Campinas
city will host the Portuguese team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup that will be
held in twelve cities of the huge Brazilian territory from June 12th
to July 13th.
Located in
the countryside of the State of São Paulo, about 90 km or 50 miles away from
the capital São Paulo, Campinas is a developed and well-structured
technological, educational and economical urban center.
Campinas city, photo by Revista Com Tudo
Portugal park, photo by Campinas city hall
Trail at Jequitibás (huge Brazilian trees) grove in the city of Campinas
Site of a
major Portuguese community, the locals are excited to receive the players, particularly the star
Cristiano Ronaldo, considered one of the most successful and renowned sportsmen
in the world.
The unmistakable Cristiano Ronaldo
The
Portuguese descents and associations are planning to organize an amusing
welcome party and several events drizzled by their traditional delicious dishes
and snacks, among which the popular and tasty codfish roll.
Codfish roll, a typical Portuguese snack the Brazilians also love
The
training sessions will take place at the headquarters of Brazilian Serie B
outfit Ponte Preta. The athletes will use the outdoor stadium and the Athletic
Association training center for giving them more privacy.
Ponte Preta stadium
The players
will have the opportunity to experience the accommodations and relax at Royal
Plaza Palm, the largest resort of Campinas, whose owner - Mr. Armindo Dias, is
an influent Portuguese businessman and entrepreneur.
Hotel Royal Palm Plaza, photo by Eliana Souza
Portugal has been drawn in the World Cup's Group G with Germany, United
States and Ghana. The matches will take place in three different cities of
Brazil: Salvador, in the northeastern region, Brasília - capital of Brazil, in
central west, and Manaus, in the northern region.
The proximity of Viracopos airport has interfered positively in the
choice of the Portuguese squad as the hotel will be only 6,5 miles away. Campinas
has also one of the best meteorological conditions for take-offs and landings
in Brazil.
Campinas Viracopos airport
Since 2012 Campinas
Viracopos international airport has been completely modernized and widely
expanded after a process of privatization - the first one in this sector in the
country, awarded by BAC – Brazil Airport Consortium. Their daring plans include to attract more airlines to operate in the airport as well as to expand their routes initially to Latin America and further to North America, Europe and Asia.
Nowadays
the airport is the hub of the domestic low-cost Azul Airlines, commanded by
Brazilian born David Neeleman, co-founder of JetBlue.
Azul´s Embraer 195 landed at Viracopos-Campinas International Airport
Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours
