The Solar Branco Eco Experiences: Agent Presentation 2021 - 22
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THE SOLAR BRANCO ECO EXPERIENCES: AGENT PRESENTATION 2021 - 22 SOLARBRANCO.COM ABOUT THE SOLAR BRANCO ECO-ESTATE ABOUT THE PROPERTY: Solar Branco or The White Mansion in English, is located just above the historical town of Livramento on the biggest island of the Azores, São Miguel. The estate has 9 individual accommodation units. The main building originates from the 1800s. OUR UNIQUE EXPERIENCES: From vegan cozido to a gin tasting masterclass we have Azorean themed experiences for you to enjoy. Check these out by visiting our website here. SOCIAL MEDIA: Please feel free to check us out and follow on the following channels: Instagram: @solarbranco Facebook: Solar Branco Eco-Estate Web: solarbranco.com ABOUT US ALI & CAROLINE - YOUR HOSTS THE ESTATE IS OWNED AND RUN BY CAROLINE AND HER HUSBAND ALI. WE BELIEVE THAT WE SET OURSELVES APART FROM THE CROWD WITH OUR UNIQUE EXPERIENCES. ALI IS IN CHARGE OF COORDINATING GUEST EXPERIENCES AND ALL THINGS GIN. IN SHORT, THE FUN STUFF. HE ALSO LEADS GUEST EXPERIENCES INCLUDING, HIKING, MOUNTAIN BIKING AND TOURS AROUND THE SOLAR BRANCO GROUNDS AND PONTA DELGADA. PREVIOUSLY ALI WORKED FOR THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND AS WELL AS RED BULL IN FORMULA ONE. HE HAS SPOKEN AT DAVOS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA AND DYSLEXIA. CAROLINE LEADS OUR CULINARY EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING OUR TOP SELLING VEGAN COZIDO, AS WELL AS SHINRIN YOKU (NATURE CONNECTION) SESSIONS WHERE YOU WILL EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE AZORES WITH ALL YOUR SENSES. PREVIOUSLY SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH DIPLOMATIC SERVICE FOR ALMOST 2 DECADES. HER RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDED LOOKING AFTER MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY AS WELL AS POLITICIANS AND OTHER VIPS. OUR COMMITMENT TO A SUSTAINABLE AZORES THE OCEAN AZORES FOUNDATION THE OCEAN AZORES FOUNDATION WILL LOOK TO FUND OCEAN BASED RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS BASED ON ALL ISLANDS OF THE AZORES. OUR AIM IS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT THAT WE NOW CALL HOME. FUNDING WILL COME FROM SALES OF BALEIA GIN, AS WELL AS GUEST DONATIONS, DONATIONS FROM THE SOLAR BRANCO ECO ESTATE AS WELL AS EVENTS HOSTED ON THE GROUNDS.. 5-STAR EXPERIENCES ALL OUR EXPERIENCES HAVE BEEN TOP RATED BY GUESTS READ FOR YOURSELF HERE Gorgeous wall of an ever expanding selection of gin. Best gin & tonic I have tasted. Wonderful people; will definitely visit again! (5 Stars) Alice, USA My boyfriend and I visited the gin library and found it to be a fun and enlightening way to spend an evening in the Azores. I learned a lot about gin in terms of its use as a spirit, its history with the British empire, and the recent and growing popularity of the small batch and crafted gin market. We were even able to sample from Ali’s impressive personal collection of gins from all around the world. Before experiencing the “Gin Library,” I would not have considered myself a lover of gins, but now my interest in this diverse and tasty is spirit is piqued. If you have an appreciation for learning in a non-pretentious setting, you are guaranteed to love this place. Don’t miss out on this unique, fun, and off the beaten path opportunity! (5 Stars) Mary, USA Amazing experience! Ali is super nice, the house has nice atmosphere and the gin and tonic was perfect. Absolutely recommend it! (5 Stars) Atei, Hungary Beautiful gin library, where we could taste Azorean Gin. Ali knows a lot about the history of Gin and talks passionately about it. (5 Stars) Lore, Netherlands ECO-TOURISM LEADERS AT THE FOREFRONT OF ECO-TOURISM IN THE AZORES Be assured of a sustainable experience at the Solar Branco Eco Estate. From zero waste food initiatives to a ban on single use plastic, we aim to to offer some of the most sustainable and eco-friendly experiences in the Azores. Our experiences have sustainability at their heart. We carefully curate unique insights into the Azores through activities such as Shinrin Yoku (Forest bathing) as well as a vegan cozido hosted on this heritage estate. Every activity is thoughtfully put together to minimise the impact on the environment. Each experience on the estate comes with a complimentary tour of the grounds to showcase our eco-initiatives and inspire our visitors. We also offer a tour of the local farmers’ market to help support our community by buying direct from local producers.There will always be more to do, and here at the Solar Branco Eco Estate we are hoping to lead and inspire other hotels to join us in reducing our collective impact on the environment and keeping the Azores in pristine condition. COVID-19 UPDATE (LATEST UPDATE: SUMMER 2021) THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR GUESTS AND OUR COMMUNITY IS PARAMOUNT. WE ARE