Minho – The Green Wine Region

Leaving your hotel at 9h00, the day starts with a trip to Viana do Castelo, where you will take the funicular elevator to the Santa Luzia sanctuary, an iconic basilica with stunning views of the city, the Lima River, and the vast Atlantic coast. In the historic centre you will have time to walk its squares and streets, discover well preserved noble houses, palaces from the renaissance era, and ancient churches. Make sure to visit the traditional costumes museum, where you’ll appreciate the richness of the Minho female outfits. During lunch (not included), try the Gil Eanes cod, or the Angler fish rice, just two among many options.

After lunch we will move on to Ponte de Lima, one of the oldest cities in the country, dating back to Roman times. It is a lovely town, one of the best Minho postcards, with its roman/medieval bridge across the Lima River, or the Arnado gardens. Do visit the main church, the old medieval jail tower, and the quaint squares. As far as food goes, Arroz de Sarrabulho (boiled rice with chicken and pork), Rojões (pork meat cubes boiled in wine), or Lampreia à Bordalesa (Lamprey, a seasonal regional delicacy), are just a few options in a very rich local gastronomy. Ponte de Lima is also an excellent place to taste the Vinho Verde (Green Wine), unique for its lightness and refreshing flavour.

Overnight in Ponte de Lima.

After breakfast, we leave at 9h00 to know Arcos de Valdevez, a very ancient village full of historic significance, the setting for a 12th century conflict that was crucial in the process of Portugal going from county to country. Stroll along the ancient streets, walk on the medieval bridge across the Vez river, visit the Lapa church and the Paço de Giela, a medieval tower with a great view over the Vez valley. We will continue to Sistelo, for a brief stop to appreciate the traditional stone “espigueiros”, ancient constructions built for crops and supplies storage, and the castle’s viewpoint over the stepped hills known as “Portuguese Tibet”.

Arriving in Valença do Minho, you will enjoy a traditional Minho lunch (included). Free time to enjoy the views over the Minho River and over Spain, on the other side, or to explore the local handicraft shops. Back to Ponte de Lima, you will visit the unique Breijoeira Palace, a neo-classic building surrounded by lovely gardens and vines, the perfect setting to taste the famous Alvarinho wine.

Overnight in Ponte de Lima, where we advise you to take a relaxing stroll along the Lima River and enjoy the local food, ideally mated to Green Wine, Vinho Verde, slightly bubbly, very refreshing.

After breakfast, departure at 9h00 for the Bom Jesus do Monte, an astonishing sanctuary on top of a hill, accessible – for the fit! – trough a long baroque stairway. This sanctuary combines religious devotion with artistic grandeur, and it’s part of Portugal’s UNESCO Heritage. You will ascend to the sanctuary on a curious 19th century funicular, moved by water! After some free time to enjoy and get to know the Sanctuary, we will continue to Braga, one of the oldest cities in the country and a vibrant mix of history and culture. It is known as the“Portuguese Rome”, for the number of churches, including the first Portuguese Cathedral.

After some free time to enjoy the historic centre of Braga, continuation to Guimarães, the “cradle of Portugal”, where Afonso I, the country’s founder, seized power. The historic centre is extremely beautiful and quaint, with well-preserved old granite buildings. Another UNESCO Heritage site. After lunch, you will have free time to walk around the historic centre, and you will visit the Guimarães Castle and the Paço dos Duques Palace.

Return to Porto, end of our services.