Birdwatching in Lagoa de Santo André

The Lagoa de Santo André, is one of the coastal lagoon systems of Portugal more ornithological importance. These systems, as well as being the local playback ameazadas for several species of waterfowl, are a fundamental point of também scale migratory routes that some of them are between the European and African continents. Other than that, they are also an essential winter refuge for many thousands of native birds of northern and central Europe. Here is a comprehensive guide that will serve you in the event that you feel like to give you a break for this wonderful place:

Medieval Alvalade

The event "Medieval Alvalade - Commemorations Foral" is a living history classroom, the only event of the kind in the Alentejo Coast, and that every year brings thousands of visitors and tourists to the Villa de Alvalade.

During these days, the daily life of the man of the Middle Ages is recreated in Alvalade to the full extent, through a program that includes the completion of a historical procession where representatives of all social classes of the time, and a Medieval Fair animated minstrels, jousting, theater, shows and exhibition of weapons, medieval dances, product sales and also a medieval restaurant menu.

Visit the area of Alentejo, Portugal

This report is http://www.chooseportugal.com

Visitors to the south-central area of Portugal will find that the Alentejo region offers a wonderful journey back into ancient times, but with most of the current conveniences of today!This part of the country is named for the term "Beyond the Tagus", due to its position of the Tagus River. There are contrasting high and low lands, and it consists of about 31,152 km. Within its borders are several nature parks, such as the Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede (including lovely medieval villages), Parque Natural do Vale Guadiana (near the port of Sines ), and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, to name a few. There are also many historical and religious monuments, astounding architecture, and breathtaking scenery. Other tourist interests are its culinary and wine offerings; polyphonic singing groups are a unique local entertainment. Investments in the golfing industry has also turned Portugal into a golfing haven, and it was named "Best Golf Destination 2006" by readers of Golfers Today, a British publication. (Fourteen of Portugal's courses are rated in the top 100 best in Europe.) However, any guest on holiday will find that there is always plenty to do and see! The major municipalities of the Alentejo area each offers different and colourful attractions for guests:

Horse-riding in Portugal: Along the coast at a canter

Report written by Alexandra Ferguson for http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

By Alexandra Ferguson 1:34PM BST 24 Sep 2009

Alexandra Ferguson enjoys a riding holiday among the cork forests and beaches of south-west Portugal.

'Form a line,” Miguel shouts, as we plunge into the dunes and the horses pull at the reins, eager and excited. The beach is deserted; virgin sand stretches north and south, and Atlantic rollers crash on the steep shore. As we descend to the water’s edge, the hiss and roar of the surf is deafening and spray flies on the breeze. The horses brave the surge: chasing the retreating waves, shying from the advancing breakers and we fight to hold them as Miguel raises his arm. “Everyone ready?” he cries. Then we are off, galloping along the sand: the horses slick with salt and sweat, the warm wind on our faces.

Beaches, towns and sunsets

This is an interesting story on the Alentejo Coast that I found on the web ocholeguas.com:

Beaches, towns and sunsets 

It is often forgotten that the golden fields of the Alentejo reach the sea and overlook the Atlantic along nearly 200 miles of coastline. Beaches, coves and cliffs for sunset wildest Portugal. The beaches of Alentejo are the other side of this beautiful rural region, supplementing its resources with fishing, beach tourism and ports.

Photo gallery of Joaquim Alves Gaspar

Looking for photographs to renew the image of the blog, I found a beautiful photo essay on the Alentejo Coast of Joaquim Alves Gaspar deserves to be seen. I show here some of the photos: 

Blue Flag 2011

These are the beaches and marinas with Blue Flag in the Alentejo Coast for the year 2011: 

In search of the origins of Vasco da Gama

Today I share with you this interesting article on the Alentejo Coast Enrique Sancho published in revistaiberica.com : 

The navigator and explorer who opened for the Portuguese called Spice Route, surrounding the African continent to reach India, was born in 1469 in the small and charming town of Sines, on the shores of the Atlantic, the Portuguese Alentejo. The figure of this great ocean, of equal importance to Columbus or Magellan, was immortalized by the poet Luís de Camões in his epic Lusiads and in his honor and in memory of his trip to India was built the Jeronimos Monastery Belém, near Lisbon.They occupy a leading place tombs of the two, considered among the great figures in the history of Portugal.  By Enrique Sancho © revistaiberica

The place where he was born explorer who opened the call for the Portuguese spice route and created an alternative to the Silk Road, is turned to the sea which undoubtedly influenced the young Basque to link their lives to navigation business, rather than heed the wishes maternal follow an ecclesiastical career. From an early age, Basque da Gama was able to commit myself to the seafaring life, participating in several expeditions to the African coast and giving them a great capacity test.

A unique beach

Imagine a long line of coast where the sun is the king and the sea breeze mixed with perfumes of the countryside, where unexplored beaches merge with sheltered coves and small fishing ports, where the horizon tones invite to sleep and waits past to be discovered ... Have you imagined? For this paradise exists and is waiting. From the Troia Peninsula to near the shore of Odeceixe, there is much to explore and learn.

In the Alentejo Litoral, the climate allows us to begin exploring nature during most of the year. In the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina, which extends from Sines to Sagres in the Algarve and we find a variety of landscapes and habitats that make this area one of the best preserved coastlines of Europe. Here you can observe many species of flora and fauna such as otters that are rarely found in marine environment and the birds that nest on the cliffs by the sea. The beaches alternate with coastal lagoons, salt marshes, estuaries and "sapais", giving rise to protected areas such as the Natural Reserve of Lagunas de Santo André and Sancha and the Natural Reserve of Sado Estuary, where you can admire dolphins and storks in natural habitat. Inside, contrasting the slopes of the Sierras de Grândola of Cercal and Odemira Hills.