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September 15, 2021
Northern and eastern boundaries of Lagoa are the municipality of Silves, the western one, Portimão, and the southern, the Atlantic Ocean. Around this village there are more activities to enjoy besides lying in the sun. Following the mountain or sea trails is a good alternative but take always with you your Lagoa Genial Picnic backpack, filled with the local delicacies, to charge your batteries all day long. The municipality has four boroughs: Estômbar; Lagoa e Carvoeiro; Porches e Ferragudo. Estômbar and Porches were important in the Islamic and medieval periods and Ferragudo had defensive walls around the village. Fishing and canning industries brought prosperity and dynamism to Lagoa, but, today, tourism is very important for its development.   From the hill where the village is perched, where once there was a small lake responsible for the village’s name, you can see all the white houses and the church bell tower. A true postcard view… To enjoy, there are the sea and the pristine beaches, but also other activities. Follow the littoral trails or the ones from the sea to the countryside, carrying always your Lagoa Genial Picnic backpack, with enough treats to nourish you all day long. You have many places where you may enjoy your picnic. Sítio das Fontes,located on in a creek on the left bank of Arade river, is a pleasant place with an Eco Museum (an ancient tide mil and the, miller’s house), an open-air Amphitheatre and a picnic area and leisure area. The Ermida de Santo António, near Mexilhoeira da Carregação, over a small hill, is an excellent viewpoint over the Arade river, ideal for a picnic while enjoying the landscape. But there are more charming places to picnic: Carvoeiro, on the top of a cliff, near several unusual rock formations sculpted by the wind and by the sea of Algar Seco, is an ideal terrace for a romantic picnic. And don’t forget the vineyards. This ancient culture started during the Arab presence and went on. Lagoa is the heart of wine production in Algarve, due to having a specific ecosystem and sandy soils. Have you considered doing a picnic surrounded by vines? With your Lagoa Genial Picnic drink a white or red Lagoa wine. BOOK PICNIC
Arte Urbana Ponte de Sor
June 28, 2021
PONTE DE SOR: THE CITY DISPLAYS THE LARGEST PANEL IN THE WORLD MADE WITH 400 THOUSAND WINE CORKS. Ponte de Sor is limited to the northeast by the municipality of Gavião and Crato, to the east by Alter do Chão, to the southeast by Avis, to the south by Mora, to the southwest by Coruche and to the northwest by Chamusca and Abrantes. It has a central position in Portugal, being situated halfway between north and south borders. The city is close to other important cities of Alentejo, such as Évora and Portalegre, and just one hour drive from the capital, Lisbon. Badajoz, in Spain, is another big city in its vicinity. The river Sor gave Ponte de Sor its name and also its charm. Nowadays, the river has been embellished by the pleasant Riverbank Area. Used for leisure, wellness, culture and sports, it’s a privileged place to picnic.  Those who love walking can initiate here a pedestrian tour that will take them to the Tramaga watermills from the 18th century, through the beautiful landscape of the cork oak montado that dominates the territory and sets the calm pace of the city life. In homage to the cork oak trees, the Centro de Artes e Cultura (Arts and Culture Centre) exhibits the largest panel in the world made with 400 000 wine corks.   The cork oak montado and the Albufeira de Montargil (Montargil Reservoir), where many go to enjoy some rest or to practice water sports, are the territory’s brand image. With its unique beautiful water mirror and fine sand banks that form small and idyllic beaches, this place is perfect to enjoy nature in its liquid form. Here you can find a sanctuary for contemplating nature, or the ideal place for practicing water sports, such as wakeboard, jet-ski and motorboat or canoe rides, that allow you to visit unique spots where you just want to spread your towel, sit down and quietly savor a Genial Picnic. BOOK PICNIC
Alter do Chão Picnic Total atna Ponte Romana de Vila Formosa
June 17, 2021
