the messages began pouring in: “My favorite place.” “Favorite hotel in the world.” “The best memories here.” It was a curious response the hotel isn’t located in one of Portugal’s most popular tourist hotspots—it’s not in the beloved cities of Lisbon or Porto nor in the internationally renowned wine region of the Douro Valley famous for its stunning coastline and abundance of luxury resorts Tucked deep in the rural heart of Alentejo the 40-key farmhouse hotel São Lourenço do Barrocal offers a quiet contrast to Portugal’s more bustling destinations Alentejo is the country’s largest region by land area making it a hidden gem often overlooked by travelers But São Lourenço do Barrocal is changing that narrative emerging as a destination in its own right The estate captures the spirit of Alentejo—its slow pace and rich traditions—while offering guests a gateway to explore the region through immersive on-site experiences and easy access to local attractions Photo: Ash JamesAs you drive south from Lisbon Airport the landscape of Alentejo gradually unfolds—vast golden plains stretch to the horizon open region of southern Portugal is characterized by its raw the scenery transitions into sprawling pine forests and ancient cork oak woodlands while salt fields near the coastline glisten under the sun and the scent of the sea lingers in the breeze whitewashed villages and fortified hilltop towns like Évora and Monsaraz emerge from the landscape their cobbled streets and crumbling stone walls bearing centuries of history 2,000-acre estate that’s been passed down through the same family for generations São Lourenço do Barrocal offers perhaps the most authentic introduction to the region “Indulging in Alentejo’s great food and wine is one of the best ways to understand the Alentejo and wines are a true reflection of our identity,” says José António Uva there’s an immense respect for terroir and craft still made the ancient Roman way… Visiting a winery guests can experience this firsthand at the estate’s thriving winery and delve into the winemaking process before enjoying a tasting beneath the estate’s holm oak trees fully immersing themselves in the region’s terroir Photo: Ash James“And then there is the food,” Uva adds and a reflection of the Alentejo's agricultural heritage and this is a central element of the experience at São Lourenço do Barrocal The farm-to-table restaurant offers a warm and authentic setting that celebrates the estate’s seasonal bounty sourcing organic ingredients such as acorn-fed black pig Chef Duarte Lourenço honors the region’s culinary legacy with dishes like slow-roasted veal cheeks and acorn-fed pig served with migas Photo: Ash JamesIn addition to its food and wine offerings the estate is surrounded by olive groves and a large organic garden offering a variety of activities for guests These include horseback riding through the grounds or into the villages and even beekeeping for those with an interest in sustainable practices Photo: Ash JamesPhoto: Ash JamesAs for why the region has remained relatively under-the-radar until now “Alentejo’s history and geography have certainly helped to prevent it from developing as rapidly as other parts of Portugal,” explains Uva “With vast agricultural areas and estates scattered across the landscape it has retained much of its beauty and timeless appeal I’d say that if you really want to understand what this beautiful land has to offer you need to experience this range of environments and their own characteristics.” Today as new hotels are beginning to open here—particularly along the coast—travelers of all kinds are discovering Alentejo’s many pleasures from its rich history and unspoiled nature to its celebrated food and wine the only master potter left in the village who still does the entire process by hand using local clay you’ll find the beautiful preserved medieval village of Monsaraz offering sweeping views over the vast plains and the Alqueva Lake below and charming cafés are tucked into old white houses outlined in blue blending seamlessly with the historic character Uva also suggests visiting the town of Estremoz “The market is a treasure trove of fresh produce If you’re looking to explore Alentejo more fully you can also make a stop in the region’s cultural heart Évora: a city steeped in history and charm and Portuguese heritage blend seamlessly within its ancient walls Évora is home to striking landmarks like the Roman Temple of Diana and a grand medieval cathedral that watches over the city from its hilltop perch winding streets are lined with whitewashed houses and lively cafés that spill out under orange trees Évora has a youthful energy—partly thanks to its university and the creative community that has been growing here over the past few years as young people move to the city seeking a slower pace of life and inspiration from its rich cultural heritage While mass tourism has increasingly found its way to the Algarve’s sheltered coves in the south remains a favored coastal escape among locals—particularly in villages like Comporta Comporta offers a peaceful retreat with its pristine beaches and a laid-back atmosphere The landscapes here are the thing: from the green and gold rice fields to the sand dunes that descend into coastal lagoons to create a rich ecosystem for birds and wildlife pine and cork forests add to the region’s natural beauty while providing shade and biodiversity For those seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty of Comporta’s nature reserve, Quinta da Comporta is the perfect place to stay This eco-friendly retreat offers thoughtfully designed accommodations that harmonize with the surrounding landscape Guests can enjoy peaceful walks through pine forests With a strong emphasis on sustainability and local craftsmanship it’s the ideal sanctuary for those looking to unwind in a stylish yet nature-inspired setting all just a short drive from the charming village of Comporta While Quinta da Comporta offers a serene and nature-centric retreat, Sublime Comporta brings a more upscale the property combines modern luxury with a design-focused approach minimalist architecture and villas that blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings—even the gym which features pilates reformers and a boxing ring Sublime Comporta features three restaurants on property The property is also expanding with 43 new villas on a 126-acre estate just across the road a collaboration with renowned Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen Their partnership continues with the highly anticipated JNcQUOI Club Comporta resort set to open in 2028—the same year Six Senses is slated to debut its own Comporta property The Danish Home Lighting Trend That Can Improve Your Mental Health In America’s Cities, Saunas Are Becoming the Hottest Social Spot Millie Bobby Brown Shares Her Favorite Paella Recipe—and Details About Her Wedding to Jake Bongiovi A Day-by-Day Guide to Hiking the Legendary Nakasendo Trail in Japan Never miss a Vogue moment and get unlimited digital access for just $2 $1 per month PortugalChevron MonsarazChevron Why book?A worthy alternative to Portugal’s cities and coastline, this chic rural retreat is a charismatic showcase of the Alentejo’s rugged landscapes, rustic cuisine, and fascinating history. Accessibility Given its centuries-old structures and cobbled courtyard, not all areas of São Lourenço are easy to maneuver. However, several of the ground-floor farm rooms are wheelchair accessible and come with spacious floor-level showers and the option to add handles and bars as required. Staff in transport buggies are also on hand to transport guests around the estate. Anything left to mention? For full immersion in Alentejano life, the São Lourenço team has a range of activities focused on craft, culture, and cuisine. As well as stargazing, horse riding, and foraging, newly added programs include flower arranging (best in spring when 300 species of wildflowers carpet the meadows), beekeeping, and ceramics workshops, where inspiration can be found on trips to one of Portugal’s most revered pottery centers, São Pedro do Corval. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Originals Conscious Future Despite being relatively new to the village of Manteigas they are both already making their mark with their passion for artisanship and then I reached my forties and wanted a big change—a second life We found this beautiful 19th-century place in the Serra da Estrela Sometimes journeys go underappreciated—perhaps being overshadowed by the thought of the destination—but every time I drive into or out of the mountains I’m touched by how special the experience is IC: Our wool factory is our attempt to harness knowledge that’s threatened with extinction This factory was going bankrupt and we wanted to save these old machines many from the 19th century that helped power the industrial revolution and we wanted to keep the artisans in employment and teach the new generations there were many villages that relied on the textile industry to survive Our factory is one of the last ones of its kind So we bought it to keep this beautiful ancestral craft alive it’s common on factory floors around the world for the oldest workers to be considered less important We like to say that we’re building the future with the yarns of the past And it’s transformed the village of Manteigas as well young people would leave in search of a better life young people are staying and starting their own families the tourism minister under the right-wing Salazar dictatorship decided to establish a network of small boutique hotels back in the late 1930s and 1940s across the country This was a drastic shift from the existing hospitality scene of the time—the huge palaces and grand hotels—and it was an innovative approach to changing the hospitality industry Portugal hotel reviewRustic luxury at a restored working farmhouse in Portugal's beautiful AlentejoAll listings featured on Condé Nast Traveller are independently selected by our editors Tranquillity is easy to find in Portugal’s Alentejo countryside but nowhere feels quite as special as this little rural escape the food fresh and hearty and the staff passionate and genuine olive grove and farm in Portugal's wild you drive down the oak-lined drive and realise you've stumbled upon something special there’s something unique in the light here and the way it bounces off the whitewashed walls of the property This remarkable project is the work of former investment banker José António Uva who was determined to reinvigorate the family monté (farming village) Renowned Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura is responsible for the chic barefoot design that has undoubtedly