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 Ilhavo
Aveiro and Coimbra -
On this private tour you will visit the Vista Alegre Ceramic Tile factory
Museum. Then in nearby Aviero we will stop for a Panoramic view of the
Costa Nova. In Coimbra we visit the University...more |
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Central
Portugal's Nightlife and Culture: Reasons to Stay in Coimbra
In the
East of Central Portugal is Coimbra, the region's main city, home to Coimbra's
biggest university. This is a wonderful city of culture and recreation,
ideal for a few days exploration and play.
Coimbra
fizzles with that same crackling energy that all university towns do. It
is that energy of the youth, that seems to come when any city has been
handed over to the youth. Not content to stay in, to be bored or docile,
they demand things to do and be interested by, and anyone passing through
can not fail to be entertained by such a bustling resistance to slowing
down.
 
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The
university is the oldest university in Portugal, and one of the oldest
of universities still in operation over the world. It has nearly twenty
thousand students, who bring with them a lot of noise and excitement. For
them the year begins with Festa des Latas (The tin can parade), the homecoming
festival taking place in the beginning of the academic year in November.
Tin
cans are tied to the back of the feet, chiming raucously along the streets
of Coimbra, and the new students dress in the creative costumes designed
by older students. The festival accumulates with the new students being
'baptised' in the Mondego river to mark their initiation into the Coimbra
academic fraternity. |
The
university year ends with an even larger festival taking place at the end
of the second semester, shortly before graduation, the Quiema das Fitas
(The Burning of the Ribbons), one of the biggest student parties in Europe.
It signifies the end of the year and severance from study, lasting eight
days long, a day for each faculty. Yet it is more a prolonged party, stretching
out as three days of sport activities, parades and concerts running long
in to the night, flowing with beer and cheer. The city becoming truly alive.
They
really know how to party here and it is estimated that so much beer is
drank at Coimbra's Quiema das Fitas, it surpasses that at Munich's Oktoberfest.
Though
there is much more to Coimbra than partying and its student life. It also
has a very rich and old cultural side, adding a certain credence to the
city as a stimulating academic setting. The city is rich in notable of
Manueline architecture constructions, with the Santa Cruz Monastery boasting
a splendid Manueline facade and many of the university faculty building
serving as notable examples of the form. A traipse round all the religious
buildings of Coimbra as a travel round the architectural styles of the
second millennium, in staunch contrast to the Santa Cruz Monastery, the
Old Cathedral of Coimbra serves takes a Romanesque efficiency, while the
New Cathedral of Coimbra sits somewhere between the two with a beautiful
baroque design.
At
night Coimbra really becomes animated with a bustling bar scene to hop
between. A Capella bar is a wonderful little joint for experiencing the
very Portuguese Phenomena, the music of Fado, yet this is a distinctively
Coimbrian take on the form.
Jumping
between bars it is easy to feel the sense of energy of Coimbra, the appetite
of the city to have a good time, there are many bars and drinking wells,
it is easy to find a charming spot. Then afterward there are some colorful
night clubs fizzing with excitement, most recommended is Vinyl, one of
the finest clubs in the city.
After
the busy days of this city, it is wonderful to have your own space to relax,
lounging by the pool, perhaps nursing that hangover with one of the region's
famous wines, a glass of 'Bairrida'. With villas in Portugal you can take
central Portugal at your own pace, relaxing in your vacation home, walking
round these glorious planes of land, back in to the city with your new
plans, for more culture, more fun.
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| CENTRAL
PORTUGAL FEATURED HOTELS |
|
FEATURED
ALMEIDA HOTELS, CENTRAL PORTUGAL
|
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Hotel
Parador de Almeida
Located
in the centre region of Portugal, near the Vilar Formoso border and within
the old walls of the village you will find the Hotel Parador de Almeida,
former Pousada Nossa Senhora das Neves. It was built in 1985, in the place
where the former prisons were located. This charming hotel reveals, in
spite of its modern atmosphere and spacious rooms, the historical and cultural
grandiosity of the village of Almeida, now a classified National Heritage.
