But, what is the "Fado"? ... Fado is the song of longing, is nostalgia, is emotion, is suffering, is unfortunately, is tragedy, is the fate, is the destiny, is love and jealousy, are broken loves, are the miseries of life, the city, the shadows, the night, the bullfights, the critique of society, etc ...

Fado, is a unique style of Portuguese music usually performed by a solo singer, male or female (called fadista), accompanied traditionally by the "Portuguese Guitar" (a pear-shaped cittern with twelve wire strings, unique to Portugal) and the wire-strung acoustic guitar (classical guitar). It can be traced to the 1820`s in Portugal, but probably with much earlier origins, has been recognized in 2011 by UNESCO as Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The most classic fado was performed by Alfredo Marceneiro, Fernando Farinha, Hermínia Silva among others, gave way to a more modern fado that had its maximum apogee with our greatest singer of all time, Amalia Rodrigues, who sang lyrics of the great Portuguese poets, which was followed by other great singers such as Carlos do Carmo, Teresa Tarouca, Maria da Fé, Joao Braga, Alexandra, Dulce Pontes... and currently Camané, Carminho, Ana Moura and Marisa, already with a more modernist style.

"Fado Castiço" (pure fado) with the traditional accompaniment is sung nowadays in restaurants, called "Casas de Fado" (Fado Houses) for tourists in the districts of Alfama, Mouraria, Madragoa and Bairro Alto, maintaining the characteristics of early, but sometimes it is sung to "desgarrada" (impromptu duet), telling a funny story improvisation and irony between two singers.

There are many variants of singing fado, between that stand out; non-professional fado or "Fado Vadio" ( literally translates as bohemian, vagabond or loafer fado) and the happy fado related to bullfighting, in other words the "Fado Marialva".

In Coimbra, in the "city of students and doctors", sings the "Fado de Coimbra" (Coimbra fado) variant of singing fado linked to the academic traditions of the University of Coimbra, where male students who went there to study took their guitars and academic costume, sang at night and almost in the dark in squares or on city streets.

There are some differences in the tone of tuning the guitar in relation to Lisbon, so they are called "Guitarra de Coimbra" (Coimbra guitars) since always play one note below regarding the guitars of Lisbon, so that the sound can project better outdoors.

It is also very traditional being organized "Serenatas" (serenades) by groups of university students, in which they sing topics such as student loves, the love for the city and the human condition, by the window of the beloved who intends to conquer.

One of the leading exponents of Coimbra song was Augusto Hilário among many other doctors of arts, letters and politics.

PRICES AND INFORMATION:

Depending on the Fados House, you can dine with fado show or in some cases only watch the show without consuming, paying only a low value for the entrance ticket.
Prices vary greatly depending on choosing a "A La Carte" menu or a "Tourist Menu" with all-inclusive.

In a menu "A La Carte" consuming the main course and more a drink or a dessert you can pay between 25,00 to 35,00 Euro/Person (depending on the Fados House).
In the menus "Tourist Menu" with starter, main course, dessert and water or wine, you can pay between 45,00 to 65,00 Euro/Person (depending on the Fados House).

The Fado Houses in most works between 8,00 pm and 12,00 pm.

ASK FOR OUR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IN THE FADOS HOUSE CHOICE AND TO PROCEED WITH RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE.

Predominantly of Mediterranean characteristics, Portugal is a country with a very rich gastronomy and much appreciated by all those who visit us.

Although the cuisine varies in each region, we say that we always have good fresh products from land and sea for cooking a tasty meal as well as a variety of conventual desserts, beautiful cheeses and wines from different demarcated regions.

Portugal has very typical meals confectioned with both meat and fish and example of that are the various grilled or stew fish, various seafood dishes, the "cataplanas" (casseroles of seafood or fish), "bacalhau" (codfish from baked, grilled, fried or roasted), "polvo à lagareiro" (octopus), eels, "cozido à Portuguesa" (cooked to Portuguese), the "chanfana" (traditional goat stew), "cabrito assado" (roast goat), "leitão à Bairrada" (piglet), the clams, the wide variety of sausages, ham and many other delicacies.

In addition, the Portuguese olive oil which is of excellent quality is always present in the confection of all our meals.

With regard to table wines, white or red, are very appreciated from the regions of "Dão", "Douro", "Bairrada", "Alentejo", "Palmela", green white caste "Alvarinho", and excellent sparkling wines from Bairrada, not to mention the most famous fortified wines of the world as the "Vinho do Porto" (Port wine), the "Vinho da Madeira" (Madeira wine) and "Moscatel".

We also have excellent cheese of cow's milk, goat and sheep or of mixture as our well known cheeses; "Serra da Estrela", "Nisa","Rabaçal", "Serpa", "Azeitão" and those of the Azorean islands, "Ilha de São Jorge" (from Island of St.George) and "Ilha de São Miguel" (from Island of São Miguel).

To end could not stop speaking about something sweet, like the conventual cakes that originated in the convents in 15th century, characterized by being made with eggs, honey (at first) and later sugar. In each region there are numerous conventual cakes, but we cannot fail to prove ours famous "Pastel de Nata" (egg tart) sprinkled with cinnamon accompanied with a good "espresso coffee".

