Our mission is to promote the Southern Alentejo as a destination for responsible and sustainable nature tourism, that contributes to safeguarding our natural heritage.
The network of associates includes both businesses linked to tourism and governmental entities, placing us as mediators to build strategic alliance between the public and private sector.
With the Portugal Wildscapes tourism brand, the Association promotes a direct relationship between tourism activities in the territory and nature conservation initiatives, based on the principles of co-responsibility and proximity. Enabling visitors to directly contribute and empowering landowners and businesses to adopt and support conservation actions.
What makes us special?
The Portugal Secret Nature Association, the owner of the Portugal Wildscapes brand, is developing a pioneering initiative that allows members and visitors to make a direct contribution to the conservation actions implemented in the territory. Through the creation of a network of environmentally responsible entrepreneurs, who work in cooperation with local governmental and non-governmental entities to develop responsible nature tourism tours and find new ways to fund nature conservation goals.
To this end, the Association invests in improving the visitation infrastructure and provides technical support to members for the development of new tourism products. Training and capacity-building activities are promoted to provide operators with the necessary tools to guarantee tourist experiences of excellence. To promote the adoption of sustainability measures, the members undertake to implement the principles set out in the Commitment Letter.
Types of Membership
Both individuals or legal entities, such as enterprises, NGOs or governmental bodies, can apply to the membership. We are glad to welcome all of those who identify with our mission and are willing to join in this exciting journey. Those who are moved to protect what makes us specia: our natural and cultural heritage. And those who believe that local development is a responsibility of every single one of us, working in cooperation.
There are 4 member categories, if you are an individual, you can become a “Supporter“, if you have a business in the territory and would like to belong to the network, become an “Associate“. But if you have a business that you would like to see highlighted on the site, and have the possibility to join and create Portugal Wildscapes Experiences, become an “Official Partner“. For government entities, there is also the “Promoter” typology.
Company listed on the interactive map of the Portugal Wildscapes website. Joins the network and can participate in activities and workshops.
ANNUAL FEE
40 €: restaurants, local guides, interpreters, accommodation up to 10 bedrooms, commerce of local products, tourist entertainment companies, farmers, forestry producers, consulting companies
70 €:accommodation with more than 11 rooms
Company featured on the Portugal Wildscapes website. Can create and join in different Portugal Wildscapes Experiences, market activities through the Outdoor Active website and be a beneficiary of nature conservation actions.
ANNUAL FEE
70 €: local guides, interpreters
90 €: accommodation up to 10 bedrooms, restaurants, local produce shops, producers and craftsmen
140 €: accommodation with more than 11 rooms
130 €: tour operators
190 €: tour agencies
Pessoas colectivas ou individuais que se identifiquem com o projecto e queiram formalizar a sua contribuição.
QUOTA ANUAL
40 €: Pessoas individuais e pessoas colectivas sem fins lucrativos, tais como ONGs, IPSS ou Fundações
Entidades governamentais a operar a nível nacional, regional e local, para a promoção turística, conservação da natureza e desenvolvimento sustentável.
QUOTA ANUAL
1800€: Câmaras municipais, entidades regionais para a promoção turística
Members’ admission requires completing the application form below, signing the Letter of Commitment, paying the respective annual fee and the entry fee. The implementation of the principles set out in the Letter of Commitment is voluntary and based on a philosophy of self-responsibility of the Members, for which reason there will be no mechanism for evaluating compliance with the criteria set out.
Membership requires a one-off initial fee of €80. This amount will be invoiced with the first annual fee. Dues are charged annually, during the first quarter of the year.
Benefits of becoming a member
FOR MEMBERS
Inclusion of the name, location and contacts on the Portugal Wildscapes website
Possibility of using the seal “Associated Portugal Wildscapes” in their own media
Access to Portugal Wildscapes promotional material, free of charge or with a resale discount
Access to activities and training sessions organized by the association
FOR SUPPORTERS
Mention on the Portugal Wildscapes website
Access to activities, publications and training sessions organised by the Association
FOR OFFICIAL PARTNERS
Premium visibility on the Portugal Wildscapes website with photos, description, contacts and booking button
Direct marketing of tourism products through the website and the Outdoor Active platform, with over 8 million annual visitors
Possibility of creating tour packages with the Portugal Wildscapes brand
Possibility of using the seal “Portugal Wildscapes Official Partner” in its own media
Access to Portugal Wildscapes promotional material, free of charge or with a resale discount
Access to activities and training sessions organized by the Association
Inclusion in Portugal Wildscapes tour packages that include a commission for nature conservation projects
Inclusion in the Association’s promotional activities, including fam trips and press trips
Privileged access to the services of the partner network
Possibility of integrating the network of visitation infrastructures implemented (e.g.: photo hides, routes)
Direct beneficiary of conservation actions
Personalised communication materials with the results of the conservation actions
FOR PROMOTERS
Visibility on the Portugal Wildscapes website
Tourist promotion and representation of the territory inside and outside Portugal
Connection to the network of business partners, direct access for the organization of initiatives
Access to activities and training actions organized by the Association
Co-involvement in nature conservation and promotion activities
Personalised communication materials with the results of the conservation actions
Support for responsible tourism development
How do we invest membership fees?
