Self-sustainable holidays in Alentejo and the Azores

On its way to ensuring its self-sustainability, Figueirinha Ecoturismo invests in clean energy and glamping. Here, ecotourism is not an empty word, as at Casa Sol Nascente, in the northeast of the island of S. Miguel (Azores).

We believe that our Casa Sol Nascente, in the northeast of the island of São Miguel, in the Azores, is the most beautiful place in the world. Here you can forget about your routine, the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the stress of work that excites you but also exhausts you, and enjoy nature in its purest form, the tranquility and silence that these magical islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean have to offer. It will be an honor to welcome you on board, whenever you wish, and show you that this place is much closer than you imagine.

Casa Sol Nascente, na Pedreira, Nordeste, S. Miguel (Açores)

Figueirinha Ecoturismo is a true oasis in the heart of the Alentejo coast. The century-old house, located in a valley where the lives of the inhabitants and workers of Herdade da Figueirinha dos Condados once bustled, now serves as a space where intimate experiences are resurfacing and where the spirit of hospitality and friendly treatment are essential for the well-being of those seeking a return to their roots, to the simplicity of everyday life. In an area of 1,975 hectares sheltered between São Luís and Relíquias, 27 kilometres from the coast and Vila Nova de Milfontes, there is space for reinvigorating retreats, gastronomic gatherings based on Mediterranean cuisine and tourist excursions to the most beautiful and wild beaches of the Costa Vicentina.

Tenda de glamping Kanimambo, na Figueirinha Ecoturismo

Figueirinha Ecoturismo is a rural accommodation on a plot of land located within the National Ecological Reserve and the Natura 2000 Network. In this place where you can fully connect with nature, anything is possible. Almost all desires and needs are met in the comfort of simple human relationships. In a land that borders on the most rural Alentejo, comfort has not been forgotten in the rooms, glamping tents and cabins, supported by solar panels that guarantee almost complete energy self-sufficiency and a biological pool that ensures moments of pure relaxation. In a biological pool, the water is oxygenated by 23 different species of aquatic plants and on the banks, creating a perfect habitat for small frogs, newts and turtles. Two thirds of the pool is reserved for plants and one third for swimmers.

Piscina biológica da Figueirinha Ecoturismo, Alentejo

About the author

Casa Sol Nascente and Figueirinha Ecoturismo are the realization of a dream for journalists Paula Carvalho Silva and Alexandre Coutinho, a 61-year-old freelance journalist from Lisbon, where he completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mass Communication. He began his career in 1986 at the weekly newspaper O Jornal , joining the Economics Section of Expresso in 1988, where he was editor (1998-2000) and where he worked until the end of 2010. From 2007 to 2014, he was editor of Sirius magazine and, from 2015 to 2016, director of Avião magazine. He is the managing partner of the publishing house Contra a Corrente, founded in 2011. In 1995, he created the pages Viagens no Meu Planeta and Volta ao Mundo de Faca e Garfo on the Janela na Web portal; and, in 2009, the blog Vida na Terra, on the Expresso website. In addition to his contributions to various publications, he is the author or co-author of the books “Fidel’s Messenger”, “How to Make a President”, “Chevrolet in Portugal”, “Microcredit in Portugal – A New Opportunity”, “Auto Palace – A Century of Life”, “The Brotherhood of Pilgrims”, “F-16 Falcons and Jaguars”, “100 Years of Chevrolet”, “Opel Ampera – A New Era in Electric Mobility”, “TAP Air Portugal”, “50 Years of Alouette III in the Air Force”, “50 Years of Porsche 911 in Portugal”, “Óculos – History of Optics”, “OMNI Group – 25 Years of Operation in Portugal”, “Land Rover in Portugal” and “Auto-Industrial – 100 Years Driving the Future”. He published the collective work “50 Stores with Stories” for Expresso.

Paula Silva e Alexandre Coutinho, no Nordeste, S. Miguel (Açores)

Budget and due dates

By using crowdfunding , we hope to raise the necessary amount (1000.00 euros) to co-finance the maintenance, renovation and installation of more sustainable equipment at Figueirinha Ecoturismo. In addition to developing the project, it was possible to build a nature observation platform and acquire the solar panels essential for the electrical system. Once the necessary funds are raised, the project will be completed within a maximum period of three months. Within 30 days, starting on December 1, 2024 and ending on December 30, 2024, I believe it will be possible to mobilize, through this crowdfunding campaign on PPL, many sustainable tourism enthusiasts, fans of outdoor life and contact with nature, in addition to the many friends of Figueirinha Ecoturismo and Casa Sol Nascente.

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