Active Travel

The Serra do Gerês is Portugal's only National Park

Thursday, 21 July 2011 00:00

The Serra do Gerês in the north of Portugal is feted by National Geographic, and is the nation's only National Park

An area of great natural beauty and mild climate, Gerês is one of the most picturesque regions in Portugal. The diversity of local flora and fauna creates a perfect natural environment for a family holiday. Recently, National Geographic featured the park, saying:

“Tucked into a craggy corner of northern Portugal, hard against the Spanish border, Peneda-Gerês is carved by mountain ranges, rivers, canyons, gorges, and streams. Most villages are situated in the lower valleys, where the climate is milder and the terrain more accommodating to people and livestock. The park's wild heart is in the high country; a realm of rugged granite massifs, windswept moors, and bare uplands greened in places by stands of giant holly.”

And sample the local specialties such as ‘bacalhau à minhota’, a local interpretation of cod, and the national favorite, often served here baked with broa bread. There is also roast goat with a local wine, and all the sweets and desserts.

Where to Dine:

RESTAURANTE ABOCANHADO - With furniture by SizaVieira, this is a project designed by architects Antonio Portugal and Manuel Maria Reis who has won two international awards. The wood of the old rail paths lining the facade, where a window 20 meters spreads out over the valley of the River Man. The menu is local, choose the Veal and Lamb barrosã can be sure of that grazed nearby. For dessert, the suggestion is Amares Orange Pie. By order may also require rabbit, partridge, wild boar, venison stew or rice. Lugar do  Brufe, Land Bouro. Tel 253 352944.

COSTA DO VEZ - GRILL - The bread of oats, corn and wheat to pataniscas cod, patties, tortillas, pork head Montalegre and salad, for input until the fillets of hake or octopus with rice rascal red bean, parrilhada fish, cod" house style", cooked, little hands of veal, rice with duck, kid in the oven and roast veal, all worth it. Fine wines. Quinta de Silvares, Place of Silvares, Arcos de Valdevez. Tel 258 516 122

ESPIGUEIRO DE SOAJO - Cod and chunks of veal specialties Barroso are not to be missed. On weekends, lamb in the oven (on request), and baked loaf of barrosã the soajeira (on request). Atcertain times can be stylish sarrabulho Soajo, roast lamb, rice from farmed and other good dishes. The natural landscape is amazing and the restaurant, which is named after the granaries still existing in the region and to symbolize a long artistic and ingenious people, part of it. Av 25 April 1425, Lage, Soajo, Arcos de Valdevez Tel 258 576 136

CASA REAL - Opened in August 2010 with the same name as the house in Arcos de Valdevez. The terrace, overlooking the swimming pool and river to the beach, is the best option in the summer, two fireplaces glass serve the main room of warmth in winter. At table, the excellence of the Minho: cod with broa, lagareiro the octopus, and grilled fish and put to Mirandese androtation are also available on request. The pudding or mousse meringueBerries are a nice finale. Rua Dom Manuel, Ponte da Barca. Tel 258 455 248

FORAL DE MELGAÇO - The menu is diverse, including three menus of success: the child of circumstance, vegetarian, and cod are very balanced with seven excellent proposals. On request it is also a catfish stuffed with dried cod, which is the ex-libris of the restaurant. Other suggestions: sausage hunting and selection of grilled sausages, entries; açorda prawns on rye bread crust and hake tranches of golden rice with clams, fish, pork loaf grilled with saffron rice and corn bread crumbs, plumes of black pork with mushrooms and chestnuts, and kid-style Melgaço (roasted with potatoes and served with rice and sautéed vegetables kids) in meats. Monte Prado, Melgaço 251 400 130 Tel.

