As the pandemic begins to show signs of easing and the light at the end of the tunnel grows brighter, we are excited to get back to normal business – all while ensuring safe travel for everyone involved, of course. Speaking of safe travel, a question we have been asked time and again over the course of this year is whether it is safe to come to Portugal. As such, we wanted to take the opportunity to shed some light on the goings-on over here on Europe’s Western edge and everything being done to ensure everyone (locals and visitors alike) is kept as safe and well as possible.

Planning your dream product launch or incentive trip to Portugal? Read on to discover just how Portugal has managed to walk the fine line between opening the country back up and maintaining safety measures.

How Portugal has managed to stay covid-safe

When the pandemic first broke out, the country was dubbed a covid success story due to measures being implemented quickly and effectively and its (relatively) small population clusters. Though the state of emergency continued and numbers of cases peaked, these have dropped significantly with the rollout of vaccinations, only rising slightly with the coming of summer – peak tourist season.

Hygiene and Safety practices adopted in Portugal to protect against covid

Clean & Safe Seal

Now, when it comes to measures implemented in the tourism industry to reduce the spread of the disease, Portugal has shown fast efficient action from the very offset. A country well-versed in the tourist trade, its primary tourism entity, Turismo de Portugal, implemented a Clean & Safe seal as early as April 2020, conducting training on the hygiene and safety measures necessary at DMCs, hotels, restaurants, as well as every establishment that comes into direct or indirect contact with the tourist trade. As such, establishments awarded the seal are sure to meet the hygiene requirements and cleaning measures recommended by the Directorate-General for Health. Now, almost a year and a half on, these measures are considered nothing less than second nature.

EU COVID Digital Certificate or negative test requirements

The introduction of EU Covid Certificates (awarded to those vaccinated or recently recovered from Covid) has made things all the easier for certificate holders. As well as replacing a negative test for those coming into the country – reducing costs and hassle for all involved – the new EU certificates are also required to get into a variety of establishments (such as restaurants and bars on Friday evenings and weekends) which, though something to consider, works to keep us all safer as we enjoy a taste of normality.

Not an EU resident, or don’t have a certificate? Negative covid tests also grant entry to events, hotels and restaurants, and Portugal has been efficiently setting up test centres that are both easily accessible and outdoors, making the most of the country’s excellent weather to do things all the more safely.

Portugal as a Mice Destination

Convinced that Portugal is a safe travel destination for your event? Excellent. Now it is time to decide if you want to plan it in a charming village, bustling town, looking over the plains of the Alentejo or the vineyards of the Douro. Concerned there will be requirements to meet and regulations to adhere to? That is why you have a partner on the ground, well-versed in whatever may be required to ensure your event goes off without a hitch in Portugal – the perfect place to get away to somewhere secluded, where safety is the priority.

Lisbon & the Coast

Walk the old quarters in Lisbon, eat in a Bairro Alto restaurant, buy a hat made in Portugal in a 19th-century hat shop, and a pair of gloves in the smallest shop you have ever seen; and visit the Royal Palaces of the Lisbon Coast, go windsurfing on the beach, eat a fresh and tasty grilled fish, play a round of golf.

Porto & the North

Enjoy the authenticity of this city, its markets and old food shops in the old town, taste a Port in the Cellars, go to the birthplace of Portugal as an independent nation, the city of Guimarães and walk around the narrow streets with beautiful granite houses.

Douro

Take a train to the Douro Valley, discover the wine farms, have lunch with the farmers in their cellar, make the wine with them, enjoy the silence of the river.

Algarve

Go party, play golf, eat in a restaurant on the beach, relax, ride a bike, go deep-sea fishing or water skiing.

Alentejo

Silence, the plains, the castles, the cork trees, the horses, the black pigs, the songs, the history.

Centre of Portugal

The most diverse region of the country. From the city of Coimbra with the oldest University in Europe to the highest mountain of Portugal. To the city of Viseu, the heart of the rural region, where the best Portuguese sparkling wine is produced. To the coastline and the city of Aveiro with its salted sea, the fishing towns along the cost that supply also many European countries of fresh fish, down to the pilgrim centre for the Catholic World of Fátima or the fabulous castle built by the Templars in Tomar.

Madeira

Known as the Pearl of the Atlantic, it is a beautiful island, mild all year round, full of colour, famous for its flowers, the best place to relax for a few days, swim in the mild waters of the Atlantic, enjoy some excellent hotels.

Azores

9 islands to discover, raw, simple but with quality, formidable and resilient people, and the nature, the whales, the dolphins, the food, the old volcanos, worth discovering.

Product Launch Events in Portugal

At Portugal Travel Team, we know more than most how a choice of venue can make or break any event. That’s why we’re happy to draw on our creativity, local knowledge, and network of trusted contacts to find the absolute best venue for each Product Launch, taking into account the theme of the event and the industry, ensuring that no two Product Launches are ever the same.

From sleek, modern centres perfect for promoting innovative tech solutions to historic buildings with a more traditional feel, Portugal’s wide range of venue options helps us make each event truly unique. As one of Portugal’s leading DMCs, we have our feelers out all over the country, ensuring we can provide you with the same level of knowledgeable assistance throughout Portugal, which means we have no trouble recommending the optimum choice for each Product Launch.

Always pictured holding an event in an ancient convent or grand conference centre? On a cruise ship or at the zoo? We bring your wildest dreams within reach.

