Medieval Fair in Óbidos

“From July 12th to 22nd, one more edition of the Medieval Fair of Óbidos will take place. This year, the theme of the fair is the religious and the profane, God and the Devil… The World of Light and the World of Darkness.
It is time for God. It is time to pray and ask for divine forgiveness for the harvest, for the many children, in summary…for life. But it is also time for evil, superstition, magic, sorcery and idolatry. We stand before a religious and superstitious world.
Faith, miracles, blessings, superstition, magic, witchcraft, sorcery and omens were all part of the daily life during the middle Ages. We are encountering a world of Light as well as a world of Darkness.
They are: saints and people of virtue; martyrs and hermits (who are confronted with blasphemies); predictions, enchantments, auspicious sorcerers, soothsayers and blessers.
It is time for disorder, but also for “acts of faith”, penitence, indulgences, heresy and idolatry. Demonology and necromania are in repression and involve alchemists, astronomers, and witches. Amulets have the same value as sacred relics.
Men and women, of all social statuses, participate in mad fests such as Witch Sabbaths, Teo Deo, as well as other religious celebrations.
It is in this environment that another Medieval Fair in Óbidos is going to take place, from July 12 to 22 2007. Travel back in History!

Useful Information:

Opening Hours:
July 12th – 6:00 p.m.
July 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd – mid-day
July 13th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th – 5:00 p.m.

Entertainment Theme:
Heaven and Earth – Man and God
Faith, Superstition and Sorcery

Entertainment Schedule (Beginning hours):
Weekends – 3 p.m.
Weekdays – 6 p.m.

Ticket price: €4
Free entrance for children under 12, and visitors dressed in Medieval costumes.

Torreões:Similar to earlier years, whoever wishes may exchange Euros for the local currency of the fair, the TORREÃO, may do so. The Torreão is a coin created specifically for this medieval fair and is equivalent to the Euro. There is no exchange rate and you can take these coins home as souvenir.

Óbidos Tourist Office - General Tourist Information;
- Medieval Fair program;
- Merchandising;
- Journalist identification;

Talhada Gate (entrance of the Fair)
- Main entrance to the Fair;
- Medieval Tournaments:
- Public will be able to sit in bleachers
- Medieval Suppers with entertainment (Mocharro)
- €50,00 per person (reservations required)
- Shrew Mouse Cave
- 26 commercial areas”

Source: Town Hall of Óbidos

Weekly market in Óbidos

Speaking in fair… Since May, 19th, every Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. there is a market at Óbidos’ “gate” in which agricultural products of the region are sold.
Most products are biological but the conventional ones are also available.
The main goal is to show off the biological agriculture, wishing to have others following this kind of agriculture which is environmental friendly

Portugal’s new seven wonders

The list of the Portuguese new seven wonders is (revealed on 07.07.2007):
- Alcobaça’s monastery
- Batalha’s monastery;
- Belém’s tower (Lisbon);
- Guimarães’ castle;
- Jerónimos’ monastery (Lisbon);
- Óbidos’ castle;
- Pena’s palace (Sintra).

The other candidates were: Almourol’s castle, Marvão’s castle, Christ’s convent, Mafra’s convent, Sagres’ fortress, Monsaraz’s walls, Saint Francisco’s church, Clérigos’ church, Vila Viçosa’s palace, Coimbra’s university, Mateus’ palace, Queluz’s palace, Conímbriga’s ruins and the roman temple in Évora.

All these monuments are waiting for you… and for sure deserve to be visited!

Bom Sucesso awarded

On the 9th Festival of the Portuguese Creative’s Club, that took place last month in Lisbon, Bom Sucesso’s advertisement was awarded for its creativity.

The Portuguese newspaper Expresso had an edition on 30th September 2006 that was accompanied by a box decorated with images of the Bom Sucesso’s resort. Inside the box, a brochure was included.

This box received the “Silver Prize”.

Ota airport – will it happen or not?

Since it was announced by the government, the new airport’s location was seriously criticized…

In the last days, the discussion gained a new proportion. An alternative location was suggested and the minister decided to put on hold (for a period of six months) the Ota project until a new study about Alcochete is prepared.

On a press conference, organized by ADRO (Agency for the Development of the “Oeste” Region), were gathered important community members, namely mayors of the districts, presidents of the tourism regions, and charmains of several companies.

