If you’re looking for the perfect getaway for December 6th, here’s an irresistible itinerary through the heart of the Oeste region. Start the day in Rio Maior, where the Salt Nativity Scenes transform the already magical Salinas landscape into a unique Christmas setting — delicate, handcrafted, and full of charm.
As lunchtime approaches, head to Alcobaça and book a table at the classic António Padeiro. The restaurant, recommended by the Michelin guide, combines tradition and criativity, with dishes that comfort even on the coldest days. A perfect break before the grand finale of the day.
End your day trip in Nazaré, where the giant waves promise to show all their force again in the coming days. Up at the Sitio, the view from the lighthouse is breathtaking — a mix of raw nature and pure spectacle, making any visit worthwhile.
One day, three stops, and memories for much longer. Is there a better way to welcome December?
A few years ago, a small video of a child asking “what do you practice?” went viral all over the world.
With his expressiveness and eloquence he managed to get many people to pay attention to the message, simple but deep: based on practice you get to become an expert in anything; if you practice joy and happiness you will be joyful and happy; but if you practice anger or disappointment you will also be very good at it and you will be able to find reasons for anger at all times.
If you do not know the video, it is worthwhile to click on the link, dedicate a couple of minutes to see it and then take a good walk to think about the idea, because we can all always learn and improve.
The content of the message is not so recent, it is from the famous Indian guru Prem Rawat, who has been spreading messages of peace and well-being throughout the world for fifty years and leads a foundation for development.
The message is also especially important for those who are parents because their children often follow their example and learn through what they see them doing. It is estimated that about half of the abusive adults witnessed or suffered situations of abuse in their homes when they were children. It is a terrible statistic. But it also has the other side, which does not appear on the news, and is infinitely more numerous, all those parents who have been a good example for their children and have managed to instill positive values.
Well, today’s entry seeks to make better known a very interesting initiative, in which we can all participate and give a positive example for future generations. The idea started in Sweden in 2016 and has spread rapidly throughout Europe. It is called plogging, a word that comes from combining the term jogging and the Swedish expression plocka upp, which means collecting litter. It is that simple, it is just about running and carrying a bag, so if we see some litter we can make a squat, pick it up, and keep running. Obviously, the goal is not to collect a lot of garbage, but that little by little we all become aware and avoid generating and dispersing so much waste. And that one day, when going out to run, there is nothing to pick up.
There is a Facebook page as a platform to facilitate meetings and photo-blogging, but in parallel there are now also many local initiatives, organizing meetings and activities in each area.
In a similar line, in Portugal, it is very remarkable the activity of the Brigada do Mar organization, which carries out cleaning campaigns on beaches and has had more than 50,000 volunteers taking part. And public-private initiatives are also emerging, such as those with the company Sirplaste of Porto de Mos, or Revalor in Alcobaça, which are collecting, recycling and giving new uses to tons of plastics collected in the sea and beaches. But success will really come when our children see that we try not to generate so much waste and that we treat correctly the waste we generate and never litter nature. And then, to the question “what do you practice?” we will be able to answer that we try to take care of the planet in which we live. Because as the popular slogan says, “there is no planet b“.
There are several centers in the Oeste region of Portugal offering courses or retreats for yoga, mindfulness or meditation. Some initiatives are temporary or seasonal and not very easy to find. Among the permanent ones, Ponto Sereno in Leiria, Vitality in Praia da Areia Branca or Yoga para iniciantes Caldas can be a good option to start getting to know this kind of practices and see if they can also fit us. One of the best initiatives are the retreats offered by Budha Retreats in the small village of Columbeira, between Bombarral and Peniche, where you can do yoga only or yoga and surf retreats. And, of course, we especially recommend the great Heart Zü, who teaches both group and private lessons in Lisbon and in Óbidos.
Even just fifteen minutes a day can make a big difference, and bring several positive effects, especially at the level of concentration, improvement in memory and general well-being. And these positive effects can be achieved by several ways; mindfulness, meditation, tai chi, yoga or even the Alexander technique all share similar basic principles, of positivity, of relaxation, of being concentrated in the present moment and of postural benefits, so it is good to experiment and see what works best for each one of us.
