Volta do Mar

07/05/2022

Alerta ⚠️ Evitar escalar nestes 3 setores até dia 1 de agosto 2022: Águia, Carpe Diem e You Never Gonna Make it. ⛔️

06/06/2021

The season is starting and our Snorkeling at Praia so Camilo is looking like a great start of the day. Come and join us on a refreshing and adventurous activity exploring above and bellow the surface. 🇵🇹

04/05/2021

If you wondered what happened to us, there’s good news! Although we’ve gone offline in the last few months, we’ve never stopped enjoying life and loving what we do! Our internet hiatus translated in a lot of free time to climb and enjoy the outdoors even more! So yeah.. we’re back, baby! And there’s plenty of new stuff coming soon!

17/09/2020

We've submitted a video to Natural.pt a few months ago, our most important partner when it comes to operating sustainably. It's finally out! Hope you enjoy. :)

19/07/2020

A lot is speculated on the news about the pandemic situation in Portugal. This time, we decided to share our local perspective on the situation in Lagos. We hope it's enligthening. Have a great Sunday!

https://voltadomar.pt/covid-19-in-algarve/

Our latest blog post on COVID-19 in the Algarve. This is the perspective of a local, living and roaming in the region as of July of 2020.

13/07/2020

It’s always a pleasure to get on a bicycle and cruise by the beach while feeling the ocean breeze. It gets even better when you get to jump in the water for a refreshing dip just before enjoying a visit to an oyster farm. After learning how this practice has evolved since the Roman ages, nothing like sitting down with a view over an azure lagoon. All this while sipping ice cold white wine and tasting the freshest oysters you can get in the region! If this sounds like a dream plan, don’t hesitate and check our Bike & Oysters tour! Who’s in?

05/07/2020

Fish markets are one of the cornerstones of Portuguese culture. Visiting them is always a party to our senses. As you venture in, you can't stop feeling the scent of fresh fish floating in the air, generally followed by the cries of the fishmongers highlighting the best catches of the day. Then you get a festival of colours and shapes. In Lagos, that could mean sardines, octopus, huge tuna, swordfish, the elusive moray eel or the alien like goose barnacles, among many others! Make sure that you don't lose this unique window into our culture if you visit Portugal. But don't forget to bring your mask, as this photo precedes these crazy times we live in! What about in your location? Any market photos you could share? :)

03/07/2020

It's obvious we are living in interesting times, forced into seclusion and isolation. Sometimes we forget that happiness comes in the simplest of shapes, and it's easy to become lethargic. But hang on there, everyone! Nothing like going outside and enjoying the simple things. For us, dangling on the end of a rope over 30 meter ocean cliffs does the trick! What about you? What is the simple thing that you are missing, but can really still enjoy? :)⁠

21/06/2020

Happy Sunday, everyone! Hope you are staying safe and enjoying a lazy day! We've just blogged again, this time about cycling in the Algarve, as well as all the fun rides we've put together around Lagos. Hope you enjoy!

* Photo credits to

https://voltadomar.pt/bike-tour-heaven-in-lagos-algarve/

The Algarve is a bike tour heaven. Discover all the routes developed for the cycling enthusiasts! And if you want a chilled ride, check our offers too!

19/06/2020

We’re back on the rocks, everyone! And in a new area! The combination of beautiful overhanging walls and the ability to just jump in the water are a must! Are you ready to try it out? :)

15/06/2020

The roads are quiet; the days are longer, and we’re getting really good at social distancing. Want to come practice with us? :) Wherever you are, make the best of the time you have. Every day. ;)

10/06/2020

Today we celebrate Portugal Day, officially “Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities"! Its origins are at the commemoration of (the death of) Luís de Camões on the 10th of June 1580. Camões is one of our most relevant poets and national literary icon!

The story of Camões is legendary. He was an adventurer who lost an eye fighting in Ceuta, wrote the “Lusíadas”, our national epic poem, and survived a shipwreck in nowadays Vietnam. It is said that he saved his literary work while swimming with one arm and keeping the other above the water.