Telmo Faria (ADRO’s president and mayor of Óbidos council town) said that «during many years a technical discussion took place and finally in 1999 a political decision was made.» This decision conducted to investments over 3 million euros in the Oeste’s tourism. Now he can not believe that the decision is being questioned.

On the day before (June, 12th), 10 mayors of the council towns surrounding Ota met the minister wishing to clarify why he backed on the decision previously announced. It seems that after a study on Alcochete’s location turned public, he had no other choice than order a comparison between the two locations.

Three days after, it was revealed the origin of Alcochete’s study: it was requested and paid by a group of investors.

In my opinion, this means that the new airport location will be decided by the big capitals of Portugal, independently of any other important reasons that should be considered, such as environmental issues, accesses, etc.

Money is talking louder and a huge combat is happening between two groups of investors (something like north versus south, but in a smaller scale).

At this point, unfortunately, we can not take Ota as granted.

Alcobaça’s apple is going to have an eco-tour

The Association of Alcobaça’s apple producers and the agriculture school present on 15th June the Alcobaça’s apple eco-tour.

This circuit was specially designed for students, customers and tourists, and its main goal is to promote the Alcobaça’s apples and the environmental system wherein it is produced.

This product is originated from the council towns of Alcobaça, Nazaré, Caldas da Rainha, Óbidos and Porto de Mós. And the usage of this brand implies a certain number of rules since the production until the moment it is packaged for sale.

Torres Vedras becoming a Spa destination

The spa of Vale dos Cucos in Torres Vedras is going to be remodelled. The new project includes a 5-star hotel, a spa, a research centre, a golf course and a museum, in an investment over 39 million euros.
The project was presented last month in Lisbon by the promoter company, Acqualibrium, who intends to internationalize the “Termas do Vale dos Cucos”.
The historic, patrimonial and cultural heritage on the existing spaces will be preserved.
The water and mud of this spa are used on the treatment of rashes, rheumatism, arthritis and gout.

Projects in Leiria/Fatima Tourism Region

The Leiria/Fatima Tourism Region base is the religious tourism. Fatima is world known and it is annually visited by 5.5 million people. In 2007, the new Basilica will be finished and 4 hotels are being planned, including the 4-star Áurea Hotel.

Since 2000, there are gossips about a new direction for the tourism in this region by taking advantage on the other facilities and attractions. As result, several hotels are being modernized, spas are being built, and the council of Nazaré is planning to build a marina.

So far nothing has been built but the plans include a luxury “Pousada” and an auditorium in the monastery of Alcobaça; a updating to the spa of Monte Real which includes the construction of a 4-star hotel and a sports complex; among others.

Pedra d’Ouro Resort (located in Pedro d’Ouro beach, Alcobaça) includes a real estate program, a 5-star hotel and spa, a 5-star apart-hotel, two 18-hole golf courses and an equestrian centre.
This project was considered as a “Project of National Interest” (PIN) by the Portuguese Investment Agency (API) and the investment is estimated in about 750 million euros.

“Ecoparque dos Monges” is the name of a theme park projected to Alcobaça, in which the visitors will experience the way the “Cister” monks lived in the Middle Ages. A 4-star hotel also makes part of this development.

Design Resort Leisure Golf & Spa is another project that includes a 5-star hotel and spa, and a golf course. Its location is near the motorway A8 (Alfeizerão, São Martinho do Porto, Nazaré) in an area of 170-hectare.

“Sabores do Mar” in Peniche

In Peniche, the first 10 days of June are dedicated to the annual festival called “Sabores do Mar” (Sea flavours). On this 8th edition, the organizers are expecting 60 thousand visitors to experience the local gastronomy and handicraft, and also to attend the concerts of the famous Portuguese bands: “Xutos e Pontapés” and “Da Weasel”.

Other events: several colloquies, a tournament of beach football, a sailboats race and a Berlenga/Peniche swim crossing (16 kilometres).

Blue flags in our beaches

The Blue Flag is an exclusive eco-label awarded. Blue Flag works towards sustainable development at beaches/marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services.

The Blue Flag Programme includes environmental education and information for the public, decision makers and tourism operators.

Today it was announced the list of beaches which will have a blue flag in 2007:

Alcobaça – Légua;

Nazaré - Praia da Nazaré;

Caldas da Rainha – Praia do Mar;

Peniche – Baleal Norte, Baleal Sul, Cova de Alfarroba, Gambôa, Medão Supertubos and Consolação;

Lourinhã – Porto Dinheiro and Valmitão;

Torres Vedras – Santa Rita Norte;

Mafra – São Lourenço, Ribeira de Ilhas, Baleia e Foz do Lizandro.

