Sunvil Discovery launches exclusive charter/first-ever direct flight to The Alentejo

Jan. 28, 2011 - PRLog -- On 22 May 2011, Sunvil Discovery will launch its inaugural BMI charter flight direct into Beja. The Embraer 49-seat plane, with full catering and free 20 kg luggage allowance, will operate on a weekly basis from Heathrow on Sundays, and will be the only direct flight route from the UK into what is an exciting new region to explore this year – The Alentejo.

A former military airport, Beja will open as a civil airport with a 3.5 km long runway in April 2011. It is located a few kilometres from the city of Beja, in the centre of The Alentejo, a little-known yet extensive rural region in south-central Portugal.

Ideal for self-drive holidays and multi-centre trips:  occupying approximately one-third of Portugal, The Alentejo is situated south of the River Tagus (Tejo) and north of the Algarve, with a stunning Atlantic coastline to the west – much of which has National Park status - and the Spanish border to the east.

Discover world-class culture, world-class wines and gourmet treats:  inland, savour the scenery - magnificent plains, dotted with cork forests, olive groves, vineyards and sweeping sunflower fields; explore hilltop towns crowned with medieval castles and the beautiful city of Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, overflowing with beautiful religious architecture, fountains and former palaces. Sample world-class wines from over 250 producers, who cultivate over 22,000 hectares of sun-drenched vineyards, many of which are located in DOC-accredited* areas such as Redondo and Reguengos de Monsaraz; try  delicious cheeses, cured meats and fish dishes, accompanied by a wide selection of breads and olive oils, and seasoned with aromatic herbs. For dessert, be sure to try the ‘Golden Soup’, made from egg yolks, cinnamon, bread and almonds, originally made by nuns to use up leftover egg yolks.

Enjoy escapism at its best on the largest artificial lake in Europe, the Alqueva Lake (approximately 250 km2), located in the east of the Alentejo.  It is a huge feat of engineering, providing hydroelectric power and irrigation for surrounding farms. Learn how to steer a small houseboat (1½ hours of training is required) and cruise around the lake, for a day or a week, as you wish, stopping off in tiny Portuguese villages on the shores.

Step back in time:  the coastal region of the Alentejo (Costa Azul) is reminiscent of the Algarve 40 years ago - practically deserted, with sleepy and pristine whitewashed villages overlooking glorious sandy beaches and sparkling waters. See incredible sunsets from the villages of Porto Covo and Vila Nova de Milfontes.

Choose from a wide range of accommodation:  The Alentejo prides itself on the absence of large chain hotels, favouring preserved, historic buildings, boutique properties and family-run wineries to accommodate visitors. The stylish Hotel Evora, located 15 minutes’ walk from the city centre, is family-friendly with two swimming pools; also in Evora is the five-star Hotel Convento do Espinheiro, one of the most famous monasteries in Portugal and a national monument, which has been converted into a luxury hotel and spa, operated by Starwood Hotels. The Casa da Eira in Vila Nova de Milfontes, with six apartments and six bedrooms, has brightly coloured furnishings and is a most welcoming property, whilst Troia, situated in the north, with some of the finest beaches in Portugal and significant archaeological sites, is home to the Aqualuz Resort, made up of three separate suite hotels with family-friendly accommodation (see background information sheet for prices, below).

Direct flights to the heart of The Alentejo:  Heathrow-Beja flights will operate from 22 May to 9 October. Lead-in prices start from £496 per person for 7 nights (BB) at the 4-star Hotel Evora in Evora and from £462 per person (BB) at the Casa da Eira in Vila Nova de Milfontes, inclusive of flights and transfers.  Car hire is included in prices for the pousada itineraries (see background information sheet, below).

Further details about flights and accommodation, including houseboats, in The Alentejo can be found on www.sunvil.co.uk - or call the Sunvil Discovery team on 020 8758 4722.

* DOC – Denominação de Origem Controlada (Registered Designation of Origin), a guaranteed seal of quality.

ENDS                          
28 JANUARY 2011  

Note for Editors:  Sunvil will be hosting a limited number of press visits to The Alentejo based on the inaugural flight on 22 May; return date can be a week later, on 29 May, from Beja, or a few days later via Lisbon.  Enquiries should be made to Mika Bishop at Travel PR. Further details about flights and accommodation, including houseboats, in The Alentejo can be found on www.sunvil.co.uk - or call the Sunvil Discovery team on 020 8758 4722.

Press enquiries: Mika Bishop, Travel PR, tel: 020 8891 4440; email: m.bishop@travelpr.co.uk

Background information – The Alentejo, Portugal

Size and weather
• The Alentejo occupies an area of 27,000 km2 with a population of approximately 500,000. Population density is low, varying between six and fifty inhabitants per square kilometre.
• The summers are hot and dry, spring and autumn are pleasant and moderate, and the winters can be wet with an average lowest temperature of 6°C.

For self-drive holidays
• Motorways require tolls and, once in The Alentejo, travel by secondary and ‘municipal roads’ is recommended. The latter carry little traffic and pass through glorious rural landscapes.
• Beja is linked to the Atlantic coast by direct roads, unlike Lisbon, and the journey by car takes just 1¼ hours.
• The Sunvil Discovery team will be happy to help plan multi-centre itineraries to incorporate key highlights of the area/suit personal interests and preferences.

Highlights
• Alqueva Lake
• The Temple of Diana, built in the 2nd century, and the Bones Chapel (Chapela dos Ossos), both in Evora; the hilltop village of Monsaraz and traditional carpet-making town of Arraiolos.
• Castro Verde – a protected nature reserve for birds. This semi-natural habitat for birds, called a pseudo-steppe area, is one of the most important in Europe. The Great Bustard, Lesser Kestrel, Little Bustard, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Common and Montagu’s Harrier are all dependent on this wonderful eco-system.
• Wine routes – enjoy lunch and a wine tasting at the Herdade do Esporao in Reguengos de Monsaraz or at the Herdade de Malhadinha Nova in Albernoa. Alternatively, visit the Hotel Vila Gale in Albernoa, one of the best known wine estates in the Alentejo, or visit the wine tasting room, ‘Rota dos Vinhos’ in the historic centre of Evora to sample the finest from the Alentejo.

Accommodation lead-in prices
• Hotel Convento do Espinheiro (five-star) Evora – from £680 pp (two sharing) including seven nights’ accommodation, flights (Heathrow) and transfers.
• Aqualuz Resort Suite Hotel (four-star) Troia – from £513 pp for a studio (2 adults & 2 children under 12 years) including seven nights’ accommodation, flights (Heathrow) and transfers.
• Pousada Santa Maria, Marvao (1000 metres above sea level) – from £643 pp (two sharing) including seven nights’ accommodation, flights (Heathrow) and car hire

Festivals
• Festival Musicas do Mundo (July) – the largest Portuguese world music event held in Porto Covo and Sines Castle.
• TMN Sudoeste Festival (3-7 August) – Zambujeira do Mar hosts the biggest summer festival in Portugal, with band performances and electronic music.
• Flower Festival (September) – the local residents of Campo Maior compete against one another in a challenge to create the best decorated street by using brightly coloured paper flowers.
See www.sunvil.co.uk for more information on holidays in The Alentejo, or call the Sunvil Discovery team on 020 8758 4722.

Ends
28 January 2011

Press enquiries: Mika Bishop, Travel PR, tel: 020 8891 4440; email: m.bishop@travelpr.co.uk

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