This Almeida hotel has a bar, TV room, and an excellent restaurant
which doubles as a venue for special celebrations or weddings for up to
150 people. Furthermore, guests can use the wireless Internet access available
in public zones. |
FEATURED
AVIERO HOTELS, CENTRAL PORTUGAL
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Melia
Ria Hotel, Aveiro
The
Meliá Ria Hotel is located in a superior quality residential development
in the centre of Aveiro, with views of the lake formed by the River Ria
de Aveiro. Located next to the Cultural and Congress Centre and the train
station, just a short distance from the historical heart of the city, 7
km from the beaches, and 60 minutes from Porto airport, with easy access
to the A1, IP5 and IC1 highways. The Meliá Ria hotel is situated
on one of the channels of the Ría de Aveiro, near the characteristic
building of the old Jerónimo Campos Ceramic Factory, giving its
rooms a privileged view of the singular beauty of Aveiro. |
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Eurosol
Estarreja Hotel & SPA, Estarreja,near Aveiro
The
hotel Eurosol Estarreja Hotel & SPA has available 67 rooms, 12 suites
included. Four of these 12 suites are exterior suites. The hotel is integrated
in an exuberant centenary plant life area with a convenient exposure essential
for an infrastructure of this kind. This hotel offers leisure infrastructures
namely the restaurant “Real Cozinha Velha”, two bars “Paço Real”
and “Caribe”, banquet room, meeting rooms, Wellness SPA, Fitness Club,
sauna and Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, reading
room, kids club, tennis court, mini golf and a garden decorated with centenary
trees and walking paths, private parking and garage. |
 |
Pousada
de Torreira / Murtosa - Ria de Aveiro
Located in the isthmus that
connects Murtosa to the beaches of São Jacinto, the Pousada de Murtosa
Torreira, Ria de Aveiro is set in a preserved area with a unique natural
beauty. From the balconies of this nature hotel it is possible to overlook
the Ria de Aveiro, and on peaceful evenings you can appreciate the fishermen
at work on the traditional "Moliceiros" boats. Surrounded by water, this
is the ideal spot for fishing, water sports or going to the beautiful beaches
which are near the Costa Nova's typical colourful houses. |
FEATURED
BELMONTE HOTELS, CENTRAL PORTUGAL
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Pousada
de Belmonte - Convento do Belmonte, Belmonte
Situated on the hillside
of Serra da Esperanca, Convento do Belmonte Pousada is placed just over
a kilometre away from the town of Belmonte. The various attractions nearby
the hotel are Castle, Sortelha, Castelo Novo and Troutponds in Manteigas.
Maintaining its historical architecture, the hotel offers 24 well appointed
rooms and suites, each equipped with modern amenities. Guests can
dine at the onsite restaurant that serves delicious dishes in a graceful
atmosphere. The hotel also provides conference and banquet facilities
to its guests. During leisure, you can take a refreshing dip in the swimming
pool or explore the city. |
| FEATURED
CASTELO BRANCO HOTELS, CENTRAL PORTUGAL |
|
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Best
Western Hotel Rainha Dona Amélia Castelo Branco
The
Best Western Hotel Rainha D. Amélia features all modern facilities
and is soundproofed throughout. We are in a quiet location, near the historical
center with a castle, museums and gardens, in the center of the city, just
500 meters from the commercial center. The hotel is ideally situated to
visit Castelo Branco and its surroundings, where we can find the Cathedral,
the Bishop’s Palace, castles, museums and gardens. Start your morning with
our complimentary buffet breakfast. Evenings are a great time to enjoy
the Dinastia Bar. Our in-house restaurant offers our guests the chance
to enjoy a great diversity of both local and international dishes. We have
meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 400 people. Free parking. |
|
Hotel
Tryp Colina do Castelo Castelo Branco
The
Tryp Colina do Castelo is located on the top of a hill with wonderful panoramic
views over the city of Castelo Branco. Near the centre of the city, the
hotel is the perfect base for discovering some of the most picturesque
locations and cultural attractions in the region of Beira Baixa.
