Private tours in Oporto & surroundings
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Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Barcelos - full day
Personalized booking
Program
Viana do Castelo - King Afonso III of Portugal founded the town in 1253 in the name of Viana. In the 16th century its port gained great importance as
the one of the main ports from which Portuguese explorers set sail due to the discoveries. The most remarkable buildings in the town are from this era. We
can see superb Renaissance buildings in the city historical centre. Its traditional folklore is among the richest in the country. Viana do Castelo with its
seducing landscapes is surrounded by the green mountains, where the sun rises, by the vivid blue reflections of the Atlantic Ocean and by the serenity of
the Lima River. For dazzling views it is worth climbing to the top of the Monte de Santa Luzia (2 miles north of the city center).
Ponde de Lima - the town is named after the bridge which crosses the River Lima into the town. This historical bridge has 24 arches of which four on the
south bank is the original roman construction. The seat of the county, Ponte de Lima is truly representative of the Minho region with its fine monuments,
picturesque market and magnificent palaces and manor houses in the town and surrounding area.
Barcelos - Probably the most famous symbol of Portugal, the colourful ceramic cockerel has its origins in the pretty town of Barcelos where, according to
local legend, it is reputed to have saved the life of a traveller wrongly accused of theft by crowing his innocence. Apart from the famous cock, another gem
of Barcelos is the enormous weekly market held every Thursday in the Campo Da Republica. This open square in the centre of the town is one of the
largest of its kind in the country, and the market boasts a huge range of locally produced ceramics alongside other handcrafts and local goods. Other parts
of interest in the town include the old Jewish quarter and the various streets lined with medieval and baroque houses.
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...The north and central regions of Portugal is where you'll more often find the real Portugal. In the very north the traditional way of life
is still followed by small communities up in the mountain regions. Minho is Portugal's greenest and most traditional province and also
the country's best-kept secret. It is often called 'Green Minho' because of its green forests and cultivated valleys. Small houses are dotted
around the lush landscape, surrounded by fields. Connecting these fields are granite set tracks which often have grape vines growing
overhead. Liberally scattered around are the great houses of the past, of which nearly all have been beautifully restored. Spectacular
rivers come into this region from Spain. The river valleys of this area of Portugal used to be the favourite place for the wealthy to build
their manor houses. The Minho is undoubtedly a source of water, where green fields and mountains are in evidence. Besides boasting
the great monuments associated with cities, Braga also has deep religious roots and we feel small in comparison to so much beauty.
Another great city is Guimarães, World Heritage and birthplace of the first King of Portugal...
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