Sunvil Discovery launches 2015 Portugal & Madeira brochure

Leading Portugal specialist with 30 years’ experience introduces new holiday ideas and properties, alongside a rich variety of Pousadas

Sunvil Discovery today launches its new Portugal & Madeira brochure, packed full of a vibrant array of value-for-money yet fully tailor-made holidays to a spectacular country that boasts a huge and varied Atlantic coastline (with wonderful beaches to match), mountains, islands, unspoilt cork forests and countryside, lakes and rivers galore and ancient hilltop towns packed with marble-clad churches and monasteries.

Most of Sunvil Discovery’s Portugal holidays are tailored around self-drive itineraries on uncrowded roads, although train journeys can also be arranged.  Holidays range from city breaks to outdoors experiences, from multi-centre options or gastronomic trips to exploration of Portugal’s history and culture.  See Roman or Arab influences in architecture and more, learn about Portugal’s great explorers and Catholic Kings, and spot the more recent British input into port production and mining plus small-scale industrialisation, with Lousal being the first Portuguese town to enjoy electricity in every home.

Seven regions are featured, with a wide range of hand-picked accommodation and flexible, imaginative itineraries, taking in wineries and food festivals, cheese making and cloth production, ancient universities and canals amongst a myriad other options:

Northern Portugal, including the Douro Valley and Oporto (16 properties)

Centro, including Coimbra’s ancient university and the Serra da Estrela mountains (12 properties)

Lisbon Region, including coastal Cascais and Estoril and the Palace of Sintra (15 properties)

Alentejo, the gastronomic soul of the country (18 properties) including the wonderful Rota Vicentina coastal walk

The Algarve, that tiny strip of land right in the south much beloved of golfers and sun worshippers (7 properties)

Madeira, the island of flowers, wonderful food and action/adventure (11 properties)

The Azores, the mid-Atlantic archipelago of nine islands (also featured separately in detail in a stand-alone brochure)

Each region’s key highlights are outlined at the start of the section, providing inspiration and interesting insight into many attractions and reasons to enjoy the area.  A variety of suggested itineraries are detailed, too, complete with prices, as a start-point from which to work on personalising holidays to individual tastes.

Sunvil Discovery is also able to book all 28 of Portugal’s unique Pousadas. Forming a network of  distinctive properties dotted throughout mainland Portugal – they range from historic castles, fortresses and converted monasteries to luxurious former palaces and modern buildings – and are always in desirable locations, whether it be historic cities or rural areas of outstanding natural beauty. Multi-centre Pousada itineraries are of course possible, and come highly recommended.

Says Rosanna Melaragni, Sunvil Discovery’s Product Manager: “We have always delved deeper into Portugal than others, venturing to little-known areas with charming accommodation and unexpected things to see and do, adding an element of surprise and offering the chance to meet – and interact – with your hosts.  From sampling simple cuisine with regional specialities within the Alentejo Food & Wine Festival to walking the coastal path with storks nesting on clifftops and acres of colourful wildflowers to admire, or learning about the bats which live in the library in Coimbra and sampling a canal boat ride in the Centro region or a tram ride in Lisbon, there’s a lot more to be savoured than you might have supposed in this vibrant European neighbour of ours.”

NEW suggested itineraries:
Historical hilltop towns of Portugal, Alentejo and Centro: a nine-night, multi-centre trip taking in four scenic hilltop towns: Monsaraz, brimming with whitewashed homes, cobbled streets and panoramic views; Castelo de Vide, with its large Jewish quarter, Gothic doorways and peaceful squares; Belmonte, with its 13^th century castle, and medieval Castelo Rodrigo, largely pedestrianised and very well-preserved. From £664 pp (two sharing), including flights (Gatwick), B&B in characterful pousadas and casas, and car hire.

