XXV Festival of Portuguese Wine (Silver Coast - Portugal)

The oldest wine event in the country, the Portuguese Wine Festival, is back at Bombarral (Silver Coast - Portugal), between days 19 and 27 of July.

Created in the 60s, the 1st Festival/ Exhibition of Portuguese Wine, as designated at the time, usually ran, as was reported at the time by the newspaper "Echos of Bombarral," between the days 6 and 9 of October.

Conducting as a non continued for some years, was from the year 1993, when the 10th edition, showed that the event was definitely affirming annually, assuming itself as a national event.

The 25th edition of the Portuguese Wine Festival, apart from being a high point of life for this event, it should also be understood as "a moment of reflection on the contribution of this event for the development and the dynamics of wine in Bombarral and across the Silver Coast in general, states the municipality promoter.

"Apart from a moment of celebration around the wine, the Portuguese Wine Festival is also an excellent vehicle for promotion, placing the county, the west region and Bombarral in the calendar of regional and national tours," notes.

According to the Board "from year to year the event has grown in a sustained and eventually asserting itself in the national scene, as one of the key events for the promotion and dissemination of national wines. This is evidenced by the increase of participants and the high number of visitors, who have during the event had opportunity to participate in wine tastes, buy good wines at more inviting prices, to attend various cultural and music shows and enjoy the local cuisine the traditional offers of the small local pubs. "

Over the years the Portuguese Wine Festival has had the ambition to raise its quality, contributing to disclose the name of Bombarral throughout the country and the good wines that are produced in the area as well as nation wide.

Medieval Market of Obidos dedicated to Love and War

The 2008 edition of the Medieval Market of Obidos (Silver Coast – Portugal), 10 to July 20, will have more space and more animation.

The park's Village, opened on June 5 - World Environment Day, will stage a wide range of activities, including an International Meeting of Groups of Historical Recreation and "Medieval Hunts." The entrance of the Medieval Market will be the Port of Talhada, through the park.

"O Amor e a Guerra" (Love and War) is the theme of this Year’s Medieval Market of Obidos, which will have two distinct areas: a more rural one in the Town Park, with weapons and camps, and a more urban one, by the Castle wall, with new design.

The International Meeting of Groups of historical recreation joins seven groups of six European countries: Portugal, Spain, Poland, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Germany.

Also in the Village Park will take place medieval tournaments and hunting. A novelty in this year's edition of Obidos Medieval Market, where those interested, dressed accordingly, with arrows, bows and crossbows will have to shoot (and adjust) on targets in three dimensions, mimicking animals.

The wooded area is bounded by a rope for security reasons. This activity is subject to a paid membership. A kind of medieval "paintball" that promises to attract many visitors.

The Park will also stage the Village of exposure of individual animals, including horses, donkeys among others.

Another novelty in the 2008 edition is the parade of Medieval Costumes, on July 19, by 21:00, by the Castle wall.

The costumes are the same as those used in mainland Europe in the centuries XII, XIII and XIV, and represent either the economic and social classes of that period.

During the public presentation, a jury, composed of five experts in the field of history, will examine the costumes, with particular attention to the historical accuracy of the design, manufacture of quality craftsmanship and accessories.

The three best costumes will be distinguished, being ranked the best and rewarded with the offer of a voucher for purchases amounting to 500€ in the company's products "The Master of Arms" (www.omestredearmas.com).

Even the children were not forgotten in this event, with a space to play in the Auditorium of S. James, with traditional board games and face painting.

Like previous years, the entire animation will happen in different places, without appointment. The entry is five euros, except for householders, children under 12 years and people dressed the season.


Schedule

Week-ends - from 12.00 to 24.00

Day 10 - from 18.00 to 24.00

Other working days - from 17.00 to 24.00

Fair of S. Pedro already attracts crowds (Silver Coast - Portugal)

200 thousand visitors are expected at the "Fair of San Pedro" which opened its doors on June 26 in the Regional Park of Exhibitions, in Torres Vedras (Silver Coast - Portugal), and will run until July 6 and has registered a great turnout in the first days.

The Fair of San Pedro is one of the major “general” fairs held in Portugal," according to the organization.

