Christmas on the Silver Coast - Our Visit to Vila Natal

We went to Vila Natal yesterday, and we really felt that Christmas had arrived. The fantastic Christmas festival in Obidos was bigger and better than ever with a few new attractions and some old favourites from previous years. Vila Natal is quite possibly the biggest and best Christmas event in Portugal – certainly on the Silver Coast - and is attended by people from all over the country and beyond.

The first thing we tried was the maze, or labyrinth as it is known in Portugal. It took us about 10 minutes to work our way through, but we eventually emerged right in front of the go-kart track. Karting is a very popular pastime in Portugal, there are several tracks dotted around the Silver Coast, so we thought we really should give it a go.

Next, the beautiful Carousel - traditional horses and other animals all brightly painted and lit with thousands of glowing bulbs, spinning around to jolly music. After that we went into the main Vila Natal where we saw a Pirate Show, had a couple of goes on the Ice Toboggan and then the highlight of the afternoon – a visit to the toy factory which led to Father Christmas’ house.

Vila Natal is a perfect place to take the family during your Christmas holidays in Portugal, it is running in Obidos on the Silver Coast until 3rd January.

Traditional Christmas Drinks From Portugal

One of the best known traditional Christmas drinks in the world comes from Portugal – Port is enjoyed throughout the world at this time of year but here in Portugal there is a festive alternative that the Portuguese like to keep for themselves – Licor Beirao.

This deliciously sweet aromatic liqueur is made here in Portugal in a tiny factory just a little north of the Silver Coast. The factory was founded in 1940 but the history of the drink goes back much further. It was originally made by a chemist and sold as a health tonic until a change in the law forbad alcoholic drinks to be advertised in this way. The secret recipe was then sold to an enterprising young man from the north of Portugal who recognised the popularity of the product and rebranded it as a soothing and versatile drink.

In Portugal it is traditional to drink Licor Beirao at Christmas as a digestive after all that delicious food, but it is also drunk throughout the year often with ice or in a cocktail.

The closely guarded recipe is said to contain natural products including plants and seeds which give an interesting smooth and aromatic taste, so a bottle of Licor Beirao can make an unusual souvenir of your holiday in Portugal!

Wherever you are spending your festive holidays this year the team at Silver Coast Hospitality would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Boas Festas!

Portugal's Got Talent . . .

Portugal has produced many talented people over the years, some are only famous within Portugal while others have gone on to become well known throughout the world – and judging by the spectacular show I watched at the weekend here on the Silver Coast, there are a few more on the way . . .

The show took place in the Vivaci shopping centre in Caldas da Rainha and was put on by the Performing Arts School that is based in the town. The singing and dancing was lively and very professional and drew a great crowd from the passing Christmas shoppers. The stars of the show came from all over the Silver Coast and every one of them has hopes and ambitions of becoming famous in the future.

The best known singer from Portugal so far is probably Amalia Rodrigues, who is generally considered to be the most famous Fado singer in the world. Unfortunately, Amalia died some years ago but is still very much a household name, so it will be interesting to see who follows her to world recognition.

If you fancy a bit of singing and dancing in Portugal then choose one of our fabulous holiday apartments or villas on the Silver Coast, many of them are fitted with surround sound throughout meaning you can sing or dance in every room in the place . . .

Romantic Holidays in Portugal

When looking for a romantic holiday destination you need look no further than Portugal! Portugal (especially the Silver Coast) is the perfect choice if you are looking for a relaxing, peaceful holiday with great weather and beautiful surroundings – and at such bargain prices you will have plenty of spare cash to indulge yourselves while you are here.

The pretty town of Sao Martinho do Porto is a particularly romantic place to enjoy a holiday. The beautiful shell shaped bay is perfect for an evening stroll as the sun sinks into the sea and the little waves lap gently over your feet.

Romance is everywhere you look in Portugal with so many love stories that have now become legends. For instance the tragic tale of Ines and Pedro took place here on the Silver Coast and is remembered to this day.

Your holiday in Portugal will definitely put you in your partner’s good books, especially if you stay in one of the fabulous luxury apartments available through us at Silver Coast Hospitality. Every apartment is fully equipped to the highest standard and is complete with a sunny balcony where you can enjoy a private, romantic moment whenever you wish.

Record Breaking Santa Parade in Portugal

Christmas in Portugal was once again marked by the annual Santa Parade which took place last Sunday afternoon. This fun event raises significant sums for charities every year and once again entered the record books as the world’s largest gathering of people dressed as Santa Claus!

Portugal’s second city of Porto hosts the Santa Parade and this year the number of entrants exceeded 16,000. There was a variety of Santa’s ranging from baby Santas to Santas on stilts! The route took the parade on a tour through the city streets where thousands more had gathered to watch. Each Santa pays one euro to take part and the money raised goes to a worthy charity in Portugal.

There are many Christmas events and celebrations taking place in Portugal at this time of year - although I believe the Santa Parade may well be the only one to make it into the Guinness Book of Records!

Christmas is also in full swing here on the Silver Coast with all the towns and villages decorated with colourful lights - many with elaborate Nativity scenes on display as well. The seafront in Sao Martinho do Porto is particularly pretty this year and with the sound of the gentle waves lapping in the bay it truly feels like Christmas in paradise.

Why Choose Portugal for Your 2012 Holiday?

Deciding where to spend your summer holidays can sometimes be a little confusing, but choosing Portugal – and the Silver Coast in particular – will give you everything you are looking for, at a great price.

And here’s why . . .

Portugal and the Portuguese are famous for their hospitality, and will go out of their way to ensure you have a great holiday.

The Silver Coast region is not quite as widely known as the south of Portugal and therefore a holiday here is less crowded and an excellent way to discover the Real Portugal.

The beaches in Portugal are legendary – glorious golden sand stretching for miles, with plenty of room for everyone and lots of warm sunshine too.

Food and wine in Portugal is reason enough to visit, with fabulous locally made wines widely available in shops, bars and restaurants at very reasonable prices and delicious Portuguese cuisine served in friendly sea front restaurants at a fraction of what you would expect to pay back home.

Getting to Portugal couldn’t be easier, with several flights a day from the UK to Lisbon offered by both budget and non budget airlines - and once you arrive the roads are excellent and never crowded.

Finally, booking a luxury villa or apartment with us here at Silver Coast Hospitality will mean you can relax and unwind in absolute comfort for the duration of your holiday on the Silver Coast.

What are you waiting for?

Christmas Cake in Portugal

Christmas cake in Portugal is a delicious mixture of yeasty dough studded with dried fruit and nuts, and is sold in bakeries and supermarkets throughout Portugal at this festive time of year.

Bolo Rei – or King Cake - is baked in a circular shape with a hole in the middle, said to be reminiscent of a crown and, in my opinion, is one of the finest Christmas cakes in the world. Portugal is a country with a rich past and is proud of it’s history and traditions, many of which are associated with Christmas and Bolo Rei.

Traditionally, the cake is baked with a dried fava bean and a small charm or trinket inside – whoever finds the bean in his slice has to pay for the cake next year and who ever finds the charm will enjoy good luck.

Spending your Christmas holidays in Portugal will open up a whole new world of Christmas traditions and give you the opportunity to enjoy a charmingly different culture from your own.

Take a look at the luxury villas and apartments we at Silver Coast Hospitality have available on Portugal’s Silver Coast, perfect for a relaxing Christmas or New Year break with a difference.