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, on the famous Portuguese beaches 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 lifeExploring 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.
Posts Tagged ‘Spectacular Scenery’
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Travel to Nepal
June 10th, 2010 
Tushar Mathur 
Nepal is a tiny hilly country in the Himalayas. It is surrounded by mountains all sides. The country extends from an altitude of 70 meters to 8848 meters and can be accessed by road and air. The climate equally varies from 40 degree centigrade in the southern plains to -40 degrees in the Himalayas. The land is cultivable only in the southern part and as one goes to the north it is full of hills. Nepal is a land locked country full of mountains and valleys.
Nepal offers the best to the traveler. It is the climate which is most attracting. The adventure travel is the mantra. Trekking and mountaineering and river rafting is the most popular adventure activity. The trekking trails take a tough route with ascents and descents and are a trying time of stamina and grit. The out door camping experience is exotic. Most of the trekking can be done without any special equipment.
Mountaineering to the high peaks can be undertaken only with special permission from the concerned authorities. There are a number of companies who organize Mountaineering to the peaks. Jungle safaris can be done either in a four wheeler or on an elephant back to have a close look at the Tigers, Leopards, and Spotted deer. The Rivers in Nepal are the best suited for River rafting. River rafting can be done even by a beginner in slow flowing waters.
Katmandu is the capital of Nepal and is situated in the heart of a valley. The major tourist attractions in Katmandu are the Durbar square. The famous “kumari chowk” is situated in durbar chowk. Hotel accommodation is available on wide variety of tariffs. Along side the five star luxury hotels one can find middle range hotels and small budget guest houses. The high class range of accommodation can be easily compared to luxury hotels found in London or those in any other large European city. Considering the relatively small size of Nepal, it has a great range of hotels on offer. The most spectacular scenery of Nepal can be seen from Pokhara. It is situated in the pokhara valley and the highest peaks “Annapurna”, “dualagiri”.
Nepal serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine. Rice is the staple food eaten with either vegetarian or non-vegetarian curry made of meat, chicken, and pork.
Nepal can be visited any time of the year, even in winter with warm clothes on.