This year has "more than 400 commercial exhibitors, areas of restaurants, small pubs and bars with specific animation, entertainment and traditional fairground."

Causing the “buzz” this year is the the area of restoration, with kitchen facilities and renewed daily service from lunch, in addition to traditional dinners and operation of terraces night outside.

Six new spaces near the Multi Pavilion were also created, the spot where takes place Fair’s main animations.

The headliner of this year’s programme of the event animation is a traditional bullfight, promoted by the Commission, which strives to help the Association of Volunteer Firemen of Torres Vedras.

The younger will rely on "aimed animation, with inflatable, sculptors, balloons, face-painting and caricaturists."

Local and regional pole of coexistence of the traditional and modern ways, the Fair of S. Pedro is, according to organisation "a demonstration of business savvy as well as overall strength of the region."

Hunt with bow and beast is novelty in Medieval Market

The recreation of a medieval hunt and the presence of historical recreation group camps, from six European countries, are the news for this year's edition of the Medieval Market of Obidos (Silver Coast – Portugal), to be held from 10 to 20 of July, with the theme "Love and War - The Light and Darkness."

Hunting is a exciting activity aimed at a young audience and that is a game where participants (by turn or as a team), dressed at the time and armed with crossbows or bows, will have to look in a large wooded area, bounded by a string for security reasons, several targets in three dimensions represent traditional animals, looking for scoring, hitting at a distance of twelve meters. This activity is subject to a paid membership.

In view of such activities and regarding the need to meet the needs of many thousands of visitors, the existing Town Park of Obidos situated in the south, will be used, increasing significantly the area usually occupied.

The “tasquinhas” (small restaurants) will be disseminated through the enclosure. The area used for the medieval hunt will be in an area near the wooded area of Lica. The Mocharro area will be adapted for animation purposes.

Like last year, the entrance of the premises will remain the Port of Talhada and the output will be the Port of Santiago.

In contrast to the camps area, which represent the most rural and military aspects of the middle Ages, in the area of the Fence will be mounted a stage, designed to recreate the daily life of a medieval city.

On July 19, at 9 o’clock of the afternoon, will be held a parade/ contest of medieval costumes, which should correspond to the ones used in the European continent during the XII, XIII and XIV centuries, and may represent any economic and social class of that period.

The three best costumes will be distinguished, with the costume better classified being awarded with the offer of a voucher for purchases worth 500 euros in the company's products "The Master of Arms".

The daily ticket costs five euros and is free to local citizens, children under twelve years and people dressed according to the Medieval times.

The event runs on day 10 from 18:00 to 24:00 and in the remaining working days from 17.00 to 24.00 and the week-end from 12.00 to 24.00.

Half a million euros in promotional campaign

From next July further, the proposals for tourist animation in the West Region - Portugal (Silver Coast of Portugal included), will emerge to the eyes of the Portuguese, especially in Lisbon and Oporto, an investment of "approximately half a million euros that could double by next year, with support from municipalities and private initiative", revealed Bernardo Trindade, secretary of state for tourism, while presenting the programme at the Municipalities Association of the West-AMO headquarters.

"Everything New at the West/The All-New West - a destination to Discover" is the motto of the campaign that will present the Portuguese with 36 events of the twelve counties of the Western Region of Portugal.

Among other changes, in promotional leaflets, is the cake of chocolate in a reference to the Chocolate Festival of Obidos, replacing other traditional sweets of the region, or the four wheel motorcycle next to a horse, the sea with a kite-surfer, golf, Wines and carnival.

Silver Coast – Portugal receives Festival “Flavours of the Sea”

The 9th edition of the “Flavours of the Sea” Festival, at Peniche, the self proclaimed wave capital of Portugal. Also "home” of the triathlon, Peniche will stage all this and much more from 6 to June 15, samples of food, crafts, entertainment, sports and other cultural manifestations.

Fifteen miles, the equivalent to 24 kilometres, is what will have to swim Nuno Vicente and Miguel Arrobas, defying the waves of the sea and the danger of Peniche on June 8, with the obligatory passage through Berlengas islands. The crossing is marked departure from Farilhoes, at 11 A.M., and arriving at the 5 P.M.