And, what is also common to all these paths is that in combination with the beach they multiply its positive effects. It is well known that the sea and the beach are very beneficial for our health: the negative ions of the sea breeze increase the levels of serotonin and reduce our anxiety; the iodine present in the water and the breeze clean our airways and help us to oxygenate the organism; and minerals present in water are very positive for skin conditions. All this usually produces a relaxing and well-being effect, very positive. But, if to all these effects we add the benefits of sitting or lying down for a few minutes and practicing some form of relaxation, we can have an even more complete experience.
Obviously, the ideal is to be able to do it with some tranquility, enjoying only the sound of the waves. To do this, the beaches of the Oeste region are just perfect because they tend to be large and allow easily to find that meeting point between us, nature and inner peace. Going first thing in the morning or walking a bit to a quiet area ensure the best experience.
The beach at sunrise has something special, especially when the low tide during the night has left the sand smooth and perfect, as if a new carpet of several kilometers has been placed just for us. Walking on the sand in those moments and looking back, seeing only our footprints, always produces a strange feeling of intimacy and fusion with the environment.
There are studies that have calculated that children smile on average 400 times a day while adults only smile between 30 and 40 times a day. There are also several studies that have analyzed that children are much more creative than adults because they see life as a game and are able to imagine playful situations in any scenario.
Fortunately, there are times in adults’ lives when they have the opportunity to recover some of that joy, sharing games with their children, nephews or grandchildren. For that, it is enough to let go, get some imagination and let yourself be carried away by the little ones.
For several reasons, the Oeste region of Portugal is an ideal setting for children. In the first place, because it has a climate that favors all outdoor activities; the temperatures are mild all year round, never too cold or too hot. Second, because it has more than 100 km of coastline, with dozens of beaches, which are, as is known, the preferred scenario for children to play. And, thirdly, because it is still not a saturated destination, and does not have the long queues that always characterize the most typical children’s destinations.
So today our recommendation is that we all fit imaginary cowboy boots and hat, that we take our horses and that we throw ourselves to the great adventure of the conquest of the West.
The route can begin in Óbidos, which with its castle and its walls can be the best inspiration for any adventure. If we need a certain atmosphere to warm up, the ideal moment would be in summer, while the medieval fair takes place, with its famous combats between knights. During those days, costumes are rented and anyone can feel for a few hours the lord of the castle.
Another very appropriate time to go to Óbidos with children would be in December, during Vila Natal, when the whole town becomes a large theme park of games and activities related to Christmas. You can check in the city council website for dates and schedules of these two events: www.cm-obidos.pt
The beaches of the region are known worldwide thanks to surfing. The Praia Norte in Nazaré, with its giant waves, and Supertubos in Peniche, with the World League events, are the most famous but almost all have a surf school and instructors to show you how to start with this spectacular sport. We tend to think that surfing is not suitable for small children but in reality, as soon as they know how to swim well, they can start jumping on the board and at those ages it is when their approach is simpler and more natural and they immediately dominate the movements. For the little ones, the ideal is to start on beaches with little waves, like Gamboa in Peniche, where the veteran Escola Surf Peniche offers its courses.
For those who do not dare to try it, another fun and different beach plan is the Parque Acuático of São Martinho do Porto, a set of slides and jumps that is installed during the summer in the sea, a few meters from the shore.
And for children and not so children, an option that never fails to make you have a good time with friends is a kart race. In the region there are several kart tracks, all quite good, such as the Kiro Kartódromo do Oeste in Bombarral, the Dino Kart in Lourinhã and the Euroindy near Batalha. There is even an option for rainy days, the Indoor Karting Caldas da Rainha, which is somewhat smaller but also great fun. It is advisable to check beforehand the minimum ages, although most of them have different options to welcome the smallest too.
We can continue our adventure in the Jurassic period, looking for fossils and discovering all the secrets of the dinosaurs in the Dino Parque de Lourinhã.
And finally, for those who want to make the most of the boots and hat that they put on at the beginning of this entry and prefer not to bring their own horse, there are also several first class equestrian centers where you can give free rein to the cowboy you carry inside. We highlight the Alfeizerão International Equestrian Center, with very complete facilities and all kinds of services, and the Quintas de Óbidos, which also has magnificent facilities and is gradually starting up after some very troubled beginnings due to the crisis.
With all these elements and a bit of our imagination we have more than assured the smiles of children and adults.
