Teresa Conceição shares her favorite Nature Parks

Portugal is a small country but it offers many contrasts. High mountains, where it even snows, deep valleys, where the sun sometimes forgets to shine, and beautiful plains with wheat and old cork trees. Not to mention, of course, our wonderful coastline which offers amazing beaches and sights to the Atlantic Ocean.

Teresa Conceição is a journalist from TV channel SIC, who co-hosts the series "Ir é o melhor remédio" ("To go is the best medicine" in a free translation). She shared with the national newspaper Expresso some of her favorite Nature Parks. This is an excerpt of her sharing.

Peneda-Gerês

Nature, first. Then traditions, villages and people. This park was created in 1971 and sits in the North of Portugal. It integrates mountains Amarela, Peneda, Soajo and Gerês. The rivers Minho, Lima, Homem and Cávado flow through it and offer some marvelous sights.

Photo by José Antonio Gil Martínez

Montesinho

This mountain sits in the Northeast of Portugal and it's home of the iberian wolf. Apart from this wonderful animal, it also has many of its preys and other species. Wild boars, foxes, eagles, bucks. And of course, unique flora such as oak trees, chestnuts and heaths. The biodiversity of the Montesinho Natural Park is extraordinary!

Photo by Manuel Anastácio

Alvão

This protected area, created in 1983, invites many photographers and biodiversity lovers. It offers natural relics, not only in what concerns fauna and flora, but also in geological terms. Its ex-libris is the waterfall Fisgas do Ermelo. The river Olo floods the park with natural beauty. And it's just enough to sit and hear the sound of its water flow...

Photo by Bhavagati

Douro Internacional

The river Douro is very well-known as the cradle of Port wine. However, this long river is born in Spain and before it reaches the winery area, it has a much more wild string to it. This park holds border with our neighbour country, Spain, and it's called "hot land" for its enormous thermal amplitudes.

Serras de Aire e Candeeiros

Much far south, impressive geological formations tell an imense story. This set of mountains was craved throughout millions of years, offering dinosaurs' footprints and many pedestrian rails, One just needs to get himself lost on these lands.

Photo by Towiki60

Tejo Internacional

This Natural Park is one of the most relevant in Europe. It marks the separation of two regions, Beira Baixa and Alentejo, with the river Tejo (Tagus) in between. Portas de Rodão is where the two margins almost touch each other, offering a wonderful sight. Apart from that, the river flows generously.

Photo by Nuno Tavares

Soon we will share the rest of Teresa Conceição favourite National Parks...

Travel along the portuguese coast

To travel along the portuguese coast is a magical experience, made of cliffs, golden sand beaches and good people.

Portugal has been known for years for the Algarve and its beaches. Actually, for many years, all which travelers knew in Portugal was the Algarve. Fortunately, our beautiful country is being discovered, from north to south, showing the World its potential. However, there are still many places which travelers are missing out. One of these examples sits, ironically, on the Algarve but on a less known area. Together with the Vicentina coast, on its neighbour region Alentejo, it offers idyllic and desert beaches, wonderful cuisine and nature reserves. Check this wonderful piece by Lonely Planet and discover more of our beautiful coast. The Algarve's wild western coast by Lonely Planet

Cape St. Vincent. Image by Lola Akinmade Åkerström / Lonely Planet

Praia do Martinhal beach. Image by Lola Akinmade Åkerström / Lonely Planet

Vicentina Coast Natural Park. Image by Lola Akinmade Åkerström / Lonely Planet

Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. Image by Lola Akinmade Åkerström / Lonely Planet

Seaside cafes in Sagres. Image by Lola Akinmade Åkerström / Lonely Planet

Local seafood is highlight of a visit to the region. Image by Lola Akinmade Åkerström / Lonely Planet

Bike Tour "Grand Prix Portugal National Road 2"

A wonderful road that holds the best of our history, representing a guardian of our memory. A heritage united by an incredible umbilical cord that truly aggregates, from end to end, Portugal.

 The Bike Tour "Grand Prix Portugal National Road 2" is much more than a portentous sports event, which is a major competition at world level. It's a project that aims the promotion, stimulating and valuing this fascinating road.

There will be many actions throughout the year, but everything will have the epicenter and its peak in the Bike Tour.

Now, everyone to the road to see the cyclists pass!  :)

Together we will build the most fascinating project of national cycling "Bike Tour Portugal National Road 2 - The biggest road in Europe".

GREEN PORTUGAL - NATURAL PARK OF DOURO

The Douro Internacional Natural Park, was created in 1998 and is the most recent natural park in Portugal. It covers part of the municipalities of Miranda do Douro, Mogadouro, Freixo de Espada à Cita and Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, along the natural frontier formed by the Douro river. The park reaches its maximum altitude (895 meters) and its steep banks, also known as "arribas", offer a rich wildlife. Birds are the main species, especially the ones that nidify in rocky formations, such as the black stork, the Egyptian vulturem the griffon, the golden eagle or Bonelli eagle. The microclimate in cliffs is good for Mediterranean agricultural plantations, like the olive tree and the wine, as a true landmark for Douro Wine Regions, located not very far from the Douro Natural Park.