Peniche will also host other important events such as regattas, sailboat and kayak races, the Beach Football Championship, at Baleal, on day 6 (from 16 to 20h), and on the 8th (from 11 to 12 hours, and from 15 to 19h); the parade of pirates through the city, a competition of Triathlon School (day 11, to 15:30 at the Quebrado Beach ) and 25th edition of the Triathlon "City of Peniche" (day 14, from 15h), in homage to the place exactly where this mode was born in Portugal, for almost 25 years.

This communion between land and sea, the flavours and adventure, follows the initiative of the Municipal Council of Peniche together with entities such as the West Region of Tourism, the Association for the Development of Peniche and the Association of Commercial and Industrial Services of the Municipality of Peniche.

The music will also be a strong dish of IX Festival "Flavours of the Sea", with three concerts scheduled to Ribeira Velha: Jorge Palma day 7, at 23:30; Beto, August 13, the 23h and the Blasted Mechanism on 14, the 22:30, with the first part of the concert by local band Dapunksportif. Campo da Republica will also stage Portuguese popular music, with showcase by ethnic band Xaile, on day 6, at 22h.

Students of the Tourism School were awarded

Cristina Cordeiro, attending the course of post-secondary training in techniques of Tourism, and Valter Ribeiro, attending the Advanced Course in Pastry (also post-secondary, first and only offer of training in this area throughout the country), are students of the Tourism and Hotel School of the West – Obidos (Silver Coast - Portugal), and were in the spotlight at the Inter-School’s of Tourism of Portugal Contest, held at the premises of the Tourism and Hotel School of Lamego, from 7 to May 9.

In the open area of tourism, Cristina Cordeiro was the winner, demonstrating technical skills, professional and relational that, in addition to guarantee her first place immediately put in focus the work of the Obidos School at EHT Oeste, which only began their activities two years ago.

This student will represent the Tourism Schools of Portugal in the competition for tourism, called the meeting of the European Association of Tourism Schools (international training contests), to be held in Kuressare, Estonia, in October this year.

In the area of Pastry, Valter Ribeiro failed to achieve the first place (the prize went to a student of the local Tourism School of Lamego), but the creativity demonstrated by this couple led the jury to make an exception and for the first time in these competitions, the Tourism of Portugal distinguished a competitor with a Honourable Mention.

Valter Ribeiro is a native of Alfandega da Fe, relocated to Obidos with the specific purpose of attending the Advanced Course of Pastry, for it is only in this town that there is the possibility of obtaining a professional qualification at level IV in Pastry.

Students of the Tourism School were awarded

Cristina Cordeiro, attending the course of post-secondary training in techniques of Tourism, and Valter Ribeiro, attending the Advanced Course in Pastry (also post-secondary, first and only offer of training in this area throughout the country), are students of the Tourism and Hotel School of the West – Obidos (Silver Coast - Portugal), and were in the spotlight at the Inter-School’s of Tourism Contest of Portugal , held at the premises of the Tourism and Hotel School of Lamego, from 7 to May 9.

In the open area of tourism, Cristina Cordeiro was the winner, demonstrating technical skills, professional and relational that, in addition to guarantee her first place immediately put in focus the work of the Obidos School at EHT Oeste, which only began their activities two years ago.

This student will represent the Tourism Schools of Portugal in the competition for tourism, called the meeting of the European Association of Tourism Schools (international training contests), to be held in Kuressare, Estonia, in October this year.

In the area of Pastry, Valter Ribeiro failed to achieve the first place (the prize went to a student of the local Tourism School of Lamego), but the creativity demonstrated by this couple led the jury to make an exception and for the first time in these competitions, the Tourism of Portugal distinguished a competitor with a Honourable Mention.

Valter Ribeiro is a native of Alfandega da Fe, relocated to Obidos with the specific purpose of attending the Advanced Course of Pastry, for it is only in this town that there is the possibility of obtaining a professional qualification at level IV in Pastry.

The “Neighbour Fest” is back at Nazare

The council of Nazare (Silver Coast – Portugal) is going to organize a “Neighbour Fest” once again, an initiative to celebrate the European Day of Neighbours, which marks the next day, May the 27th.

