Merry Christmas

Leading golf destination

The Algarve was voted Europe’s Best Golf Destination for 2014, beating off challenges from several illustrious destinations across Europe.

The awards, staged in Tarragona, Spain are voted for by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) from 62 different countries. They considered criteria such as customer satisfaction; quality of golf courses and accommodation; value for money; support from suppliers, tourist boards & airlines; professional conduct of suppliers; and accessibility to tee times, when casting their votes.

The IAGTO awards are the highest accolade for golfing destinations. The Algarve beat off the challenges of other nominees which included Dublin and Central Ireland, Gran Canary, the Scottish Highlands, the French Riviera, and Lisbon’s own Golf Coast.

Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean Diet was nominated, World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The recommendation was submitted by Portugal, Cyprus, Croatia, Spain, Greece, Italy, and Morocco. The nomination took place at the 8th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, this December.

According to a prepared statement by UNESCO, “The Mediterranean diet is a set of traditional practices, knowledge and skills passed on from generation to generation and providing a sense of belonging and continuity to the concerned communities.”

The Mediterranean Diet emphasizes primarily plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts, healthy fats, such as olive oil, eating fish and poultry and limiting red meat, reducing additional salt intake and drinking red wine in moderation.

Benefits include the decrease in the risk of heart disease, increases life span, reduces internal inflammation, slows cognitive loss that leads to Alzheimer’s disease and a may prevent and help cure Type II Diabetes.