PANORAMA - It offers a breathtaking panorama of the river Minho and the land of Spain, which justifies its name as well. The best, however, are the baskets with bottles of fine wines, jams, hams, sausages, strings of garlic and onions, and a good varied menu with entries such as Fried catfish, trout and pickled shad, "pistolinhas "(little hands of rabbit with mushrooms), lures pickled pork. More: Bordeaux and the lamprey in the rice as well as shad and, over the years, cod to the house (like Joe Pipo), rice, fish, sole and turbot with tomato arrozinho, the kid in the oven the prey and lombelo barrosão pork on the grill. For dessert, homemade jams and jellies. Ed. do Mercado Municipal, Tel 251 410 400 Melgaço

CASA DE PADORNELOS - House of granite, like therest, in a land of shepherds, features local products, confecionados the way the region. There is no menu. The caller says what he wants, and who appears to the subject, if any. Barroso is cooked to the great winter dish, roast veal, put veal; lamb roast or stew and rice stew are summer delicacies. R. dos Valados, 9, Padornelo, Montalegre Tel 276 512 8358 241 114 / 96.

HOUSE OF ARTS CASA DAS ARTES -Restored house where he runs an auditorium - with an interesting programming - a library and an exhibition hall.Jardim dos Centenários Arcos de Valdevez. Tel 258 520 520.

Plus:

Sweets DOÇARIA CENTRAL - Founded in 1830, here there are many regional specialties: cigars of the arcs, cylinders made of mass wafer and filled with egg yolks and sugar sweets Arches, "bombs" of sugar with about 3 cm, wrapped in paper silk of various colors, and festive cakes, cakes alsocalled white, yellow or yolk, so small, circular, covered with white icing. R. General Norton de Matos, 47, Arcos de Valdevez. Tel 258 515 215.

CENTER EXHIBITION AND SALE OF CRAFT PRODUCTS - Sells handmade products from the region, especially for Valentine's scarves. Lg. Cooperative, Ponte da Barca. Tel 258 455 515.

Bravães MONASTERY- Classified as a national monument, dates from the thirteenth century, although it is notice details that refer to older architectures. One of the great symbols of the Minho Romanesque. Bravães, Ponte da Barca.

MAIN CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION - Between walls, century church. XV, the Portuguese late Gothic (albeit with other influences in style), was subject to major rehabilitation works that revealed all its glory. Open to visitors during the hours of worship. Lg. Matrix, Walk.

CONFECTIONERY DOCELÂNDIA - A very old house, known to have a patent for some sweets, such as "caminhenses", the "girls" and "fresh sardines." R. S. Joao, 32, Tel 258 922 915.

MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF CAMINHA - The building of the century. XVIII portrays the region's history, from prehistory to the Romanization, through an archaeological remains. Tv. do Tribunal, Caminha Tel 258 710 300.

MELGAÇO CASTLE  - Built in the 7^th century has a circularplan and a Romanesque-style architecture. The keep houses a museum center, focusing on architectural and archaeological heritage of the county. Melgaço, Tel 251 410 191.

MELGAÇO's MAIN CHURCH - Century Romanesque building. XII, the target of several interventions over time R. Right, Melgaço.

Main CHURCH in Castro Laboreiro - Originally built in the XII century in Romanesque style, has choir, tower and chancel of 1775 Johannine style or D. Maria Pia. Highlights include the font, the twelfth century, and the precious pictures. Castro Laboreiro, Melgaço.

PORT Lamas de Mouro - One of the gates of the Peneda-Geres, where those interested can gather all the information before they take one of the footpaths through the mountainside. Lamas de Mouro, Melgaço. Tel 251 465 013.

HOUSE OF CULTURE in MELGAÇO - Av Capitao Salgueiro Maia, Melgaço. Tel 251 410 060

MEMORIES of the BORDER AREA -ESPAÇO MEMÓRIA E FRONTEIRA - Between 1960 and 1970, many melgacenses fatter slice of the Portuguese who left in search of better living conditions. Space - the result of recovery and expansion of the former municipal slaughterhouse - intends to devote to this recent history of the county, related to immigration and smuggling, favored by 61 km of land border and river. R. Loja Nova, Melgaço. Tel 251 418 106.

MUSEUM OF THE CINEMA - Jean Loup Passek - Dictionnaire Larouse former director of the film and the film festival in La Rochelle, and responsible for the film department of the Centre Georges Pompidou - Melgaço chosen to host the estate which has collected, organized and classified for decades. R. Jean Loup Passek, Melgaço. Tel 251 401 575.

SOLAR DO ALVARINHO - They say that good Alvarinhos wine should be characterized by five F's: "Strong, beautiful, fragrant, fresh and fruity." They are produced only in the northwest of Portugal (districts of Melgaço and Monsoon), due to the microclimate and soil. In this house of the century. XVI can meet some of their producers and receive information about the "Cycle of Albariño." Other local products, handicrafts, ham, sausage, sausages, bread or honey, can also be purchased here. R. Direita, Melgaço. Tel 251 410 195.

CHURCH OF LONGOS VALES - In the Romanesque building, founded by D. Afonso Henriques in 1197, and highlights the apse capitals, carved with fantastic figures. Visits by appointment. Longos Vales, Monção. Tel 96 543 7058.

Main CHURCH OF MONÇÃO - Founded in the reign of King Diniz, in the century. XIII, the church welcomes Gothic influences, Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque. Lg. da Igreja Matriz, Monção. Tel 251 652 259.

PARQUE DAS CALDAS - Riverside Area, Monção Tel 251 649 000.

MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM MONTALEGRE - Pc. Municipal, Montalegre. Tel 276 510 200.

BARROSO ECOMUSEU - The space is intended to be a showcase of local products: honey and jams, but also crafts such as wooden miniatures of agricultural implements, baskets, pieces of sackcloth and lace. Terreiro do Açougue, Montalegre. Tel 276 510 203.

LEISURE PARK - Torrão VEIGA - Salto, Montalegre. Tel 253 659 211.

PASTRY of S. PAULO - If you want to buy folar typical stuffed with meat and sausages, find here copies made by traditional methods. R. Direita 25, Montalegre. Tel 276 512 327.

FORTIFIED VILLAGE OF Cossourado - One of the most interesting archaeological remains of the county, the Iron Age, was the target of a design museum acquisition anddissemination. Cossourado, Paredes de Coura.

CULTURAL CENTER Paredes de Coura - R. Canon Chouzal Bernardo, Paredes de Coura. Tel 251 780 124.

CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION - In the middle of protected landscape, lies a unique building, next to the old Agricultural Boalhosa Cologne. In addition to the numerous studios are suggested walking trails of various municipal, a region rich in natural habitats such as oak, riparian forests and bogs. The old school buildings were turned into a friendly dormitory and cafeteria to accommodate groups. Place: Cha Vascões Mud, mud, Paredes de Coura. Tel 251 780 010.

CRAFT OF GERES - Many pieces of wood, such as toys, boats, granaries and trays, but also tea and honey. Vila do Geres, Terras do Bouro. Tel 253 391 618.

WHITE STONE ASSOCIATION - In the post found sales of the association works in linen, replicas of antiques, wooden handicrafts, wicker products and clay, and pieces of weaving Tirel. Covide, Terras do Bouro. Tel 253 351 070.

Ethnographic Museum of Vilarinho das Furnas - The Man of the river dam, built in 1972, ordered the village to disappear, but the memories were not submerged. The museum built with stones of Vilarinho seeks to be a live show that was the village. The museum is also installed one of the gates of the Peneda Geres National Park, where visitors can gather all the information about the region. Campo do Geres, Terras do Bouro. Tel 253 351 888.

WALKING TOURS OF MONTALEGRE - There are seven routes marked by Ecomuseum Barroso, who has 180 total miles of roads approved by the Federation of Camping and Mountaineering in Portugal: the Rail Leiranço (12 kilometers between the towns of Deer and Zebral), the Rail Ourigo (circular path with 21 miles, starting and ending in the village of Montalegre), the Trail of the Mountain Village (16 km circular route starting and ending in the village of Montalegre), the River Trail (22 km circular route, starting and end in the village of Fiães River), the Rail Rabagão (13 kilometers between the village of Vilarinho de Negroes and the village of Creating them), the Portuguese Border Jacobean Way (route 40 miles across the county and connects with Montalegre Paths of Santiago de Compostela) and the Via Romana XVII (Montalegre crosses the county and connects Venda Nova in the municipality of Vieira do Minho, Boticas). Montalegre

PITÕES DAS JÚNIAS Waterfall - It takes down dozens of wooden stairs through the mountains to reach the best view, same as this development is accompanied by the sound of water hit the rocks and it's worth. Then take a deep breath, and climb all over again. Pitões das Júnias, Montalegre.

PARK Cávado - Here you can join like the exploration of nature with the rappel, slide, mountain biking, climbing, canoeing and hiking or cycling. Montalegre

Caniçada Dam - Visit for free the dam itself. Markings on our website www.a-energia.edp.pt-(go to the area of the markings through the window of Contacts)

Boating - On the water Caniçada Lake, discovering their hidden margins and the stories that hide the vegetation and water, through the voice of one who walks by the river for many years.

BALLOON RIDES - In gliding flight or captivity (with the balloon attached to the ground by cables about 30 meters), close to Albufeira Caniçada.The basket takes 4 to 5 passengers. Flights can be made at any time of year, including at night where the flame illuminates the balloon a radius of 200 meters. Price: from € 200 (price includes insurance, transportation to the local take-off champagne and certificate). Tel 939037526 www.clubebalonismo.com

RIDE ON BRANCELHE - In Caniçada Dam, a boat of 13 meters with a capacity of 46 persons and equipped with a bar. It lasts about three hours. € 3.5

HIGH ALTITUDE DIVES IN DAM Vilarinho das Furnas - With visit to the village of Vilarinho das Furnas Submerged (only for certified divers and safe day).

RIVER BEACHES - Alqueirão beach in Terras de Bouro.

Rota Vincentina is a New Hiking Route along the Vicentina coast of Alentejo

Tuesday, 03 May 2011 00:00

Rio Sabor has more canoes in time to bid farewell

Saturday, 30 April 2011 00:00

The Customs of Faith prepares to farewell the flavor with a program of descents of the river, released on Saturday. The river, said to be "the last wild river" of the country, which  is planned for the Baixo Sabor dam, is now moving ahead, thanks to a partnership with the municipality and the company Mapaventura Coagret Association (Coordinator Affected by Large Dams and Diversions).  Activities series includes "canorafting", aimed at increasing the knowledge about the activitiy. By 2013, predicted height for filling the reservoir will be carried downhill and canoeing. "This landscape will not last more than two years before the filling of the reservoir since the dam construction will transform all this natural landscape. But on the other hand, the county will bring new opportunities related to tourism, "said the mayor's, Berta Nunes, Lusa. Since the program's activities Farewell Taste - with revenue of 10 percent belong to the community development project Living Villages - are proposed under the motto "Come as it is time to learn and later recall. " http://www.mapaventura.pt

Portugal joined the “EDEN Program ¬ European Destinations of Excellence

Friday, 29 April 2011 00:00

This year Portugal joined the “EDEN Program ­ European Destinations of Excellence ­ a program run by the European Commission, which count now with two Portuguese candidates: Pico and Faial Natural Parks.

EDEN is the acronym for European Destinations of Excellence, a project promoting sustainable tourism development models across the European Union. The project is based on national competitions that take place every year and result in the selection of a tourist “destination of excellence” for each participating country.

The key feature of the selected destinations is their commitment to social, cultural and environmental sustainability. The recipients of the award are emerging, little known European destinations located in the 27 Member States and candidate countries. The EDEN project helps to spread the sustainable practices used in the chosen destinations across the Union and to turn these places into all-year-round venues. The process thus aims to help de-congest over-visited tourist destinations. The Jury of Tourism of Portugal Awards distinguished two domestic destinations will be communicated to the European Commission for the election of 2011 EDEN European Destinations: finalist and a winner.

Winner

Natural Park of Faial, hosted by the Environment of Faial Island, with locations in Horta. Recently, the park has undergone a series of interventions, contributing to the improvement of visitation conditions, ability to host tourists and to promote biodiversity and interpretation of the Azores. Finalist Sustainable Tourism in the Isle of Emotions, sponsored by the Natural Park of Pico, located in São Roque do Pico. Following the entry of the Cultural Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard as World Heritage by UNESCO, have been made investments for the rehabilitation of vineyards and rehabilitation of buildings in support of tourism, seeking to offer visitors an authentic experience in landscape vineyard. These two destinations will now be presented by Turismo de Portugal and the European Commission participate in the final selection of the 2011 EDEN destinations.