TAP Adds Portugal Stopovers with Freebies to Transatlantic Flights

Óbidos is most certainly on the list of must-see destinations for those visiting Portugal. But many may not know that just an hour away from the famous medieval town (30 minutes by car and another 30 by boat) is one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the country: Berlengas.

Portugal’s temperate climate conditions and diverse landscape make it an ideal destination to explore by bike, with mountains, beaches, ancient villages and forests all within short distances of each other. Whether you’re looking for a long-distance challenge or to enjoy the scenery on a leisurely ride, here are five routes to tackle on two wheels.

A Portuguese airline will be soon be making its way to North America with new routes to three major cities next year.

Earlier this summer, I decided to do something totally unoriginal—I joined the hordes of Americans working remotely from Lisbon. I had a wedding in Tuscany to attend, and my flight home on TAP offered me a free stopover for up to 10 nights. I decided I'd stay a week and get a taste of life in Portugal. How could I resist?

The Portuguese discovered this remote archipelago, scattered 800 miles west of their mainland in the swirling mists of the Atlantic Ocean in the early 1500s. The Azores comprise nine islands, each a mythical, magical land of volcanoes, bubbling thermal waters, geysers of rising steam, turquoise-toned lagoons, and bottle-green lakes. With a landscape that seemed alive, it is no wonder that the population turned to the Holy Spirit for protection—an allegiance they still have today, as witnessed in the many shrines and chapels that dot the towns and villages. More than anything, devotion to the Holy Spirit is a defining element of being Azorean.

While many are familiar with the Algarve's beaches and golf courses, few explore its rich culture shaped by geography, history, and people. Join our Rough Guides editor on a sustainable week-long journey to discover the hidden cultural treasures of the Algarve.

Despite producing some truly delicious pineapples—and the only pineapples grown in Europe—Portugal’s Azores islands aren’t particularly well suited to growing the fruit. Which is why the third-generation owner of Herdade do Ananás (“pineapple estate”) has opted to diversify the family business.

For a little over two months, Emma Di Palma was planning a 10-day trip to Portugal with her live-in boyfriend. They would explore the southern part of the city and end their vacation in Lisbon.

Editors’ Note: On October 1, 2018, Primera Air announced it will cease operations immediately. The following story was published on September 11, 2018.

If you’ve never heard of Iceland-based booking website Dohop, you should check them out. The company has been nominated for two World Travel Awards—World’s Leading Flight Comparison Website and World’s Leading Travel Technology Partner—and recently launched an amazing tool called FLYR Fare Protection, in partnership with FLYR.

When it comes to lie-flat luxury on planes, transatlantic long-haul airlines like Emirates, Qatar, and Virgin Atlantic dominate the market. But now JetBlue is upping its flatbed seat count on short-haul flights, raising the question: Could the airline be readying for its own transatlantic routes?