Localities: Meeting with Official Partners

On March 6th we held our 4th Meeting with Official Partners in the low season, in the village of Porto Covo, Sines, to discuss the topic of Localities – Northern Territory of the Rota Vicentina.

We gathered next to the Rota Vicentina sign in the market square, in a setting that fascinates us every time we pass by, the typical Alentejo white and blue houses, the vibrant green of the central garden and at the end of the main street an endless ocean.

In the morning we took the “Praia do Sissal” Circular Route guided by the caretaker of the “Porto Covo – Vila Nova de Milfontes” trail section, António Moura, from Restaurante Lamelas, where Joaquim Parrinha, from Ecoalga, also shared archaeological information about the area with the group. The landscape of this trail, which intersects in large part with the Fishermen’s Trail, is breathtaking, as pure along the coast as it is rich as you pass over the fields, which by now are paint in yellow, violet and white.

To recharge our energy, we had lunch at the Pizzeria Restaurant La Bella Vita, where we were warmly welcomed by the entire team of Antoinette Habraken, the dishes were delicious and the atmosphere was wonderful.

In the afternoon, at the Parish Council of Porto Covo, who kindly provided us with the room, we began with António Moura’s presentation of the “Porto Covo Todo o Ano” an Entrepreneurs’ Association, which was born out of the desire of local entrepreneurs to combat seasonality in the tourism sector and add more value to the village. It now has more than 100 entrepreneurs.

The moment of reflection continued with a free debate and exchange of ideas about the trails to the north of the Rota Vicentina territory. New trails, adaptations due to new infrastructure and changes to mitigate difficulties were the topics discussed.

To finish off the day, we built a map of local identities using the WeLand methodology, which consists of mapping the architectural, social, environmental and economic characteristics of a territory in order to highlight the dynamics on a micro-local scale.

And so another Meeting with our sweet Official Partners has come to an end and we’re ready for the next one!