Portuguese wine with its own style

Any of us that  spent time or spend time in Portugal realise how important the wine industry is to the economy of Portugal.   Strangely enough in Ireland we don't import as much Portuguese wine as we do Spanish or French and others.

Vineyard in Douro Valley

Each year a wine producers  awards are given to  winners of the Producers of Wines of Portugal 2015 This year the awards were presented on the  May 15, at a function held in the establishment of Dão Wine, in Viseu,

The contest had enrolled 1156 national wines from all wine regions of the country. Among the presentation 280 medals be distributed ,  24 Large gold and 47 of gold. The ceremony will finish with the announcement  of the best wines of the year in various categories: best sparkling wine, better fortified, Better and Best Wine Of Varietal Portugal 2015.

Jorge Monteiro, president of ViniPortugal, underlined that "not only we surpass the goals to count with over 1150 wines, as new if confirmed the excellent average quality wines because more than 60% obtained note that allowed them to obtain a medal although Regulation limit to 25% the medals to assign. But the most important thing is to bolster this high quality in most wines".

The award- winners that have received the highest accolades in winning wines categories will qualify to participate in in the marketing of Portuguese Wines as a national brand to International markets.  Next time you book a villa in Portugal or a self-catering apartment in Lisbon take the opportunity to taste Portuguese wines you will not be disappointed.

Search Tips:  Search for Portuguese wine  "wines of Portugal,  Douro wines,   Searching for Portuguese accommodation try  "holiday villas, holiday villa rentals, holiday rentals portugal , villas for rent in portugal, villa to rent in portugal, holiday homes in portugal, villa rentals portugal, holiday villas in portugal, villas in portugal, villas portugal, holiday villas portugal,  self catering holidays in portugal, self catering portugal, portugal apartments,

Algarve is the Golfing Capital of Europe

The Old course in Vilamoura is a well known golf course built in the beautiful Algarvian countryside.  The course designer was Frank Pennink .

Old Course Vilamoura

 It became a Golf club in 1967.  The visitors on a self-catering holiday with find it a great course to play.  If living in the Vilamoura area are fortunate enough to be a member count yourself lucky.  It was once described as the Grand Dame  of Algarvian Golf Courses and was the first of the Oceanico and easily the most popular of the five Vilamoura courses. When I do occasionally play golf I enjoy a number of aspects the challenge of the game itself, the ability to get sometime alone or indeed with good social company, the joy of being out doors in all weathers, but last but not least special of being one with nature.  The Old Course provides this in abundance. The Old Course is blessed with lush flora, pine tree lined fairways give it the feel of colonial opulence experienced in such places as Augusta. as in the American Masters. It is laid out over and around gentle sloping hills with tree lined fairway which meanders throughout impressive pine trees — the principal hazard – over gently undulating natural terrain, and poses quite a stern test and forces you to put the emphasis on accuracy and course management ahead of length........They offer discount golf rates for The Old Course in Vilamoura. This is the second oldest golf course in the Algarve. Set in an umbrella pinewood and laid out in an interesting way to take advantage of the natural contours. It is from the English school of Course design. The first Holes are easy and inviting with reachable Par-4s. The Par-3 on the attractive fourth is a Hole in One potential. Club selection from here will play an important part of your game, and straight shots will be needed. The ninth is an excellent example of this situation. The back nine has three interesting Par-5s. The sixteenth hole provides a 522 metre challenge for a shot of good length and hitting straight.  If you're planning a Golf holiday in Vilamoura  Goholidaylets has many excellent villas in Vilamoura also some excellent villas in Lagos.  Praia Village Vilamoura would be worth a try.
Search Tip:  Apartments Lagos, Golf holidays Algarve, villas Portugal, apartments Vilamoura villas in Vilamoura, villas Algarve.

Have a safe POOL experience

All the talk nowadays is climate change.  Warmer summers wetter colder winters.
Well with the warmer summers will come the need to coll down.  When this happens its natural to head for the water be it pool or sea.  The danger is f we are not acustom to water we can change it for granted not realise water can be trecherious if you do not acknowledge the dangers.

