senses Douro Valley has been named the No. 1 hotel in Portugal by global reviewers on TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards and to make the award even sweeter, Six Senses Douro Valley was elevated to the position of No. 9 on the Traveler’s Choice Top 25 Hotels for the whole of Europe. Sharing the limelight of phenomenal success is Six Senses Laamu which was awarded the No. 3 position in the highly competitive Maldives and listed in the No. 11 position in the Top 25 Hotels in Asia.

The resort is located in a UNESCO World Heritage setting, with the heart of the property being a superbly renovated 19th-century manor house, high on a hill overlooking the vine covered rolling hills of the Douro Valley and the river below.

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas operates 11 resorts and 29 spas in 20 countries under the brand names Six Senses, Evason and Six Senses Spas. The resorts are in far-flung locations of incredible natural beauty known for their distinctive and diverse design personalities. Six Senses hotels which share the same vision and values found at their award-winning resorts will premiere in urban locations in 2019.

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