Porto
You should definitely spend two days in Porto at the beginning or at the end of the round trip through Northern Portugal. This beautiful city, previously forgotten by visitors, has become one of the most popular travel destinations in Portugal.
Guest house in Porto: Casa dos Guindais
or the boutique Hotel: Mo House
Viana do Castelo und Caminha
From Porto the route takes you north along the coast. It is worth making a short detour to Vila do Conde with its pretty old historic quarter on the way. Then it's on to Viana do Castelo. You can stay the night in the city itself, but I recommend the typical Portuguese Quinta da Bouça d’Arques, a few kilometres to the south or in summer the leisurely Hotel FeelViana near the beach.
In the evening you can explore Viana do Castelo and eat wonderful fresh fish in one of the many good restaurants. In Viana do Castelo you shouldn't miss the best Berlin donuts “Bolas de Berlim” in Portugal. You can find them near the Museu do Traje in the Confeitaria Manuel Natário. Nobody knows why this German specialty is so widespread in Portugal.
The next day maybe a short drive to Caminha, just before the Spanish border and right at the beautiful mouth of the Rio Minho. Breath-taking scenery, a huge beach and good food. In the evening back to Viana.
Country inn: Quinta da Bouça d’Arques
Seaside hotel and apartments: Hotel FeelViana
Photo: http://turismoriasbaixas.com/
National park Serra do Gerês
The "Serra do Gerês" National Park, which is still unknown to many travellers, is definitely worth a day trip. Be sure to visit the beautiful village of Peneda Gerês which is surrounded by rocks over which a waterfall rushes down. Then on to Soajo and if you have time, the famous Cascata do Arado waterfall.
You can stay overnight in the charming town of Ponte de Lima in the Paço de Calheiros
or in Arcos de Valdevez at the Moinho do Ázere
Guimarães
Driving back south, you come to the city of Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal. Historic city centre and a lot of cultural sites.
Stay at the marvellous: Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães
Parque Natural do Alvão
Quelle: www.e-konomista.pt
The round trip through northern Portugal now takes you east to just before Vila Real in the Alvão nature reserve. Here you can just enjoy nature or hike to the lost village of Fisgas where you can marvel at one of the most impressive waterfalls in Portugal.
Stay in the manor house: Casa das Torres de Oliveira
or the Quinta da Corte
Chaves
We continue north to Chaves, a town which, with its many small medieval streets, is of particular historical and architectural interest. The well-preserved Roman terms should definitely be visited.
Freixo da Espada à Cinta and the river beach "Praia da Congida"
The southeast journey from Chaves leads through beautiful, almost untouched landscapes in the eastern part of the Douro, near the Spanish border. Here we can relax in the Praia da Congida leisure complex, which is beautifully integrated into nature, with its lovely river beach. You shouldn't miss an excursion up the Douro by boat.
If you want something a bit more chic, you can stay in the Boutique Hotel Casas do Côro in Mêda.
Historic villages of Portugal Castelo Rodrigo and Mêda
Not far from Casas do Côro are a number of historic villages built entirely in stone, which have been lovingly rebuilt and which still today reflect the medieval way of life of the local population. We recommend Castelo Rodrigo and Mêda, among many others.
Quelle: www.viagens.sapo.pt
River cruise on the Douro and visit to the wineries
From the town of Régua, which is unfortunately not particularly pretty despite its location directly on the Douro, you can take breathtakingly beautiful river trips to Barco d’Alva. The return journey is by train and will take you back to Régua along the river bank. There are a number of beautiful wineries that can be visited near the village of Pinhão.
Foto: http://www.roteirododouro.com
Spend the night in a Quinta:
Casa de Casal de Loivos, Pinhão
A bit oldfashioned. but with beaitiful views
Casa de Santo António de Britiande, Lamego
If you need help organizing the tour, please just send a short email to info@secretplaces.com or call us on 00351 214 647 430.
