From the 2nd to the 12th of November another edition of the International Chocolate Festival will be held in the village of Óbidos (about 30 min from Lisbon).
Throughout the medieval streets that take us traveling through time, thousands of visitors will be flowing with only one goal, to savor the numerous varieties of chocolate.
For the 5th edition, the organization prepared the traditional international competition of the Best Chocolatier of the Year, the Best International Chocolate Recipe and the Chocolate Artistic Piece contest. Last year, with Cinema as the main theme, contestants surprised the visitors with real size chocolate sculptures of Marylin Monroe, Laurel and Hardy, and in particular, from the Star Wars series, impressive replicas of Darth Vader, Chewbacca, R2D2, Luke Skywalker, Captain Han Solo and the always scared C3PO. This year, the contest will be dedicated to Cartoons.
There is always a good reason to visit Óbidos, but during this season the town is much sweeter. Each year more and more visitors come to see the event, reason which the city has been nominated the Portuguese Capital of Chocolate.
With hotels in the Lisbon region, only 30m by highway away from from Óbidos, ARTEH® - Hotels and Resorts suggests Hotel Aviz, Bairro Alto Hotel, Hotel Britania, As Janelas Verdes, Hotel Lisboa Plaza, Palácio Belmonte, Solar do Castelo or York House, before or after savoring such a variety of chocolates.
About the Chocolate Festival
In November, chocolates lead the way to Óbidos. In the most varied shapes and used in all kinds of recipes, mixed with liqueurs and wine, chocolates are what the many stands and spaces around the village have to offer.
To gain access to the various areas of the festival, the organization will give a bracelet in exchange for two euros which serves as a ticket and a chocolate to get you in a mouth watering mood for the various delights throughout the village.
The event will take place in various locations, in order to prevent the traditional layout. There will be things to see from Casa da Música (House of Music) to the Galeria Ogiva (Ogiva Gallery), passing by the tent in Santa Maria Square, the Casa do Pelourinho (Pelourinho House), the Espaço Santiago (Santiago Space), Săo Tiago Auditorium and Cerca do Castelo (within the castle walls).
At Casa do Pelourinho you will be able to catch the annual exhibition “The World of Chocolate” of considerable size sculptures.
About Óbidos
Óbidos is surrounded by a serene landscape, extending all the way to the ocean. It is an attractive medieval village, carefully converted into a museum within the tall castle walls and crooked tight roads colored by the flowers that delicately hang from the windows.
The beaches are amongst the most beautiful beaches of the Atlantic, which clearly reflects on the gastronomy. The most typical plates are Caldeirada de Peixe and stewed or fried conger eel. As for pastry, winners are the “trouxas de ovos” and “lampreias das Gaeiras” as well as other goodies and the best fruit.
As for free time, it is a wonderful location to take a long walk or horse ride, do all kinds of water sports, especially at Lagoa de Óbidos (Lake Óbidos). For visitors less into sports, the region has a typical bar in almost every corner, fado houses, a library and a museum. With tourism entertainment all year around, mainly in Summer, the Classical Music Festival, Holy Week, and numerous concerts and exhibitions.
Amongst the surroundings there are many other things to see, chapels, churches and noble quarters such as S. Miguel das Gaeiras convent, Quinta do Furadouro and Quinta das Janelas.
Source: www.oesteonline.pt
Suggestion of ARTEH® Hotels in Lisbon, Portugal
As Janelas Verdes
Bairro Alto Hotel
Hotel Aviz
Hotel Britania
Hotel Lisboa Plaza
Palácio Belmonte
Pestana Palace
Solar do Castelo
York House |
