The Território do Côa Regional Development Association (ADR) considers that the almond tree in bloom is “a powerful attraction” for tourism in the municipalities of Vila Nova de Foz Côa and Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, in the district of Guarda.
“The almond tree in bloom has become one of the most important natural attractions in the months of February and March in the cross-border area between the rivers Côa and Douro, which is why the Portuguese municipalities of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and Vila Nova de Foz Côa – members of the Côa Territories – ADR, have programmed a series of activities to seduce Portuguese and Spanish tourists and visitors”, says the association’s coordinator.
According to Dulcineia Catarina Moura, “in both counties, which border the Spanish provinces of Zamora and Salamanca, the almond tree has started to flower, as usual, which surprises visitors, since it is a floral explosion that involves much of the territory with the pink and white colors of the almond blossom”.
For the Território do Côa association, headquartered in Vilar Formoso, in the municipality of Almeida, “this moment provided by Nature and by the guarantee of an increasingly comprehensive and quality offer by municipalities and private agents is an opportunity for tourists and visitors come to the region and become aware of the identity potential of this splendid territory”.
There is no lack of tourist proposals around the almond trees in bloom
CM Vila Nova de Foz Côa
Vila Nova de Foz Côa, the Almond Tree Festival
Dulcineia Catarina Moura mentioned in the note sent to the Lusa agency that, in the case of the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, the Almond Festival will take place from Friday to the 5th of March, with special activities during the weekends.
On Sunday, the 19th, pedestrian and motorcycling routes are scheduled through the areas of almond blossom, as well as on the 26th of February, with a route for bicycles.
The deputy mayor of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Pedro Duarte, quoted in the note, said that the municipality intends to use the program designed to “attract all types of public”, with special emphasis on the Spaniards. Program here.
The municipality, in partnership with CP, also celebrates the Almond Blossom Route on rails. In a historic train, “seven trips are scheduled”, they inform, “on the Douro Line, between Porto-São Bento and Pocinho, in Foz Côa”: Saturdays and Sundays between February 25th and March 18th, for 49 euros one way e-round (25€ for children 4-12). The program combines views of almond trees with visits to the Côa Museum and tastings of various local delicacies.
Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, the Fthis one of the Almond Trees in Blossom
In the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, on the edge of the Natural Park of the Arribas do Douro Espanhol, the traditional festival is back: the municipality has designed a specific program for tourists during the almond blossom season, essentially for the weekends from the 24th to the 26th of February and from the 3rd to the 5th of March.
“In addition to a fair with exhibitors of all kinds of local handicrafts, Figueira will have musical activities, guided visits to the almond trees in bloom and sporting events, such as a Raid TT”, said Território do Côa.
The mayor of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Carlos Condesso, quoted in the statement, recalled that the festival of almond blossoms is in its 82nd edition and is the “oldest tourist attraction in the region”.
The Côa Territories Regional Development Association, based in Vilar Formoso, has as associates the municipalities of Penamacor, Sabugal, Almeida, Pinhel, Trancoso, Mêda, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and Vila Nova de Foz Côa.