Well its been another great summer here in Porto Santo and Hope evereyone who visited our apartments this year really enjoyed their stay . looking forward to seeing you all again in the near future.

The Island of Porto Santo is not only famous for its perfect sandy beaches and clear blue waters, filled with some amazing sea life, the Islands beaches are also known for their healing properties. Attracting visitors to the island with hopes of curing a whole range of ailments.

The said substance or cure that the beach sand supposedly contains, is a carbonated material, discovered to have a healing, therapeutic application for humans. And with such report, the Island has built a thalassotherapy health clinic that introduces sand and uses products inspired by the islands sand and sea. But if you ever wondered what it would be like to personally try the sands healing properties, you need to go down and cover your whole body with the beach sand. Dig yourself in and enjoy a day down at the beach and test it for yourself , some swear by it ! You guys better try this exciting and fun activity with your friends or family.

This is just another added bonus, found within the Porto Santo Island, which has a  great deal to offer  tourists looking for  a healthy vacation trip. What are you waiting for? Find your way to Porto Santo and discover the finest beaches in Portugal. Relax, Have fun, enjoy and be Healed through this Island’s beaches. What a way to spend your holiday while staying at Porto Santo Apartments.

Do you want to begin your holiday with fun and excitement? Then plan your holiday on the golden sandy beaches on Port Santo Island. This is a 9km stretch of beach which you can enjoy,  make the most of your time just lying round or swimming in the water. Porto Santo Apartments are located within a five minute walk to the beach.

It’s in our human nature to enjoy a place where relaxation and enjoyment exist. Planning where to go and what to do on your vacation can be one of your hardest choices. But as with most people going to a decent  beach is among some of the top choices. Just simply laying on the sand, watching the blue sky with the sun tanning your skin, feeling the sea breeze or listening to the water splashing the shore. Whether you’re with your family, your friends, or a loved one or even if you’re all by yourself.

A day on the beach can be considered happiness. And consider the golden sandy beaches on Porto Santo Island, these great beaches with their soft golden sand and an alluring warm water temperature make a perfect setting for your holiday.

What more can you ask for? Well, there’s a lot more! There are a lot more activities on the Island; and so much else to discover on  Porto Santo. And Stop worrying about where to stay and spend the nights of your vacation, because Porto Santo Apartments offer some great apartments to  choose from .

Live life to the fullest! Enjoy natures gift and be happy book your holiday now

Visitors from different places come and go to Porto Santo Island just to experience the different interesting activities found within. Found here are numerous breath taking views of which some are have been developed and been incorporated into the islands Golf areas.

A golf course within Quinta da Deveza was developed and named Amarante. Found here between the spectacular views of hills and slopes near the river  Tâmego. The land is 600 meters above sea level which makes the scenery more pleasant to look at and relaxing to play within. The slope is literally in an upward and downward natural build. And because of this the Amarante course has created seven par-3 holes and three par-5 holes. The deep downwards slope features in the first hole 495 meters, and on the 18th is much shorter compared to the other which is 447meters fairly long upwards slope. The one needing a strong shot is in the 12th it has 445 meters  to pass over the lake.

And after a long day activities, the tourist will need not to worry where to spend the night on the island. Porto Santo Apartments are available all year round within Porto Santo Island.

Porto Santo was the first island to be settled on in the Portuguese Madeira archipelago about 500 years ago, after sailors were washed up on the beach after the ship they were on washed ashore during a storm. The ship led by Joâo Gonçal ves Zarco and Tristão Vaz  was on an exploratory voyage of the Barbarry Coast. This initial voyage was commissioned by Prince Henry the Navigator.

On their return to Portugal with the great news of thier discovery, Prince Henry sent another ship under Bartolomeu Perestrelo to colonise the island, João Gonçal ves Zarco back to explore further. The ships arrived in the 1420′s and later by 1446 Bartolomeu Perestrelo was crowned “captain” of Porto Santo.

Perestrelo began planting sugar cane and vines and introduced rabbits to the island (not such a good idea as they started eating everything that was planted). He also took advantage of  “dragons blood” (popular tree resin used for medicines and dyes) and considered valuable in those early days.

After their exploration on Porto Santo Zarco and Vas then moved on to found the initial settlement on Madeira which would quickly take over importance from Porto Santo. Leaving Porto Santo to continue quietly through the years.

Porto Santo Apartments – Mid June 2010

Well the island of Porto Santo is starting to get busier and busier for the Holiday season, and also the start of the two festivals next week. Decorations are already in place and lining the streets. There already seems more of a buzz around the island in anticipation of the festivities.

It look promising to be another great summer this year. With great sun, sand and entertainment Porto Santo will be the place to be.

Porto Santo apartments also advises that the T2 SUNSET only has one more week available for the month of August 2010 and booking for the T1 Sunrise are going fast. So if you thinking about your holiday on the island BOOK NOW.

