Centro de Portugal Region

Festival of the Crosses and the Castle in Monsanto

Tuesday, 01 March 2011 00:00

Every year the ancient village of Monsanto host the venerable on early May.

One of the most symbolic traditions of Monsanto is the Festival of the Holy Cross, held in May, to commemorate the resistance to a long history of sieges: the women carry to the top of the castle typical rag-dolls (known as "marafonas") and clay jars, full of flowers, are thrown from the walls. The festival dates back to 2^nd century BC when Roman troops had the population of the village besieged in the castle for six years. Out of food, the population tossed the last of its supplies from the walls to show the Roman’s that they had plenty more, or to tried to fool them into thinking that was the case- and it worked!

In 1938 Monsanto was voted the "most Portuguese village in Portugal" nestled on the slope of a steep hill (the Monsanto head, known in Latin as Mons Sanctus), which rises abruptly above the plains and reaches a height of 2486 feet. Nothing is typical about Monsanto a village built around impressively big and balanced granite boulders.

2011 Events in the Centro de Portugal Region

Sunday, 14 November 2010 00:00

04-08 March - Cabanas de Viriato - Dance of the Cus in Cabanas de Viriato

March 2011 - Montemor-o-Velho - Festival of Rice and Lamprey

March 16 to April 24 - Idanha-a-Nova - Mystery of Easter

May 2011 Coimbra - Burning of the Ribbons - Queima das Fitas

Monsanto in May 2011 - Party Castle - Festa das Cruzes

June 2011 Fundão - Cherry Festival

June 2011 Fundão - Gastronomic Festival "here Fundão eat well"

August 2011 Curia - Feast of the Pig and Sparkling Wines

August 2011 - Schist Villages - Cultural Week in the Schist Villages

August 2011 - Almeida - Commemoration of the Siege of Almeida - Full Moon in August Penha Garcia The Smuggling Route

September 2011 - Fundão - Chocalhos - Festival of Transhumance

September 2011 Nelas - Dão Wine Fair

27 September 2011 Buçaco - Commemoration of the Battle of Buçaco(Napoleonic
War)

October to December 2011 - Belmonte - Mushroom Festival

December 2011 Fundão - Festival of Tibórnia (cuisine)

December 2011 - Candal (Schist Village) - Christmas in Candal

December 2011 Viseu - Dão Wine and Flavors

December 2011 Viseu - Christmas Market

For more information visit www.visitcentro.com

Several New Year offers at Centro de Portugal

Friday, 12 November 2010 20:56

Several New Year offers at Centro de Portugal are available at VisitCentro.com. Here are a few examples:

Belver Grande Hotel da Curia Golf & Spa - Grande Hotel da Curia offers you a unique Spa and Wellness hotel with a tranquil atmosphere, the ideal place to escape to. Located just 2 and a half hours from Lisbon Airport, 1 hour from Porto Airport and about 30 minutes from other major cities. The program includes:

- 2 nights accommodation with breakfast buffet

- Fruit and mineral water upon arrival

- Free gym, heated indoor pool, sauna and Turkish bath

- Cocktail in the library (on December 31st at 19:30)

- New Year's dinner incl. wine and hot chocolate

- Sparkling wine and raisins at midnight

- Breakfast/ Brunch (January 1^st, 8:00 to 15:00)

- Dinner buffet with regional specialties (January 1^st, 19:30 to 22:30)

- late check-out option (pending availability)

Price €145,00 / person

Pousada de Viseu - Charme - The setting for the Pousada de Viseu is the former São Teotónio Hospital, which was originally opened in 1842. Atop the entrance to this majestic building, which overlooks the old city, stands three statues resembling Faith, Hope and Charity. It is located only 5 minutes from Viseu city center. Work began with efforts to convert the former hospital in March 2007, and the Pousada opened its doors in February of 2009. It has 84 bedrooms (the biggest Pousada in Portugal), Cloister for 400 guests, restaurant and bar, and the first spa of the Pousadas including, an indoor pool, massage room, relaxation room, gym, sauna, Turkish bath and tropical shower.The program includes:

- 2 nights accommodation including breakfast buffet

- Welcome drink upon arrival

- VIP treatment in the bedrooms including water, fruit and petit fours

- New Year's aperitif and dinner incl. digestives after dinner

- Champagne at midnight on December 31st

- Option of early check-in and late check-out (pending availability)

Prices Double room - €270,00 / Single room - €195,00 / Extra-bed children - €60,00 / Extra-bed adult - €110,00 / Supplement/night Superior Room - €30,00 / Supplement/night Suite & Special - €60,00

Pousada Convento de Belmonte - Histórica - Set on the slopes of the Esperança Mountain, just over 1 km from the town of Belmonte, lies the Pousada Convento de Belmonte. The converted convent is a good example of historical architechture blended with modern style. The hotel has preserved the Monastery’s heritage by including the amphitheatre’s architectural layout in the pinewoods, on the slopes of Esperança’s Mountain. The program includes:

- 2 nights accommodation including breakfast buffet

- Welcome drink upon arrival

- VIP treatment including water, fruit and petit fours

- New Year's aperitif and dinner incl. digestives after dinner

- Champagne at midnight on December 31st

- Possibility of early check-in and late check-out (pending availability)

Prices Double room - €340,00 / Single room - €250,00 / Extra-bed children - €75,00 / Extra-bed adult - €135,00 / Suplement/ night Superior Room - €50,00 / Supplement/night Suite&Special - €90,00

The Bread Route: Re-discovering traditions in Casal de S. Simão

Friday, 05 November 2010 00:00

In Casal de S. Simão visitors can participate in the art of traditional bread making, starting with milling the grains to the baking of the bread in clay ovens. For centuries the local people harnessed the natural energy from the River Alge to work the watermills which in turn ground the cereals to make flour. In Casal de S. Simão – near the Centro towns of Figueiró dos Vinhos - they have re-created this process to share with their visitors. The journey starts in Casal de S. Simão with Go Outdoor and as we meander along the scenic pathways that link the village with the mill where one can appreciate the beauty of the Alge River Valley. The price per person 35.00€

Quinta da Bigorna is the new hotel in Castelo Branco

Friday, 22 October 2010 00:00

Escalos de Baixo in Castelo Branco will have a new hotel, the Hotel Quinta da Anvil. This hotel will feature 15 rooms and 6 suites, but it will be prepared for the expansion of adding on more than a dozen rooms. Escalos de Baixo already has operational pools and a restaurant. The new hotel will be an investment of 2.5 million euros, and is scheduled to begin operating in 2012. The complex has a total area of 36 acres overlooking the mountains of, Gardunha and Estrela.