Pool Safety
Recent studies by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have confirmed that young children are most vulnerable to critical and deadly accidents when near residential, in-ground swimming pools. As a result, many states have legislated and promoted the use of pool fencing as a security measure.

In the US they have started to install a number of safety features to protect children in pool areas that are interesting.

1. Frameless glass pool fencing ensure an unobstructed view to monitor children.
2. Toughened safety glass provides durable wind protection.
3. Tempered glass panels are produced with rounded and polished edges.
 4. Four and five feet high fences are climb resistant.

The glass gate has self-closing hinges to ensure the gate cannot accidentally be left open.

Unfortunately children still are drowned in pools each summer.  We are involved with self-catering apartment rentals which include villias in Albufeira, villas in Lagos.   Most of which have their own pools. So if bringing your children on a self-catering holiday ensure they are safe without spoiling the fun.

Nowadays an essentail skill is being able to swim. We need to understand that swimming is a life skill that can prevent a catastrophic outcome. The ability for a child to know how to swim can save their life.  How many things a young child learns can be regarded as lfie saving.  It’s like teaching them to put on their seat belt, or strapping them in the car seat. Something any adult never ignores; yet preventable drowning still remains a problem with young children having the highest drowning rates.

The pressure is on for the modern family to find the time and place to make swimming skills a priority.

Here are the top threeThe top three factors, from the CDC website, that influence drowning are:

Lack of swimming ability
Lack of proper barriers
Lack of close supervision

The lack of swimming ability and the lack of close supervision are the factors that can be changed with a change in mindset or attitude of the parents. It is this change that can prevent a drowning.

Dont be ditracted when supervising kids at poolside.  One time distractions were magazines books or amybe a transistor radio.  Nowadays its iPads iPhones and Kindles internet in your hand.
If your child has not yet become a proficient swimmer, you must be in the water within arm’s reach at all times.

If this short simple article will get you aware of the dangers without spoiling the fun we will be pleased
Book that self-catering apartment in Portugal and enjoy the holiday safely.

Search Tip: When searching for a self-catering apartment in places like Patio de Convento in Lagos or Praia Village in Vilamoura question how you access the pool.  We would like to access pool area secured by gates and fences.  Your booking a villa in Portugal in any area ensure the pool has safety equipment nearby.
Happy Holiday

Killarney It is all in the name of the Pub

I recently wrote a blog on our website about the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club.  Magnificent  Golf Club under the shadow of the McGillycuddy Reeks  on the shores of Lough Lourne.
This particularly   golf club show cases all the natural beauty that Killarney has to offer.   It has been operating here for many years.   I have a gut feeling because its is located in an National Park that nowadays objections would prevent its development.

Killarney Rose New York

We provide a platform for Killarney service apartments and Killarney self-catering apartment to advertise.  Killarney Holiday Village is our main focus in the town.
But while focusing recently on Killarney I began research the use of the word or brand Killarney.   Put in the USA immediately appeared.
The first being the Killarney Rose  at  127 Pearl St., New York, NY 10005
For several decades now, Killarney Rose has been a go-to financial-district watering hole for suits and locals alike. Part bar and part restaurant it has an extensive menu with an extensive floor area that allows table service.  The is taken from their website which is refreshingly open and honest “extensive list of traditional heart-clogging bar foods (calamari, wings, and mozzarella sticks) alongside sandwiches, salads, and burgers. In a cheeky move, happy hour is never at the same time each day; a bartender starts and ends things at his discretion with the sound of a bell”.
The have an upstairs area that can be reserved at weekends for parties. The go on to outline the fact that they sell beer  by the half-yard, and as they live gigs they can sometimes be over done.
Come to think of it we have serviced apartments and self-catering apartments in New York.
Another Irish Pub is on the Killarney list.
It is Killarney’s Publick House is the premier irish pub in Mercer County, NJ. They offer a wide selection of Irish drafts and bottles, including Guinness, Harps and Smithwicks. Yes Harp and Smithwicks I am guessing it doesn’t matter they drink that stuff in Ireland any more. They claim to have an  a full menu featuring some of the best Irish and traditional dishes in the Central Jersey area.
Don’t go on to say what is there traditional dishes.
The warm and welcoming ambiance at Killarney’s make it an perfect spot to host a party, watch a sporting event, or just grab a drink with friends. See you for a pint! Sláinte.

Moving swift to West Coast of the US we find the following pub.
Raiders Haunts: Killarney Pub and Grill, Huntington Beach, California
 Killarney Pub and Grill in downtown Huntington Beach, California, is just a hop, skip, and a jump from Huntington Beach's famous pier.

As the only Irish pub on Huntington Beach's main drag, Killarney's serves classic stouts, ales, and whiskeys along with traditional Irish cuisine. Signature dishes include hearty Irish breakfasts and delicious steak and Guinness Pies.

From karaoke to lives bands to D.J.s with dancing, there is entertainment every night of the week, and there is never a cover charge.
And when the Oakland Raiders are playing, you had better believe that Killarney's is stuffed to the gills with passionate Oakland Raider fans.
Killarney Pub and Grill 209 Main Street, Huntington Beach, California Telephone: (714) 536 7887 Website: Killarney Pub and Grill.

Fly to Amsterdam for a short stay

Amsterdam is a great city to visit any time of the year.  They welcome visitors from all over the world.  Some hust arrive for a short stay some extend their stay to a holiday others are just visiting families.  Amsterdam has an array of accommodation to be used whatever your purpose here. Your choice is excellent hotels and hostels  luxury serviced apartment and very well located self-catering accommodation. The word famous Schiphol Airport  is the best way to get in and out of this great city.  The is located a few miles southwest of the city in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland.

Schiphol Airport

Amsterdam airport has become a European Hub allowing travelers to access flights to a large number of airports all over the world. Its the home base of KLM, Arkefly, Transavia, Amsterdam Airlines.

 Amsterdam Airport started operating back in 1916 and it was initially used as a local airbase for the military. The airport only had a few barracks and a field that used to serve both as the platform and a runway. The civil airports started using the facility in December 1920.  Today the airport has been built as one large terminal where all its facilities are located under one roof.
There are a number of very interesting aspects to Schiphol. One in particular is the runways crossing over canals and roadways including motorway via bridges.

Runway 

This terminal has been split into three large departure halls. There are plans in place to expand the terminal further and to build other separate new terminals between the Zwanenburg Baan and Polderbaan runways thus bringing to an end the one-terminal concept that the airport has long been known for.

Schiphol

I have in the pass transited through Schiphol and I have to admit I was impressed by the one Terminal design and how efficient is was to get in and out of aircraft.  There is no long walks that you have to negotiate in London Stansted or new terminal in Dublin.

Flights daily arrive from all over Europe

Here is a small example of fights arrived or due to arrive on the evening of the 14th December 2015

Airline                                                    Location Origin            

Flybe                                                     Birmingham
Alitalia                                                   Stockholm
KLM
KM                                                        Rome
Alitalia
Air Europa                                              Dusseldorf
KLM                                                      Brussels
KLM                                                      Inverness
Flybe
KLM                                                      Barcelona
AIR EUROPA                                        Madrid
Flybe                                                     Liverpool
Flybe                                                     Hanover
KLM                                                      Newcastle
Air Europa                                             Berlin
KLM                                                      Edinburgh
Air France                                              Paris.
Check out websites like www.goholidaylets.com where you can list your self-catering property for free.  Just click on Advertise here.

Krakow Christmas Events

The Polish city of Krakow welcomes thousands of visitors each year.  They have wonderful restaurants and accommodation but most of all they have a great welcome.  You can stay in an excellents hotel or chill out in the privacy your own home from home in a well located self-catering serviced apartment.

