By Air
Portugal has two major Internationals Airports:
OPORTO AIRPORT:
The Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport is located in the heart of the industrial north of the country, 11km from the city of Oporto, making it a privileged access point to this valuable commercial area. Connection to city centre and interface with Railway Stations by METRO, AEROBUS.
GPS: N 41º 14' 19'', W 8º 40' 14'' (N 41.238611, W 8.670556)
LISBON AIRPORT:
The Lisbon Airport, providing service to the capital of Portugal, is the busiest and most important airport in the country. The principal point of entry for travellers arriving in Portugal. Connection to city centre and interface with Railway Stations by AEROSHUTTLE and BUS.
GPS: N 38º 46' 12'', W 9º 07' 41'' (N 38.77 W -9.128056)
ABOUT THE CITIES
The event will take place in 2 different cities - Póvoa de Varzim and Vila do Conde. The first will host the departure venue and the second the arrival venue. The race is a 10km downwind ocean race between both cities.
Póvoa de Varzim and Vila do Conde are two neighbour cities and they work as one in many social, cultural and financial ways. Both cities are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and together they have 150 thousand inhabitants. Many national and international events (including sport events) take place here.
The people and their history... Once upon a time there was simply the sea and its edge a welcoming bay well suited for fishing. It was here that a seashore community first established itself and in 1308 received its letters patent from King Denis. But this moment of prominence was not to last. Soon afterward the settlement was placed under the administration of the Monastery of Santa Clara of Vila do Conde. The town, it seems, was treated as something of a despised stepdaughter by the church, until it finally achieved its independence once again in 1514 by the order of King Manuel, the first. And from that moment onward began an order of constant improvement that has left a fine architectural heritage in terms of buildings, the materials used to build them, and the various types of construction in the town. Noble granite lends presence, structure and robustness to churches, places and aqueducts. Yet the detailed use of varying materials: stucco, wrought iron, painted ceramic tiles, or gold leaf. All these can be found in profusion.
MAIN EVENTS
Vila do Conde:
International Short Films Festival; International Handicraft Fair;
The biggest beach party in Europe - Azurara Beach Party.
Póvoa de Varzim:
Portuguese Marathon (Athletics); The international
literature contest and festival - Correntes d'Escrita.
CLIMATE
The weather, in both cities, is sunny, warm and windy. The average day temperature, in August, is 25ºC and the night temperature 20ºC.
ACCOMMODATION
The official Hotel of the event, The Axis Vermar Conference & Beach Hotel, is a 4 star hotel just in front of the start venue in the Lagoa beach of Póvoa de Varzim, only 30 Km from the international airport - Oporto.
The hotel offers 208 air conditioned rooms, including 12 suites lying in a little piece of paradise!
FOOD
We will provide specific meals for the participants (half board).
All meals will be in buffet style (in the hotel as well as in the race venue on the race day).
Hotel's website: http://www.axishoteis.com/en/Axis-Vermar-Conference-Beach/Hotel.aspx