IMPLEMENTING STRONG PROTOCOLS TO HELP KEEP EVERYONE SAFE. WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN TRAINING THROUGH TURISMO DE PORTUGAL’S CLEAN & SAFE INITIATIVE. THESE ARE SOME OF THE HYGIENE MEASURES WE WILL BE FOLLOWING TO HELP AVOID THE RISK OF CONTAGION. - SOCIAL DISTANCING: OUR TEAM REMAIN AT A 2 METRE DISTANCE FROM GUESTS AT ALL TIMES - GROUPS: WE KEEP OUR GROUP SIZES SMALL SO THAT GUESTS ARE ABLE TO KEEP A 2 METRE DISTANCE FROM EACH OTHER - GUESTS WHO ATTEND TOGETHER DO NOT NEED TO SOCIAL DISTANCE WITHIN THEIR OWN GROUP - HYGIENE: SPRAY HAND SANITISER AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES; MASKS AND GLOVES: AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE, SHOULD YOU WISH TO USE THEM - TEAM: OUR TEAM SANITISE THEIR HANDS FREQUENTLY DURING YOUR TIME WITH US - CLEANING SCHEDULE: AT OUR PREMISES, WE CLEAN AND DISINFECT CHAIRS, TABLES, SURFACES, SWITCHES, DOOR KNOBS, EQUIPMENT AND BATHROOMS BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR VISIT - EQUIPMENT: WE HAVE SANITISING EQUIPMENT ON HAND TO CLEAN SWITCHES, DOOR KNOBS AND OTHER SURFACES ON REQUEST DURING YOUR VISIT SOLAR BRANCO ECO EXPERIENCES BALEIA GIN TASTING AGENT PRICE: €16 / RETAIL PRICE: €20 DURATION: 1 HOUR GUESTS 1 - 8 TIMES: WEDS, FRI 17:00 Named after the Portuguese word for whale, Baleia is distilled overlooking the never-ending Atlantic Ocean on the island of São Miguel. Blending traditional botanicals such as juniper, citrus and rosemary with seaweed sustainably sourced from the waters around the island. Baleia Gin has an exceptionally smooth flavour, mixing a touch of sweetness with the salt of the ocean. Every bottle sold supports marine conservation projects in the region, through a donation to The Ocean Azores Foundation. Ali Bullock, owner of the world-renowned Gin Library, located at The Solar Branco Eco Estate, conceptualised and created Baleia Gin in partnership with producer Lima & Quental. Artwork drawn by local artist Catarina Limão. The Azorean people and whales have a long history over the last 150 years, from hunting whales, through to the outlawing of commercial whaling in 1981. Baleia Gin aims to awaken your senses to the salt of the ocean, and envisage a mission of hope to the future and preservation of these magnificent cetaceans of the ocean. This experience is held at the Solar Branco Eco Estate come rain or shine. When the weather is nice, the library doors are open, bringing the beautiful views of the green hills of São Miguel to the ocean beyond. There is also ample seating outside and we invite you to tour the grounds with a G&T in hand. For rainy days, we have comfortable seating inside. Your gin tasting includes a journey through the history of the Azores, the Solar and the citrus trade with the UK as well as learning to make, and enjoying, the perfect Baleia Gin and Tonic. Please note: This experience is only available for adults over eighteen. Children are not allowed to accompany adults. AZOREAN GIN TASTING: INCL BALEIA & ROCHA NEGRA AGENT PRICE: €32 / RETAIL PRICE: €40 DURATION: 1.5 HOURS HOSTED BY: ALI GUESTS 1 - 8 TIMES: TUES, SAT & SUN 17:00 While Portugal is better known for its Port, that hasn't stopped it from producing some excellent gin. Join us as you are guided through the rich history and flavours of gin with gin expert and host here at the Solar Branco Eco Estate, Ali Bullock. Your gin tasting takes you through the very best gins from the Azores and Portugal as you learn about the history of gin and its modern renaissance. You will try 3 taster gins with selected tonics and garnishes matched for each one. Light snacks will be served during the tasting. This experience is held come rain or shine. Your gin tasting takes you through the very best gins from the Azores and Portugal as you learn about the history of gin and its modern renaissance. Enjoy your visit to The Gin Library, one of the largest gin collections in the world. SHINRIN YOKU FOREST BATHING WALK AGENT PRICE: €20 / RETAIL PRICE: €25 DURATION: 3 HOURS HOSTED BY: CAROLINE GUESTS 4 - 10 TIMES: CONTACT US Shinrin Yoku is a unique sensory way to experience and connect with nature. Originating in Japan, Shinrin Yoku offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without modern day distractions. Shinrin Yoku is often referred to in English as forest bathing (the literal translation of this Japanese term) or forest therapy. This activity takes place at Pinhal de Paz, or other outdoor location on the island to suit the group's itinerary. Shorter sessions can be offered on a bespoke basis. Please contact us to discuss your group's needs. Your guide, Caroline Sprod, is the first and only Shinrin Yoku guide in the Azores, and co-owner of the Solar Branco Eco Estate. VEGAN COZIDO DINNER AGENT PRICE: €52 / RETAIL PRICE: €65 GUESTS 4 - 8 TIMES: 48 HOURS NOTICE NEEDED Coming to the Azores is all about connecting with nature, and enjoying some of the unique experiences that these islands have to offer.