Vicentina coastal walking vacation, Portugal

Planet

We are dedicated to promoting authentic experiences, supporting the appreciation and enjoyment of Portugal’s natural and cultural heritage sites while at the same time encouraging their protection by raising awareness of environmental issues with our travelers.

The Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina has a great diversity of coastal habitats, including beaches, cliffs, islets, and isolated rocks. The Pessegueiro island, in reality, a consolidated dune, is anchored two steps from shore. Inland, woods, and moors alternate with irrigated and rainfed plantations and production woods. Presence of rare botanical species mainly in the area of the Sagres and São Vicente capes. Varied nesting bird fauna with the white stork building nests on coastal rocks and an important passageway for numerous other birds. Interesting otter population which frequents the sea. The constant presence of the ocean and never-ending horizons, the majestic nature of São Vicente, a sunset of the gods, the stories of Sagres, and above all those enormous stone walls posted before the ocean hiding or revealing small big beaches and attractive little fishing ports complete one of the simultaneously loneliest and most attractive landscapes in Portugal.

We are partners of the Rota Vicentina since 2014 and we have been carrying out several studies on the region about the impact of walkers on these trails. We try hard to pass the message that human activity is leading to the extinction of endangered species and habitats. It is necessary to protect places like these that are habitats for animals. For these reasons, for this walking tour, for 16 people maximum, we define trails with the objective of reducing environmental impact. During this walking tour, we alert people to become aware of the resources, conserve water, stop littering and protect wildlife.
Along this journey, the way forward will be the Fishermen’s Trail, a set of millinery trails used by fishermen and old pirates to access beaches and fishing sites, runs through the coastline challenging the wanderer/walker/hiker to a constant duel with the sea winds and the dark, rough cliffs. For birding lovers, a unique situation in the world occurs: the amazing art of the white stork nesting on the coastal cliffs.
So that the trails are always clean and ready to receive walkers, we collaborate in annual cleaning and marking events of the trails in the region. So we can make sure that everything is at the highest level to be used and enjoyed by everyone who uses the trails.

We only work with small groups of travelers and we promote the maintenance of a social, economic, and environmental system that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising resources for the use of future generations. Furthermore, the local people from the restaurants, accommodations, and residents always pass on the message of how to protect these destinations and each person can apply this knowledge not only on this tour but throughout the world.

People

The Walking Vacation through the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina means that we are contributing to creating a sustainable ecosystem, giving the local authorities more tools to control and preserve this area constantly. In this way, we are helping to conserve a rural lifestyle and contribute to the overall sustainable development of the area.
Using our walking tour we support the local economy by booking directly with local accommodations and restaurants in every destination of this tour in Costa Vicentina, as well as using local guides to support our customers at the destination. The local community will be a big part of this vacation contributing with their knowledge about the region and helping to find the best restaurants and small artisans/handcraft shops to visit.

On this tour, as a coastal destination, we always recommend the typical restaurants that serve traditional dishes and focus on our “upstanding” local gastronomy of fresh fish caught with artisanal crafts by the community and other products “homemade cooked”. We support local projects, shopkeepers, small businesses, village cafes, and small restaurants, craftsmen, and artisans. For example, during the walking tour, we patronize small cafes and restaurants for lunch and where available visit small souvenir shops, small art galleries, and potteries, basket makers.
This region, people have been occupying this territory since Paleolithic times and maintaining the bond between sea and land in their main economic activities. Time and time again we are surprised by their authenticity. Supporting the Costa Vicentina local people is important and involves the community, promoting the sustainability of the local economy and the appreciation of this region’s natural resources. We encourage our clients to make small purchases, thereby bringing money and encouragement to each of these concerns.