inspired many a wannabe designer on their travels handmade lampshades and understated furnishings are the golden thread adding a finishing touch throughout the property But while the level of luxury here is enough to satisfy even the most well-heeled traveller the peace that comes from a deep sense of history pervades the whole place From the building itself to the many boulder – or barrocais (which were once used by tribes as ceremonial sites) – there’s a reminder of São Lourenço’s past everywhere you look All of the rooms are accessed from the cobbled courtyard and have been converted from former stables The low-lying exterior is beautifully photogenic and it would surely be impossible to wander through here in the late afternoon sun without feeling inspired which are the embodiment of farmhouse chic; vast and rustic and duck egg blue that’s instantly calming and bathrooms have luxe underfloor heating and – in some cases – a welcoming bathtub Courtyard and Farm rooms have views over the acres of land and if you wake up early enough you’ll be able to spot the sunrise hot air balloons taking off over the Alentejo plains (it’s a popular activity for visitors and one that the hotel can organise if you so wish) don’t forget to step out and look up; the area is a Dark Sky Reserve and the stars are beautiful on a clear night Portuguese cuisine doesn’t get enough acclaim; the country’s meaty rice dishes fish stews and love of a double carb are worth celebrating fresh version of traditional dishes to the table That’s not to say that you won’t feel overwhelmed with options where the buffet table is lined with local honey (from the on-site bees) There’s a consistent nod to traditional Alentejan dishes (which tend to be hearty and comforting) throughout all menus; don’t miss the black pork or the açorda which is a type of bread soup that’s packed with flavour the best way to dine here is to order multiple plates and share; the flavours are meant to be mixed and you’ll undoubtedly want to try a little of everything anyway there’s a strong farm-to-table ethos when it comes to dining in both the estate has been producing its own food and goods the olive oil in particular is memorable for its buttery but here it’s quite clearly built into the fibre of the hotel Housed in the area where single workers lived in its original iteration with monastery-like white archways and a rustic vibe in-keeping with the rest of the property Treatment rooms are vast – some of the largest I’ve ever seen – with no chance of claustrophobia creeping in during a massage and there’s a small amount of natural light coming through the original windows which has the effect of keeping you connected to the peace of the property While São Lourenço strives to promote local and Portuguese-made brands throughout the hotel its spa products are from Austrian brand Susanne Kaufmann – a choice I questioned at first but one that makes complete sense when you understand that just a handful of properties in Europe stock her eponymous products each one chosen for their commitment to the brand’s natural and homegrown ethos combined with citrus fruits and herbs picked from the hotel’s hectares is intoxicating during the spa’s signature treatment guests relax with homemade energy balls and delicious teas There’s also a dry sauna and fitness centre within the spa building should you wish to extend your wellness moment While the property itself is remote, those with cars may wish to pay a visit to the largest nearby town of Évora, one of our favourite parts of Portugal. Its Roman remains and picture-perfect Portuguese streets draw visitors from Lisbon regularly, but at less than an hour’s drive from the property its doable in an afternoon. Guests mostly come here for some time to themselves, so you’ll certainly be left to your own devices for the most-part – but rest assured that there’s a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips, should you wish to pick the team’s brains. A working farmhouse will understandably be as self-sufficient as possible, so sustainably-minded travellers can rest assured knowing that their food is locally-sourced, rooms were designed with local artisans and makers where possible, and the property’s owners have a genuine passion for maintaining and improving the land. There’s a 10,000 square metre vegetable garden on-site, plus 24 solar panels and four boreholes for groundwater collection. Staff are hired locally – 80 per cent from the property’s surrounding area – which allows for their passion and knowledge to shine through. There’s a beautiful gift shop on-site that you’ll undoubtedly want to get lost in – and while they do ship, we recommend saving some space in your luggage to avoid customs charges. While it’s tempting to relax by the pool or take a slow wander, the activities here are really memorable, so be sure to book into a wine-tasting or pottery class to equip yourself with stories for when you return home. The body of a person was seen floating in the sea off the north coast of Madeira The Port Authority of Funchal has already confirmed the occurrence and revealed that the body has already been removed According to the captain of the port of Funchal the maritime authority was alerted a few minutes after 1 pm to what appeared to be a body floating near the coast the operation to recover the body of a woman was completed at around 3 pm on Tuesday From Jornal Madeira Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Don't worry, I also hate spam. HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to travel to Madeira where every step reveals the wild essence of Madeira's easternmost tip Best time: April–June | September–October offers a distinctive contrast to the island's typically lush landscapes This volcanic peninsula stretches nine kilometers and presents a semi-arid terrain largely devoid of trees due to the area's climate and exposure to north winds the region's unique charm and panoramic views make it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike Visiting Ponta de São Lourenço is a year-round possibility but the optimal times are during spring and autumn from April to June and September to October with fewer chances of intense heat or sudden weather changes This makes hiking the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço trail more comfortable and enjoyable visiting during weekdays or early mornings can help avoid crowds offering a more serene experience to appreciate the stunning coastal views and unique landscapes of Madeira's easternmost tip Hiking the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço trail is an ideal way to immerse oneself in the natural beauty of Madeira's easternmost tip this moderately challenging trail takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete offering breathtaking vistas along the way Starting from Baía d'Abra and ending at Casa do Sardinha the trail begins with gentle wooden steps and footbridges before ascending into steeper slopes and rocky terrain Hikers are treated to panoramic views of both the northern and southern coasts of Madeira with the possibility of glimpsing the Deserted Islands (Ilhas Desertas) on clear days from Miradouro Ponta do Furado making it a memorable experience for nature lovers and adventurers alike Practical tips for hiking the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço include wearing sturdy hiking shoes suitable for rocky terrain and bringing sun protection and a windbreaker due to exposure to wind and sun It's crucial to carry enough water since there are no sources along the trail although the path is generally well-maintained with handrails in critical areas be prepared for rapid weather changes; one moment you may need a coat it could be so warm that you'll feel like shedding layers and heading to the ocean to cool off The route to the starting point is straightforward: follow the VR1 road towards Caniçal The peninsula is primarily composed of basalt with occasional limestone sediment formations results in sparse vegetation dominated by creepers This stark landscape contrasts sharply with the rest of Madeira's verdant environment Ponta de São Lourenço boasts a rich biodiversity The area is home to several rare plant species and a diverse array of fauna including protected seabirds such as Cory's shearwater and Bulwer's petrel Visitors might even spot monk seals along the coast This ecological importance contributes to the site's inclusion in the European Natura 2000 network Rove.me reached out to several visitors of Ponta de São Lourenço to hear about their experiences Our main goal was to learn about their impressions and whether they would recommend visiting this location who visited Ponta de São Lourenço with her friend in June 2024 was particularly impressed with the scenery She described it as "a must-see," especially for photography enthusiasts "There are so many beautiful spots for photos there was access to the ocean," Yana remarked visited the area with her husband in July 2024 She found the landscape to be uniquely beautiful and was especially captivated by the contrasting colors and the color palette is unusual—terra-cotta cliffs and the deep blue sea she noted that they didn’t complete the entire trail "We underestimated the distance and should have planned for more time You really need at least half a day or even a full day to explore and enjoy a picnic leisurely," Oksana suggested Despite a minor issue with litter on the beach "We were in high spirits the entire time and definitely recommend it!" she added The Santa Catarina snacks and cereals site is getting the equivalent of $61m for brands such as Pringles and Cheez-It the US snacks and cereals business snapped up by Mars last year is funnelling more investment into its production plant in Brazil The company has earmarked 360 million reais ($61m) for its factory in São Lourenço located in the southern state of Santa Catarina to support manufacturing of brands such as Pringles Kellanova, which was formerly part of Kellogg until it was spun off by the parent company in 2023 ahead of the acquisition by family-owned Mars said it will invest the cash at São Lourenço this year São Lourenço also received a 250m reais investment last year to expand production of the Pringles snacks line the president of Kellanova’s Latin America business division said: “We are confident in the potential of our portfolio in the country our goal is to foster not only the sustainable growth of our business and brands but also the communities in which we operate.” Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis Kellanova said it produces a total of 100 different products at the São Lourenço site including the local brands Sucrilhos breakfast cereals In a deal struck by Kellogg in 2016 Parati and the São Lourenço factory were acquired for an equivalent price of then $429m bringing the Minueto and Trink lines into its portfolio Production of Pringles began at the facility in 2019 Kellanova said in the investment statement Distribution of Pringles was expanded in 2023 into Brazil’s north-east region taking in nine additional states: Alagoas; Bahia; Ceará; Maranhão; Paraíba; Pernambuco; Piauí; Rio Grande do Norte; and Sergipe Kellanova’s last reported results were issued in October for the third quarter to 28 September The group’s year-to-date sales were up 5.2% in organic terms at $9.6bn along with an 18.3% increase in adjusted operating profit to $1.2bn Nominations are now open for the prestigious Just Food Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation This is your chance to showcase your achievements Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network. As it turns out, they’d been circling each other for over 10 years—showing up at the same parties and events, but never actually meeting. “The timing was divine,” Madison says. “It happened exactly when it was meant to.” They got engaged in October of 2022 at Palm Heights in Grand Cayman. “October has become such a special month for us ever since,” Madison notes. “It was during their re-opening post-Covid, and we were some of the first guests back at the hotel. Lex had been holding on to the ring for months, waiting for the perfect time.” One night, while sitting on the beach, a staff member came over with a book, which completely threw Madison off. “I thought it might be some kind of anniversary surprise,” she admits. “The book was filled with photos of our time together, and when I got to the last page, there was a picture of Lex holding the ring. I looked up, completely shocked, and there he was—on one knee proposing! It was the surprise of my life and so incredibly special.” Their wedding took place over three days—from October 10 through 13—in Monsaraz, Portugal at the couple’s favorite hotel in the world: São Lourenço do Barrocal. “We chose Portugal because it is the perfect halfway point for our friends and family.” Lex is British-American, and much of his family is in the U.K., so it made sense to meet in the middle. They also wanted a destination they had visited before and where their entire guest list could stay together in one place. São Lourenço do Barrocal, tucked away in a remote part of Portugal, had everything they were looking for and more. “The hotel and staff went above and beyond for our wedding weekend, creating an intimate and unforgettable experience,” Madison says. “The setting allowed for real connections, with so many shared moments beyond the evening events.” Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Ann Abel is a Lisbon-based writer covering luxury travel with a soulFollow AuthorAug 31 02:15pm EDTShareSaveThis article is more than 4 years old.Farmhouse buildings at São Lourenço do Barrocal “I’m the eighth generation of my family to have this farm,” says José António Uva, the dreamer behind São Lourenço do Barrocal “What I’ve tried to do for the past 17 years is create sustainable projects I’m looking at the next eight generations.” the farm buildings—once home to a mini-city of some 50 families—were in ruins It didn’t make sense to operate it solely as a farm anymore So Uva undertook an audacious project to re-invent it in a more 21st-century incarnation—as a luxury hotel citing the location deep in the rural Alentejo It’s too challenging to create something that’s not seasonal But that remoteness turns out to be part of the allure He points out that the Alentejo has only 4% of Portugal’s population It’s using traditional ways.” There’s no returning to the origin São Lourenço do Barrocal has a strong sense of timelessness and tradition “It’s rare to experience something that is very much rooted in farming history and the context of culture that is so remote.” Uva and architect Eduardo Souto de Moura worked with historians to restore the original 200-year-old structures and fit a luxury hotel inside The workers’ homes are now 24 quietly luxurious rooms and suites The cowsheds and horse stables are now 16 larger cottages A restaurant is in the space where the dogs were once kept The project took 14 years and an obsessive attention to detail In-house architects and designers create all the furniture and decoration organic Susanne Kaufmann spa products and amenities.) The bricks in the floor were fired in an oven and they spent three years finding reclaimed roof tiles made from the original mold There’s a sense of doing things for the long run “It was okay that it was going to take so long to build Business plans don’t apply to things like this When he told me about his close attention to detail Some 150 cows roam freely around the 1,900-acre property “We have plans for self-sufficiency for food,” says Uva “We’re aiming for time when everything at the table is from us and our fellow farmers virtually all the vegetables comes from the farm the outdoor restaurant among the organic garden anything that can be cooked over a fire is done that way and the fish comes from nearby Lake Alqueva I had the good fortune to visit during tomato season I’m still dreaming of the gazpacho made with roasted tomatoes Nearly all the staff is from the surrounding area Now they’re professional without being slick “We’re trying to have a different kind of service not that standard of international service,” says Uva “We aren’t forcing people to be New York waiters It’s a service culture with its own sense of place It’s an interesting way to experience a place like the Alentejo.” There are some other lovely ways to experience the Alentejo too—things that Uva describes as more than just ways to entertain a family Although doing nothing at all is a perfectly good option São Lourenço do Barrocal offers a slew of activities that make sense in the region Guests go stargazing with an astronomer in the beehive (a gorgeous large arena-type space with decorated walls) because this part of the Alentejo is a Dark Sky Place They walk around the property with an archaeologist because the land has been inhabited for 7,000 years and has a Paleolithic menhir (standing stone) They ride hot air balloons over the countryside and nearby Lake Alqueva because it’s just so peaceful and lovely They all involve meeting local people who are very passionate about what they do One of Uva’s greatest hopes is that guests visit again and again and develop friendships with the people they encounter here “I’m not being a romantic—I’m not; I’m very pragmatic—but there is something about doing things over time and developing relationships and things that evolve over time,” he says “These 17 years were just the first start of understanding how we can serve people We have another 17 years ahead to take to the next level.” this rural Alentejo retreat offers a beautiful blend of quietly luxurious R&R and feel-good activities Doubles cost from £478 a night. barrocal.pt Get your weekly dose of armchair travelling in portugal, pritzker laureate eduardo souto de moura has helped transform a historic farming village into a luxury hotel and retreat ‘são lourenço do barrocal’ is situated in south-central portugal which measures just over 37,000 square meters is characterized by seven farmyard buildings accessed via a central street all images by nelson garrido cloisters,’ explains eduardo souto de moura ‘the only way to preserve heritage is to live with it and use it because only everyday life transforms it into something natural and gives it heritage status.’ set in the foothills of medieval monsaraz, são lourenço do barrocal comprises 22 rooms, 16 cottages, and two suites. on site amenities include a farm-to-table restaurant, a spa with cosmetics designed by susanne kaufmann and a swimming pool complete with a 4 meter granite boulder the farm building will be joined by a series of 29 new homes carefully integrated into the rural landscape and spread out across the 780 hectare estate ‘there is a process that is very absorbing: finding out how an olive press can become a place for a living room with a bar how agricultural outbuildings can be made into houses and how a cowshed can be made into a restaurant,’ continues souto de moura ‘this change in use needs hardly any intervention at all the challenge is how architecture will respond.’ name: são lourenço do barrocalarchitect: eduardo souto de mourainterior design studio: anahory almeida landscape architect: joão gomes da silva project engineering: afaconsult project inception: 2002architectural project development: 2008-2016 construction work completion: 2016photography: nelson garrido portugalestate foundation: 1820farming village (monte) establishment: 19th century estate area: 780 hectaresconstruction gross area: 13.524,5 sqmsite plan area: 13.019 sqmfarming village (monte) total area: 37.175 sqm accommodation & amenitiesaccommodation units (22 rooms 16 cottages): 42.729 sqm spa and studio: 575 sqmrestaurant with outdoor terraces: 599,5 sqmbar: 102 sqmwinery: 521 sqmshop with courtyard: 194,50 sqmhorse stables and riding ring: 1.060 sqm outdoor adult’s pool: 240 sqmchildren’s pool: 21,50 sqmchildren’s playroom with courtyard: 153 sqm AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style ShareSaveLifestyleTravelA Cozier Side of Portugal: Casa de São LourençoByAnn Abel Ann Abel is a Lisbon-based writer covering luxury travel with a soulFollow AuthorSep 10 08:44am EDTShareSaveThis article is more than 5 years old.Historic meets modern at Casa de São Lourenço after successful careers as a lawyer and retail business director in their native Portugal their newest rescue was one of the first pousadas (or independent small inns) ever built in Portugal Pousada de São Lourenço (named for the patron saint of cooks—which should tell you something about the quality of the food) was designed in 1949 by Portuguese architect Rogério de Azevedo It was an absolutely innovative concept at the time Then it went downhill until the government put it up for sale—potentially to developers who would have done who-knows-what to it it’s the first five-star mountain hotel in Portugal “What they have in common is history and life,” says Costa and we found a new way to see them and give them life After a €3 million renovation and name change to Casa de São Lourenço – Burel Panorama Hotel (to emphasize the home-like atmosphere the couple wants to create) the hotel is also a showplace for the furniture and artwork of Maria Keil one of the most important Portuguese artists of the 20th century Now many of her original pieces are complemented by works from other Portuguese