Q. The relationship between TAP Air Portugal and the game of golf is a strong one. Why such a strong alliance? Tell us about some of the premier Portuguese golf destinations served by TAP Air Portugal.
A. The relationship between TAP Air Portugal and golf is a strong and mature one, dating back nearly 30 years. This year, TAP will promote and sponsor its 27th Annual Amateur Golf Tournament, in Vilamoura, Algarve. Portugal is a very attractive golf destination, with excellent greens spread all over the country, including the mainland as well as Madeira and the Azores. Together with that, and being a southern European country, Portugal offers favorable conditions for the game, a mild climate and sunny days year-round. Regarding premier golf destinations served by TAP, I would definitely start with Faro, in the Algarve; Lisbon (and its surroundings); the northern part of Portugal (flying to Oporto). I would also include Funchal in Madeira and the Azores.

Q. The airline recently upgraded its Top Executive Class service. Review for us some of the highlights-service, food, wine, technology, amenities-now featured in the Top Executive Class cabin.
A. As a result of the recent upgrade of TAP’s Top Executive Class service, passengers enjoy preboarding access to the company’s lounges, where drinks, telephones, fax, Internet, TV and a selection of the latest newspapers and magazines are all available. TAP also provides dedicated check-ins and free parking for two days in the car parks at Lisbon, Oporto, Faro and Funchal airports, when passengers fly round-trip. Aboard TAP, customers can also enjoy the very latest in comfort, with full-recline seats on its A340 and A310 fleet, providing individual video screens and 20 entertainment channels (A340), individual DVD players and seven entertainment channels (A310), extra space, plugs for laptops and back- and headrests with four positions. Digital controls also allow passengers to choose the ideal position and, thanks to the exclusive Italian design of the seats, enjoy greater space and privacy. Soft drinks, aperitifs and liqueurs are available in flight, as are genuine Portuguese meals, with four hot dishes to choose from on long-haul and two hot dishes on medium-haul flights, accompanied by a selected list of Portuguese wines. There’s a cheese, sweet and fruit trolley, as well as soup and espresso coffee on request (on long-haul).

Q. TAP Air Portugal has partnered with some well-regarded Portuguese viniculture associations to promote Portuguese wines. Tell us a bit about Portuguese wine, including some of your favorite vintages.
A. Portugal has several well-known wine regions, most registered with the official Portuguese Wine Institute. One of the most favored is the Douro, famous for its excellent red wines. It is within this region that the famous Vinho do Porto is produced. The port wine is not to be missed either as an aperitif (a dry white port), accompanying a cheese plate or as a digestive (a somewhat sweet red port). There are several different types according to the maturation given to these wines, but I would strongly suggest a good vintage-one from 5 to 10 years old. Other wine regions worth noting are Dão, Bairrada, Ribatejo and Alentejo, where a good variety of wines-both red and white-are a must. I cannot finish without mentioning another wine, an exclusive one from Portugal, that is the vinho verde, the only possible translation being green wine, which however does not tell us much about it. The vinho verde is made of special grapes in a far northern region of Portugal, the Minho, somewhat naturally sparkling, produced in old traditional farms, commonly known as solares. It is very worthy of a visit to taste the wine. I would recommend vinho verde on a hot summer day, nicely accompanying some seafood and chilled to one’s own taste. And last, just a note for the also famous rosé wine (Mateus Rosé), which among others can be found in almost any restaurant aro und the world.