The EBU Spring Overseas Congress, sponsored by First for Bridge, is now underway in Tavira, Portugal. Tournament Director Chris Benneworth talks about the historic town:
The Spring Overseas Congress this year is in Tavira, one of the most interesting and attractive towns of the eastern Algarve. We are staying in the Vila Gale Tavira, a short walk from the old town centre and just opposite the local mercado, with a super range of local produce on display. As you walk through the town, street cafes and restaurants afford lots of opportunities to sit, enjoy a coffee, a glass of beer or wine and soak up the local atmosphere.
Tavira is one of the best-preserved historic towns in Algarve and one of the most pleasant to visit. It has a pretty Old Town and some of the region’s finest beaches are a short boat ride away. The Old Town is accessed through Porta de Dom Manuel, a gateway from 1520 that stands to the left of the tourism office. Two pedestrian bridges cross the Rio Gilao – the older being a five-arched Roman bridge. The old town is a maze of cobbled streets and tiny squares, whitewashed or azulejo-tile decorated buildings with pyramid-shaped rooftops, churches, and the ruins of a castle. We visited the Igreja da Misericórdia, which is the finest Renaissance building in Algarve, attached to a small museum; it includes a wonderful collection of azulejo wall decorations. Walking from the hotel to the town centre along the riverside takes about fifteen minutes, but it’s usually longer as there are many places to stop and enjoy the views.
The town is situated among the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a remarkable 18,000-hectare natural preserve made up of lagoons and sandbanks, canals and islands. The protected status of the park means that Tavira’s beaches have been unmarred by development and remain the most naturally beautiful in the region. Tavira Island, just offshore, features three perfect, golden-sand beaches and clear turquoise waters.
Tavira has a well-deserved reputation among nature-lovers. Ria Formosa is one of the most important wetlands in the world and one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal. It supports astounding biodiversity, from the biggest population of seahorses in the world to the 20,000-plus migratory birds that make a stop here on their way from Europe to Africa. We are looking forward to visiting Ria Formosa and enjoying a boat trip through the wetlands on Thursday, followed by a visit to Faro, the main town of the Algarve.
Meanwhile, the serious business of the Congress, the bridge, starts tomorrow with the pre-Congress Pairs.