designers But the real star is the jaw-dropping view over the Serra de Estrela mountains and the Zêzere Glacial Valley You can see it from the 21 rooms and suites the restaurant and the indoor pool in the spa and find yourself on a lovely hiking trail And if you go further down the road, you can meet up with a guide from the couple’s first hotel, the sporty, four-star Casa das Penhas Douradas this one was conceived following the Scientific Expedition of 1881 carried out by Sociedade de Geographia de Lisboa and it’s the center of a network of trails that were chosen by Tomás The Serra de Estrela (not one of the hotels in this story) A note here about Portugal’s mountains: They exist American visitors know the colorful cities and cliffside beaches despite living in Portugal for nearly three years I spent my weekend at Casa de São Lourenço—as their guest—marveling at the 6,000-some-foot peaks and the valleys far It sometimes reminded me of my childhood in the mountains of New Mexico the Serra de Estrela have been home to many sheep which explains the wool production (and also the delicious cheese) they became more and more interested in that heritage But the decision to jump into it themselves happened quickly they won a large order from Microsoft—they wanted to cover many walls in their Portuguese headquarters with burel The workers were gone; they had moved on to other jobs eventually finding enough women and retired weavers to get the enterprise going again And it’s those workers who came out of retirement who are Burel Mountain Originals’ greatest asset They’re teaching traditional weaving—and machine repair—to new generations It’s a neat inversion of the usual structure in the corporate world where the young workers are the rising stars and the older employees are made to feel increasingly obsolete following tradition produces a superior product one with minuscule imperfections that show that it was made slowly And Casa de São Lourenço makes excellent use of the fabric There are blankets at the foot of each bed soft surfaces on the walls and perhaps most impressive a constellation of burel “flowers” hanging from the ceiling in the restaurant All that fabric gives Casa de São Lourenço its greatest asset a place to curl up with a book and a blanket the view out the window is a tapestry of wildflowers; in summer Along with my surprise that Portugal has proper mountains a self-described warm-weather travel writer who has spent the past decade trying to avoid cold discovered that I want to return to Casa de São Lourenço in the winter suffered a serious accident on Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço this afternoon The victim suffered severe trauma to her right lower limb and required urgent rescue The Santa Cruz Lifeboat Station was mobilized to the scene The woman was then transported to the Dreams Madeira Resort marina and then taken by ambulance to a health unit The rescue operation was coordinated by the SANAS Madeira Command and Control Centre in conjunction with the Regional Civil Protection Service and the MRSC Funchal From Jornal Madeira This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email A 46-year-old tourist fell a few moments ago on Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço in an area that is closed off near the house Six members of the Machico Municipal Fire Department were mobilised to the scene and a team from Sanas-Madeira was sent by sea so the helicopter from the Regional Civil Protection Service was called in The Japanese tourist has a suspected broken leg and is now being treated by firefighters This is the first rescue by the Civil Protection helicopter at Cais do Sardinha Given that the citizen was in a prohibited area the law stipulates the payment of a fee of 753.25 euros for activating the helicopter Added to this base amount is the cost of the recovery/rescue personnel in the order of 105 euros for each person (generally two are required) From Diário Notícias Quite honestly I think that’s an absolute bargain, probably only a fraction of the real cost. Please let her be fined for this! 🙏🏻 sooo stupid. So another tourist ignores the signs and the rescue services have to risk their lives to rescue them. She should absolutely be fined & be responsible for all & any other associated costs. Why did she think she was entitled to ignore the warning signs ?? Would Madeira have a helicopter if not for the revenue from the tourist industry? The big bad tourist strikes again and the righteous raise their voices in indignation. With all the problems in the world (and Madeira) today this event barely merits our attention. Big, fat fine for another entitled, ignorant idiot…. Well, unlikely a road accident in Madeira requires using the very expensive helicopter or alternatively, asking 15 men to walk for 3 or 4 hours to get to the victim. It’s all relative. Similar acts of stupidity should only apply based on the complexities of the response? How much does it cost to have a total 10 men respond to an accident for an hour on the VIR? Or a pedestrian struck resulting in road closures? Those happen much more frequently and end up costing more per year than the random helicopter rescue. Can you justify charging some for stupid acts but not others committing more frequent and equally stupid acts? Are those road accidents or pedestrians struck in closed roads? What will your insurance tell you if you decide to go off road with your car and have an accident as a consequence? When sidewalks are present, the entire roadway is prohibited to pedestrians with the exception of crosswalks. So, Yes. Brilliant that The Authorities make the law breaker pay the cost of recovery & not the Tax Payer. Need to do this here in United Kingdom – not the Charities who rely on public donations to keep operating. These people learn by their mistakes but it’s one mistake they won’t make again. Why do they think they know better than authorities? If she paid the 2 euro walking tax then she should be able to go wherever she wants! Light, traditional, vegan... and even a bolinho version! Check out our selection and taste the best in town. 🫘🍲 Every good paulistano knows that Wednesdays and Saturdays are always dedicated to enjoying a good feijoada in São Paulo. That’s why we’ve put together a list of seven restaurants that serve a feijuca like that. On Saturdays, Parô offers a complete buffet with black beans and selected meats. The side dishes make the dish even tastier: cabbage, bacon farofa, pork rinds, vinaigrette and much more! Ideal for the subversive paulistano who wants to eat the dish whenever they want, after all, this place serves feijoada (in traditional and light versions) every day. The house has been in operation since 1946 and prepares its food on a wood-burning stove, guaranteeing that typical farmhouse taste to the meal. There is also a delivery option. 📍Avenida Cidade Jardim, 53 – Itaim Bibi | Rua Serra de Jairé, 235ª – Quarta Parada View this post on Instagram A post shared by Feijoada do Bolinha RR (@feijoadadobolinhar) Here, the feijoada is a hit every Wednesday! The buffet is complete and visitors can enjoy a delicious feijoada while enjoying the beautiful surroundings. 📍Rua Casa do Ator, 608 – Vila Olímpia If you’re looking for a fun experience, this is the place for you. On Saturdays and Sundays, the house feijuca delights visitors. So if you’re looking for feijoada in São Paulo, be sure to consider this option! And here’s a tip: it goes very well with a lemon caipirinha. 📍Rua Aspicuelta, 585 – Vila Madalena From Wednesday to Saturday, Cantaloup offers a delicious feijoada made up of dried meat, tenderloin, paio and ribs, accompanied by rice, farofa, crackling, cabbage, oranges and chili sauce. With all this, it’s irresistible! 📍Rua Manuel Guedes, 474 – Itaim Bibi Jiquitaia also works with light and traditional versions of feijoada in São Paulo, with the addition of some meats to differentiate one from the other. It also comes with a side dish of farofa, vinaigrette, pork rinds, rice, cabbage and oranges. 📍Rua Coronel Oscar Porto, 808 – Paraíso View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jiquitaia Restaurante e Bar (@jiquitaia) Served in traditional clay pots, the feijoada at Vila 567 is always accompanied by sertaneja music, the main musical style of the house and a favorite of its visitors. But it doesn’t pass up a soccer match either. There, you can watch the sport while tasting the good food! 📍Rua Aspicuelta, 567 – Vila Madalena The most Brazilian place in the center of São Paulo also serves one of the thickest feijoadas, with various cuts of meat. To complete the experience, the dish is served with a banana tartar. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bar da Dona Onça (@bardadonaonca) With live music, the menu features a delicious feijoada full of flavor on Saturdays. There, you’ll find Brazilian cuisine laid out in a large buffet and you can make your own dish. 📍Rua Aspicuelta, 527 – Vila Madalena There’s feijoada for vegans too! At VegeTAO, the totally animal-free dish comes with rice, carrot farofa, cabbage and orange. 📍Rua Doutor Diogo de Faria, 568 – Vila Clementino View this post on Instagram A post shared by VEGE_TAO (@vegetao_restaurante) Hundreds of thousands of gallons of wine flowed through a small town in Portugal after two tanks filled with red wine released their stores show red rivers rushing down sloping streets The inundated town is home to about 2,000 residents "The collapse of one of the tanks consequently caused the collapse of the second due to the force of the spilled liquid," Destilaria Levira said in a statement sent to Insider Destilaria Levira estimated the flood to be about 2.2 million liters — or 600,000 gallons — enough wine to fill approximately 2,933,333 wine bottles Portuguese outlet Diário de Coimbra reported that the flood affected at least one basement A definitely different type of floodA river of red wine flows through São Lourenco do Bairro in Portugal when the local distillery's 2.2 million liter tanks burstAnadia Fire Department blocked the flood diverting it away from the river into a fieldpic.twitter.com/3AhIFt5rEH Correios, a Portuguese publication said residents were worried about the wine contaminating a local Certima river but the local fire department managed to block the flow and divert the flood away from the water and into a nearby field Destilaria Levira apologized for the incident in the statement sent to Insider and the damage caused as a result The winemaker also said no one had been injured by the spill and that authorities were still investigating the cause of the incident "We take full responsibility for the costs associated with damage cleanup and repair with crews available