The hotel offers: Select buffet breakfast, Buffet-style Restaurant, A la
carte Restaurant, Lobby bar, Health Club with indoor heated pool, sauna,
steam baths, Whirlpool, massages on request (Swimming hats must be used
at all times in the pool), 2 Squash courts and 3 Tennis courts. |
FEATURED
COIMBRA HOTELS, CENTRAL PORTUGAL
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Hotel
search for Coimbra
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Hotel
Astoria, Coimbra
Hotel
Astoria Coimbra is a 3-star hotel located in the heart of Coimbra, besides
the University City facing the Mondego River, the commercial and monumental
area. There are 60 rooms available at Hotel Astoria Coimbra including double,
single and twin. Some of the services provided at Hotel Astoria include
restaurant, breakfast, Wireless internet access and more. Guests
can dine at the "L'Amphitryon" restaurant, one of the most seeked in town,
serving international and traditional Portuguese cuisine plus selected
wines. The traditional and historical Bar 21 is a classic meeting point.
Other services available at Hotel Astoria: breakfast buffet served
in the restaurant, wireless internet access in the hotel lobby and laptop
available for clients use. |
 |
Quinta
das Lágrimas, Coimbra
Nature,
charm, history, elegance, experiences.... this is the essence of Quinta
das Lágrimas (Estate of Tears), a hotel with soul and character,
a retreat of comfort that honors Portugal's rich traditions of hospitality
and gastronomy. For centuries a private sanctuary that welcomed Kings,
Emperors and world figures like the Duke of Wellington, the Quinta das
Lágrimas Hotel is now open to all those that appreciate the art
of fine living… and to those that want to discover the medieval love legend
of Prince Pedro and the fair Inês de Castro. Our cuisine uses traditional
ingredients of this region to create exquisite recipes that we refresh
four times per year, with the rhythm of the seasons. It is a “Market Cuisine”
because it uses only the freshest ingredients available. |
|
Tivoli
Coimbra Hotel, Coimbra
Tivoli
Coimbra. Bringing together tradition and modern elegance. Located in the
centre of Coimbra, near Rua da Sofia, Tivoli Coimbra is an excellent 4-star
Coimbra hotel that exudes comfort and wellbeing. Relax in the sophisticated
and modern restaurant and bar, meeting rooms, and our completely renovated
superior rooms. Leave your car in the private hotel car park and take a
walk through the city of tradition. On your return to our Coimbra Portugal
hotel, pay a visit to the Health Club and then stop off at the Porta Férrea
restaurant to recharge your batteries. The hotel offers a wide range
of facilities such as a bar, health club with heated pool and sauna and
a choice of meeting rooms. |
|
Tryp
Coimbra Hotel
The
Tryp Coimbra is located on a hillside in Coimbra, 100 metres from the famous
Coimbra University Hospital. A 15 minute walk from the University built
in 1292 and with easy access to the historical heart of the city. Coimbra
is one hour from the Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport
in Porto and two hours from the Portela International Airport in Lisbon.
Restaurants and bars - Select buffet breakfast in "O Magistrado" Restaurant,
"O Magistrado" Restaurant, Contemporary and International cuisine and Lobby
Bar. 120 rooms and 13 Junior Suites completely soundproofed. |
| FEATURED
CONDEIXA-A-NOVA HOTELS, CENTRAL PORTUGAL |
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 |
Pousada
de Condeixa-a-Nova - Santa Cristina, Condeixa
Santa Cristina Pousada Condeixa
is located close to the Lisbon-Oporto motorway, near the historical university
city of Coimbra and only 2 kilometres from Conimbriga, one of the best-preserved
Roman ruins in Europe. The interior design, the peacefulness of the surrounding
green areas and the nearby palace park, are all excellent reasons to visit
this Pousada again and again. The hotel has 45 guestrooms that are
well equipped with modern amenities. Guests can enjoy delicious gastronomy
at the onsite restaurant. The restaurant offers conditions for big
weddings, in interior and external spaces that present the maximum capacity
of 150 people. |
| FIGUEIRA
DA FOZ FEATURED HOTELS |
|
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more hotels in Figueira da Foz & surrounding areas
 |
Sotto
Mayor Hotel, Figueira da Foz
This
Figueira da Foz hotel is close to Figueira da Foz Beach and Cabo Mondego.
