Rio de Janeiro
Portofi no
NEW FOR 2012 PORTIMAO Portugal Situated on the Arade Estuary, with spectacular jagged cliffs to its south and important wetlands to the east and west, life in Portimäo has always ebbed and fl owed with the tides. Traders and invaders all travelled the river to reach the inland regions, today fi shermen and tourist boats follow in their wake. One of the Algarve’s big game fi shing centres, Portimäo offers a wide range of watersports as well as an internationally-renowned golf course set among the pines of Penina. Close by, the fi ne golden sands of Praia da Rocha stretch along a shoreline lapped by calm turquoise waters. Manuel Bivar gardens in Portimäo’s old town provide a pleasant escape from the midday sun. Stay awhile to see the tile-covered houses with their wrought-iron balconies and ornate stonework.
PONTA DELGADA Azores A strong Portuguese infl uence pervades in Ponta Delgada from the stylish colonial architecture to the food and wine served in its restaurants. Ponta Delgada is probably the most spectacularly beautiful of the nine Azore islands. It certainly has the most dramatic attraction: Sete citadades. This is a 15 square mile extinct volcanic crater in which two separate lakes have formed – one deep blue, the other emerald green.
PORT CANAVERAL (for tours to Orlando) United States of America Port Canaveral is the gateway to Orlando – home of killer whales, white-knuckle rides and Walt Disney. MGM Studios, the Magical Kingdom and the original Disney World are the places to make your childhood fantasies come true. Or why not visit Universal Studios and learn the secrets of movie making whilst visiting all your favourite sets? See the aquatic spectacle of Seaworld, or gaze at the stars at the Kennedy Space Center – home to one of the largest space observatories – where you can explore the ‘Explorer’ and spot satellite space stations.
PORT DENARAU Denarau, Fiji Located off the western coast of Viti Levu, the Fijian island of Denaru is a veritable playground. Lapped by the warm waters of Nadi Bay, this area is popular with divers and snorkellers exploring coastal waters rich with marine life of all colours, shapes and sizes. Sporting facilities include all weather tennis courts, lawn bowls and an 18-hole golf course. For those who see shopping as their sport, Port Denarau’s retail centre is brimming with chic boutiques and colourful traditional stalls.
PORT ELIZABETH South Africa Port Elizabeth is one of the largest cities in South Africa, but with the warmth of your welcome, you’ll immediately understand why it’s called ‘the friendly city’. One of its closest game reserves is Addo Elephant Park. Here you will fi nd more than 300 Cape Elephants – so relaxed you can really get up close and personal. There are ostriches, antelope, 200 species of birds, and a few shy rhino too. Port Elizabeth also boasts a wonderful city museum, a must-see oceanarium with a very scary snake park, and some of the countries fi nest beaches.
PORT EVERGLADES (for tours to Miami) United States of America Boasting sun soaked beaches, superb parks, world- class shopping and stunning skylines, Miami offers a fantastic selection of sights and attractions. The cosmopolitan atmosphere, cultural diversity and colourful arts scene fl ourishes amongst its eclectic mix of communities and districts. South Beach is where it all happens and here you will fi nd up and coming galleries, theatres, as well as trendy restaurants and bars. If it’s celebrity glamour you are after, then visit the fashionable areas of Coconut Grove.
PORT MAHON Menorca Port Mahon, the capital city of Menorca, boasts the second deepest natural harbour in the world, but its real claim to fame is being the birthplace of mayonnaise – invented in 1756 for the Duke of Richelieu. The city’s historic centre has been carefully restored and is a wonderful place to enjoy a coffee and the archetypal ‘mañana’ spirit. You can visit the former home of Nelson’s Lady Hamilton, stroll around the shops or stop at one of the beautiful beaches. Keep an eye out for the fascinating Bronze Age stone monuments, called talayots, that dot the landscape.
PORT STANLEY Falkland Islands The Falkland Islands are a nature-lovers delight and the perfect place to p..p..pick up a photo of a penguin. But the capital, Port Stanley, is a busy fi shing port with a thriving downtown area catering for the increasing number of visitors. The museum just along the front from the dock covers all the islands’ history but obviously majors on the 1982 Argentinean invasion and subsequent liberation by British forces. There are also several war memorials in Stanley and Government House that will be of particular interest to British visitors.
PORT VICTORIA Mahé, Seychelles Port Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, lies on Mahé, the largest island in the chain. Visit the sensational botanical gardens – you will see fruit bats, giant tortoises and a host of rare and exotic plants including the native Coco de Mer palms. Make time, too, to browse the stalls at the open-air bazaar and then enjoy some of the world’s best beaches – Anse Royal is best for snorkelling, while hotel-fringed Beau Vallon Bay is most popular with sunbathing visitors.
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PORTLAND ME United States of America Just north of Boston and nestling on a peninsula in the delightful Casco Bay, Portland’s restored waterfront has an eclectic mix of pubs, restaurants, galleries and arty-crafty boutiques. The Victorian mansion in the town centre is one of the fi nest examples of Italian villa-style architecture in the country, and a must-see attraction. Just along the rugged coast at Cape Elizabeth is the world’s oldest permanently-operating lighthouse – the 18th century Portland Headlight. As you might expect, the views are just spectacular.
PORTOFINO Italy The delightful seaside town of Portofi no is a favourite Italian Riviera hangout of the rich and famous. To experience a real touch of class, it’s worth the climb up through exquisite tiered gardens to the Hotel Splendido – a former Benedictine monastery perched right above the harbour – which lives up to its name and is a spectacular setting for afternoon tea. Alternatively, stay at sea level and catch a boat across to Santa Margherita, a wonderfully old-fashioned Riviera resort.
PROPRIANO Corsica Tucked into the narrowest part of the Golfe de Valinco on Corsica, Propriano boasts a fi ne natural harbour. It’s a charming place with an unhurried ambience and its main hub is a palm-lined seafront overlooked by café and restaurant terraces. Used by the ancient Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans, and raided by Saracen pirates in the 18th century, today it is revered for its beautiful beaches. The nearest of these, plage de Lido, is only 1km from the port. But don’t miss the gorgeous coves along the enchanting northern shore of the gulf, around Olmeto plage.
PUERTO MADRYN Argentina Puerto Madryn boasts two slightly unusual attractions: the wildlife and the Welsh. Close by in Punta Loma, there is a protected reserve for sea lions. And on the way to a huge penguin colony, several hours’ drive north of the port and deep into the Patagonia region, there is the chance to stop off for a traditional Welsh High Tea in Gaiman. Here, Welsh is still spoken, 150 years after Welsh Nationalists were fi rst invited to settle in Patagonia.
PUERTO MONTT Chile Puerto Montt is the main gateway to the country’s spectacular lake district in the foothills of the Andes. Much of the area is protected within national parks
PORT GAZETTEER
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