to do it immediately," the company said "We're committed to resolving this situation as soon as possible." Representatives for the town did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider Surrounded by rocky outcrops that dot the landscape the São Lourenço do Barrocal estate in Alentejo grew during the 19th century until it became a small farm village and wine to support a community of up to fifty families The project to transform this old agricultural estate into a contemporary tourist complex doesn’t intend to be neither heroic nor perverse it only tries to find the balance between going too far The starting point is that the only way to preserve heritage is by using it because only daily life transforms historic architecture into something natural the agricultural facilities change uses to adapt to the new program: the old oil press becomes a bar and the stable is converted into a restaurant With views of the city of Monsaraz and very close to the Alqueva reservoir the tourist complex preserves the country-like atmosphere of a rural village and blends into the surrounding fields Conjunto Turístico São Lourenço do Barrocal São Lourenço do Barrocal – Investimentos Turísticos e Imobiliários S.A Filipe Arteiro (estructuras structural consultants); Maria da Luz Santiago (electricidad electrical consultants); Marco Carvalho (instalaciones mecánicas mechanical consultants) there arent any match using your search terms We are in the middle of a fight against the fire in one of the most emblematic communities of [the] Pantanal threatening people’s lives,” André Luiz Siqueira told this journalist in a rushed Whatsapp audio recording The director-president of the NGO Ecoa was in Campo Grande giving logistic support to nearly twenty firemen struggling to fight the flames in the Barra de São Lourenço community Denir Marques was rescuing his 80-year-old mother “The fire was close and the wind was really strong Lucky the firemen were able to save her house,” he says The scenes described by Siqueira and Marques happened on September 22 thanks to the joint effort of volunteer firefighters who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with professional fire brigades from state and federal environmental agencies and the fires were still burning on the far side of the Paraguai River in the Amolar Mountains According to the NGO the Man of Pantanal’s Institute (IHP) the fires were only controlled by mid-October after 90% of the area was  consumed by the blazes (120.000 square kilometers or 2.9 million acres) The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland and it straddles the borders of Brazil Brazil contains the lion’s share of habitat with the ecosystem spreading over Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states Barra de São Lourenço is at the heart of this biodiverse territory — sitting on the border of the two Brazilian states next to Matogrossense Pantanal National Park and just a few kilometers from the frontier with Bolívia sits at the confluence of the Cuiabá and Paraguay rivers reachable only by a five hour boat trip from the city of Corumbá “Some people say we are crazy for living here being a ‘pantaneira’ is loving each stick Is feeling part of it,” says Leonida Aires de Souza president of the Renascer Women’s Association and a Barra de São Lourenço resident is firmly anchored in the founding of this community “Barra de São Lourenço is a mixture of the cultures [coming] from the descendants of the black slaves the Indigenous guató and the survivors of the Paraguay War They are the traditional Pantanal’s population,” he states The war Siqueira refers to was the worst armed conflict in South America fought from 1864 to 1870 between troops from Paraguay and the Triple Alliance were among the original inhabitants of the Pantanal Nowadays the guatós populate two Indigenous territories a few kilometers from Barra de São Lourenço The other Indigenous reserve is the Baía dos Guató and it had almost its entire area destroyed by this year’s fire “My grandmother was a guató,” says resident Denir Marques some Indigenous traditions remain strong in São Lourenço including a handcraft in which an aquatic plant called aguapé is braided into beautiful baskets and hats is sold to tourists who come from Corumbá and travel up River Paraguai to increase the height of their houses with timber structures in order to escape the rising water Now everyone wonders how the aftermath of the fires will impact these livelihoods and activities everyone follows the rhythmic seasonal cycle of floods (occurring from April to June) and their ebb (happening from July to December) At the same time of year that the São Lourenço village dwellers elevate their houses the animals from the National Park move from the wet bottomlands to the higher ground of the Amolar Mountains “Ninety percent of the national park is formed by lowlands that flood in the rainy season So they [the wildlife] go to the mountains That is why the Amolar Mountains and the national park are both considered a natural heritage of humanity,” says Letícia Larcher According to the Mato Grosso Fire Department Command 19.600 hectares (48.432 acres) have already been burnt in the national park are the most likely to move from one locale to the other the Amolar Mountains possess the world’s second highest P onca density; in one particular mountainous area there are an average of ten jaguars per 100 square kilometers (38.6 square miles) 100 kilometers (62 miles) to the northeast we didn’t find any dead jaguars so far They may have run to the protected areas of the Bolivian Chaco,” suggests Larcher the institute that manages the four Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs) that protect the Amolar Mountains — all the RPPNs were hit by the fire about fifty men have struggled to curb the area’s blazes the flames were so strong they could “jump” over 40-meter (130-feet) wide containment lines — areas intentionally burned over by firefighters to deny the fires fuel to feed on “I am 53 years old and I was born here but I had never seen a fire with such intensity,” says Leonida Aires de Souza “It is the first time since 1974 that we don’t have a flood,” adds Marques annual rains have been below average regionally since 2010 — with 2019 and 2020 especially dry the Pantanal may already be feeling the impacts of global warming climate change tends to let the weather [get] drier the federal government should be working on prevention It has dismantled the [nation’s] environmental policy and even extinguished the Secretary of Climate Change and Forests,” notes researcher Calheiros who has been studying Pantanal river and flood ecology for 30 years which shelter the headwaters of the main Pantanal rivers Everything is interconnected,” Larcher points out Add to all these complex problems the reckless and even criminal actions of landgrabbers, irresponsible ranchers and farmers — who reportedly have set many Pantanal fires — and Brazil is looking at a formula for disaster “Everyone knows that since 2019 it has not been raining [but still] people are setting fires to renew their pastures Even with the [Bolsonaro government] decree forbidding it It is a crime,” says Ecoa’s Siqueira In Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, ranchers often burn degraded pastures to renew grasses and reduce insect pests But the burning for agricultural purposes is permitted only during the rainy season and only with authorization from the State Secretariat for the Environment the ban on fires was reinforced by a federal decree and moratorium on burning across the Pantanal and Amazon for 120 days Even when such widespread and devastating fires end their effects may be felt for a long time afterward by people and wildlife still recalls how he felt while battling the flames in his community Those who couldn’t stand anymore would lay down on the river shore to take some rest A study by a Federal University of Alagoas laboratory found that the air in Cuaibá reached carbon monoxide concentrations 15 times more than what’s acceptable to human health “This area of Barra de São Lourenço became the epicenter of the fires so the smoke stationed there for more than sixty days They [Firefighters and residents] couldn’t see 100 meters ahead No one knows the effects of it on their health in a community that has always been forgotten by the governments and that has precarious access to the health system,” worries Siqueira speeds the proliferation of bacteria harmful to human health [conditions] will get worse as more ash will be drained into the lakes and little rivers The governments have to act with urgency to deliver drinkable water and chlorine to those [impacted] communities.” water contamination may also prompt fish mortality That would aggravate the crises that began in March as the coronavirus suffocated outback tourism Barra de São Lourenço’s people make most of their living from selling fish shellfish and handicrafts to community visitors of the 17 participants in the Renascer Women’s Association only four continue working with handcrafts “We are trying to recuperate the association so our colleagues may live from our work again it is inherited from our ancestral guatós,” says Leonida Aires de Souza The same future uncertainty applies to wildlife Animals not killed outright by the blazes will have to survive in denuded inhospitable habitat from plants to the colonies of ants and termites Even if the plants turn green again with the rains [too] many [habitat] pieces will be missing to have a balanced environment We still don’t know what is going to happen with these animals because we don’t have any study that evaluates the impacts of a fire of such dimension,” Larcher concludes the flames were so intense this year that they could jump fire breaks 40 meters wide FEEDBACK: Use this form to send a message to the author of this post The “fortress conservation” model is under pressure in East Africa as protected areas become battlegrounds over history and global efforts to halt biodiversity loss Mongabay’s Special Issue goes beyond the region’s world-renowned safaris to examine how rural communities and governments are reckoning with conservation’s colonial origins and trying to forge a path forward […] A "river of wine" cascaded down the streets of a small town in Portugal after two large tanks ruptured at a nearby distillery There is so much surplus red wine in Portugal That's one way of deciphering the incredible scene that unfolded in São Lourenço do Bairro a small town where millions of liters of wine recently overwhelmed the roads The roughly 2.2 million liters of wine (some 581,000 gallons) poured out of two burst tanks at Destilaria Levira on