In April of 2000, TURIHAB – Associação do Turismo de Habitação - and ATA – Associação do Turismo de Aldeia – created CENTER – Central Nacional do Turismo no Espaço Rural, the central information and booking of rural tourism.
The goals of CENTER are to promote and commercialize the brands Solares de Portugal and Aldeias de Portugal, and to improve the offer of these two products of Rural Tourism. Furthermore, CENTER also promotes Casas no Campo - country accommodation and some thematic itineraries. CENTER uses a modern and efficient technological program to make reservations, the “Centernet system”. In order to promote its manors and country houses was created the web site www.center.pt
“Centernet” is an operator software system for reservations and information and includes all the information concerning Rural Tourism (agro tourism, ecotourism, eco-agro tourism, adventure tourism, country houses, manor houses, traditional houses, cottages) in a database that also includes all the history and facilities of those family homes.
CENTER’s web site, www.center.pt, is a directory with information concerning the associations TURIHAB and ATA and their brands. It includes all the information about the structure of CENTER and allows web surfers to get different information such maps, accommodation prices, photos of the houses, gastronomy, history and local products, and on-line reservations.
CENTER offers a quality product, with intense marketing activities, either in Portugal or in the foreign market. The primordial aim is to promote Solares de Portugal - www.solaresdeportugal.pt, Aldeias de Portugal - www.turismodealdeia.com and Casas no Campo – www.casasnocampo.net, within and out of Portugal, giving priority to the private tourism accommodation and to the country landscapes. CENTER also participates in the creation of thematic routes to support the policies of the development of rural areas with rural tourism, agro tourism and ecotourism.
Solares de Portugal is a unique concept that was introduced to promote quality tourist accommodation in houses of character and, at the same time, preserve the rich legacy of Portugal’s architectural and cultural heritage. They are not hotels or guesthouses. They are privately-owned stately manor houses (Casas Antigas), elegant country homes (Quintas & Herdades) and rustic farmhouses (Casas Rusticas). Situated in some of Portugal’s most picturesque locations, the Solares nestle within large estates surrounded by beautifully designed gardens, vineyards that produce delicious in-house wines, fruit orchards and woodlands.
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Aldeias de Portugal is a new form of tourism that allows people to discover rural and mountain areas along with local products and traditional handicraft, right where they are produced. Discover the typical Portuguese villages, and there traditions, gastronomy and way of life, in touch with nature. Aldeias de Portugal are a unique opportunity to discover new routes of natural, historical and architectural interest, where local culture and traditions are still alive.
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Casas no Campo is an invitation to a peaceful stay in harmony with the rural and natural environment. Independent luxury houses, located in rural areas, combining the tradition and exclusivity with all comfort there are the perfect choice for your family vacations. Where the rustic touch prevails, Casas no Campo are a perfect place for a relaxing vacation enjoying the countryside, is an invitation to a peaceful stay in harmony with the rural and natural environment. Independent luxury houses, located in rural areas, combining the tradition and exclusivity with all comfort there are the perfect choice for your family vacations. Where the rustic touch prevails, Casas no Campo are a perfect place for a relaxing vacation enjoying the countryside.
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