portugal green walks brochure
DESCRIPTION
Portugal Green Walks portfolio of nature and culture tourism.TRANSCRIPT
Why Northern Portugal?Religious heritage, modern architecture, natural parks, hospitality and gastronomy
are amongst the great attractions of this region, where Portugal was founded in the
12th century, combining to make it a unique destination.
Why Portugal Green Walks? We have many years experience as a tour operator providing top quality tourist
services in the North of Portugal and Porto. The company builds on this in depth
knowledge of the region to offer uniquely creative and innovative tours in the three
specialist areas in which it focuses: Nature, Culture and Gastronomic Tourism.
CC BY-NC-ND - Fundação Casa da Música CC BY-NC-ND - Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR
The Minho Region has unique characteristics associated to a natural
landscape of enormous beauty and biodiversity. Marked by an intense
green of the fields and vineyards, the Minho’s beautiful landscape
allies itself with the contagious joy of the festivities and processions
and with the unparalleled hospitality of its people.
Min
ho
© Quinta da Lixa
© Boa Morte
Walking in the Heart of thePeneda-Gerês National ParkIf you’re looking for the splendour of the natural world, then the Peneda-Gerês
National Park is definitely the place to visit. The diversity and abundance of its flora and
fauna will provide you with some unforgettable moments in close contact with nature.
Member of the prestigious Pan Parks network the Park offers walkers wonderful
opportunities to follow old granite paved trails from idyllic villages into remote upland
pastures. This itinerary draws on our in-depth local knowledge and ability to show
visitors the very best of Peneda-Gerês.
Active HolidaysAdventure & fun
If you’re looking to enjoy a few days of absolute relaxation or some refreshing
and invigorating holidays, the northern region of Portugal will surprise you with
fantastic opportunities for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
You have the opportunity to discover a region of lush green Natural Parks, a rich
culture and history visiting Guimarães and Oporto, two UNESCO World Cultural
Heritage cities, whilst tasting our traditional gastronomy and wines, mixed in
perfect harmony, making this a unique program.
© Joel Pereira
Horse Riding in MinhoAn unforgettable experience
Imagine yourself riding a genuine Portuguese horse whilst having the chance to
see wild horses, such as the Garrano, in the mountains of Northern Portugal;
trekking up the hills surrounded by incredible views and viewing the landscape
as though from the top of the world. This is a unique way to visit the remote
uplands of the Peneda-Gerês National Park and the nearby Corno de Bico
Protected area. Here you will find the perfect place for an unforgettable holiday
together with all the tranquility you could wish for.
© Carlos Orlando
There exists a magical landscape in the far northeast
corner of Portugal with plateaus and majestic mountains,
towns and untouched historical villages, where the
Douro river defines part of the frontier between Portugal
and Spain. Places that are simply unbelievable!
Trás
-os-
Mon
tes
CC BY-NC-ND - Município de Freixo de Espada à Cinta
Walking along the old routes of Arribas do DouroYou will have the chance to discover with us some of the best places of
the International Douro Nature Park, a landscape dominated by a stunning
setting with rugged gorges carved out over time by the Douro river,
through a variety of activities including walking tours, boat trips, a donkey
ride, visits to typical villages and birdwatching.
© Arquivo PNDI-ICNF
CC BY-NC-ND - Europarques.com
© Arquivo PNDI-ICNF
The wine region of The Douro is scenically one of the most impressive
demarcated regions in the world, as evidenced by its status as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. For generations, thousands of men have built extraordinary terraced
staircases on steep mountains, turning almost inaccessible lands into large areas
of cultivation for the production of the famous port wine. From this arises one of
the strongest and most memorable characteristics of the region.
Dou
ro V
alle
y
© José Manuel
Douro Vine Terraces An amazing walking tourFrom the most rugged parts of the Alto Douro Wine Region to the heart of Port wine itself, you are going to discover the legendary Calçada de Alpajares, also named the Devil's Trail, travel the river on a traditional rabelo boat and experience beautiful walking trails in the midst of vineyards and olive groves. All of this without forgetting a visit to a winery farm where the precious nectar of the region is produced. A not to be missed tour that takes you to three sites that have achieved World Heritage status: The archaeological park of Vale do Coa, the world’s largest open-air museum of Palaeolithic art , the Douro Valley and the historic centre of Porto.
©António Martinho Baptista-PAVC
“Portuguese gardens are amongst the most cosmopolitan in the world, a product of the priviledged cultural heritage of our history, bringing together the west and East in a style with is at the same time intimate, exuberant, slightly exotic but always characteristically Portuguese” Helena Attlee in “O esplendor dos Jardins em Portugal”
Gar
dens
and
par
ks
Enchanted GardensAn inspirational tour for garden lovers...
You are invited to discover the charming heterogeneity of the gardens
of Porto and surrounding region, the birthplace of Portugal. Highlights include the picturesque
gardens of a top Verde wine maker’s Quinta, a selection of outstanding manor house gardens,
an ancient Benedictine monastery Cerca, truly old camellia collections, Romantic gardens of
wealthy Port merchants and a unique modernist garden. To make this a very special tour, we
invited site owners and directors as well as connoisseurs to guide us through their treasures
and make you feel as if you were in your own garden.
Way
of S
aint
Jam
es
The Portuguese Way gently winds its way northwards, along ancient tracks and paths run through woodlands, farmlands, villages, towns and historic cities. Paths that cross courses of water flowing over bridges - some of Roman origin - of unmistakable medieval construction. A route enriched by the presence of chapels, churches, convents, shrines and crosses where the comforting image of Santiago the Pilgrim is ever-present, to accompany and hearten the pilgrim on his journey.
The Portuguese WayThe experience of a lifetime… We have designed a walking tour that aims to combine the spiritual sense
and the personal experience of the Way to Santiago with the comforts of
today and the total support of our local guides. Along the last 153 km of the
Portuguese Way, from Ponte de Lima (North Portugal) to Santiago de
Compostela, the traveller will experience the traditions and ways of rural
Galician life whilst enjoying beautiful landscapes, historical architecture, and
delicious food along the way. Travellers can expect to experience
unforgettable days Walking, Feeling and Resting.
In the land of the valleys of Sousa, Tâmega and Douro, in the heart of the North of Portugal, stands an important architectural heritage of Romanesque origin. Common traits that carry legends and stories born with the foundation of the Nationality and which witness the significant role that this territory formerly played in the history of the nobility and religious orders in Portugal.
Rout
e of
Rom
anes
que
© Rota do Românico
Follow the Steps of Princess Mafalda
On a voyage through History, Portugal Green Walks invites you on an inspiring journey
to learn about some of the monasteries and churches connected, according to legend,
to the life and work of Princess Mafalda, daughter of King Sancho I and granddaughter
of King Afonso Henriques. Take the opportunity to relax and recharge your batteries in
the Baths of São Vicente.
© Rota do Românico
© Rota do Românico
© Rota do Românico
© Rota do Românico
A land of genuine flavours... that deserves to be discovered slowly
Known for its hospitality, the region demonstrates exceptional generosity when it comes
to providing good table service. How can you possibly forget the finest fish caught on our
coastline, our delicious horticultural products, the finest fruit, our olive oil, our cheeses, our
wines - first-class products which are recognised by the world’s leading specialists? And of
course how can we possibly overlook our diversified and mouth-watering desserts, that
come from the best traditions of old Portuguese convents?
Let us act as your guide as you set out to discover the region’s tastes and flavours.
Portugal Green Walks is pleased to be your host!Gas
trom
ony
© Jorge Miranda© Rota do Românico