Montreal, February 6, 2018 – More and more Canadian travellers are drawn to the sheer cliffs and azure seas of the spectacular Algarve Coast, as well as the winding and steep streets of Lisbon. A highly prized destination in summer, Portugal also has plenty to offer travellers looking for a short or longer change of scene in winter, including in the Algarve. With that in mind, Transat is pleased to offer customers an enhanced array of packages, including in the beach resort destinations of Cascais and Estoril. And with flights to Portugal out of Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal in both winter and summer, Air Transat is the carrier of choice for those eager to explore the southwestern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.

The Algarve, a favoured region

The Algarve is well known as a prime summer destination for fans of beaches and water sports. With a temperate climate even in winter, the region is perfect for vacationers of all kinds looking to stroll along the seaside, go cycling, or discover its many charming coastal towns. The region fairly teems with picturesque coastal villages, each with its own distinct personality, like Albufeira, renowned for its fishing ports and old town, which radiates authenticity, and Lagos, with its imposing rock formations and mysterious caves.

Cascais and Estoril

This coastal region, a mere 30 minute car ride from Lisbon, also has everything to please. It’s a golfer’s dream, with seven courses in the area, many in stunning seaside settings. Transat offers year-round gold packages to the region, including flights, hotel stays, breakfasts, and vehicle rental. In the summer, both Cascais and Estoril come alive as popular beach resorts, welcoming travellers looking to relax in the sand and surf.

There’s also plenty to offer nature lovers. A short drive from Cascais are Serra de Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, a paradise for hikers with its views of the steep-cliffed coastline, and Cabo de Roca, the westernmost point in Portugal and indeed continental Europe, offering panoramic views of the region.

Not far from Cascais and in the heart of Serra de Sintra-Cascais park, Praia do Guincho is a surfing and kitesurfing destination par excellence. This beach on the Atlantic Ocean features massive waves that attract thrill-seekers in both winter and summer.

A little farther north, history buffs will love exploring the old city of Sintra, with its magical mountaintop castles, including the 9th-century Castelo dos Mouros and the iconic, yellow-domed Palácio da Pena.

Accommodations

Transat offers a wide selection of accommodations in Portugal to match travellers’ preferred type of stay: in-town apartments with kitchenettes, beach resort complexes with or without meal plans, charming boutique hotels, and more. Custom excursions can also be added to the various packages, making for an even more enriching experience at destination.

Air service

With Air Transat, the many wonders that Portugal has to offer are within easy reach. This winter, vacationers can fly direct from Toronto and Montreal to Lisbon, and there are direct flights out of Toronto to Faro, Lisbon and Porto. Thanks to the carrier’s domestic flight program linking Montreal and Toronto, travellers from both cities can access more Portugal destinations and a greater choice of flights. Plus, with Transat’s multi-destination option, they can land in one city (Lisbon, for example) and depart from another (like Faro, in the Algarve, or Porto, in the north) at no extra charge. It’s a simple and affordable way to explore more of a destination with every trip.

Detailed Winter 2018 flight schedule to Portugal during peak season

Transat benefits

In winter, all travellers who book a stay of more 14 days in Lisbon or Faro obtain a baggage allowance of 32 kg, and can also access a toll-free number to get assistance from a destination rep at any time.

About Air Transat

Air Transat is Canada’s number one leisure travel airline. It flies to some 60 destinations in the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, offers domestic and feeder flights within Canada, and carries nearly 4.5 million passengers every year. Based in Montreal, the company employs 3,000 people and operates a fleet of Boeing narrow-body and Airbus wide-body jets. In 2017, Air Transat was named the best leisure airline in North America for the sixth consecutive year by Skytrax. In recent years, the carrier has earned multiple distinctions for its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. Since 2011, it has consistently been ranked in the Top 20 worldwide, by the Atmosfair Airline Index. Air Transat is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc., a leading integrated international tourism company specializing in holiday travel and offering vacation packages, hotel stays and air travel. Transat was awarded Travelife Partner status in 2016 in recognition of its commitment to sustainable development.