Sotto Mayor has a seasonal outdoor pool. Business amenities at this 3.0
star property include wireless Internet access, meeting rooms for small
groups, and business services. The property has a restaurant, a bar/lounge,
and a poolside bar. Guests are served a complimentary breakfast each morning.
Business amenities at this 3.0 star property consist of conference rooms
and banquet facilities. The staff can arrange wedding services and dry
cleaning/laundry services. Additional amenities include an arcade/game
room, multilingual staff, and laundry facilities. This is a smoke free
property. |
 |
Sweet
Atlantic Hotel & Spa, Figueira da Foz
Chic
and elegant, the 4-star Sweet Atlantic Hotel is ideally situated in the
seaside city of Figueira da Foz, just minutes away from the beach. Hotel
Sweet Atlantic creates a world of luxury and sophistication that is hard
to replicate! With fifty lavish suites overlooking the waterfront, the
hotel boasts an attractive décor and modernist style that guarantees
a pleasant and unforgettable stay. Relax in Sweet Atlantic Hotel’s spacious
and stylish public areas and take advantage of the hotel’s vibrant bar
lounge and gourmet a la carte restaurant serving up appetising local dishes. |
| FEATURED
MANTEIGAS HOTELS, CENTRAL PORTUGAL |
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Pousada
de Manteigas - São Lourenço, Manteigas
Located in the isthmus that
connects Murtosa to the beaches of São Jacinto, the Pousada de Murtosa
/ Torreira - Ria is set in a preserved area with a unique natural beauty.
The varandas overlook the Aveiro River tributary and on peaceful evenings
you can appreciate the fishermen at work on the traditional "Moliceiros"
boats. Surrounded by water, this is the ideal spot for fishing, water sports
or going to the beautiful beaches wich are near the Costa Nova's typical
colourful houses. |
| FEATURED
TORREIRA - RIA (NEAR AVEIRO) HOTELS, CENTRAL PORTUGAL |
|
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Pousada
de Torreira / Murtosa - Ria de Aveiro
Located in the isthmus that
connects Murtosa to the beaches of S. Jacinto, Ria Pousada Torreira is
set in a preserved area with a unique natural beauty. Just a short drive
from Aveiro, one of Portugal's most lovely towns, the Ria Pousada is the
perfect destination for any traveller looking to explore the region. Ria
Pousada offers 19 comfortably fitted rooms that come with numerous modern
amenities. In the hotel's restaurant, guests can enjoy a variety
of delicacies in a bright and welcoming setting. During leisure,
guests can play a game of tennis or relax at the refreshing swimming pool. |
| FEATURED
VILA POUCA DA BEIRA HOTELS, CENTRAL PORTUGAL |
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Pousada
de Vila Pouca da Beira - Convento do Desagravo
A former Convent this Pousada
is located in Vila Pouca da Beira, a small village in Portugal with less
than 400 inhabitants. History tells us that the Convento do Desagravo
was built on the orders of the Bishop and Count, Dom Francisco de Lemos
de Faria Pereira, during the last quarter of the eighteenth century. Today's
Pousada preserves this fascinating piece of history intact, carefully adapted
to provide contemporary comfort. Its superb location, close to the mountains
of the "Serra da Estrela" and the "Serra do Açor", helps to create
a romantic and peaceful atmosphere. |
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