This celebration was officially suspended in 1974, on our carnation revolution, a time of unrest and liberation from our old regime. It was after resumed, and expanded to include the “Portuguese Communities”, composed of Portuguese emigrant communities and their descendants living around the globe.

What about your national day? When is it, and when do you celebrate it?

07/06/2020

There was a peaceful protest yesterday in Lagos, dedicated to the movement. This had a deep meaning and connection with Portugal's grim history, since it took place in front of the old slave market. This is now a museum and memorial for all the atrocities committed in the name of global expansion.

The historical figure you see glorified represented by the statue in the middle of the square is Henry the Navigator. He has been credited as the mind that kick-started the Age of Discovery in the 13th century. The ugly truth, is that he greatly financed the nation's enterprises with slavery, allowing for Lagos to become the biggest slave port in Europe at it's height.

While growing up, we were taught about the amazing feats of our "heroes" and of our "superiority" in "discovering" the world. We mostly stride through life without challenging these concepts, that lead to an irrational sense of nationalistic pride.

It's about time to look back and question our national brainwashing. It's about time to look around NOW and stop glorifying what cannot be glorified. No economic prowess can be justified with racism and the oppression of people.

So Henry should stand where he is with his face covered for now. So we don't forget, so we don't react at what he has done with a sense of pride, but one of shame and acknowledgement.



P.S. (as of 14/06/2020) - Hi, my name is André Glória and I’m the author of this post. I’m adding a little comment here to clarify where I stand on this matter, since I’ve been misread and insulted so much by people who seem to be on some sort of hateful witch-hunt.

But first, let me develop more on the idea of cultural identity. For me, as a Portuguese citizen I’ll have to start with what we call our golden era, the Age of Discovery.

I believe that we can’t forget what our ancestors have done. And we can’t perpetuate those tendencies, that discrimination. Regarding our monuments, I think they can be a reminder of the inequalities that persist since a bygone era. So, we can be fair and move forward together. Don’t get me wrong, I believe it’s important to have a cultural identity. After all, isn’t that why we travel? To experience and be exposed to wonderful cultural differences? To open our minds to new realities and to grow our horizons? Let’s just take things with a grain of salt and be aware that no one is perfect, and that in every nation the path to success was paved with blood at some point.

So, cherish your culture, but don’t be blinded by it. Be ready to always question and to evolve.

One of the attacks I’ve been subjected to, was that somehow people believed I was defending the destruction of monuments that had some sort of relationship with outdated practices. My answer to this is a definite NO. These monuments should all stay, but should have some sort of acknowledgement of the non-ethical, non-human practices they are connected to. The Lagos Slave Museum and Memorial is a good example. And I do remember visiting the Auschwitz concentration camp years ago, and being filled with emotions and dread. These are structures that can be and should be educational. History is here to teach a lot of things, one of these being, the things that changed and that can still improve.

Now, I am aware that there are a lot of people taking advantage of this movement that started in the States. And like any other movement out-there, there’s always going to be extremists and opportunists.

This doesn’t change the fact that there still exists a systemic problem of racism worldwide. Portugal included. If you don’t believe it, check this article by “Público”, a reputable Portuguese news agency (https://acervo.publico.pt/racismo-a-portuguesa). We made a stand for a good cause, and there are always going to be people misrepresenting. Those people do not stand for any cause, but their own selfish personal interests.

So yeah, whoever you are, if you preach for a cause and are driven into extremism, hate and insults, I’m sorry to say, but you are no better than the walls you are trying to destroy.

For all the haters out there, my advice is: read, research and question without insult. If you have such strong beliefs and you really want to move forward, dialogue and the exchange of ideas should be your methods. Not calling someone stupid when you don’t really take the time to read things properly. Not attacking others because you believe that only your ideas matter. That’s called fundamentalism, and fundamentalism is ALWAYS wrong.

Feel free to comment of course, that’s why we share our beliefs. To challenge them. But if you start with insults, you will be blocked. After all, we don’t have any time to lose with trolls.

