Author: seasunvacation

New Border Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU nationals

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The European Union is implementing a new Entry/Exit System (EES) across airports and other points of entry into the 29 EU countries. The new Entry/Exit System (EES) started to be operational on 12 October 2025. European countries using the EES are introducing the system gradually at their external borders. This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be deployed gradually across the external borders of the 29 European countries over a period of 6 months. These European countries will introduce the different elements of the EES in phases, including the collection of biometric data, such as facial image and fingerprints. This means that travellers’ biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) might not be collected at every border crossing point right away, and their personal information may not be registered in the system. Passports will continue to be stamped as usual. This progressive implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, the EES will be fully operational at all external border crossing points of the European countries using the system.

Related Links of Interest:

  1. https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees
  2. https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/faq##

Monte Gordo 2025: Bandeira Azul / Blue Flag

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Mantendo a tradição das últimas décadas, em 2025, a Praia de Monte Gordo continua a ostentar a Bandeira Azul, um dos galardões mais reconhecidos do mundo, atribuído pela Associação Bandeira Azul da Europa. Para se qualificar para a Bandeira Azul, uma série de critérios rigorosos de ambiente, educação, segurança e acessibilidade devem ser cumpridos e mantidos.

ENGLISH:

Keeping the tradition over the last decades, in 2025, Monte Gordo Beach continues to hold a Blue Flag, one of the world’s most recognized awards for beaches, attributed by the Blue Flag Association of Europe. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.

Links:

Bandeira Azul / Blue Flag

Booking.com 2025 Traveller Review Awards / Prémio dos Hóspedes

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(English and other languages Below Portuguese text)

Graças ao reconhecimento dos nossos estimados hóspedes durante o ano de 2024, o Booking.com continua a classificar a Seasun Vacation Rentals como um dos melhores alojamentos em Monte Gordo e por conseguinte galardoou-nos com o 2025 Traveller Review Awards. Muito obrigado! Vamos continuar a dar o nosso melhor para vos proporcionar bons apartamentos para umas excelentes férias em Monte Gordo!

Reconhecimentos do Booking.com (comparativamente a outros alojamentos em Monte Gordo):

“Informação fiável: Os hóspedes dizem que a descrição e as fotografias deste alojamento são muito precisas.”

“Favorito dos hóspedes”

“recomendado pela boa relação preço/qualidade em Monte Gordo! Os hóspedes têm mais por menos dinheiro em comparação a outros alojamentos nesta cidade. “

“situa-se numa das localizações com melhor pontuação em Monte Gordo! Os hóspedes adoram-na em comparação com outras propriedades nas proximidades.”

Booking Award BEACH 2025
Booking Award BEACH 2025
Booking Award OCEAN 2025
Booking Award OCEAN 2025

Thanks to the feedback of our guests during 2024, Booking.com continues to rank Seasun Vacation Rentals has one of the best lodgings in Monte Gordo, and consequently it has awarded us the 2025 Guest Review Awards. Thank You! We will continue to do our best to offer you great seafront apartments for excellent vacations in Monte Gordo!

Booking.com acknowledgements (relatively to other Monte Gordo lodgings):

  • “Guest Favourite”
  • “rated for the best value in Monte Gordo! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.”
  • “one of the best-rated locations in Monte Gordo! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.”
  • “Reliable info: Guests say the description and photos for this property are very accurate.”

(Other languages)

Gebaseerd op recensies van klanten, Booking.com richt Seasun als de beste accommodatie in Monte Gordo – Veel Dank!!!

Gracias al reconocimiento de nuestros estimados clientes, Booking.com continua a clasificar Seasun como el mejor alojamiento en Monte Gordo – Muchas Gracias!!!

En raison de la reconnaissance de nos chers clients, Booking.com continue aévalue Seasun comme le meilleur hébergement à Monte Gordo – Merci beaucoup!!!

Grazie al riconoscimento dei nostri stimati clienti, Booking.com continua aclassificare Seasun come la migliore sistemazione a Monte Gordo – Grazie mille!!!

Monte Gordo 2024: Bandeira Azul e Qualidade de Ouro – Blue Flag and Gold Quality Beach

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Com tem vindo sendo tradição há várias décadas, em 2024, a praia de Monte Gordo continua a ter Bandeira Azul (atribuída pela Associação Bandeira Azul da Europa) e a designação de “Qualidade de Ouro” atribuída pela Quercus (Associação Nacional de Conservação da Natureza).

ENGLISH:

Keeping the tradition over the last few decades, in 2024, Monte Gordo Beach continues to hold a Blue Flag (awarded by the Blue Flag Association of Europe) and the designation of “Gold Quality” awarded by Quercus (Portuguese Association for the Conservation of Nature).

