Code of Sustainnable Tourism

RESPECT FOR THE CONSERVATION OF NATURE AND OF A HERITAGE

1. Follow the internacional golden rule: “ Don´t take anything but pictures, don´t leave anything but footprints”.

2. Never allow yourself to be influenced by others who have lacked respect for nature before your visit: if you find areas here litter has been duped, don’t be tempted to throw aay our own cans and packets; take them with you until you find a rubbish bin.

3. Invest in the future: don’t collect plants, or frighten or chase the wildlife. Quietness ans stillness are essential in preservating habitats. Don´t leave food in the countryside.

4. During these excursions, don´t damage the heritage that you find open and unprotected: through it, history is made.

5. Don´t take shorts-cuts. Never leave the track or rail, nor jump over or damage fences.

6. Don´t light fires, except in the places where this is allowed. Both in the grain-lands and in the forest, fires in the Alentejo are devastating. If you are a smoker, make sure your cigarette is properly stubbed out, and take the stub with you ( the plastic container for film are good for this purpose).

RESPECT FOR THE HABITATS; CUSTOMS AND RESOURCES OF THE REGION

1. The inhabitants of the countryside are hospitable and helpful; they love to talk and to share their culture with you. Greet people when you come across them or as you would want someone visiting your home or workplace to behave.

2. Respect everyone´s property and goods: nobody would deny you some fruit if you asked, but nobody would appreciate your helping yourself. If you need to fill your water bottle, ask for permission and, at the same time, find out about the quality of the water.

3. Fundamental – leave gates or barriers exactly as you find them: they are not closed for you to enter, but to stop herds escaping and to ensure the correct management of pasture.

EQUIPMENT AND PERSONAL SAFETY

1. Always take with you a knapsack containing a change of clothes, a first-aid kit, a bag for litter, a compass, an emergency whistle, a torch, a nutritious packed meal and drinking water. Use strong footwear and sports clothing, suitable for the season. In the winter, don´t forget a waterproof and, in the summer, remember a sun-hat and sun glasses. Those on mountain bikes should always wear a protective helmet, include in their equipment the tools and material necessary for small repairs.

2. If you have a mobile phone, take with you, but don´t count on it for every part of your journey: the cover provided by the mobile phone networks is not yet total in some small coves. Near Spain, if you receive Spanish network you should use the prefix 00 351.
3. Don´t drink water from wells or fountains without finding out first about the quality of the water. If the people tell you that is the water they usually drink, remember that your bodily defences are not the same as these people who have always regularly drunk it.

4. Avoid making these excursion on Thursdays, Sundays and public holidays during the hunting season (15th August to 28/29th February): these are days for “free hunting”.

5. Avoid travelling alone. If you choose to do so, leave a way of contacting you, and copy of your route, with someone you trust.

6. Before leaving on any excursion, study the route well, estimate the distance you have to travel, and organise your day around the time you calculate you need to spend on the journey, so that you ensure that you always reurn before sunset. In the hills, do not venture out in rain or in mist. If you are making the excursion when it is raining, ask at the Tourist Office to ensure that all the rivers and streams are passable.