Discover the gastronomic soul of Portugal, Alentejo: The breathtaking Alentejo region produces a wonderful array of regional delicacies and rustic dishes, from sheep’s milk cheeses and organic asparagus, to black pork and delicious egg-based desserts. And let’s not forget the excellent wine! Each district has its own speciality and this seven-night fly-drive neatly encapsulates them all. From £810 pp (two sharing), including return flights (Heathrow), car hire, B&B, and a three-course complimentary tasting menu at the Herdade da Malhadinha Nova in Albernoa (excluding drinks).

Rota Vicentina: self-guided walking holiday, Alentejo and Algarve: The Vicentina coastline, in the southwest of Portugal, is the best-preserved coastal area in southern Europe. Two distinct walking trails (The Historical Way and The Fishermen’s Trail) combine to make the Rota Vicentina.  It enables visitors to explore this remarkable landscape – from cliff tops overlooking deserted coves to little fishing villages – in a low-impact way. Day walks along sections of the route are easily arranged to suit individual fitness levels (taxis are available and payable locally). From £539 pp (two sharing) including flights (Gatwick), four nights’ B&B, three nights’ self-catering and car hire.

The Azores (Sao Miguel) & Madeira: these picturesque Portuguese islands make perfect partners – both are volcanic in origin, and offer lush landscapes, exotic flora and enchanting, bucolic vistas. World class whale-watching is available in the Azores, alongside an array of activities that includes sailing, canyoning and jeep safaris. On Madeira, enjoy a guided walk on one of the island’s many Levada trails; other options include garden tours, trail running and horse riding. An 11-night trip costs from £1,294 pp (two sharing) including all flights (Gatwick), airport transfers, B&B and four days’ car hire on Sao Miguel.

NEW property highlights:

Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa, Northern Portugal: A contemporary property, surrounded by terraced vineyards, set on the northern shores of the River Douro. From £542 pp (two sharing) including flights (Gatwick), seven nights’ B&B and car hire.

Casa da Cisterna, Centro: Family-run and friendly, the Casa da Cisterna is located in the medieval fortified village of Castelo Rodrigo in the majestic Serra da Marofa mountain range. From £489 pp (two sharing) including flights (Gatwick), seven nights’ B&B and car hire.

A Serenada Enoturismo, Alentejo: An idyllic, modern wine estate, surrounded by olive and cork trees, just 13 km from the vast, sandy beaches of the Alentejan coastline. Serenity reigns here, and there’s a gorgeous infinity pool. From £543 pp (two sharing) including flights (Heathrow), seven nights’ B&B and car hire. 

Marmoris Hotel, Alentejo: Housed within a former olive mill, the five-star Marmoris uses the local marble to create a fresh, clean and cool ambience. The grounds are spacious and Vila Vicosa, where the property is located, offers a Royal Palace, Augustinian convent and medieval castle ruins worthy of exploration. From £568 pp (two sharing) including flights (Heathrow), seven nights’ B&B and car hire.

Pousada Sagres, Algarve: An intimate pousada in an enviable position in the historic village of Sagres, perched atop the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. The headlands are a haven for bird life. From £510 pp (two sharing) including flights (Gatwick), seven nights’ B&B and car hire.

The Cliff Bay, Madeira: Located on a natural promontory in Funchal, the Cliff Bay is highly praised by many, and rightly so. It boasts uninterrupted ocean views, impeccable service and the only Michelin-starred restaurant on Madeira. From £807 pp (two sharing) including flights (Gatwick), seven nights’ B&B and private transfers.

The lead-in price is from £393 pp (two sharing), staying at the Dom Carlos Park Hotel in Lisbon. The price includes flights (Heathrow), three nights’ B&B and private transfers.  All prices are based on two sharing.

To order the new 2015 Sunvil Discovery – real Portugal & Madeira brochure, call 020 8758 4747. Alternatively, visit www.sunvil.co.uk for further information and a pdf copy downloadable in sections, or call to speak to an expert on 020 8758 4722.

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Press:  For more information, high-res photography, a copy of the brochure, or commissioned press trip requests, please contact Sarah Belcher at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or s.belcher@travelpr.co.uk.