Portugal - Silver Coast. A taste of life and hospitality

All of this is now less than an hour drive from Lisbon International airport along the new A8 motorway, linking the vibrant capital of Portugal with historic Oporto in the North. As there is also a proposed new international airport to be located at OTA, this little known region is opening its doors to the outside world. For decades the Algarve has been the only realistic location for overseas buyers to enjoy the unique hospitality of the Portuguese, but prices there have put it out of reach for most. Now we are pleased to invite you to experience the heart of Portugal - a secret we can all share.

A region for life

Exploring the tranquil towns, villages and countryside of this beautiful region will confirm to you that here is a place that genuinely has the best of both worlds. Whilst offering a life of rural calm amidst the spectacular scenery, at the same time it is perfectly equipped with access to all the modern facilities of transport, healthcare, education and leisure that make life a pleasure for all generations. The Western Region enjoys entertainments and events throughout the year: concerts, art exhibitions, the Torres carnival - 'the most Portuguese event in Portugal', the Caldas da Rainha ceramics and fruit fairs, the Bombarral wine festival, Peniche's Festas da Nuestra Senhora da Boa Viagem, the Montejunto popular festival (Cadaval), Alenquer's Feira da Ascensao, festivals in Sobral, Monte Agraco and Arruda dos Vinhos, Feiras da Cebola e das Tasquinhas and hundreds more fairs, festivals and popular gatherings. The region has many hotels with superb facilities and innumerable restaurants, bars and lively venues which ensure that one's first visit to the Western region is never the last. For golf enthusiasts the Western Region is the new destination in Portugal. Golf Courses at Praia d'el Rey (18 holes)and Rio Maior (18 holes) are complemented by 9-hole courses at Consolação and Porto Novo - Bom Sucesso and Perola da Lagoa 18-hole courses are actually already under construction and the brand new project of the 18-hole course of Foz do Arelho, which will be the hugest should begin within the year 2007. The natural abundance of the area is enhanced by beautiful fine-sanded beaches, where the sands shimmer like silver, at Santa Cruz, Porto Novo, Areia Branca, S. Bernardino, Consolação, Peniche, Baleal, Foz do Arelho and Salir do Porto. Local crafts can be found in Peniche, which is notable for its lace, and in Caldas da Rainha, which is one of the most important centres for ceramics in Portugal. The new Peniche recreation centre is a base for water sports, with a haven of fishing and scuba-diving in Berlenga. Santa

Cruz and Peniche (Supertubos beach and Lagide beach) are the places for surf lovers. The Obidos lake has sailing, rowing and windsurfing. Montejunto, Serrado Socorro and Santa Rita beach are the main locations for paragliding and hang-gliding. The Santa Cruz aerodrome, with its flying school, offers flights in light aircraft and gliders. There are equestrian centres in the Hotel Golf Mar, in Marquiteira (Lourinha), in Atouguia da Baleia - at the Quinta das Tripas and the Quintas de Bom Sucesso - Lourinha, S. Sebastido - Arruda dos Vinhos, Quinta da Ferraria and Cortisada - Rio Maior.

A region for health

Healthcare facilities are modern and efficient and offer a good range of public and private services for all your requirements. In addition the region offers several thermal baths: Vimeiro (digestive system, circulatory system, respiratory system and skin), Cucos (metabolic and endocrine systems, rheumatics, muscular and skeletal systems) and Torres Vedras and Caldas da Rainha - the oldest in Europe (respiratory system, rheumatics, muscular and skeletal systems).

A region for Gourmets

Gastronomy in the region is rich and varied: there are many delicious pork dishes, oven baked kid, stewed rabbit with rice, celebrated fish stews, baked or boiled sea bream and rock bass from Peniche, eels and cockles from the Obidos lake and shellfish from the beds at Porto de Barcas (lagosta suada - 'sweating lobster' - is a delicacy which can only be found in the Western Region). The gastronomical influence of history is evident in trouxas de ovos, lampreias de ovos (sweet dishes made with eggs) and cavacas (light crisp cakes) from Caldas da Rainha, bean pies from Torres Vedras and paes de lo (sponge cakes) from Landal, Painho and Rio Maior. All are complemented by the taste and aroma of apples and pears.