A Golf Course in Caldas da Rainha council

An English company (New World Investments) is investing 200 million euros on the construction of Rainha Golf & Spa Resort. The resort will be located between Foz do Arelho and Serra do Bouro (North of Foz do Arelho). It will have a 5-star hotel (120 beds and 7 suites), 360 apartments and 550 villas, and an 18-hole golf course.

The golf course construction is planed to start this year and it should be finished by the first quarter of 2009.

The resort area is 170 hectare and according to some newspapers of the region, its construction has been planning in the last 15 years. According to Dennis O’Sullivan (president of the board), the delay is due to the difficulty in buying the lands (each piece is owned by a different owner).

According to recent news, “95% of the lands have been bought and soon the small problems will be solved” says Marques Pereira, lawyer and legal representative of the English company.

Falésia d’El Rey (Béltico)

On the 3rd Congress of the Oeste Region, that took place in Alcobaça in the beginning of May, were presented the new projects for the region estimated in three thousand million euros, including Falésia d’El Rey.

The project Falésia d’El Rey was presented as having “two 5-star hotels, 480 homes, a golf course and other recreation facilities”. The Portuguese Investment Agency (API) considered this project as a “Project of National Interest” (PIN).

The combine project of Béltico Group (UK) and Crissier Group (Brazil) will cost about 400 million euros (70% and 30% respectively).
José Pampolim, vice-president of Béltico group, said recently in a newspaper interview that “Béltico is going to built more properties in Praia d’El Rey until reaching 1.500 units. (…) At Falésia d’El Rey, one hotel might be Marriott’s JW and the other will be a charm hotel, smaller than the first. (…) 75% of the PDR units are sold, the gross part to foreigners. English, Irish and Nordics are the main customers. Some of them got retired and came to live here. Portuguese people use the houses on weekends.”

Up to 15 hotels for Oeste Region until 2015

These hotels are spread along the region and some of them are already being built:
Torres Vedras - three 5-star hotels;
Óbidos - six 5-star hotels;
Rio Maior - one;
Caldas da Rainha - one;
Lourinhã - one;
Alenquer - one.
In addition, between the Oeste Tourism Region and Ribatejo Tourism Region (North of future Ota’s airport) is going to be built the biggest golf resort of Europe in an area of 4500 hectares. “It will be like a city and will have a casino among other facilities”.

Summary on the existing projects for the region

Projects being amplified:
Golden Eagle – another 18-hole golf course, two hotels, a congress centre and real estate;

Campo Real – the golf course is being amplified to 27 holes, a charm hotel, an apart-hotel and real estate;

Vimeiro – the Golf Mar Hotel is being renewed (280 rooms) and it will have a charm hotel (42 rooms and 5 suites) and an apart-hotel (150 beds). Also, it is going to be built an international centre of Talassoterapy, a new spa and hotel, and an international equestrian centre. A congress centre, the alteration to a 18-hole golf course, 90 villas, tennis and health club are also part of the amplified project;

Under construction:
Bom Sucesso – Oliveiras Golf Course (18 holes), 3 luxury resorts, a 5-star hotel, equestrian centre and a nautical club. A club house/health club, 8 tennis courts, 3 swimming pools and a commercial area make part of this project;

Quinta da Abrigada – 282-hectare property which will have an 18-hole golf course, a 5-star hotel with 200 rooms, 2 luxury resorts and 242 villas. Included on this project is also a club house, a health club, 7 tennis courts, swimming pools, restaurants, and a commercial area;

Pérola da Lagoa – a 4-star hotel, a 9-hole golf course, clubhouse and 313 villas;

New projects:
Falésia d’El Rey – the second Béltico’s resort and golf course with 230 hectares is near Obidos lagoon and includes a 18.000 m2 hotel, 20 shops and a country club, high quality villas, apartments and townhouses;

Quintas de Óbidos – 57-hectar resort which will have an international equestrian centre, 79 superb villas, 64 apartments and a country club;

Praia Azul – golf, hotel and real estate;

Paimogo – golf, hotel and real estate;

Rainha Golfe & Spa Resort – 5-star hotel and golf course;

Augusto Mateus (economist and president of the company responsible by the strategic plan of the region) already said “The Oeste is for the country as Vilamoura is for the Algarve”.