ALTER DO CHÃO: TRADITIONAL VILLAGE FAMOUS BY THE COUDELARIA ALTER REAL (STUD FARM). Alter do Chão is limited to the north by Crato, to the southeat by Monforte, to the south by Fronteira, to the southwest by Avis and to the west by Ponte de Sor. Alter do Chão presents a natural diversity that makes this municipality very interesting from environmental assets and nature conservation points of view. The nature and landscape diversity, associated with the cultural heritage and environmental quality, becomes an excellent drive for its visit. Birdwatchers find in Alter do Chão the perfect place for spotting a series of birds, such as the great bustard, the calandra lark, the great crested grebe, the great cormorant, the mallard, the northern shoveler, and a handful of birds of prey, namely the milvus, the common buzzard and the booted eagle. An endless list of birds you may spot especially in winter and spring. It´s also the perfect place to walk or follow some of the Alentejo Feel Nature trails, along the Ribeira de Seda and amount the montado, where you can easily spot a horse Puro Lusitano, a portuguese breed preserved by Coudelaria de Alter (stud farm). As for the flora, it is important to mention the richness and importance of the endogenous vegetation of the Alentejo plain, such as the cork oak, the holm oak and the olive tree. The asparagus, the Alter saffron, the purslane, the pennyroyal, the water spearmint and the golden thistle are abundant in the fields e wisely used in the local cuisine. Some of them are present in the menu of the Alter do Chão Genial Picnic. BOOK PICNIC
April 9, 2021
Cascais has a privileged position, benefiting both from the open sea Atlantic beaches and from the healthy and fresh air from the neighbouring Serra de Sintra. Its vicinity to Lisbon, gave Cascais the role of maritime guardian of the capital. During the Spanish occupation in parts of the 16th and 17th centuries, Cascais was given several defence fortifications by king Filipe of Spain. After we regained our independence, this work continued, namely with the building of the Cidadela, still an important place in the centre of the village. In 1755, Cascais was almost completely destroyed by the giant earthquake. In 1834, it took a heavy blow with the extinction of the religious orders and, some years after, with the displacement of the army of the Citadel, Regimento de Infantaria 19. From 1859, with the construction of the roads connecting Cascais to Oeiras and to Sintra, the village starts to grow. But the decisive turning point will be the year 1870, when our king D. Luís elected Cascais as its beach resort. From then on, the royal family arrived in the September and stayed till November, in the Cidadela. With the king, came the nobility and the rich bourgeoise. Besides bathing in the sea, the royal family loved to hunt, namely in the area of Guincho.   In 1889 was launched the first stretch to Pedrouços from the railway Cascais-Lisbon. In 1940, with the construction of Estrada Marginal (the scenic view road to Lisbon) and of the Casino, Estoril and Cascais became luxury tourist destinations. Portuguese neutrality during WW2 brought thousands of refugees and exiles looking for a safe place. Between the more illustrious are the count D. Juan de Battenberg and Bourbon (father of the Spanish king Juan Carlos), king Humberto II from Italy, Carol II from Romania, archdukes from Austria and Hungary and the Danish royal family. Estoril and Cascais became a rendezvous place for spies from both sides mingling in luxury hotels, like the Estoril Palácio. Still preserving its roots as a fishing harbour, Cascais is today a very coveted tourist destination and a very pleasant place to live in. And the ideal place to enjoy your Cascais Genial Picnic, filled with local products and treats. Stroll the narrow streets of the old village of Cascais, up and down. You will never get lost; the place is small and charming. Enter the old stores, such as the haberdashery Marilene or the Drogaria Costa (a mix of hardware and general store).  Visit the churches (Igreja Paroquial de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes e Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Misericórida, The chapel or Ermida de S. Sebastião, from the 16th century). Take time to enter the museums: Casa das Histórias Paula Rego (with a fine collection of paintings by this world famous Portuguese painter), Museu do Mar Rei D. Carlos I (where you will find the history of all traditions connected with the sea), the Museu do Palácio da Cidadela (Fortress Nossa Senhora da Luz de Cascais where our kings spent part of the summer), Museu Conde de Castro Guimarães). And finally stop at the beach dos Pescadores or in the Parque Marechal Carmona and enjoy your Cascais Genial Picnic. If you feel like enjoying the open air and the sea, take your Cascais Genial Picnic to the beach: Along the road to Guincho you have several, all beautiful and wild, beaches. The road takes you to the final Praia do Guincho, but you can go further to Praia da Adraga BOOK PICNIC
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