The Western region is also one of the largest wine growing areas in Portugal and indeed the world. The area boasts full-bodied, aromatic red wines with excellent alcoholic content: the wines of the south (castas Camarate, Periquita and Tinto Miudo) are lively when young, intense yet well balanced and with an exquisite bouquet when aged. The white wines of the north are deliciously fruity (castas Arinto, Fernao Pires, Vital). Out of this diversity, the wine-growing areas of Obidos and Alenquer, Arruda dos Vinhos and Torres Vedras were born in 1989. The region is also known for its light wines with lower alcohol content, and for the only DOC (controlled standard of origin) classified brandy in Portugal - Aguardente Vinica from Lourinha.

by: Villas Luz, Lda.

France Map - Great Holiday Ideas

Be ready to get impressed on your travel France as the country has everything that one could expect from a holiday. Amongst the five top most tourist destinations in the world, facts about France let you see why it is so. It has the fashion capital Paris as its capital city, beautiful nature, beaches, the mountain scenery, and monuments all make it a great tourist destination. Moreover, the experience of visiting the country can vary as to the place you select for your holiday. Holidays on a beach, in the countryside, the big cities to the beautiful villages, all have something on offer for its visitors. There is plenty to explore and discover, loads of activities to get involved in and certainly life long memories to take back home. A great destination, France provides number of holiday ideas a few are mentioned here.

• Adventure Holidays

Take on an adventure holiday to see the real France. For those who love adventure travel, adventure holidays can be a fantastic option. Get a taste of the place, meet the local people when you head on an adventure holiday. On offer are all kinds of different activities that one can pick from like from the extreme sports to the more ordinary. These holidays come in complete package holidays, and tailor made for adult only adventures or for a family holiday that can cater for all ages of children. It’s the horse riding that catches your fancy, mountain biking or is it the hiking, you can find all this and much more for your holiday.

• Cycling holidays

With cycling being a national pastime in France, the organized cycling holidays are becoming very popular. These holidays provide with an opportunity for the visitors to cycle their way into the country and explore the region while having a go at the sport. This year round activity is a very popular among all ages and weather has a big role to play. In addition there are quite and beautiful countryside, with number of roads available for cycling. The well-maintained roads provide excellent cycling areas for cycling. Tour de France, the greatest cycling event in the world takes here in the country. For not the regular cyclists there are organized cycling trips, which combine cycling with accommodation, visits to the areas along the route.

• Skiing holidays

If you are on travel France for a skiing holiday then you will find the country has some of the best ski areas and ski resorts. France is a very popular destination among the tourists and if you skiing is your cup of tea, then Alps provide with excellent ski areas. With many ski classes made available for the tourists who are beginners, everyone can enjoy. Tourists can choose from a wide range of ski accommodation from ski resorts, private ski chalets, chalet apartments to hotels. The ski accommodation meets the needs of all skiers.

• Golfing holidays

France can turn out to be an excellent choice for a golfing holiday for both the professional and amateur golfers, as the country has a variety of golf courses. Playing golf amidst snow-capped mountains or Mediterranean views, it is a wonderful experience. France is a fantastic destination for golf holidays all the year round and plenty of sunshine adds on to the charm of the place. There is a lot of choice as the France map is dotted all over with golf courses. With the specially designed golf holidays, wherein one stays in a luxury villa, a private golf course and this blend of comfort and quality with golf is a quite experience.

• Holiday on a River Cruise

With the varied landscape that France has, a river cruise holiday is a perfect way to enjoy the countryside, the history and the culture as one travels from one place to another. It is the right idea for a relaxing and a different kind of holiday. A river cruise lets you experience, what you can never otherwise see, with every region having its own specialty and beauty.

• Camping holidays

Travel France for a great camping holiday, which is a great holiday idea for fun and adventure. In the recent years, camping has caught on with the tourists and with thousands of campsites available, it is all the much easier to embark on a camping holiday. One will get easily spoiled for choices, with so many to choose from, right from hiring your own tent, caravans, or even a mobile home, is a great way of touring the country. The campsites are well maintained and organized, offering all the facilities for relaxing and entertaining holidays.

