One of the favourite holiday destinations for us Belgians is and remains Spain. Every year we find our way to the Spanish coast. Another gem that is sometimes forgotten is its smaller neighbour, Portugal. Quite rightly so, as the country has a lot of hidden assets. With Portugal’s corona figures at their lowest in the entire Eurozone, there is nothing stopping you from booking this trip!
A recommended destination is the small and luxurious resort of Cascais, originally a fishing village located in the ‘luxury triangle’ Estoril-Cascais-Sintra. At least, that is what it was before the nobility set their eyes on it in the 19th century. What started with King Luís I looking for a quiet retreat for September soon became a holiday destination for his noble peers. If the monarch went there every year to seek his rest, they obviously couldn’t stay behind.
Since then, Cascais has becomeone of the most affluent municipalities due to its reputation as one of the holiday destinations for those seeking Portuguese luxury. Today it is still home to some famous faces such as Luana Piovani, Francisco Pinto Balsemão, Paulo Ferreira and Daniela Ruah.
noble Sintra
One of the nobility’s favourite places to unwind was in Sintra, which is surrounded by the hills of Serra de Sintra. The town is lined with castle and charming villas that serve as holiday homes for the annual luxury residents. The castles themselves are built in the style of the romantic period, which is characterised by, among other things, the (great) emotions displayed.
One of the must – sees is the 19th century Palácio da Pena which served as summer palace for the noble family. In total, the palace combines more than 5 architectural styles that are striking from both the inside and the outside. Luxury lovers will appreciate the golden domes, gargoyles and typical Portuguese ornamental tiles, the Azulejo.
Would you also like to visit the Palace of Sintra, which was built during the Moorish rule and/or the Moorish castle. If you really want to see the city, stretch 2 days to do so.
Gastronomy: indulge in local ingredients
A visit to the restaurants to enjoy thelocal and refined culinary treats is, of course, not to be missed. An example of the refined Mediterranean cuisine is Fortaleza do Guincho which has held a Michelin star for 10 years now.
This success is due to Chef Antoine Westermann who heads the restaurant. Although he was originally known for classic French cuisine, he decided to change tack in the summer of 2015 and only work with local products. For the Chef, only the best products coming from the Portuguese coast are enough to immortalise on his plates.
Source: Fortaleza do Guincho
For those who like to try a local aperitif or digestif with their meal, we recommend inquiring about the amber Carcavelos. Both the white and blue varieties of this wine are fermented in wooden barrels and only bottled after 2.5 years.
The combination of the delicious dishes with the beautiful view of the deep blue sea, is enough to make any epicurean change his mind.
Who are visiting the region for several days can pay an additional visit to Miguel Laffan at Atlântico and Porto Santa Maria. We have already added them to our bucket list.
Luxury resort
After our tourist visits and delicious gastronomic experiences, it’s time to retreat to our rooms. Personally, we favour the Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts which has several locations in both the Algarve and the capital Lisbon.
Known for their combination of luxury, custom accommodation and activities for the whole family, the group has been running at full capacity since July 1. One of Marthinal’s favourite features is that they offer both a luxurious hotel room and a cozy and stylish private villa for those who want to enjoy their hospitality a bit longer.
PARADISE FOR THE ALL
In addition, the hotel offers a wide range of activities for young and old. The little ones can go to the nursery. For children from 3 years of age there is the ‘kids club’ with various games that they can test with peers or supervisor, the large playground and sports field including a basketball court. You can also take the whole family for a long bike ride, practice your strokes on the golf course, surf, kayak or play tennis, to name but a few.
POST CORONA DEALS
Who is still looking for a hotel for his visit to the Southern Portugal might be persuaded by the interesting discount that the group offers to its guests this summer. For example, for the price of 5 nights, you stay 7 nights and for the price of 3 nights, 4 nights. Those booking a deluxe room can do so from 143 euro/night for a 7-night stay, or from 150 euro for a 4-night stay (two adults, a child under 12 and 1 baby).
Those who prefer a villa can do so from €293/night for a 7-night stay, or from €308/night for a 4-night stay (two adults, two children under 12 years and one baby).
For those looking for other travel tips, don’t hesitate to visit our PureTravel page
