Visitors to Pinhão will be able to enjoy the best of the Douro Valley, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world, as the historic Vintage House Hotel reopens its doors in late March this year. Following its recent purchase, the hotel, which was built in the 19th century as a house and wine storage warehouse for the Taylor’s Port family, is undergoing a two-month refurbishment and will enable guests to experience the authentic heart of Portugal’s most famous wine region.

One of the world’s best football players, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the largest international Portuguese hotel group, Pestana, have announced a joint partnership to launch four new boutique hotels. Dionísio Pestana, owner and chairman of Pestana Hotel Group, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who both hail from Madeira, acknowledge that this collaboration emerges from a great mutual empathy and trust. The joint venture, which is co-owned, by both Ronaldo and Pestana will be managed by The Pestana Hotel Group.

Visits to the UK in the first half of 2015 are 16.8 million, the highest recorded over the first six months of any year showing a five per cent increase over 2014. In addition, visits to the UK by overseas visitors are three per cent higher in the twelve months to June 2015 compared to the previous twelve month period at 34.9 million. In June the UK welcomed 3.23 million visitors, in line with the record set in June 2014.

Gatwick is set to raise a glass to celebrate the start of British Airways’ new direct service to the Portuguese city of Porto. The city, famous for its fortified wine and UNESCO-protected city centre, will welcome the four times a week service from Gatwick starting February next year.

Turismo de Portugal has announced the appointment of António Soveral Padeira as director of the Portuguese National Tourist Office in the UK & Ireland. Paderia has a wealth of experience working within the travel industry, having spent seven years as general marketing manager at Turismo de Portugal in Lisbon.

Lisbon, the cosmopolitan and fascinating capital of Portugal, has been named Europe’s Leading City Break Destination. The city triumphed at the prestigious World Travel Awards, considered by many to be the ‘Oscars’ of the travel industry, at the Europe Gala Ceremony held in Antalya, Turkey.