Links:

Bandeira Azul / Blue Flag

Quercus Qualidade de Ouro / Gold Quality

Guadiana, a river that unites us

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The video below shows several places and activities present along the counties of Vila Real de Santo Antonio (VRSA; where Monte Gordo is located), Castro Marim, all the way up to Alcoutim, along with the Guadiana River. Here are also additional links of interest for this region:

Territory and History: https://www.baixoguadiana.com/en/territorio/

Trails to explore: https://www.baixoguadiana.com/en/percursos/

Culture, Sports & Leisure: https://www.baixoguadiana.com/en/cultura-desporto-lazer/

Local food: https://www.baixoguadiana.com/en/sabores-descanso/produtos-endogenos/

Restaurants: https://www.baixoguadiana.com/en/sabores-descanso/restauracao-cafetaria/

Algarve wins 2023 “Europe’s Leading Beach Destination” award (again!)

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PT (English version below)

Pela décima vez, o Algarve foi eleito o “Melhor Destino de Praia da Europa” nos 2023 World Travel Awards. Artigo: https://jornaldoalgarve.pt/algarve-e-o-melhor-destino-de-praia-da-europa-pela-10-a-vez/

For the tenth time, the Algarve has been voted as “Europe’s Leading Beach Destination” at the 2023 World Travel Awards. Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanneshurvell/2023/10/02/the-algarve-wins-europes-leading-beach-destination-at-world-travel-awards-2023/?sh=677f03ae2c73

Monte Gordo – novo destino preferido do Presidente da República

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[English translation available below Portuguese text]

O Presidente da República Portuguesa, o Professor Doutor Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa tem sido visto regularmente aos fins de semana em Monte Gordo desde Janeiro de 2023, embora ele já frequente a praia de Monte Gordo desde os anos 60. Como amante da natação, acreditamos que o que mais o atrai à nossa praia é o mar mais quente de Portugal continental… e ele raramente resiste a ir dar um mergulho, nem que seja em Janeiro! Além do mais, como Monte Gordo é bastante pacato durante a época baixa, ele sente-se muito confortável, com (alguma) privacidade, e até vai à missa na Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Dores, a única em Monte Gordo. E claro, está sempre disponível para uma foto!

Referências/links:

  1. Artigo recente no Jornal do Algarve sobre as visitas a Monte Gordo.
  2. Reportagem RTP sobre Monte Gordo com o mar mais quente em Portugal continental

ENGLISH VERSION

The President of the Portuguese Republic, Professor Dr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has been seen regularly on weekends in Monte Gordo since January 2023, although he has been frequenting the beach of Monte Gordo since the 60s. What most attracts him to our beach is the warmest sea in mainland Portugal… and he rarely resists going for a swim, even in January! Furthermore, as Monte Gordo is quite peaceful during the low season, he feels very comfortable, with (some) privacy, and even goes to mass at the Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Dores, the only one in Monte Gordo. And of course, he is always available for a photo!

Faro Airport now connected to 71 Cities

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Faro Airport (FAO) will have 18 new routes this summer 2023, out of which 6 are new destinations. Consequently FAO will now be connected to 70 European cities plus Toronto in Canada (total of 81 routes). The 6 new cities added to FAO destinations are: Aarhus (Denmark), Roma (Italy), Strasbourg (France), Bilbao (Spain), Jersey (UK), and Exeter (UK).

Destinations from Faro Airport: click here (links to external site: “Flight Connections”)

News Source:

English: click here (links to external site: “THE PORTUGAL NEWS”)

Portuguese: click here (links to external site: “ECO – Economia Online”)

Swimming in December… why not?

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After some rainy days, the sunny weather is back in full blast to Monte Gordo. These are a couple of photos from today, December 27 of 2022. The temperature was about 21 celsius (70F) all day.

December 27 at about 9h30, one of the last traditional fishermen boat arrives at the beach with fresh seafood

December 27 at about 17h30 the sunset is phenomenal and the temperature remains at 20 celsius

December 27 also at about 17h30 I noticed that a couple of young people could not resist going for a swim!

Season greetings!

“Superhost” recognition by AIRBNB

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PT: Graças ao histórico de feedback dos nossos hóspedes, a Seasun Vacation Rentals é agora considerada um “Superhost” pela AIRBNB – “O programa Superhost celebra e premeia os anfitriões mais bem avaliados e experientes do Airbnb.”- Muito obrigado!!! Continuaremos a fazer o nosso melhor para vós!

EN: Thanks to the historical feedback of our guests, Seasun Vacation Rentals is now considered a “Superhost” by AIRBNB – “The Superhost program celebrates and rewards Airbnb’s top-rated and most experienced hosts.” – Thank you very much!!! We will keep doing our best for you!

NL: Dankzij de historische feedback van onze gasten wordt Seasun Vacation Rentals nu door AIRBNB beschouwd als een “Superhost” – “Het Superhost-programma viert en beloont de best beoordeelde en meest ervaren hosts van Airbnb.” doen ons best voor je!