Lighthouse keeping has always been a challenging profession, suitable only for the more seasoned, for those capable of living in isolated places and under very harsh weather conditions. Nowadays, as the operation of the lighthouses has become more automatic, they have stopped needing personnel living permanently in them and new technologies have also made them less essential in navigation and have lost some prominence.
But they still keep intact their romantic and adventurous aura. That is why the initiative of the Portuguese government to open most of them for visits is highly appreciated. In the Oeste region we currently have only two lighthouses in operation, both very close to each other, one in Cape Carvoeiro in Peniche and the other just in front, in the Berlengas Islands.
But within a short distance to the north we also have those of Aveiro, Mondego (Figueira de Foz) and Penedo da Saudade (Marinha Grande). All of them can be visited every Tuesday, from 2pm to 5pm in summer and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm in winter. Before departing, it is convenient to check the website of the National Maritime Authority to verify that they are not closed for operational reasons or for any works.
And for those who prefer surfing the internet there is also the possibility of a virtual tour of the Bugio lighthouse, located in the middle of the mouth of the Tagus, near Lisbon.
So for those of us who sometimes need a light to guide us and an inspiring and different view of the sea, this could be an excellent plan for Tuesday afternoon. And if we go with children, surely we can imagine with them a great adventure of pirates and smugglers in that evocative environment. Obviously, in the playlist in the car, on our way to the lighthouse, we must not miss I will leave a light on, by Tom Walker.
Many cities and towns in the Oeste region of Portugal regularly host street markets, with excellent stands offering a wide range of food, clothing, flowers or antiques. During December, the variety usually increases with craft markets and festive activities. You can check out this link for information on 41 Christmas markets in the Centro region.
It is also common to find the most central streets of the cities to be pedestrian-only, or to have very restricted traffic, favoring a quieter walk, and concentrating in them the most popular shops of the local commerce.
In Portugal, we also often see many shopping centers, with a good combination of clothing, leisure, restaurants, and other services. In this type of setting, the client usually loses a bit of authenticity in exchange for comfort, free parking and a more comprehensive range of items offered. The two most popular in the Oeste region are the Arena Shopping of Torres Vedras and La Vie Shopping in Caldas de Rainha.
And for those who do not mind doing more kilometers or who want to spend part of a day in Lisbon doing some shopping, there are several excellent shopping centers in the capital. For its great value for money, we like the Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet, in Alcochete, on the south side of the Vasco de Gama bridge, which gathers the best fashion brands at very reasonable prices. Their concept is an open-air shopping center, so it is probably not the best option if the day is rainy, cold, or very windy. The alternative may be the Strada Outlet, near Odivelas, by the CRIL ring road. And other interesting options are the huge Centro Colombo, in Benfica, in front of the Estadio da Luz, the Vasco de Gama, next to the river, and the ones in the Loures area, where you have the largest Ikea in the Iberian Peninsula, a Decathlon and the Loures Shopping. The latter has the peculiarity that includes among its many services the presence of Trofa Saúde Hospital; they have probably thought that with all the great shopping on offer, clients will push themselves too far and it may be practical that assistance is close.
Probably the best advice would be to do as they say in some ads, consume but with responsibility and moderation.
It is challenging to recommend beaches because not
everyone likes the same things. Therefore, when someone asks us
for advice on choosing a beach destination in the Oeste region, we always ask them first about their goals before answering. For those looking for surfing and fun, we usually
suggest Baleal, Peniche, or Santa Cruz. For those who prefer family
beaches and calm waters, we point them towards São Martinho or
Nazaré. For those who want to have it all, towards the resorts
around the lagoa de Óbidos. And for those who like bathing in
warmer waters… towards a good spa.
And, for that very reason, we believe that it is best if our list of
beaches does not have a ranking, as, for some, the top 1 may be a
beach that, for others, is one of the least desirable. The ones that
follow appear, as the cast in Woody Allen’s films, in
alphabetical order:
– Baleal. The small peninsula of Baleal and its two beaches is
a popular with the international crowd, especially with surfers from all over the world. It is also a recommended option for beginners,
since it always has different difficulty levels spread across the various sections of the peninsula. The accommodation on offer between Baleal and
Peniche is extensive, especially in apartments and
youth hostels. For those looking for a good higher-
end option, the MH Peniche is a very good hotel and has an
excellent location, being close to both the beaches and the restaurant district.