PRICES AND INFORMATION:

Meal prices vary greatly depending on type, style, and restaurants locations, if in the province or in city centers.

On a "Menu do Dia" or "Tourist Menu" (full meal on that day) usually consists of a bowl of soup, main course of meat or fish, bread, drink, dessert and coffee.
In a "A La Carte" menus you can choose the dish you want but generally the meals are always more expensive, and mainly because of the expensive wines, desserts and the entrees (couverts) laying on the table without us having asked.

In the most inexpensive restaurants you can eat a full meal by +-10,00 Euro/Person, but, on traditional restaurants and with typical or regional dishes you can have lunch by 15,00 to 30,00 Euro/Person.
In luxury restaurants and "A La Carte", with "author meals", fish from the sea (to weight) or seafood you can pay between 35,00 to 70,00 Euro/Person.

Most restaurants and cafes are open from +-8,00 am up to 10,00 pm or to 12,00 pm. However we advise customers that the ideal time for lunch is between 1,00 pm and 3,00 pm or dinner between 7,00 pm and 9,00 pm.

NOTE: Before the Portuguese law, the entries (couverts) that they put on the table without you have requested, EVEN IF WE HAVE EATEN, we are not required to pay!!! In case of conflict, do not pay the bill and call the police (Phone 112) or register the complaint (can be in English) in the "Livro de Reclamações" (Complaints Book) in the restaurant.

ASK FOR OUR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IN THE RESTAURANT CHOICE AND TO PROCEED WITH RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE.

Due to many requests that we usually receive from customers along the year, seeking to effectuate sport fishing or rent boats in Portugal, we decided to put this topic so that we can help you and clarify these matters related with fishing and boats.

For such, we looked for straight partners (boats owners and without intermediaries) and with competitive prices, that they wanted to work with us through an "exchange of services". So, we send customers for firms with fishing activities or hire boats and from them we receive customers to effectuate our excursions.

In Portugal, it is possible to effectuate sport fishing or boat fishing from several marinas along the entire coastline.

Depending on the season, sea state and winds, will be possible to catch different types of fish, as well as fishing areas. From small to medium along the coastline or fish of larger size or deep sea from many miles of the coast.

There are several possibilities to make fisheries; integrating a group of fishermen or hire a boat only for you or for your group.

In case of not having fishing equipment, it will be provided, including baits, as well as you can also rely on the experience and professional help of the skipper of the vessel.

The departures for fishing along the coast begins immediately at dawn, with the sun appearing, and last for about 4 hours and for fishing far from the coast or deep sea all day (8 hours). Also it is a custom after the fishery to have lunch on board grilling some of the caught fish.

The boat rides for a panoramic view of the locations are usually made along the coast, may have a duration of 2, 4 or 8 hours. You can also "charter" the boat only for you or for your group for more than a day and even overnight on board.

Regarding the hire of boats, for rides or charters for private use, they are always hired "with crew" (skipper+crewmen), however in some cases can be hired without crew depending on the skills and user licenses that will be displayed.

PRICES AND INFORMATION:

For the Lisbon region, the departures are in the Marina of Cascais, in the Village of Cascais.
For other regions, consult us.

FISHERIES:
Fishing various fish and porgies: 4 h.=75.00 Еuro/Person.
Fishing various fish and porgies: 8 h.=85.00 Еuro/Person.
Fishing red porgies: 8 h.=120,00.
Fishing sharks: 4 h.=90,00.
Fishing sharks: 8 h.=110,00.

TYPES OF BOATS USED (With crew, equipment and baits):
Silcar 820, with 8,2m and with capacity for 10 people+2 crewmen.
Silcar 980, with 10,4m and with capacity for 12 people+2 crewmen.

BOAT EXCURSIONS:
Boat excursion from Cascais along the coast up to Lisbon and accompanied "WITH TOUR GUIDE" of Russian language, passing the Belem area to view the monuments from the sea and pass under the Ponte 25 de Abril (bridge) to the Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) in Lisbon and return to Cascais.

TYPES OF BOATS USED (With crew):
Silcar 820, with 8,2m and with capacity for 10 people+2 crewmen.
4 h.=375,00 Euro/Group.
8 h.=700,00 Euro/Group.
Silcar 980, with 10,4m and with capacity for 12 people+2 crewmen.
4 h.=425,00 Euro/Group.
8 h.=800,00 Euro/Group.
Catamaran Cheetah Marine, with 12m, 2 powerful engines and with capacity of 12 people+2 crewmen.
4 h.=660,00 Euro/Group.

Excursion offshore of Cascais to see the "Sunset" (without tour guide).

TYPES OF BOATS USED (With crew):
Silcar 820, with 8,2m and with capacity for 10 people+2 crewmen.
2 h.=200,00 Euro/Group.
Silcar 980, with 10,4m and with capacity for 12 people+2 crewmen.
2 h.=250,00 Euro/Group.

NOTE: Take attention that there will never be a guarantee that on the marked day the boat will leave for fishing or for the ride since it depends on the weather!... Also in fishing there will be no guarantee that you will catch a very big fish to be able to take a photo to show your friends!

ASK FOR OUR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE TO A FISHERY, BOAT RIDE OR CHARTERS AND TO PROCEED WITH RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE.