Porto e Norte Region

Of Castles, Almonds and Trindade Coelho

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 00:00

The life of José Francisco Trindade Coelho is tied to the rugged Northeast of Portugal where he was born some 200 years ago. This Portuguese writer from the Trás-os-Montes region, born in 1861 in the town of Mogadouro. The town first became part of the kingdom of Portugal in the thirteenth century. The land was then ceded to the Order of the Knights Templar, who founded a castle here, although this now stands in ruins. As Trindade Coelho wrote, the best time to visit this region is in February/March, when the almond-trees are in blossom and the fields are covered with a blaze of white. These beautiful landscapes are best admired from the hilltops of the Serra da Castanheira or from the nearby castle of Penas Róias. Trindade Coelho was also a judge and a politician.  His books chronicled the rural life of his childhood in Trás-os-Montes. He was a strong advocate of the end of Portugal's monarchy.

In 1891, he wrote this of the Castle of Mogadouro, in Tipos da Terra - Os Meus Amores

Up high, dominating the dark chimneys of the roof tops, the ancient castle, Roman in origin, was saddening with its fallen defenses, and vast walls in ruin.
To its side rose stubbornly
an old clock tower,
in a primitive style.
It was 11 p.m., and it still read 7,
that damned thing never got it right.

Porto’s Restaurant Week is on until February 12th, 2010

Tuesday, 02 February 2010 20:52

It’s the second time that the capital of the Norte offers a flat price to try the best the city ahs to offer. The participating restaurants have created special menus of just 20 euros (w/out drinks), of which, one euro will be given to a local charity - Associacao do Porto de Paralesia Cerebral. Porto Restaurant Week is happening right now, and lasts until the 12nd of the month. Among the participating restaurants are Artemísia, Bull & Bear, Cafeína, Foz Velha, Góshò, Itamae, Le Coin, Portucale, and Sessenta Setenta. More information at http://www.porto-restaurantweek.com/

Aquafalls Spa Hotel – Rural hotel with 5–stars

Thursday, 28 January 2010 00:00

The spa resort in the Gerês, Aquafalls Spa Hotel, is the first rural hotel to receive a 5-star luxury rating in Portugal.  Open for just over a year in S. Miguel da Caniçada, Gerês, the resort was surveyed by the Departamento de Classificação e Qualidade of Turismo de Portugal, and received some 342 points, having needed only 218 to get the top rating. Set in the beautiful Minho region between the River Cávado and Peneda-Gerês National Park, this stylish new design spa hotel has 24 luxury suites, all with air-conditioning, plasma TV, mini-bar, safe-deposit box and fully-equipped private bathroom. Facilities include an up market regional restaurant, bar, breakfast room, multi-purpose function room and a magnificent spa with sauna, hamman and indoor and outdoor pools. The Aquafalls Spa Hotel was just included in a list by Tatler Spa Guide as one of the  101 best spas on the planet.

Pousada de Alijó to Reopen in March 2010

Monday, 25 January 2010 00:00

The Pousada de Alijó in the village of Alijo in the Douro Port Wine grape growing region in Portugal will reopen after a total redo in March 2010. The surrounding countryside has both the large quintas of the major Port Wine houses and also small estates with vineyards terraced down the mountainside. Visits can be made to the Port Wine Quintas to sample this famous wine and also to learn how it is produced. One of the most spectacular times to visit is in autumn for the 'vindima' (grape harvest). The fields are filled with workers picking the grapes and carrying then to collection points to begin the journey to be pressed. The Pousada de Alijo has 21 rooms with in-suite bathroom, air conditioning/heating, cable television and satellite, telephone, minibar and hair dryer. Some bedrooms are inter-connected. The Pousada has a restaurant offering a variety of dishes including a selection of local and regional specialties. Other facilities include bar, terrace, swimming pool, tennis court and parking.