Implementation of nature conservation actions
Promotion of the Portugal Wildscapes brand at a national and international level, through creative communication tools, digital campaigns, fam and press trips
Participation in international tourism fairs and conventions
Maintenance of the Portugal Wildscapes website and APP with connection to the Outdoor Active portal
Communication of the territory’s natural values and the conservation actions implemented
Support to companies for the creation of new tourism products and adoption of sustainability criteria
Organization of training actions, events and webinars for members
Improvement of the tourism offer and visitation infrastructure in the territory
Management of the network of members, partners and international operators
Maintenance of the association’s operational structure
Who are our members?
A Planície
Presenting itself as "Creative gastronomy", this restaurant in the heart of Castro Verde promises a journey through the traditional flavours, with an excellent innovative touch. It has options for vegetarians and is closed on Sundays.
Restaurant Casa Amarela
Traditional Alentejo cuisine with "sprinkles" of Chef. Casa Amarela Restaurant is the place in Mértola with the most breathtaking view! Located in Além Rio, it has a unique balcony with a panoramic view of the village and offers a diverse and authentic gastronomy. Closed for dinner on Sundays and all day on Mondays.
Monte da Eirinha
Monte da Eirinha is embed in Alentejo landscape. Located in a small village few kms from Mértola, it's a country house, with all the amenities for your comfort. Ideal location for some days of leisure and tranquility, very suitable for children. They have different apartments, well equipped, and a swimming pool. They are a Bike-Friendly Hotel, offering you a series of dirt tracks, with different lenghts and levels, and you can also rent a bike while you're there.
4B’s – B&B Birds & Bicycles
The 4Bs is a family project in Castro Verde for nature and outdoor activities lovers. The name came up very naturally: "birds" for all the protected bird species that surround us in this region, "bicycles" for our special fellings towards this vehicle :), and of course "Bed & Breakfast" for the kind of accommodation we were offering.
They offer na apartment, a triple bedroom, a slot for a van and Glamping: This spacious tent has 1 double bed and 2 single beds. There is a shared outdoor kitchen fully equipped and free solar warmshower. The homestay also offers bike hire.
Casa da Tia Amália1
As the name states, this was “Aunt Amalia's Home”. Casa da Tia Amália is a family house with a cosy atmosphere. Apart from double-rooms, it has some small-aparments with kitchnet, making it ideal for family-stays.
In Mértola, lays on margin with a priviledge view over the oldtwon. The house, which was almost in ruins, has been restored, and its spaces designed for comfort, scattered with details that show the care and dedication that the young owners put on restoring it. Quality and warm welcome are guaranteed.
Quinta do Vau
With a unique panoramic view of the Guadiana River and the historic centre of Mértola, Quinta do Vau turns your stay into an experience. Every morning or evening the view of the river and “old town” in the background are moments that linger in the memory of those who stay here.
Herdade de Alagães
The Herdade de Alagães is located in southern Portugal, between the Castro Verde IBA Biosphere Reserve and the Guadiana Valley Natural Park. We are dedicated to sustainable tourism, nature conservation and agroforestry. The property is crossed by the Ribeira de Alvacar and it is a highly-biodiverse area; it is a great location for birdwatching. / The rooms for accommodation were recovered as sustainable buildings, keeping the rammed earth (taipa) walls. The wood-oven house was also repurposed as a small support kitchen for the guests. The property, 260ha in total, includes various paths for nature walks and biking.
Ecoland Rural Tourism
A country house few miles from Mértola, is the ideal place to truly disconnect. In Corte de Gafo, a small village in the heart of the Guadiana Valley Natura Park, life runs smoothly, and the air is filled with bird tunes. There are 3 double-rooms to choose from, and they also offer meals, upon request. They prepared many walking and cycling routes, for you to take the most out of your stay. And you can also rent an e-bike tour to go on a special tour, to discover our natural treasures and local producers.
Hotel Museu
It was supposed to be a normal hotel, but when it began to be built several traces of bygone days were found. In the area where the hotel is, there was an Islamic neighbourhood and below it a Roman warehouse. The Hotel Museu is a novelty in Portugal's tourism landscape, with a unique location by the Guadiana river in the historic centre of Mértola, allowing tourists to have a unique experience. Next to the reception of this hotel is a museum, with an area of about 100m², where will be exhibited a representative collection of archaeological work developed there, which will feature quite rare pieces.
Casa de Pasto – Cafetaria Tamuje
A space for sharing and conviviality, from which you will never leave dissatisfied. Family restaurant and home cooking. A quiet place with regional authentic food, including black pig and river fish. It offers 3 exclusive balconies facing the river and closes on sundays.
Join the flock
Join us, our partners and members, in promoting a more responsible territory. For people, for biodiversity, for a responsible tourism development, for the safeguard of all that makes this place so precious.