Our Product Launch Services

Choosing a venue is just the start of your adventure, but then it’s up to us, as we cover every detail involved in planning and executing a product launch in Portugal.

But we don’t step back when it begins. In fact, we make sure we are available before and during any Product Launch to provide ongoing support and ensure everything goes according to plan.

Ready to ensure your Product Launch is the most memorable industry event of the year? Get in touch today for us to get planning!

Sports in Portugal

Alongside sandy beaches and historic cities, golf is one of the main reasons Portugal welcomes so many visitors each year. The country’s southernmost region, the Algarve, is especially well-known for its superb golf courses, many of which offer spectacular views of the Atlantic coast.

Each of the Algarve’s 40+ courses is immaculately maintained, providing for various difficulty levels and fitted with excellent facilities, located close to other attractions including beaches, nightlife, and fascinating landmarks. With all this in mind, there’s no place better for golf team-building activities!

Portugal is also known for its fantastic weather and gorgeous coastline – both of which are necessary ingredients for successful water sports. Both mainland Portugal and its nearby archipelago, Madeira, provide opportunities for aquatic activities, from relaxing kayaking trips to unforgettable diving experiences and adrenaline-fuelled parasailing.

Visitors interested in surfing should head to Nazaré in Central Portugal, where the North Beach is home to the biggest surfable waves in the world! Or Peniche, to watch annual surfing championships.

Training camps and tours focusing on other sports, such as football, basketball, or tennis, are also readily available. Most of these are located either in the Algarve region or in the Lisbon area, where visitors will find plenty of other attractions to complement their trip.

Our Sports Destination Management Services

Whether you want to hold a sporting event, professional training, a sports-themed incentive, or a special interest trip, we have the know-how and contacts to make it happen.

In search of a trusted partner to manage your outdoor event? Get in touch today for an optimum sports-themed Portugal experience to remember!

Traditional Portuguese Cuisine

Portugal’s cuisine is highly varied, with every region proud of its own unique dishes. If one thing is certain, it is that sardines rule the table just about everywhere in the country, served in various ways. Fresh, grilled fish, in general, is a local favourite, as are excellent clams and all kinds of delicious seafood.

Sandwiches are also a popular lunch option, with every region putting its own unique spin on the dish. Porto’s Francesinha meat sandwich is a prime example of Portuguese comfort food, topped with cheese and an egg and served with a signature sauce. Every restaurant has its own secret recipe, so you have to try more than one!

For unique culinary experiences, consider sampling the famous pastéis de nata in Lisbon. The Pastéis de Belém bakery is the only place in the world where you can try the authentic treat – and local legend has it that only three people know the original recipe.

Alongside food-themed tours of various cities and regions, it is possible to book exclusive cooking workshops. These can be a great addition to an incentive trip or the main focus of a culinary-themed special interest visit.

Wine Tasting in Portugal

Portugal is dominated by sprawling vineyards, from the heat of the Algarve to the plains of the Alentejo, past Lisbon up through the Dão to the hills of the Douro Valley and beyond, to the Minho. In fact, the Douro, the home of Port, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognised as the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.

A Portugal wine tasting tour can include visiting several vineyards, exploring historic wine cellars, and even include on-site accommodation. Wine courses are also available for those looking to find out more about winemaking and tasting.

Our DMC Services for Food and Wine Travel in Portugal

Whether you are looking to organise a flavourful incentive trip or a themed wine event in Portugal, we can take care of all the arrangements. We know exactly where to find the best cuisine and finest wines and guarantee unforgettable experiences every time.

Ready to sample Portugal’s finest food and wine? Contact us today, and we will be sure to exceed your expectations with the best Portuguese experience!

Religious Tourism in Portugal

Portugal is home to numerous religious sites, many of which constitute important pilgrimage destinations in the Christian faith.

The Shrine of Our Lady Fátima is arguably the most significant Christian site in Portugal, with around four million people visiting every year. It is one of the most notable shrines to Mary in the world, built following reports of apparitions of the Virgin Mary here in 1917.

Braga, the winner of European Best Destination 2021, is known both as the city of the Archbishops and ‘Portuguese Rome’, famous for its religious festivals and events and home to Portugal’s first-ever cathedral. Other highlights in Braga include the Sameiro and Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuaries, the latter of which is a traditional pilgrimage site with an iconic stairway.

There are countless other unique Christian sites in Portugal, such as the Alcobaça Monastery and the Évora Cathedral and Chapel. Every Portuguese city has a place for prayer and reflection, all equally special and inspiring.

There is an incredibly rich Jewish Heritage in Portugal worth exploring. The synagogues and former Jewish Quarters in Lisbon and Porto are excellent destinations, as is the city of Tomar – featuring a historic synagogue and the Jewish Museum. Belmonte in Central Portugal is also a town worthy of note, home to a thriving traditional Jewish community.

Visitors interested in exploring Portugal’s Muslim sites can see several former mosques in the Alentejo and Algarve regions. The archaeological site of Ribat of Arrifana in Aljezur, Algarve, for example, features a recently excavated Muslim coastal fortress and the remains of eight mosques and a madrassa.

Our Religious Travel Services

Drawing on our extensive experience in the DMC industry in Portugal, we suggest the best-suited religiously-themed incentive travel destinations. Whether you want to focus on a particular city or pilgrimage site or travel across Portugal to various locations, we make sure your experience is both uplifting and inspiring. Get in touch today to start planning!