Arrival in Porto.
Porto
is a charming town, situated on the slopes of the Douro River and very
near to its mouth. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to
its beautiful monuments and historic buildings such as the imposing
Cathedral or the Tower of Clerics, Porto is the second largest city of
Portugal and has superb views over the river and the world famous Port
Wine Cellars on the opposite bank, in Vila Nova de Gaia. The city
provides a harmonious synthesis of ancient and contemporary attractions.
Perched on top of hills and clinging to cliffs, attractive buildings,
bridges and lamps guard the Douro River for centuries. Fiercely proud of
their heritage, the citizens of this merchant town have invested their
blood and sweat on their commerce and wine. Porto is a city ready for
work and ready for fun. Nightclubs and restaurants mingle with
cathedrals, churches and museums in narrow alleys and broad avenues.
There are many cafes around the city, where you can relax after climbing
the many hills of Porto. On the rooftops there are red tiles and the
facades are often tiled. The city of Porto is very compact, which is
great to do some exploring on foot, as long as you don't mind making an
effort going uphill.
Until 18h30: Visit to the cellars of Porto and wine tasting.
Port
Wine is a fortified wine of world fame, produced exclusively from
grapes from the Douro Wine Region, about 100 km east of Porto. The wine
took the name of Porto, but it's on the opposite bank of the Douro in
Gaia, that are installed fifteen cellars, greater temples of this
nectar. The visit includes tastings of different varieties .
Suggestion: Rabelo boat ride on the River Douro.
The
Rabelo boat ride on the river Douro, through the six bridges, is
perfect to have some beautiful city views and to know a little of its
history in a different way; after all, the river held a key role in
local development over the centuries. The Maria Pia Bridge, built in
1886 by Eiffel, stands out. The boat leaves us on the edge of Gaia,
where there are several Port Wine Cellars.
Journey to Viana do Castelo.
Located
near the mouth of the Lima River, 65 km north of Porto, Viana do
Castelo was founded in the 13th century by Afonso III, King of Portugal,
under the name of Viana da Foz do Lima. From the shipyards of Viana,
ships and caravels have left to the routes of India and the Americas. By
the 16th century, the town was solely of the people, with the nobility
not being able to settle here. Finally opening its doors, Viana enriched
itself with emblazoned palaces, convents, churches and fountains that
make up a remarkable patrimonial heritage, worthy of visit. Beautiful
city, outgoing and cheerful, Viana do Castelo has been able to conserve
its rich tradition of popular roots.
Around 20h30: Suggestion for dinner in traditional Portuguese food restaurant, in Viana do Castelo.
A
renowned, award-winning restaurant with excellent Minho specialties,
this TravelTailors choice offers a plentiful and well prepared cuisine,
thus justifying its high number of customers. It is a good opportunity
to experience Vinho Verde, which is unique in the world; naturally light
and airy, with low alcohol content, and therefore fewer calories, Vinho
Verde is a fruity wine, easy to drink, great as an aperitif or in
harmony with light and balanced meals: salads, fish, seafood or white
meat.
Overnight at the hotel of the selected category.
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Visit to Temple of Santa Luzia.
The
Temple of Santa Luzia is situated on the hill of the same name, where
one can see a unique view of the region, which combines the sea, the
river Lima with its valley, and the whole mountain complex - one of the
best panoramas of the world, according to National Geographic. The
project of the church is by the architect Miguel Ventura Terra, with
obvious inspiration from the Basilica of Sacre Coeur in Montmartre,
Paris. Built on a plant in the form of a Greek cross, its architecture
has Neo-Romanesque, Byzantine and Gothic elements.
Suggestion: descent into the city by funicular.
Suggestion: visit of the city on foot.
Up
until the 16th century, the town was solely of the people, with the
nobility not being able to settle here. Finally opening its doors, Viana
enriched itself with emblazoned palaces, convents, churches and
fountains that make up a remarkable patrimonial heritage, worthy of
visit. In 1848, Queen D. Maria II raised Viana the city with the new
name of Viana do Castelo.
Around 12h30: Suggestion for lunch at a traditional cuisine restaurant, in Viana do Castelo.
