Portugal 2005 August Newsletter

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. October 14, 2008

LISBON, POrtugal, August 22, 2005. All the latest news from Portugal, including: The refubished Vila Monte Resort opening, Chocolate Haven on Obidos and The golfers paradise at the Grande Real Santa Eulalia Resort and Spa...

The luxurious 4 star Vila Monte Resort has been fully refurbished and modernised for the 2005 season, bringing an oasis of peace and tranquillity to the heart of the Algarve. Situated just outside the pretty village of Moncarapacho, Vila Monte is surrounded by lush gardens and is just a 10 minute drive from the Algarve's famous golden sand beaches. Boasting four small guest houses, each with an impressive selection of spacious rooms and suites, Vila Monte is the ideal base from which to discover the delights of the Algarve. Furthermore, the resort is a paradise for golfers with a 3-hole pitch and putt course, a driving range, several putting greens, a resident golf pro and, of course, the Algarve's 30 world-class golf courses which are all within easy reach.

Each November, sweet toothed chocaholics from across the globe flock to the beautiful village of Obid'os, just an hours drive north of Lisbon, for a veritable feast of chocolate! Now in its 10th year, the 'Obidos International Chocolate Fair is one of the major events attracting non-professional cooks from all over the country who compete in several chocolate related categories for a host of prizes. The festival, which will take place from 8-13 November this year, is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike, enabling guests to indulge in a delicious selection of tantalising local delicacies and mouth-watering chocolate deserts!

One of the Algarve's newest and most luxurious hotels, the Grande Real Santa Eul'alia Resort & Hotel Spa, will become a veritable golfer's haven this October as they hold their first annual Golf Tournament. The contest, which will take place from the 7 - 9 October, is to be played at the Laguna Golf Club in Vilamoura and will be followed by an elegant gala dinner and prize giving ceremony at the 5* Santa Eul'alia Resort. For keen golfers who would like to show off their skills, the resort has created a dedicated weekend package for the tournament which includes, welcome drinks, two nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, entrance into the golf tournament and a place at the gala dinner. Prices start at EUR345 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.

The property, which opened in April 2004, boasts a magnificent location on the Santa Eul'alia beach near Albufeira and provides excellent views over the stunning coastline. The 160 elegant rooms and 29 suites have all the features that you would expect from a truly modern resort, including air conditioning, satellite television and internet access. And away from the golf, the resort also boasts a wide range of facilities including 5 bars (3 poolside), 2 restaurants, 4 outdoor pools, 3 indoor pools and a sumptuous spa which offers a host of thalassotherapy and massage treatments.

The Portuguese carrier TAP has increased the number of flights to Portugal's islands this year with the addition of an extra flight from London to Madeira and a brand new flight from Lisbon to Pico in the Azores. The new flight to Madeira means that there are now daily links between London and Madeira's capital, Funchal. Indeed, with five flights per week to London Gatwick and two per week from London Heathrow, TAP is meeting the increased demand for travel to this sub-tropical island. The seventh flight will continue services until 12th September 2005 and will then re-start for the winter season in November this year.

The islands of the Azores are also benefiting from increased flight links this year, with TAP having launched the first direct connection between Lisbon and the island of Pico this summer. This new flight enables visitors to Pico to access the island directly from Lisbon, cutting down journey and transfer times. This new flight, which will operate every Wednesday morning, adds to the host of other connections to the Azores that are already available with TAP. With four weekly flights from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada, five to Horta and 11 to the island of Terceira, the Azores are now more accessible to UK travellers than ever before.