29/05/2020

As ruas estão calmas, o tempo lindo, e as nossas bicicletas estão prontas e desinfectadas. Quem quer ir dar uma volta? :)

27/05/2020

27/05/2020

https://voltadomar.pt/5-things-you-can-still-enjoy-in-portugal-in-2020/

Hi there! Check out our latest blog entry! On this edition we explore what’s new with Portugal, now that restrictions are slowly being lifted. All feedback is welcome. :)

5 things you can still enjoy in Portugal in 2020, now that many of the COVID-19 restictions have been lifted. Culture, food, beach, sports & the outdoors!

22/05/2020

It's allowed to be back having fun on the water! :) We'll have some epic videos very soon! Stay healthy, explore and be responsible! :)

15/05/2020

Like Richie Norton said, "Every sunset is an opportunity to reset". And you? Are you taking advantage of this opportunity? And... can we see your sunsets? 🙂

10/05/2020

https://voltadomar.pt/volta-do-mar-the-blog/

Hello fellow humans around the globe! We've been having a lot of time on our hands to do some self-improvement and think about the great questions in life. In the meantime we started our own blog! This edition is about what's been going on with us and life in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fell free to check it, comment, and share if you find it interesting. :) Thanks everyone!

Volta do Mar, The Blog Life & travel in Portugal in the COVID-19 era Posted by Volta do Mar Team Anyone wondering how is life and travel in Portugal right now? COVID-19 has taken it’s toll here too. Luckily, we … Read More

29/04/2020

https://www-telegraph-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/portugal/articles/portugal-why-we-will-return/amp/?fbclid=IwAR0qSLGAxJFwHBcWqsa4HZi9wSJAiTCOueFLWbfLrNyEVIH8IH9VxhNr4w0

In the new dawn of travel, when the starting gun has sounded and we are all longing for a taste of the unknown, exotic or merely different, Portugal is that rare thing of being near but with beaches that rival the Caribbean, of being foreign but familiar. Best of all, they love us. After all, Portug...

26/04/2020

A picture a day keeps the doctor away.... finding some cool pictures from last year adventures.

17/03/2020

11/03/2020

Have you done this little walk around Lagos?

26/02/2020

Let's agree on one thing.
There is no better way to enjoy the ocean view than hanging on the rope!
We opened booking for our March edition of Climbing Holidays :)
👉https://www.facebook.com/events/255053892147545/

14/02/2020

They say a picture is worth more than one thousand words. What is the story of this valentines photo? We give you one shot!

06/02/2020

Dear friends here is a little update. We came to Morocco to get in shape for next season by climbing in the Atlas mountains, but we got lazy and stuck for a while in charming coastal villages. Winter is not so bad if you know where to go!

29/01/2020

This is how summer memories should look like. Thank you Michael for capturing our beautiful home!

📷

06/11/2019

Pretty cool article about the 7 best places to visit in Portugal!

Special attention to what they say about location 4:

"The Algarve is known for its dramatic limestone coastline, which is formed of sea pillars, grottoes, and soaring cliffs."

Winter is here and the Algarve boasts 300 days of sunshine yearly so... rock climbing season is here! Join us on some epic climbs!

https://travelfree.info/best-places-to-visit-in-portugal/

Is Portugal already on your “must-visit” list? And are you wondering what are the best places to visit in Portugal? Once one of the biggest empires [...]

31/10/2019

Looking back at our fun with these legends. Cheers for the awesome time with and .

15/10/2019

Who wants some adventure???!!

You will love our rock climbing sites. 😊

For more information check www.voltadomar.pt.

10/10/2019

Face your fears and come discover rock climbing with us! ☺️

28/09/2019

Another place that we visit during our Wild SouthWest Algarve Tour.

This secluded spot is totally amazing. 😍

To get more information visit us at www.voltadomar.pt

21/09/2019

Another day in the office with another big challenge on the greatest walls of Sagres.

Check out www.voltadomar.pt for more information about our climbing sessions.

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