Festivals – São João and Munincipality week 2010

Next week sees the start of the  combined festivals of São João and Municipality Week. The festivals normally go on for  four or five days around the municipal holiday on 23rd June .

The streets are already decorated in anticipation of these events. There are bands and folk dancing, decorated floats parade the streets, as well as all sorts of sports and cultural activities. Normally the whole of  Porto Santo visits these festivals.

Porto Santo apartments is only five minute walk to the festivals where you will be able to see the following :

Wednesday 23rd the opening ceremony begins at 18h30 in recognition of a famous Porto Santo Saint, São João. Later around 21h30 dancers will hit the streets, four teams of cultural dancers representing the four different regions of the island all dressed in different cultural dress will compete, singing and dancing. After the street dancing at around 23h00, Emanual (a famous Portuguese singer from Lisbon) takes the stage to entertain the crowd. The singing normally goes on till around 01hoo where most people then move to the beach, to an open air disco and fully stocked bar to celebrate and party the night away till 06h00.

Thursday 24th, o9h30 there will be a flag raising ceremony near the city hall followed by a church service starting at 10h00. Then later on in the evening at 22h00 the London Folklore Group entertains the crowds with old traditional instruments and singing. 23hoo sees the local traditional singers from Porto Santo take their turn to entertain and are followed at 00hoo by another popular famous Portuguese singer, Toy. Toy performs till 01hoo when once again the party moves to the beach for more all night celebrations.

Friday 25th there is nothing during the day but kicks off at 22h00 with The Porto Santo Folklore Group performing in the streets. At 23h00 a theatrical comedy gets the crown going with some great entertainment in anticipation for one of Portugal’s most renown comedian and singers Rouxinol Fadumchowho will perform till around o1hoo when the party moves to the beach once again.

Saturday 26th the festival starts at 22h00 with some acrobatic gymnasts and are followed at 23hoo by Porto Santo sings, finalists from a local singing competition competing in a final sing off. At 00hoo seven different women representing seven areas of the island, all in different traditional dress, sing local songs and show off some traditional dancing this goes to till 01hoo when the party moves to the open air disco and bar on the beach and will continue till early hours of the morning.

Sunday 27th the final day of festivities begins at 21h30 with the choosing the in the competition for the dancers from the opening night. One of the four teams will be chosen based on best dress, the best music and best overall traditional performance. 22h15 will see pop singing duo M & M  takes the stage, singing in a few different languages. At 23h00 a Brazilian group known as Canta Brazil will sing and entertain the crowds bringing the festival to an end .

Holiday Tips on Porto Santo

Porto Santo Apartments advise the following :

SAFETY

There is very little crime at all in Porto Santo. Violence against tourists is almost non-existent, although some usual common-sense precautions should spare you any problems. Pickpockets and bag snatchers are not a problem, but it is advisable to just be cautious about leaving your valuables on the beach when you go for a swim.

If you happen to be the victim of theft or infact any crime, you should report it to the police immediately and get a copy of the report, if you want to make an insurance claim. The police station (tel +351 291 982 423) is situated northwest of the centre of Vila Baleira, on Rua José S. Moura Caldeira. If your passport is stolen or lost, you need to contact your consulate in Madeira or in Lisbon to have a replacement issued.

CURRENCY

Porto Santo (Portugal) is part of the euro zone, using the European Union’s official currency. There are seven denominations of bank notes and eight coins: you get 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 euro notes, and 2 and 1 euro coins as well as 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 cents coins. Many establishments do not accept notes over 50 euros, and some even round up amounts to the nearest five cents.

LOCAL ELECTRICAL CURRENT

The local current is 220 AC and the connection is made with a two-pin plug. Travellers from the USA will need a voltage converter for any electrical items you bring on hoiliday . Travellers from the UK will need a plug adapter, These are best purchased before you leave home, as they can be fairly hard to find on the island.

SHOPPING HOURS

Shops are generally open from Monday to Friday between 9.00 and 19.00, though some close for lunch from 13.00 to 15.00. On Saturdays, some shops open only in the morning from 09.00 to 13.00.

Banking hours are usually from Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 15.00.

MEDICAL
There is a medical centre on Rua Dr José Diamantino Lima, between the port and Vila Baleira. The centre is equipped with emergency service facilities, though in very urgent cases or emergencies most tourists will probably be transferred to the Cruz de Carvalho Hospital on Madeira, or to the mainland.

Medical insurance is always strongly advised, though any EU citizens who have and bring along their European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) are entitled to the same free health services as Madeiran citizens.
There’s a pharmacy (farmácia), recognisable by a green cross sign situated on Rua João Gonçalves Zarco.

National Emergency Number: 112
Health Centre: +351 291 980 060
Police: +351 291 982 423