It's not every day that you see three councilors, one of them a deputy mayor, a chief of staff, a president of a regional public body and many journalists in aprons and spoons stick in hand, cooking. But that's exactly what happened this week, during the fam trip, the familiarization visit for journalists, bloguers and tourism agents, that the Algarve Tourism Region, with the collaboration of the Municipality of Faro, promoted towards the unknown treasures of the Algarve capital.
O workshop Algarve gastronomy, which (almost) everyone got to work, took place just before lunchtime, at Tertúlia Algarvia, in Vila-Adentro, the historic area of Faro. But let's not go ahead.
The initiative «Rediscovering the Secrets of the Algarve» aims to «bring the Algarve's tourism professionals closer to the holiday destination that they help to sell so much throughout the year. Direct contact with the tourist offer, especially with that which they have not yet seen, is fundamental for the moment of selling alternative experiences to tourists», highlighted Desidério Silva, president of RTA. And also to journalists and bloguers who write about tourism are made aware of aspects that have so far been little publicized.
Faro it was for many years known only as the capital of the Algarve, a service center and seat of public entities, par excellence. It was also the place where you arrived by plane, but which few people knew or visited. But, as highlighted by Vice President Paulo Santos, who accompanied the fam trip, "this cycle of growth in services does not have much to continue". AND Faro, the city and the county have many hidden secrets to show tourists. Starting with its rich historical and cultural heritage, continuing with its gastronomy and nature, with the Ria Formosa as the focal point.
It was all of that – and more! – that was made known, over the course of an intense day. The departure of the group of journalists, bloguers and tour agents were given first thing in the morning at the new Tourist Office in Faro, with a visit to the Interpretative Center of Arco da Vila, guided by Jorge Manhita, from the Municipal Museum.
Going up to the small terrace of Arco da Vila, one of the old gates in the walls that surrounded Vila-Adentro, gives you a first glimpse of the streets and roofs of the oldest parts of the city. And, in the case of the president of the Chamber Rogério Bacalhau, it was even worth being bombed by a disgruntled stork, who wanted to leave his white and smelly imprint on the mayor's dark suit... But storks are already almost a ex libris of this area of the city (in fact, they were already part of the logo of Faro), whereby attacks of these are…typical.
The mayor Rogério Bacalhau, who made a point of welcoming the group, highlighted how much Faro has already done to enhance its heritage – starting precisely from the Arco da Vila Interpretive Center, inaugurated last year – but stressed: “there is still a lot to do, namely having the cultural facilities open every day”.
From there, the group followed the streets to the Municipal Museum of Faro, located in the former Convent of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, where the attention is returned to the mosaic of the ocean god, recently installed in its own room and worth a visit.
Then it was time to climb the 70 steps of the Bell Tower of the Sé Cathedral, an effort that is worth it due to the views over the Ria Formosa and the city.
Then, we headed to the only five-star hotel in the municipality (for now), the Pousada do Palácio de Estoi, in the interior of the municipality. It is, as the architect Patrícia Malobbia pointed out, “one of the best examples of 2009th century civil architecture in Portugal”. In 63, after careful restoration work and the addition of a body with XNUMX rooms, in a project designed by the architect Gonçalo Byrne, the palace opened its doors as a charming hotel.
On one of the palace's verandas, after visiting the beautiful rooms that have been restored and preserved and now house the common areas for guests, a meal was served. coffee break, with teas and jams and other delicacies from the company «Céu-da-Boca», which has a stand in the Municipal Market of Faro.
«Faro it has sun and beaches, but it also has heritage and, above all, nature!”, would say Henrique Gomes, the mayor's chief of staff. And it was to show this nature that the group got back on the bus and headed to the newly qualified riverside walk at Quinta do Ludo, for an invigorating – and short! - walking tour.
Shortly before lunch, it was then time to return to Vila-Adentro, to participate in a restaurant at Tertúlia Algarvia. workshop de cataplana. The guests got down to business and prepared their own meal, under the watchful eye and with the advice of the two chefs of service. The two Spanish journalists who accompanied the fam trip were fascinated by the experience, which any tourist can have, for more now that a package of experiences that includes this one.
After a lunch of croaker and shellfish cataplana (clams, lageiro, cockles and mussels), washed down with Algarvian wines (obviously!), followed by a short walk through the alleys of the historic center of Faro, to Portas do Mar, where the group embarked towards Deserta Island. Along the way, a nature guide explained the wonders of the estuary and its fauna, especially the birds.
In Deserta, after a peaceful boat ride along the mains of the estuary, the Estaminé restaurant was waiting to taste the freshly caught oysters, raw and opened in front of everyone, accompanied by white wine from the Algarve (Odelouca and Alvor), very fresh.
With time running away, before embarking again towards Faro, there was also an opportunity for the group photo, now with two new elements – a young Finnish couple who had gone for a walk to Deserta.
«Faro is ceasing to be known only as the capital of the Algarve, the center of services. We have a rich heritage, a more well-kept Vila-Adentro, a river with great potential for nature tourism, an interior with a lot to offer, as seen in Estoi or Santa Bárbara, we have a beach and we have sun. And we have more and more companies taking advantage of all this, not only in terms of entertainment, but also in hotels and restaurants. Therefore, we invite the Algarve, the Portuguese and everyone else to come and visit us, to learn about these secrets of ours!», summarized Paulo Santos, vice-president of the Chamber, in a final statement to the Sul Informação.
See here the images of the fam trip in the county of Faro:
(Photos: Elisabete Rodrigues|Sul Informação)
Useful information:
Arco da Vila Interpretive Center: open every day, from Sunday to Sunday, during the hours of the Tourist Office of Faro, from which the visit is made. Free entry (for now, so enjoy!).
Municipal Museum of Faro: Winter: (October 1st to May 31st), Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 18:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 17:00 pm. Free entry on Sunday for all visitors until 14:30 pm. Summer: (June 1 to September 30) Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 19:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am to 18:00 pm. Free entry on Sunday for all visitors until 15:30 pm. Closed on Monday
Bell tower, cloister, garden and chapel of bones and interior of the Cathedral of Faro: Winter hours – Monday to Friday, from 10:00 am to 17:30 pm and Saturday, from 9:30 am to 13:00 pm; Summer hours – Monday to Friday, from 10:00 am to 18:30 pm and Saturday, from 9:30 am to 13:00 pm; Visits to the Cathedral are not allowed during masses or other religious ceremonies. Admission: 3 euros (or 1,50 euros for pensioners, students and groups). Free entry for naturals and residents of Faro, under 15 years of age accompanied, people in need of an accompanying person.
Estoi Palace Inn: click here for full information
Algarve get-together: click here for full information
Estaminé Restaurant, Ilha Deserta and boat trips there: click here for full information
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