Sunday, according to local newspaper Diário de Coimbra A viral video from the scene shows a "river of wine" coursing down a hilly street Verdadeiro rio de vinho em Anadia.Calamidade! pic.twitter.com/LejLz17XuK The company issued a statement saying it "profoundly laments" the incident São Lourenço do Bairro sits near Portugal's coast but it did reportedly flood at least one cellar Local officials are now working to repair the damage done and also to prevent the alcoholic liquid from affecting local farms The large amount of wine was being stored at the distillery through the government's "crisis distillation" program which aims to use incentive funds to remove a glut of wine from the market pipeline before this year's harvest It was slated to be converted into alcohol Portugal has the world's highest wine consumption rate per capita, but these are difficult times for wine producers across Europe. Portugal's wine consumption is in a freefall (down 34%), the European Union said this summer Large countries such as France and Germany are also seeing double-digit declines Destilaria Levira says it is investigating the cause of the breach that sent the wine cascading down the town's streets. The distillery also thanked local firefighters, who were able to corral some of the wine and take it to a treatment plant, according to local reports Become an NPR sponsor either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content Videos of red wine flowing through the streets of a Portuguese village after a distillery accident went viral on Monday The incident took place in a small village near Sao Lourenco do Bairro, situated near the coast roughly 240 kilometers north of Lisbon. Two tanks of red wine operated by a local distillery causing roughly 2.2 million liters of beverage to pour out and into nearby streets around the same amount that can be held by an Olympic swimming pool An environmental alert was issued in response to the incident with locals expressing concern that the wine could contaminate a nearby river Local authorities reported that the flood was successfully diverted away from the river and into a nearby field the soil from which is being taken for treatment In the wake of the incident, a clip of the red wine flood began to circulate on social media sites, garnering over 4 million views alone on X, the platform previously known as Twitter the stream of dark red liquid can be seen flowing down a small-town street like a river with the flow maintaining its strength and volume for nearly a minute The streets of Levira, Portugal were flooded with red wine after a distillery’s 2.2 million liter tanks burst. pic.twitter.com/kwEPNKRjVu One post from the account Pop Crave was viewed over 4 million times by the late afternoon on Monday shared by a user going by "Massimo," garnered an additional 1.5 million views A definitely different type of floodA river of red wine flows through São Lourenco do Bairro in Portugal when the local distillery's 2.2 million liter tanks burstAnadia Fire Department blocked the flood diverting it away from the river into a fieldpic.twitter.com/3AhIFt5rEH "A definitely different type of flood," the user wrote "A river of red wine flows through São Lourenco do Bairro in Portugal when the local distillery's 2.2 million liter tanks burst Anadia Fire Department blocked the flood diverting it away from the river into a field." Newsweek reached out to local authorities via email for comment the Levira distillery apologized for the damage caused by the flood and took full responsibility "The causes of the incident are being investigated by the competent authorities," the statement read "We are fully committed to covering the costs associated with cleaning up and repairing the damage We are committed to resolving this situation as quickly as possible." A similar incident took place in early 2020 in the village of Settecani in which a local distillery's product was accidentally fed into the public water supply causing area taps to emit a mixture of wine and water Approximately 1,000 liters of wine were estimated to have leaked ET: This article was updated with more information Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all Five giant Sulzer pumps help to secure clean reliable water supplies to two million people in São Paulo the Brazilian water utility Sabesp has been running in commercial operation the new São Lourenço water supply system which delivers up to 6’400 liters of drinking water per second to the residents of seven municipalities in the São Paulo metropolitan region Five of the largest Sulzer pumps ever installed in the country are a key element of the project which is designed to meet the water needs of the region’s rapidly growing population São Paulo is one of the world’s megacities water and other services to an ever-increasing population presents significant challenges to the region’s utilities which runs the water supply network in São Paulo State has developed three major water supply projects over the past decade the São Lourenço water production system is one of those efforts The BRL 2.21 billion (USD 680 million) project involves the construction of a brand-new water treatment and storage facility on a mountaintop close to the city Clean water from the plant will be delivered under gravity to serve the households and businesses in seven municipalities in the northwest of the São Paulo conurbation Water for the plant comes from the Cachoeira do França reservoir 83 km away and several hundred meters lower in altitude One of the major technical challenges of the new system was the provision of a pumping system to deliver that water the project managers explored several options for the system One possibility was to install multiple pumps along the route of the pipeline but this was eventually discounted due to its complexity and the challenges inherent in supplying and maintaining a network for pumping stations in difficult The project would use several very large pumps located at the reservoir intake station Now the construction consortium just had to find a manufacturer that could produce pumps capable of delivering up to 6’400 liters per second and a head of 365 meters to maximize the project’s benefits to the local economy they wanted those pumps to be manufactured in Brazil After conversations with several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) only Sulzer was able to demonstrate the necessary experience The Sulzer solution involved five HPDM 500-970-2d/23 pumps among the largest in the company’s range These units have a 500 mm discharge diameter 970 mm nominal impeller diameter and a high-efficiency two-stage impeller Each pump is powered by a 6.8 MW electric motor and operated in the middle of its performance range has an output of 1’500 liters per second at a 365 meter head The pumps were manufactured by Sulzer in Brazil and tested at full load on the company’s in-house test bed the customer witness tests had to be carried out at night to avoid overloading the local electricity supplies together with lubrication and cooling packages also built by Sulzer Sulzer specialists helped with the installation and commissioning of the pumps and the company also delivered a full set of spare parts including two complete rotor/impeller assemblies Sabesp is operating the system satisfactorily integrating it in the in the São Paulo Metropolitan Water Supply System that will be capable of meeting projected growth in water demand for at least the next 10 years The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n \n \n \n '.concat(e,' Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response the high-end Bairrada red wine recently acquired by Taylor’s Port owner The Fladgate Partnership (TFP) has the potential to become “the Vega Sicilia of Portugal” A blend of Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot produced at Colinas São Lourenço in Bairrada, Principal was previously part of the portfolio of Ideal Drinks, the table wine business bought by TFP in August The wine – currently on its 2012 vintage and retailing for about €110 a bottle in Portugal – was described by Bridge as “the cherry on the icing on the cake” in the Ideal Drinks range Colinas São Lourenço is located at São Lourenço do Bairro with 56 hectares of vines on lime-clay soils Principal has the potential to be the Vega Sicilia of Portugal,” said Bridge “The Bairrada region soils are old deposits from an ancient sea and the vineyard is about the same distance from the Atlantic as Pomerol We’ve always felt that if we’re going to associate our name with table wines Principal – and the other former Ideal Drinks wines – will begin to enter a range of markets from January 2024 with TFP’s new still wines division currently finalising its channel and market strategy “There’s a lot of work to be done,” said Bridge adding that 97% of sales had historically been made in Portugal Asked if he had considered selling Principal via La Place de Bordeaux Bridge replied: “It’s certainly something that we’ve considered but we also feel that it’s appropriate to have maybe a little bit more control with our existing partners “We are in discussions with them and they need to reach their own judgements we would look at potential alternative distribution channels.” unlikely to persist with former owner Carlos Dias’ practice of waiting a decade before releasing Principal “I’m not sure we will be able to continue it quite as he has,” said Bridge “It’s inevitable that probably we can’t keep them for quite so long … We want to be able to show flights of this wine in order for people to be able to understand what it’s about and the depth of quality.” The company has stocks of Principal going back to 2008 with years up to and including 2019 already in bottle The Ideal Drinks acquisition covers two estates in the Minho – Alvarinho producer Quinta da Pedra in the Alto Minho a Loureiro specialist; Quinta de Bella in the Dão; and Bridge admitted that the timing of the deal “wasn’t great” explaining: “We just had just made a major investment into [Porto visitor attraction] The World of Wine which absorbed a lot of resources and had a difficult launch because of Covid.” TFP has always shied away from making table wines in the Douro Valley – preferring to focus its vineyards on the production of ‘special category’ Ports – but would Bridge now be open to a Douro table wine acquisition “but it would be really with a specific vineyard doing table wine Bridge said there were no immediate plans to make an acquisition “but with opportunities like that you don’t always control the timing” We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again the fees due for the services provided and the prices of the various