To this end, the population of the county is invited, through the organization of the “Neighbour Fest” - in the street, in the courtyard of the urbanization, in the garden of the house, anywhere. Groups of neighbours interested in joining this initiative can make the inscription at the City Council or for more information through telephone 262550010.

The Neighbours' Day was first celebrated in France in 1999 with the aim of promoting relations of proximity, promoting solidarity and to combat the isolation increasingly common in urban areas, through the simple idea of a meeting of neighbours around the table.

Only in 2002 was to be reported as a European day, with the entry of Belgium and Switzerland. In the following years, more countries have joined this initiative and by 2007, seven million citizens, throughout Europe, were in the street with their neighbours.

Nazare participated last year for the first time, with a very positive balance sheet. Some 300 people joined the initiative and promoted various parties, and almost everywhere in town, animated by the Philharmonic Association of Nazare (which this year will also be responsible for the musical animation).

The “Neighbour Fest”, in Portugal, is an organization of the Portuguese Committee for the Coordination of Social Housing.

Traditional Cherry Liquor of Portugal

The Ginja (cherry liquor) M.S.R. Alcobaca emerged in the decade of the 20’s of the twentieth century by the hands of Manuel de Sousa Ribeiro, challenging the traditional homemade cherry liquor’s that fell outside Alcobaca, especially in the monastery of Santa Maria, proposed to make the best of liquors.

Known mainly for its bottle, of a conical shape, the Ginja MSR follows the formula of a single manufacturing, which remains unchanged until today, a craft process. For the rich flavour of liquor ruby ring smoothness contributes to the quality of the fruit manually collected only once a year in the area of Alcobaca and neighbouring counties, and the secular tradition of the Cistercian monks, who took advantage of the temperate climate and unique conditions in the region, strongly influenced by the proximity of the sea.

The history, characteristics and curiosities of what is already one of the symbols of Alcobaca, truly appreciated by thousands of tourists who pass throughout the year, are now on the Internet, on a site created by the company responsible for its production.

At www.ginja.pt is still possible to make orders and access to tips for a better tasting of the cherry liquor or as we say in the Silver Coast and Portugal, Ginja.

Silver Coast “samples” the IX Fair of Handicrafts and Flavours

Until April 30 the inscriptions are open to the participation of artisans in the IX^th Handicrafts and Flavours Fair, at Sobral de Monte Agraco – Silver Coast of Portugal.

The fair will take place in the Parque Verde das Bandorreiras, on the 7^th and 8^th of June and will include music, art as well as street animation throughout the week-end.

Entries must be made in the Municipal Library of Sobral de Monte Agraco through the location Rua (street) do Municipio, 2590-038 Sobral de Monte Agraco, the phone number 261948265 or by fax 261948266.

National Pear Fair to be held in the Silver Coast

The Association of Farmers of the West Region of Portugal will organize the XV National Fair of “Rocha” Pear (special kind of pear only found in Portugal, in the West region).

Displays of all kinds of Sweets, Crafts and Regional cookery, between the days 6 and 10 of August, at the Municipal Forrest of Bombarral.

The event, countryside originated, occurring in the full season of summer, serves as a great contribution to the promotion of key sectors of the local economy and culture of Bombarral and the Silver Coast/ Western Region of Portugal.

This event will be composed by 100 stands of exposure, taverns and rural space for cultural and musical entertainment. The first day begins with an "Inauguration Picnic", which consists of a rural menu, with regional wine and accompanied by delicious sweets, liquor and canned fruit, in particular, “Rocha” pears.

This year some innovations are planned within the dissemination of traditional agro-food products, like a giant cake of “Rocha” pear.

The Silver Coast of Portugal, waiting for your visit and pleasure!

“Flavours of the Sea”, Festival in the Silver Coast

June will be the month of the Summer launching season in Peniche, with one more edition of the Festival Sabores do Mar (Flavors of the Sea) that will be carried out between the days 6 and 15.

To the resemblance of the two last editions, the “flavours” will go beyond the gastronomy. Pottery, Animation, Knowledge and Sport will also have highlight place in the 2008 edition.

