DESTINATIONS SECOND TIME SPAIN & PORTUGAL
a subtropical climate, high altitude, rich volcanic soil and method of repeatedly heating the wine combine to create a unique flavour and texture – think roasted nuts and caramel. “The wine embodies the
history of the island and every visit must include a tour of a local vineyard to taste the four types, which vary from dry to sweet,” says Joana Dias, trade representative for the UK and Ireland at the Madeira Promotion Bureau. Vineyards, sandwiched
between exotic banana trees and passion fruit vines, cover 10 square miles of the island, and between mid-August and October visitors can experience the elaborate harvesting ritual. Recommend they head to Funchal to pair it with world- class cuisine – think Michelin- starred restaurants, fresh fish and local specialities such as bolo do caco, a flat, round bread served hot with garlic butter. Book it: Jet2holidays offers a week’s B&B at the three-star Hotel Orca Praia in Funchal, Madeira, from £259 based on two
adults sharing, departing from Birmingham on November 13 with return transfers.
trade.jet2holidays.com
w VILLAGES So they’ve been to: Costa Verde How about: The Silver Coast Sell it: Set around Lisbon, the historic Silver Coast lays claim to more Unesco World Heritage Sites than any other part of the country – including three of Portugal’s ‘seven architectural wonders’. It’s also home to a plethora of rural towns and villages, including Alcobaca, known for its ancient monastery and annual festivals in August and October, and Obidos, an ancient walled castle town perched on a hill and surrounded by fields and vineyards, where visitors will find the iconic Porta da Vila, a blue, azulejo-adorned gateway into the town. For a quieter place to stay
nearby, suggest Foz do Arelho, a coastal fishing village right by the Obidos Lagoon. “Foz do Arelho is a beautiful, unspoilt village,” says Dave Woollcott, commercial director at James Villas.
RIGHT:
Casa da Encosta
BELOW:
Saõ Miguel Island
The Silver Coast lays claim to more Unesco World Heritage Sites than any other part of the country
“Typically Portuguese in essence, it offers plenty for holidaymakers, with restaurants catering for all tastes at a reasonable price, and a string of bars offering a nice atmosphere.” It also makes an ideal base for exploring other sites in the area, which include Portugal’s largest caves, Mira de Aire, alongside a handful of excellent beaches. Book it: James Villas offers seven nights at the Casa da Encosta in Foz do Arelho (a 15-minute drive from Obidos) from £388 per person based on six sharing with a private pool, departing June 2, 2018, from Gatwick.
jamesvillas.co.uk
w ADVENTURE So they’ve been to: Northern Portugal How about: The Azores Sell it: If clients have already hiked through the mountainous north, suggest venturing over to the Azores, whose plunging slopes, lunar-like calderas, tumbling waterfalls and verdant
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travelweekly.co.uk 31 August 2017
forest form a unique backdrop to an array of outdoor pursuits – helped along by pleasant year- round temperatures, which rest around the mid-20s in summer. “The Azores are perfect for
outdoor enthusiasts, particularly keen hikers,” says Nicola Brown, Azores specialist for Regent Holidays. There are plenty of other activities to sample: on Saõ Miguel Island – the main port of entry – visitors can paddleboard across the bubbling, steaming Furnas Crater Lake, take a 4x4 tour of the volcanic landscapes or head out on a whale-watching trip. Meanwhile, on the black-sand island of Pico, keen hikers can climb the highest mountain in Portugal – reaching 2,300 metres – while those heading to Terceira will find historic settlements such as the 16th-century Unesco World Heritage Site of Angra do Heroismo, as well as ancient farmhouses that offer a glimpse into the Portugal of yesteryear. Book it: Regent Holidays offers an eight-day Two Island Self- Catering Fly-Drive holiday, combining four nights in a traditional Azorean stone house on Pico with three nights in a poolside villa on Sao Miguel. Prices start from £969 per person, based on two adults sharing and including flights, accommodation and car hire.
regent-holidays.co.uk
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