Housed
in a palace in the historic center, this is one of those restaurants
where you just feel like being at. It's comfortable, the decor follows
the solemnity of the space and the service only magnifies the good
flavors of the traditional cuisine that is practiced here. With several
maritime inspirations, on the menu you'll find the Viana's Traditional
Stuffed Crab, natural Lobsters, and the Bass Cataplana and Chef's Rice
Fish. Mandatory are, the Codfish, the Sarrabulho Porridge with Fried
Pork and Serra d'Arga's Roasted Lamb. Don't you dare leaving without
trying the French Toast, present on the menu throughout all year.
Participation in the emblematic Celebrations of Viana do Castelo.
The
festivities in honor of Our Lady of Agony are the most popular and
lively around all of Minho. They take place in the third week of August
and include several parades with big heads, Gigantones, zés-pereiras,
floats and a diverse choice of regional costumes, especially the
necklaces, earrings and gold bracelets of women. This is considered the
festival of the pilgrimage festivals. The cult of Our Lady of Agony goes
back to the 18th century, with the first written reference to this
event dating from 1744. Its essential trait is the devotion of the
people of the sea, that reciprocate the graces received during storms or
shipwrecks. Hence the main float was traditionally carried by fishermen
and only since 1968 a fluvial procession began to be made, with the
image of the saint, up the river Lima. Besides all these events, the
fireworks, launched by the river Lima, are a unique show.
Throughout
all day there will be countless activities and parades to delight
anyone's view. The Historical and Ethnographic Parade takes place on the
Avenue of the Combatants of the Great War, and the parade of costumes
and stewardship go through several city streets. They are identified by
the covered and worked towels that are hung on the balconies of the
inhabitants.
Only since 1893 have Zabumba and Zés P'reiras, as
well as Gigantones and Cabeçudos, entered the Pilgrimage. Colossal and
grotesque figures, the Gigantones betray their remote and popular
origin. Kings of the Party, they liven up the consecrated Pilgrimage
revues that take place every year, at noon, on the Republic Square to
the sound of a hundred bombs - and constitute the most garrulous and
lurid procession of Alto Minho's imagery.
Be amazed by the amount of gold that is worn these days and that parades around town!
You can't leave without tasting the fried pastry Bola de Berlim from the Natário Bakery, known as the best in Portugal.
Around 20h00: Suggestion for dinner in traditional cuisine restaurant, in Viana do Castelo.
Located
opposite the River Lima, near the monument of the Viennese seaman Pêro
do Campo Tourinho, the restaurant is housed in a centennial sunny manor,
known as Casa do Campo da Feira, near the old shipyard facilities of
the city. It has a decor of accentuated medieval inspiration, which
gives it a unique beauty and a sense of permanent well-being. Over the
years, it has come to prominence for the excellence of its service, as
well as for its cuisine of notice. Fish and seafood dishes are not to be
missed, especially the fish in the oven and lobster bread soup with
prawns. Always accompanied by a wonderful wine, like one should in
Minho!
Continuation of participation in the festivities.
24h00: Fireworks in Old Bridge.
Overnight at the hotel of the selected category.
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Visit to the flowered carpets.
Throughout
the morning and until the passage of the Procession to the Sea, we can
appreciate the painstaking and dedicated work of the people of Ribeira
on the floral carpets that are presented on the streets, the result of
devotion to Our Lady of Agony and that throughout the night before,
moved its residents. The variety of colors, the softness of the carpets
of flowers, the delicacy of preparation, turn the hard floor of the
streets of Ribeira into the most beautiful and polychrome carpet.
Journey to Ponte de Lima.
In
the center of a rich agricultural region, where it's produced the
famous Green Wine, its heritage includes a large number of manor houses
and stately homes. This traditional village records fortnightly great
animation on the sandy banks of the river, when a fair is organized,
which originated in the Middle Ages.
Around 12h30: Suggestion for lunch in traditional Portuguese food restaurant, in Ponte de Lima.
The
granite walls of this TravelTailors' proposal keep quality cuisine, a
true gastronomic temple. Warm up your senses with the arrival of the
entrées, especially for pataniscas and the sausages of Ponte de Lima. On
cold days, the fireplace is almost inspiring and foreshadows several
specialties that are the delight of diners. Namely, the roasted lamb,
the Minho sarrabulho and the divine cod with cornbread. The wine list,
of reasonable prices and well provided with green wines, magnifies the
list of delicacies, which ends with the already distinct pear
borrachona.
Journey to the city of destination.
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