The Swim Crossing between Farilhoes (Smaller Islands next to Berlenga, the Bigger Island off the coast of Peniche) - Peniche, the 11th crossing by kayak between Peniche – Berlengas; the city’s XXVth edition of the “Triatlo”, that will count with the presence of the best national athletes, such as world champ Vanessa Fernandes, Bruno Pais, Duarte Marques, and the musical shows with Jorge Palma (7th of June), Beto (13th of June) and Blasted Mechanism (14th of June), all of these are some of the initiatives already confirmed in the program.

Regarding the Knowledge theme, the Festival of this year will count on with, once again, the "I Am of from Peniche Convention ", an open forum to everybody that in some way feels connected to Peniche and that wish's to contribute with ideas or projects for the development of the area.

Preceding the 9th Festival “Flavors of the Sea”, is scheduled a gastronomic week of Peniche in the Restaurant Dom Tonho (by the Port), between the days 15 and 18 of May, that will mark the launching and official presentation of the festival.

Silver Coast, always looking for quality of life!

Silver Coast to receive Golf mega-tournament

A mega-tournament of golf in the Silver Coast will be one of the events that will be part of a plan of international promotion of the west region with financing of the State, to the resemblance of what was already done in the Algarve.

The guarantee was given by Frederico Costa, administrator of Tourism of Portugal, in a first meeting had with the president of the RTO (West Tourism Region) about this plan. However, it is also predicted the achievement of an international golf meeting to take place in the region in June, with the presence of 20 foreign speakers.

The main goal of this initiative will be to encourage the tourists dislocated to the Silver Coast for certain events to stay longer in the region. "Anybody going to the Opera festival in Obidos can take advantage of the day or two in the region, and go eat a sweated lobster at Peniche and buy some cavacas in Caldas da Rainha, for example", explained Antonio Carneiro.

Luis Garcia (RTO vice-presidente) highlighted the way the Silver Coast region has becoming more and more successful; referring that magazine "Golf Weekly" did an article in its central pages about golf in Portugal, where the Silver Coast/ West region fields were referred.

In the last week of March, GolfeOeste has been participating in a marketing operation for tourism agencies in Germany.

MercoAlcobaca: the Farmer’s Fair in Alcobaca

Alcobaca receives up till next Sunday – March the 9th, the 3rd edition of the Agricultural Fair.

In the MercoAlcobaca pavilion, expositions, gastronomy and seminaries compose the program of an event thought for present new products and service of the sector, to promote the interaction between the economical agents and motivate the possibilities of business, with organization in charge of the Farmers Association of the Alcobaca Region in collaboration with the local town council.

With the activities mainly concentrated in one unique space, extended with gigantic tents, the Agricultural Fair assumes this year a dimension that surpasses widely the previous editions. Forest, Fruit, Wine, Cattle among other subjects are the emphasized sectors at a fair that counts with around 160 exhibitors and three days of technical activities.

But not only of regional representatives is this fair composed. Producers of Spain, Belgium and France give this year an international flair to the contest. With the growth of this year’s edition of the Agricultural Fair, the Wine Fair is not going to be carried out simultaneously, as usual, having been postponed for a date still to be defined, but that will surely be after the Summer.

In the Silver Coast there is always something going on!

Obidos, Is it the main attraction of the Silver Coast?

In an interview to the “Oeste online” website, the president of the town council of Obidos, Telmo Faria, shows us why Obidos has been the most dynamic ever, revealing the intention to develop a business project around chocolate, with the creation of a museum and a factory, although ideas to increase the tourism flow don’t stop here…

Oeste Online – What are the plans to take advantage of the success already achieved with the Chocolate Festival?

Telmo Faria – We want to do a business project around the chocolate theme. The town council has been working on a project that deepens the relation with chocolate, developing a product that will have the "Obidos" trademark.

We thought of doing two units, to be managed in a partnership between the two municipal companies. One more museum like, to stay inside the town and to be called "Factory of the Chocolate-Museum" - It’s a small chocolate factory, with a shop, exposition areas and ateliers for kids.