Wherever you travel a France map would be a handy tool and should be your accompanist all through your holiday.

Source: http://www.articlecity.com/articles/travel_and_leisure/article_3345.shtml
Author: Nancy Eben

Know about Las Vegas

Most people call Las Vegas just Vegas. Vegas is the most populated city of the state Navada. And is wellknown all over the world. It is so well know for its shopping, entertainment but most of all for the gambling. It's founded in 1905 and became a city in 1911. The growth of Las vegas was overwhelming and it became the largest city in the US that is founded in the 20th century. It has a big boulevard that is mostly outside the city limits. Vegas is the center of gambling in the US and is also called the entertainment Capital of the world, because of its big luxurious casino's. It is also known as Sin City because gambling is legal here and alcohol is available at any time and has various forms of adult entertainment. The first mega resort was opened in 1989 and is called the Mirrage. Because it was build outside the centre many tourists didn't go downtown anymore, therefore downtown Vegas is still trying to recovering from this. In 1990 the people of Vegas build there own Chinatown, because of the big growth of the city. Over the years the shopping mall has grown to several shopping enters and atracks business from all over the world. There are a lot of things you can visit as a tourist like the:

Golden Nugget

It is a very big casino that is owned by Landry's restaurants, infact it is the largest casino downtown and has maintained a four diamond rating for the pas twenty years. The casino was built in 1946 and that is why it is also one of the oldest casinos in the city. The Golden Nugget is also very famous in the media. It's the main theme in several Nintendo Games or as an extra theme in the Flintstones and in Street Fighter II.

Four Queens

This casino was built in 1964 and opened in 1966. And is named after the daughters of the builder. This casino is famous because it has the world's largest slot machine and the 690 room. In 2007 the Canyon club was opened inside the Four Queens and this is the first downtown casino club.

Las Vegas Club

This is a casino and a hotel and this is located downtown and owned by the Tamares Group. This casino is famous because it installed the first neon sign in town in 1930. The casino is also famous for its blackjack and after a nice evening of gambling you can sleep in one of the 410 rooms.

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

This is 200 acres dedicated to nature and is owned by the Las Vegas Valley Watter District. Its located two miles on the right side of the centre. This is really a great area it has botanical gardens, museums, concerts and an indoor theatre. This park was previously known as the Desert Demonstration Gardens. There are a lot of things to see and do. If you decide to go gambling be carefull and try not to lose to much money, only play with money you can miss.


Article Source: http://www.articlenode.com Author : Mitchel Geerts

Golf Holidays in Portugal - Where to Go

With the promise of balmy weather and a growing collection of some of the best courses in Europe, golf holidays in Portugal have plenty to offer the avid golfer. While there are good courses throughout the country, the majority are concentrated in the Algarve and near Lisbon, with a couple of hidden gems on the nearby island of Madeira.

The Algarve

Golf holidays in the Algarve have become hugely popular in recent years, with Portugal's south coast rapidly turning into one of the most significant golfing destinations in Europe. The region draws thousands of holiday goers each year with its combination of glorious weather, excellent beaches and relaxed atmosphere - all features that make it equally appealing to those interested in a golf break in Portugal. Vilamoura has become famed as something of a golfers' paradise, and while some of the best courses in the region are concentrated around this resort, there are numerous other courses in the region that shouldn't be missed.

Top Course:

• Monte Rei - This course only opened in 2007, but has quickly established itself as one of the best courses in Portugal. A golf holiday to Monte Rei will allow you to enjoy a superb and challenging course designed by Jack Nicklaus himself.

Top Hotels:

• Vila Sol Spa and Golf Resort - This resort is truly luxurious. Placed next to the Vila Sol Golf Course, it offers top class dining and outstanding quality of service, and the beautifully furnished rooms are the perfect place to relax after a hard day's golf.

Lisbon

The advantages of golf near Lisbon are obvious - so close to the capital, transfer from the airport is quick and painless, and this region also has some of the best courses to explore while on a golf holiday in Portugal. The golf hotels are also of superb quality, offering five star facilities, individual character and outstanding service for the ultimate luxury golf holiday.