– Bom Sucesso. The Bom Sucesso beach, on the southern
side of the lagoa de Óbidos, has a wide sandy area, and calm,
transparent waters, perfect for children’s games.
Furthermore, it has the bonus of walking between the dunes to the open sea
and enjoying the waves. There are several resorts in the area that offer an excellent level of accommodation. Our personal experience and opinion, suggest none offers such a complete experience as the Bom Sucesso Resort, with its distinctive design element but still complete with the main amenities of the other resorts.
– Física. Surfing destination, bustling and fun, with all the
services and entertainment of the touristic town of Santa
Cruz. The Noah Surf House has different accommodation
options and has developed the boho-eco-chic concept like no other.
– Nazaré. Praia Norte is a must during the winter, to watch the pros taming the largest waves in the world. In the summer, the Nazaré main beach is a top-rated family destination, with all the services and entertainment one would expect. For those who prefer a somewhat quieter accommodation, away from the city center, the Vale d’Azenha hotel, with its modern architecture and characteristic style, may be a good option.
– Porto das Barcas. It is a beautiful beach, usually quiter, in an area still under development. Accommodations are cosy and family-friendly, highlighting the Silver Coast Vacation Inn.
– Porto Novo. This beach is in an area with very low density,
near the small towns of Vimeiro and Maceira, but the Well Hotel & Spa, right by the beach, has sufficient attractions and
services to enjoy a complete stay.
– Supertubos. Its perfect waves host the Surf World League in
October and make this beach an absolute mecca for
European surfers. It has a wide range of accommodation and
good surf schools. For those who may prefer to stay this time
in a hotel rather than in a Volkswagen minivan, the MH Atlántico is an excellent option.
It is impossible to condense 100 km of beaches in a few lines, but
we hope we have helped you with this small selection, which you
can expand by sharing your preferences in the
comments. Come on, dive in…
In 1973 the Spanish railway company Renfe made a tv advert in which a father went on a work trip, and while saying goodbye to his sleeping children, they thought, “Dad come by train.” It was a way of transmitting the safety offered by the trains of that time compared to other means of transport.
Unfortunately, in the Oeste region of Portugal, we have railway infrastructure now that is still quite similar to that shown in the old advert. The poor condition does not offer much certainty or reasonable travel times and is the fallback option for most travelers. A much needed update of the infrastructure has been announced in 2021, to be ready in 2023, but it will retain travel times longer than by bus and is regarded with pessimism. We call upon the authorities at every level to act more boldly and expedite the enhancement of the current rudimentary infrastructure.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the most common option for those who come from Spain and Northern Europe is almost always the car, as there are good highways from most Spanish cities. The A8, which runs from North to South throughout the Oeste region, also offers reasonable prices and low traffic density. As it is a traditional highway, you pick up a ticket at specific entrance points and only pay at the toll booths located by the highway exits by credit card or cash. On the other hand, some highways, such as the A23, that cross the country diagonally from Guarda in the North to Torres Novas in the Center, require some extra knowledge, as they can only be paid electronically. The easiest way to pay is to register online the vehicle and a credit card on this official website and the card will be automatically charged as you pass under electronic gates at various points on the highway. It is also possible to buy pre-paid cards at highway service areas or CTT shops, or you can buy the pre-paid cards online. Finally, there are also machines to register the vehicle and the card, but only at the beginning of the four main highways (Vilar Formoso A23, Viana do Castelo A28, Vilareal de Santo Antonio A22, and Chaves A24).
For those who come from other countries, the plane also offers reasonable solutions. Both Lisbon airport, just over 45 minutes from most points in the region, and Porto in less than two hours offer many regular and low-cost flights to medium and long-range destinations. In high season, the queues at the rent-a-car desks of the airports are usually a nightmare and many people look for other options or alternative points to rent the vehicle but that story probably deserves its own post.
The more adventurous could think of solutions by helicopter, by small planes or by gyroplane, as the authors of this beautiful vídeo around the lagoa and the village of Óbidos did. For these, the offer is not very extensive. Still, it covers most of the region, with asphalt tracks in Torres Vedras, Fatima and Santarem and dirt tracks in Atouguia da Baleia, Óbidos and Lourinhã.