products marketed by the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation namely the values ​​for accessing the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço and the Aquaculture Center from Ribeiro Frio The introduction in force since last Saturday April 1 by presenting the registration on the ‘SIMplifica’ service portal an invoice containing the address or another suitable document that allows checking the holder’s place of residence payment can be made by digital means online by mobile phone or other device with access to the Web always with the user’s own resources a route usage ticket will be immediately available is being made ‘to the taste’ of the customer there is still no effective way for the IFCN to monitor whether the entrance fees specifically on Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço What exists is an awareness of the aforementioned payment or through the presence of elements assigned to the Institute the president of the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation on this first day of application of the measure that there are some constraints with payment via QR code but also assured that the idea is not to have it will be up to the professionals of the IFCN to verify if the walkers are ‘within the law’ Sounds like they putting things in lace having no idea what they doing or how it works concessionaire of the space at Cais do Sardinha confirms that the perception is that tourists are not displeased with the fact of having to pay 1 euro to use the said route But it is more the lack of knowledge of the need for payment that may make it impossible for the IFCN to earn such funds at the easternmost point of the island of Madeira becomes more difficult than at the Miradouro do Cabo Girão where entrances began to be paid on March 6th Ordinance n.º 60/2023 also clarifies that the funds collected by the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation will revert to the conservation of the natural heritage and to the improvement of the infrastructures used in the activities From Diário Notícias when will the maderians ever learn mass tourism will fade out in the near future Looking at the global economy crisis what will they do then There appears to a permit system being developed for ALL the walks on the island Free at the moment but how long will that continue https://simplifica.madeira.gov.pt/services/7-22-37 it won’t be free for long?Only until till the permit system is fully developed Why a symbolic payment when the tourists have already been symbolic in their choice to come here not to mention the EU eco friendly subsidies The Government (Madeiran taxpayers) should pay for the upkeep and maintenance of their island attractions or downscale their expectations in line with what they can afford hundreds of thousands more than 20 years ago a good thing they thought ,income from tourism will pay for everything we need because the income for the last 20 odd years, can’t pay for ‘ safety railings’ My advice go see how much the Madeira government spend in maintain the forest and the levadas https://www.rtp.pt/madeira/sociedade/intervencoes-em-levadas-custaram-mais-de-3-milhoes-de-euros-ao-governo-regional-video Another tourist fell today while walking along the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço The 73-year-old woman had injuries to her ankle which is why she was assisted by the Municipal Firefighters of Machico The foreigner disembarked at Quinta do Lorde where she was already waiting for an ambulance that transported her to the Machico Health Center From Diário Notícias died this afternoon after suffering a sudden illness while walking along the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço The victim reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest while walking along the pedestrian route and despite the resuscitation efforts made by firefighters and EMIR The PSP was called to take care of the occurrence From Diário Notícias There seems to be an increase in sudden cardiac arrest deaths I was reading in the news they are saying it’s to do with covid vaccines Can you tell us exactly which media say it is down to Covid Try finding what you're looking for in our search box ...or hit the homepage for the latest news updates Tell us which broken link brought you here if you really think the page you were looking for should be here © 2025 SurferToday.com | All Rights Reserved Maria Shollenbarger selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter which has established itself as one of the best new hotels in Italy Gabiano is where they started their hospitality business alongside the wine-producing one that has existed on the 8th-century estate for hundreds of years The pool at Maison Dubreuil © Sarah ArnouldOver the past 25 years has gone from relative obscurity to producing Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux vintages and a highly-touted Chardonnay thanks to a happy collaboration between winemaker Benoît Trocard and the estate’s Houstonian owner replaced by world-renowned consultant Alain Raynaud; the goal is to elevate the Chardonnay to one of the best in France has renovated the six-bedroom château on the estate which is now available for holiday lets of the most indulgent order Wine tastings at São Lourenço do Barrocal in Portugal São Lourenço do Barrocal, deep in the east of Portugal’s Alentejo region, is beloved by design fans for its commitment to architectural integrity: Pritzker prize-holder Eduardo Souto de Moura was awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale Architettura for his work restoring a farm estate reclaimed after the revolution by its original owning family a farm building restored by Pritzker prize-holder Eduardo Souto de Moura © Ash JamesGuests are welcome to explore the vineyards and organise tastings © Ash JamesThe term “minimal intervention” gets trotted out a lot; at Barrocal it’s put into evident practice – a place where the sense that nothing has changed here in hundreds of years beyond the application of a few coats of paint The food is farm-to-table perfection; the kitchen gardens here are huge the quality of the cheeses and charcuterie from the surrounding towns famous The vineyards have been in existence since the early 19th century; the Herdade do Barrocal reserve red, blended from three local varietals and aged in French oak, is excellent. Book one of the rooms adjacent to the winery for easy proximity to the whole experience; all guests are welcome to explore the vineyards and organise tastings. barrocal.pt Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery in Istria Croatia © Courtesy of Meneghetti Wine Hotel & WineryIstria has been called the Tuscany of Croatia and it’s not hard to see why: rolling hills varieties of Malvasia and the red Teran grape flourish alongside newer Pinot Gris is in Istria’s terra rossa – severe soil that produces dry evinced in the estate’s Malvasias and Merlots Old-world wines and contemporary style in Chile The residence and vineyards at Clos Apalta © Matt WilsonThe Colchagua Valley is one of Chile’s more appealing landscapes; milder and lusher than Patagonia to the south roaring streams – to keep things interesting With the second-largest vineyard surface in Chile it’s also home to excellent wines: vines run from the base of the Andes westward towards the Pacific Situated in the Entre Cordilleras sub-region known for its soils’ friendliness to red varieties French-owned estate that produces highly-rated Cabernet-Carmenère-Merlot blends (the American critic James Suckling gave the 2015 vintage a 100-point score) A bathroom with a view at Clos Apalta © Matt WilsonRecommended @mariashollenbarger A 76-year-old tourist felt unwell this Thursday while walking along Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço The Machico Municipal Firefighters and the Rapid Intervention Medical Team (EMIR) were called to the scene and tried to revive him From Diário Notícias The poor men rest in peace. Well like I said many time Madeira hikes isn’t for the fainted heart they many times long over many km and they are also very demanding and exhausting and for anyone that never did this type of hikes my advice is do something small that you can handle to avoid any heath problems or even die . Am I right in thinking that organisers of group levada walks don’t like people over the age of 70 or 75 to undertake levada walks? Would be glad of clarification. Still very sad for this poor man’s family. hearing the word “cabin” instantly prompted images of a primitive dwelling that required its occupants to rough it in the absence of modern home staples including electricity Thanks to the abundance of luxe glamping sites that outdated notion has been turned completely on its head The latest eye-catching small space to pop up on our radar is this tiny cabin in a Brazilian forest which appears just as alluring as it sounds To execute an eco-conscious construction process and to work around the fact that the cabin’s location is inaccessible to large trucks the structure was built entirely on site and with only dry materials the cabin is slightly elevated above ground The exterior is made of thin sections of hardwood which were then clad in OSB type plywood and metallic corrugated tiles Sliding glass panels comprise the front side of the chalet which helps to illuminate the space while granting unobstructed views of the forested setting The simple yet stylish interior features plywood walls with thermoacoustic insulation The builders used that same material for the bed and custom cabinetry which ensure the space bears the comfort of a permanent residence while still maintaining the cozy feels cabins are known for Built-in shelving provides storage options h/t Inhabitat Read the commentsFiled in:ArchitectureDesignSmall Spaces The home you love starts here The home you love starts here Apartment TherapyThe wordmark for the Apartment Therapy brand.More From Us By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The São Lourenço Health Centre will stop operating and be replaced by the Praia do Manduco Health Centre according an executive order published in this week’s Official Gazette (BO) The Praia do Manduco neighbourhood in the Inner Harbour area near Barra is known as Ha Van in Cantonese Following the Praia do Manduco Health Centre’s replacement of the São Lourenço Health Centre the city will have six health centres on the peninsula Ilha Verde and Praia do Manduco on the peninsula and two in Taipa namely Ocean Gardens and Nossa Senhora do Carmo-Lago from next Tuesday when the executive order takes effect The government announced early this week that the São Lourenço Health Centre will stop operating on Saturday and