Top Course and Hotel:

• CampoReal - Nested in wooded hills and valleys and designed by Donald Steel, this course is jaw dropping to look at. But it is about more than just the scenery at the CampoReal, with the course presenting a good challenge for even the most experienced golfer. Attached to it is one of the finest golf hotels in Portugal, with an outstanding club house, full spa facilities, and three top quality restaurants amongst its many features.

Madeira

Located almost a 1000 kilometres off the west coast of Portugal, a golf holiday in Madeira offers the perfect taste of island relaxation to help you focus on improving your game. Long renowned for its wine and world famous New Year celebrations, the island is now beginning to attract golfers with its two courses and range of five star hotels.

Top Courses:

• Santoro de Terra - Located in the mountains of Madeira, Santoro de Terra was designed by Robert Trent Jones, and features some truly astonishing views. A challenging course, especially when the wind is up!

• Palheiro Golfe - Overlooking Funchal and the south coast a round at Palheiro Golfe is as much about enjoying the scenery as it is about perfecting your game, and is a great course to play on while on a golf break in Portugal.

Top Hotels:

•Casa Velha Do Palheiro - Perfectly placed next to the Palheiro course in the hills near Funchal, this luxury hotel prides itself on its quality of service, and features a sauna and outdoor pool to help you unwind after a round of golf.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ Author: Morgan Clarke

The hottest places of Amsterdam. Museums, bars and more…

Museums
Rijksmuseum One of the largest museums in Holland is the Rijksmuseum. It's a very good museum with several masterpieces. You have to see the night watch by Rembrandt or go and see paintings by Frans Hals or Johannes Vermeer. Currently the museum is being renovated which will be finished in 2010.

Rembrandthuis Rembrandt has lived here for about 20 years and it's really a beautiful house. He left it because became bankrupt. The funny thing is that he became bankrupt because the company who he gave his biggest masterpiece, the night watch, didn't like the painting. The house is now restored and show more then 240 etchings and some work of his pupils.

Van Gogh museum In this museum there are more then 200 paintings and 500 drawings, in chronological order. Because most of his paintings never left Holland it's a big exhibition, which displays his best work like the famous Sunflowers.

Stedelijk museum of modern Art This museum is located near the maritime museum and the Nemo Science museum. In this museum there are displays of all major modern Art in Holland. Some exhibitions are permanent like de Stijl, Cobra and minimal Art. And many Dutch painters like Appel, Mondriaan and the French Monet, Matisse and Cezanne are represented in this museum.

The Red light district Amsterdam is also very famous for it's red light district. It provides a “special service” or can be seen as one of the major tourist attractions of Amsterdam. Besides the street there are many things you can pay a visit to.

Moulin Rouge This is a sensual theatre with several shows, it's a nice place to pay a visit to. It's build like the similar place in Paris.

Casa Rosso Is the largest night club of Amsterdam and definitely the most famous night club in Amsterdam. A comfortable theatre with a erotic theme, which is very soft so almost appropriate for family's. So when you visit Amsterdam this is a must see.

Smoke Amsterdam is also famous for it's coffee shops and Amsterdam has a lot of them there. Here you can have a smoke and enjoy your beer.

Dutch Flowers This is a coffee shop in the centre of Amsterdam and provides a great view. There are also a lot of magazines, comic books and newspapers there you can read. The bulldog Palace This is Amstardams oldest shop and it turned into a chain of soft-drug selling tourist hangouts. This one in Amsterdam is the loudest of all and the main themes are Caribbean loud music and videos.

And more… Also Amsterdam has beautiful canals, which are great to visit and the centre is very big and very good for shopping. Also Amsterdam is famous for the house of Anne Frank, the girl who wrote a diary about World War 2. And lets not forget the Hilton hotel, where one of the most famous Dutchman Herman Brood died. So just go there and pick some attractions like Madame Tusseau or just enjoy a drink on the terrace I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Article Source: http://www.articlenode.com/ By : Mitchel Geerts