So, who knows, perhaps the best solution is to come by catamaran, à la Greta style, as there are plenty of docks, small bays and kilometers of pristine beaches for easy access.
O Dia da Terra é um evento anual em 22 de abril para demonstrar apoio à proteção ambiental.Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
It was first held in 1970, when more than 20 million people went out on the streets of the U.S. to show their union behind this crucial cause.
Each year a theme or group of themes is selected to focus especially on them. This year one of the themes is Food and Environment, something we can all easily improve in our daily routines.
In Nave Lagoa we are fully committed with the environment and we try whenever is possible to work with local suppliers and natural ingredients, to achieve a gastronomic experience that is both delicious and sustainable. It is true that in the Oeste region of Portugal we are very fortunate, and we have a local gastronomy that is especially healthy, rich, and varied. But if we all make a small effort, within our own possibilities, the Earth will surely appreciate it and we will all end up benefiting from it.
The word mala usually has negative connotations in most Romance languages because it comes from the Latin word malus, the opposite of the good, bonus.
All that negativity that the word implies in the Latin languages and culture disappears entirely in the oriental culture, in which the word mala designates an object similar to a necklace, which is used regularly in Buddhist meditation. Some even consider it an element of surprising global unanimity because it is also present in Christian culture through the rosary and Islam through the dhikr.
The second is NO / AN, a small global village in itself since it is a Belgian company with a Finnish designer and employees of various nationalities that manufactures in Portugal (in Benedita, in the area between Rio Maior and Alcobaça).
Its high-quality designs are aimed at a more sophisticated fashion level, with prices on many occasions over 1,000 euros and a cosmopolitan audience that appreciates its originality and quality. Its differentiating bet begins with an explicit declaration of intention from its slogan “slow brand fashion bag”; moving it clearly away from fast fashion consumption to focus more on timeless products.
So our proposal today is a clear win-win. If we want to get away from the negativity that the word mala usually implies, from now on we have two much more exciting options. First, we can opt for the passionate concept of international design championed by companies like Toino Abel or NO/AN; or secondly, we can follow the way of spirituality, the tranquility and calming presence of those who use such beads for meditation. Indeed, there are more ways to do so; as always, additional ideas are appreciated. And, if someone wants to know more about this topic or even buy a basic meditation kit, check the Mala Prayer website where you can see different models of malas and also inspiring ideas to learn more about these issues and help improve your connection with the world that surrounds us, regardless of the religion that you profess.
From another origin but not so different in the end as we will see, we have the Portuguese word mala, which derives from the French malle and links to the English word mail, as an object with which the mail was transported. From there it has derived to the current use in Portuguese for a handbag, the accessory in which people usually carry their everyday objects.
The reason why we think that perhaps the final result ends up in a proximate solution is because there are a couple of companies that currently draw much attention and respect for their excellent combination of local and global elements, as well as tradition and modernity.
The first is Toino Abel, a small company of artisan origin, which makes handbags working with reeds, combining traditional shapes with modern colors and designs. They have achieved a global presence with their original creations through online sales and several physical stores that showcase their products throughout Europe.
They are based in the small village of Castanheira, near Alcobaça, where they are an institution and an example of how a traditional practice can be modernized and acquire an international dimension.
The second is NO / AN, a small global village in itself since it is a Belgian company with a Finnish designer and employees of various nationalities that manufactures in Portugal (in Benedita, in the area between Rio Maior and Alcobaça).
Its high-quality designs are aimed at a more sophisticated fashion level, with prices on many occasions over 1,000 euros and a cosmopolitan audience that appreciates its originality and quality. Its differentiating bet begins with an explicit declaration of intention from its slogan “slow brand fashion bag”; moving it clearly away from fast fashion consumption to focus more on timeless products.
So our proposal today is a clear win-win. If we want to get away from the negativity that the word mala usually implies, from now on we have two much more exciting options. First, we can opt for the passionate concept of international design championed by companies like Toino Abel or NO/AN; or secondly, we can follow the way of spirituality, the tranquility and calming presence of those who use such beads for meditation. Indeed, there are more ways to do so; as always, additional ideas are appreciated. And, if someone wants to know more about this topic or even buy a basic meditation kit, check the Mala Prayer website where you can see different models of malas and also inspiring ideas to learn more about these issues and help improve your connection with the world that surrounds us, regardless of the religion that you profess.