be replaced by the nearby Praia do Manduco Health Centre which will come into operation next Tuesday The new Praia do Manduco Health Centre is situated in the newly completed Praia do Manduco Community Services Municipal Complex a four-storey building located opposite São Lourenço Market While the heritage-listed São Lourenço Church is known as Fung Shun Tong in Cantonese São Lourenço Market is also known as Ha Van Market in Cantonese which was signed by Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng last Monday the Praia do Manduco Health Centre will provide services for residents in the same neighbourhoods as the São Lourenço Health Centre Both the Fai Chi Kei Health Centre and the Ilha Verde Health Centre are located near the now-defunct greyhound racetrack While the Areia Preta Health Centre is located near Areia Preta Park the Inner Harbour Health Centre is situated near the Ponte 16 casino-hotel The Tap Seac Health Centre is located next to the Macao Central Library The Nossa Senhora do Carmo-Lago Health Centre is situated in the Lago (Lake) public housing estate in Taipa In addition to the eight health centres in the city the Health Bureau (SSM) also runs two health stations in Coloane one in Coloane Village and the other in the sprawling Seac Pai Van public housing estate We could all do with a strong dose of escapism right now so each week we'll be highlighting a banging boutique to bookmark for when the world presses play again Lifestyle | Travel | Dream destinations Sign up for the best picks from our travel I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice the longing for a trip away from our own postcodes will be strong there will be hundreds upon hundreds of hotels around the world particularly independently-owned boutiques lie on their Egyptian cotton sheets and soak up their charm That's why we've teamed up with Mr & Mrs Smith for a new weekly series that takes a tantalising peak inside some of the world's finest properties Sheridan finds peace on an age-old Portuguese farmstead Faded photographs hung on the walls of São Lourenço do Barrocal show just how little of this ancient farmstead’s facade has changed over the years The low-slung whitewashed buildings are still linked by cobblestone paths worn smooth by centuries of equine traffic; each and every roof tile has been painstakingly restored and even newer additions like the vast pool in the wild meadow aim to compliment nature rather than curb it prize-winning Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura has harnessed the fluid curves of the Alentejo working with owner José António to create an abundance of calming camera-ready settings that reference the estate’s rusticity Ancient oak trees tower over twisted vines and where the paint peels on original barn doors The estate has been passed down through eight generations each leaving their own mark and extraordinary tale Current owner José saw an opportunity to share their stories with the wider world while consciously avoiding the well-trodden hotel route The result is a stay rooted more deeply in agriculture than in hospitality the olives make oil and the wine has such great legs that it’s fast becoming a standalone star hearty farm-to-table feasting and overall bucolic joy of the place make for a heady combo come sundown The cobblestones come alive as families spill out of their cottages and beeline for the bar With less toil and perhaps a few more design-led decorations the scene doesn’t feel a million miles away from the harvest celebrations of yesteryear the Susanne Kaufmann spa is a wholesome waypoint on a journey of indulgence saddle up one of the hotel’s Lusitano horses and make for Monsaraz an ancient hilltop town with sweeping views of Alentejo’s verdant patchwork the moon shines brighter here than well… pretty much anywhere Barrocal sits in the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve: the world’s first ‘starlight tourism destination’ which makes for mesmerising moonlit rides on horseback Aviation minister commits to tackling ‘long overdue’ airspace modernisation Ronaldo makes new Portugal vow after Euro 2024 disappointment Rustic luxe: the best farm stays in Europe Meet the triathlete breaking new ground for Deaf athletes Fly from London Gatwick to Lisbon with easyJet From there it’s just under two hours by car to the hotel mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/sao-lourenco-do-barrocal Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer VE Day 2025 flypast and parade LIVE: King Charles joined by senior royals on Palace balcony to watch Red Arrows King joined by senior royals on Palace balcony to watch VE Day flypast UK tourists face major travel shake-up as Dubai airport set to close Read today's Portuguese stories delivered to your email A river of 2.2 million litres of DOC red wine suitable for consumption has flooded the streets of São Lourenço do Bairro A definitely different type of floodA river of red wine flows through São Lourenco do Bairro in Portugal when the local distillery's 2.2 million liter tanks burstAnadia Fire Department blocked the flood diverting it away from the river into a fieldpic.twitter.com/3AhIFt5rEH red wine cascaded down Rua de Cima after two tanks burst at the Destilaria Levira The red wine poured down the street without causing any injuries and led to the flooding of the road and of at least one cellar as the paper reports the liquid that was able to be collected was taken to a treatment plant but residents have protested against what the company considers an “incident” the causes of which “are being investigated by the competent authorities” We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small You can change how much you give or cancel your contributions at any time They didn’t show the picture of all the ex-pats at the end of the street with their buckets Send us your comments or opinion on this article Reaching over 400,000 people a week with news about Portugal No luxury has been spared at this award-winning five-star farmhouse  Lifestyle | Travel The Standard's journalism is supported by our readers When you purchase through links on our site Heritage is at the centre of São Lourenço do Barrocal, a farmworkers' community turned five-star hotel in Portugal’s utterly rural Alentejo region José António Uva is the eighth generation of his family to own the estate and his loving rejuvenation of the long-abandoned buildings has brought them back to life in delightfully understated style Transforming the derelict buildings took fourteen years thanks to complex planning restrictions and José António’s insistence on using only authentic building materials Portuguese Pritzker-winning architect Eduardo Souto de Mouro won the Gold Lion prize at Venice Biennale 2018 for his work on the project while the hotel itself has been garlanded with awards since opening in 2016 Alentejo translates as ‘beyond the Tagus,” a reference to Lisbon’s mighty river and the region extends east and south from the capital all the way to the Spanish border covering beaches forests of cork oak and white-washed villages It’s an undeveloped and unpopulated region: Alentejo makes up almost one third of Portugal yet has only 5 per cent of the country’s population São Lourenço do Barrocal is one hour 45 minutes from Lisbon two hours from Seville and three from Madrid Most guests arrive via car from Lisbon airport or Évora train station just as they would have been in 1820 when Barrocal was built concentrating on high quality fabrics and utilitarian furniture appropriate for the rustic setting Wooden beds have Egyptian cotton sheets and thick wool blankets weaved in Portugal floors are covered in beautifully faded pale terracotta tiles and interior colours are uniformly white with woodwork in calming Farrow and Ball sage green With Eduardo Souto de Mouro as lead architect ably assisted by José António’s architect wife as interior designer the overall style was always going to have a monastic minimalism But it is the family heritage that adds the unmistakable soul José António has hand-picked black and white photographs and family documents relating to life on the estate over the past two hundred years to display around the hotel The award-winning light and zen-like spa reflects the ‘clean in body and mind’ ethos of Austrian ski care expert Suzanne Kaufman whose organic products are used throughout Pilates and yoga room and cedarwood circular tub Outside there are two separate pools – essential in the scorching summer heat - and a lap pool will be added next year The hotel’s bikes are hugely popular with guests of all ages as a way of touring the estate’s 780 hectares of farmland Barrocal is within the world’s first Starlight Tourism Destination certified thanks to the fantastic lack of light pollution skies Guests wrap themselves in blankets to stargaze and on clear nights can spot the Milky Way A typical three or four-night stay gives guests time for a horse riding trek a tour of beautiful hilltop Monsaraz or a hot air balloon ride over Alqueva is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Roman ruins and a thirteenth century cathedral Most pleasures are simple ones in this most rural landscape Ask the hotel to pack a picnic and cycle or walk through the fields hunt out extraordinary Megalithic sites or join tweeters spotting over 100 species of birds Menus feature typical farmer’s food accompanied by robust red wines and local whites: certified organic beef from grass fed cows acorn-fed pigs and locally-caught pike perch There are two restaurants – one by the pool with an emphasis on grilled meats and produce from the kitchen garden - with a third planned close to the former bullfighting ring is a not to be missed buffet with bowls of yogurt Rooms and two and three-bedroom cottages are in former barns stables or cowsheds with 57 rooms in total all well-equipped including Nespresso machines some on two floors and some with private terraces Favourites include the two-bedroom cottages and 11 a Courtyard Room with wonderful views to Monsaraz families and groups of friends will all find plenty to do Children are well cared for with their own menu play area and swimming pool and can cycle around the working farm It is also ideal for an indulgent spa break and popular with groups of cyclists riding on some of Europe’s most deserted roads and with international visitors combining a stay with a few days in Lisbon Double rooms from £165 a night including breakfast Join the Mr & Mrs Smith travel club to enjoy a best-price guarantee as well as a little something extra on arrival at every hotel. To book call 0330 100 3180 or go to mrandmrssmith.com This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.