Christmas in Krakow

They celebrate Christmas in style.  This time of year there is a theater festival in Krakow.  The the press have in the past welcomed it as  a celebration of Polish theater and a great event that  during the week create a great scene in Krakow.  Its  a week on the stages of the biggest Krakow's theaters, you can see the best Polish performances of over the past years  were performed in theaters across the country.  A number of well known director will be present Monika Strzępka,  an America dir. Mario Biagini, . Krzysztof Warlikowski,  Factory 2 dir. Krystian Lupa and  dir. Jan Klata. Every year in Kraków they  also host workshop where among others, Krzysztof Warlikowski, Jan Klata, Grzegorz Jarzyna and Lupa, who daily tell the audience about their work during open workshops. At the festival there are also artists from abroad,  India, South Africa, Iran and Colombia, presenting the achievements of the theater carried out outside the European cultural circle.
An international jury composed of prominent critics and directors of world theater festivals each year also grants the Divine Comedian statuette for best performance and the director, set designer, composer, actor and actress. The festival has gained media recognition not only of Polish, but also from Europe. Among others, reported on it a prestigious German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and the Russian Kommersant and Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Organizer: Krakow Festival Office.  There is excellent restaurants and accommodation to be got in Krakow.  They hotel accommodation and magnificence self- catering serviced apartment.

Krakow Christmas Fair for several years are entered in the calendar of events taking place on the Krakow Main Market Square.
It's a tradition, which has a large impact on the development of cultural and economic center. Krakow fairs is  part of a number of similar events  that are held throughout  Europe.
Stuttgart Christmas Fair is more than 300 years great tradition and created a grand scale.  Other shows "Festivity" in Milan is a great event for the whole country.  Other Christmas fairs include  Berlin, Rome and Vienna.     The organizer of the fair is Krakow Merchant Congregation.

Krakow Cribs Competition
Every year, on the first Thursday of December in the morning, around the monument of Adam Mickiewicz crib makers gather to show off their latest works. They are accompanied by crowds gathered Kracovians, locals, tourists and numerous television crews. Applications for the competition are got from the  Museum . Each crib is given a  competition number . For many years, the number entered in the contest works is similar - between 120 and 160, including a large majority of cribs made ​​by children and young people. With the sounds of bugle call ringing out at noon from the tower of St Mary's Church, crib makers colorful procession moving their work to offices Museum - Krzysztofory Palace, to meet with the adjudicators . The meeting is chaired by the Director of the Museum, and the adjudicators consists of art historians, artists, employees of the Historical Museum. The competition is open  to natives of Cracow, participation in it can take regardless of age or place of residence.Each participant may submit a maximum of three cribs into competition. Before the adjudicators  will focus on the assessment of individual work needs to determine whether all comply with the conditions of the competition. If the work does not meet the accepted criteria, unfortunately; even if it was the most beautiful, you can not claim the prize. Organizer: The Historical Museum of Krakow Place: Market Square at the monument of Adam Mickiewicz.  The website www.goholidaylets.com list self-catering accommodation in Krakow for free.

Christmas Events in Lagos Portugal

As with quite a lot of Portuguese towns and villages place like Albufeira and Lagos the local council known as Camara organise the festive events at different times of the year. This town is a tourist resort full of hotels and self-catering accommodation but its also home to a huge local population.  So local activities are part and parcel of every day life here.

Christmas in Portugal

In that context of programming of Christmas  will start at the beginning of the month of December in Lagos. The have named this years program "THE BOY JESUS".  The organising of the event will be executed by  Municipal Librarian Dr Julius Dantas  The activities incorporates a cycle of cinema and a exhibitions on December 10, on an occasion that marks the International Day of Human Rights.

The now famous Christmas Nativity Scene ( Cribe) will be back on display  to open to the public 2015-11-27
Once more José Cortes  the owner and creator of the crib will give all the public opportunity to see the crib as it will be displayed free of charge. This crib has become very famous in Lagos completely designed and built by this Lagos local,  each year he adds new detail.  You can visit from 17 December. The entrance is free.

Lagos prepares to receive the Christmas  on the 2015-11-26 for the festive season of the year. The Mayor of Lagos has prepared, in collaboration with the various cultural collectivities of the county, a collection with various municipal departments in Lagos as a whole, a festive programming special.  Its begins on the 5th of December 2015.

EXPENSIVE SOUL in  Lagos on New Years Eve.

The municipality of Lagos will celebrate  the arrival of the New Year to the sound of one of the best music groups in the country - the Expensive Soul. The gig,  will run in the Infante Square, is free entry and will be followed by an actuating the DJ TobyONE.  Free to the public.
Lagos is an excellent location to send Christmas and New Year. Top class restaurant all open over the holiday period.  Excellent hotels and holiday rentals .  They self-catering apartments and self-catering villas to suit large groups.