The second is to be installed in old wine warehouses, bought for 440 thousand euros by the Town council, just outside of Obidos, in nearby village of A-da-Gorda, that will be “rejuvenated” in order for a bigger factory to be done and will have dwellings for the chocolate makers to live. These projects are important job sources and who knows if new firms don’t appear and start to associate and invest. Our intention is to open doors.

Also in this extensive interview, the Mayor of Obidos talks about several other projects that he pretends to develop in Obidos, such as a new course in Advanced Bakery, unique in Portugal. Other huge projects include the “Semana Santa (Holy Week)”; The Opera Festival; the Flower Fest; a Cinema Festival; a Arte Biennial and a Silver Biennial.

The Silver Coast sometimes seems to have a capital, called Obidos, as there is no shortage of initiative here, where young Mayor Telmo Faria puts all efforts on keeping Obidos in everyone’s ears, eyes and mouth…

Rio Maior, 26 “Tasquinhas” for the period of ten days…

The 23rd edition of the “Tasquinhas” Fair of Rio Maior, is scheduled to start February, the 29th, and ends on March, the 9th. This gastronomical feast is going to “shelter” the participation of 26 traditional restaurants and a program stuffed with animation.

Already considered an “institution”, even on a national level, the “Tasquinhas” reconciles the gastronomic traditions of the region, authentic relics secured in the memories of the more elderly, with the familiarity between people of the region and the endless visitors that, by these days, all head to Rio Maior.

As a result out of the dedication, creativity and pride that all of the people of Rio Maior have conferred to it, the “Tasquinhas” Fair achieved since the year 2006, the importante "Interest for the Tourism Statement", emitted by the Tourism General Direction Board.

The “Tasquinhas” Fair of Rio Maior is manly promoted by the Town Council of Rio Maior, but all takings revert for each participating community association.

The “Tasquinhas” Fair of Rio Maior will open to the public every day, from 7 PM to midnight and on weekends from noon to midnight.

The Silver Coast always has a “flavour” for everyone, in this case several, traditional and tasty flavours!

Enjoy the SILVER COAST ( OESTE ), Portugal

OESTE The most diversified tourism region of Portugal

Located between the two main cities of Portugal (Lisbon and Oporto), the SILVER COAST (OESTE, Costa de Prata) is indeed, a special place, starting off from Castelo de Paiva, all the way down south to Arruda dos Vinhos, you will be amazed by all the wonders this unique stretch of coastline can pack.

Very well served of motorways and other quality accessibilities, you just can’t miss it. From picturesque fishing towns (Nazaré, Peniche, Ericeira), to the beautiful lagoon of Óbidos that links to stunning the beach of Foz do Arelho, you’ll find it impossible to get bored, as culture meets nature and history embraces modern ways.

The SILVER COAST (Costa de Prata) has a flavour for everyone, as you can visit the worldwide famous shrine of Fátima in the morning, buy local fruit and veggies at the traditional open market of Caldas da Rainha mid day, only to finnish a perfect day with a candlelight dinner at the castle town of Óbidos.

Experience the portuguese food, arquitecture and landscapes

Anyone that has ever been to Portugal, will most certainly rave about the food, specially about all the delicious fish dishes. Sample some Caldeirada at the harbour town of Peniche and understand immediately, not to mention all the other world-class wines you haven’t tried yet, or you thought Porto was the only top wine in Portugal? And while visiting Peniche, don’t forget to try out one the many action sports, as this former island facing the deep blue is pretty much the portuguese capital of nautical sports (surfing; bodyboarding; windsurfing; kitesurfing), and with nearby islands of Berlenga and Farilhões (accessible by regular boat trips), you can always choose to contemplate a spectacular view to a always stunning coastline. For those less fond of the adrenaline rushes, a great game of golf, at one of Europe’s finest golf courses (Praia d’el Rey) will keep you relaxed and unperturbed, as you’ll be in walking distance from the pristine beaches facing the vast Atlantic Ocean.
But don’t be satisfied with how nature blessed this striking piece of Portugal, as Batalha and Alcobaça are home of two of Portugal’s seven wonders, as the ancient monasteries are very worth the visit and only a few kilometres apart.