GREEN PORTUGAL - NATURAL PARK OF ALVÃO

Located between Mondim de Bastos e Vila Real, Natural Park of Alvão was created in 1983. Despite being one of the smallest Nature Reserves of Portugal, it has an astonishing natural landscape that includes mountains, ravines, valleys, woods and waterfalls.

This Nature Reserve has some beautiful animals - like wolves, wildcats, peregrine falcons and an endangered specie: royal eagles. For a great moment of relaxation - and amazing photographs - you can enjoy the view of one of ths most well-known waterfalls of the Reserve: Fisgas do Ermelo.

ALENTEJO - NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BEST TRIPS 2014

National Geographic has recommended a list of authentic, culturally rich and sustainable places to visit in 2014. One of these places is Alentejo, the perfect place to slow down and relax.

There are many options to choose from, according to your liking. There's Rota Vicentina, a trail that crosses 133 miles from the coastline to the countryside where you can admire storks and endemic plants. There's also Marble Route, with quarries and underground galleries. As for museums, there's one in the village of Belver, that is devoted to the tradition of artisanal soap-making.

You can stay at Évora's Ecorkhotel, a hotel coated in cork, a material that buffers noise, heat and cold. During the day you can enjoy the local cuisine and buy some of the local products, like honey, berries and wines. At night, you can watch the photopollution-free nigh sky of Alqueva, the world's first Starlight Tourism Destination.

FAIA BRAVA NATURE RESERVE

In 1999, a couple – António Monteiro and Ana Berliner –, bought a terrain where the birds of prey of Rio Côa made their nests. That was the start of Faia Brava Nature Reserve, in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Guarda.

Over the years, what was once a project of 20 hectares has grown along the river to over 800 hectares. Additionally, the organization has now seven members that keep contributing for the preservation of the various birds of prey of the region. With time, the Nature Reserve became an important attraction of people and jobs to Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo.

 

Every day, the Nature Reserve receives visitors that go there to watch some of the most majestic birds of the national territory from up close.

TREE HOUSES AT PEDRAS SALGADAS PARK

 

 

It's not a hotel, are eco-homes. They are seven, and they are in the north of Portugal, half hidden in a spa area with dense vegetation.

Incorporated into the Pedras Salgadas Park design and conceived by architect Luís Rebelo de Andrade, the tree houses arose from the challenge of creating an element that could fulfil the imaginary image of tree houses. The idea was to create an object moves away from orthogonality and pre-established concepts associated with construction.

The exterior blends with the surrounding trees and the interior, in contrast, is white and straight.

Lovers of contemporary architecture, this is for you.

BAY OF SAN LORENZO

 

The mostbeautiful vineyards in the world are in Portugal and Italy. Things areas they are and this is so. Vineyards like this Dorado called San Lorenzo Bay.

  

You cannot love the wine and stay in the cellar. An obvious truth that's hard to believe during the first years of a wine lover. These first years in which everything is beautiful and we collect corks and bottles and we visit wineries. Majestic Wineries, designed by artists such as Calatrava, Foster or Genhry. Wineries with paintings by Antoni Tàpies and Eduardo Chilida and rooms with more computers than one room at MIT. Wineries that are castles, where a man who is also winemaker speaks of the cup mix and you look and nods saying "aha".

MONSANTO PARK

Stretching on a surface of about 10 square kilometers, theMonsanto Forest Park (Parque Florestal de Monsanto) is the largest green space in Lisbon, such that it can be easily deemed the green lung of the city and of the adjoining localities.
The spectacular side of the park does not reside exclusively in its being an ideal opportunity for nature lovers, since the park has been laid out with a solid leisure and sports infrastructure which gives visitors the opportunity to delight in practicing all sorts of outdoor activities, hiking included. Plenty of events (concerts, exhibitions, theater representations, and fairs) are organized here. On top of all that, the Monsanto Forest Park is an excellent lookout, occasioning visitors to contemplate the panoramic view of Lisbon, of the Tagus (Tejo) River, of the Atlantic Ocean and of the neighboring localities.

BUDDHA EDEN GARDEN, BOMBARRAL, LEIRIA

The Budda Eden Garden has an area of about 35 hectares, and it was designed and conceived by a famous Portuguese Comendador in response to the destruction of the Giant Bamyan Buddhas, sculpted in the rocks of the valley of Bamyan in central Afghanistan and which had for centuries been a cultural and spiritual reference. This oriental garden was started in 2001 and it is seen as a place of reconciliation. It opens its doors to people of all religion, ethnicity, nationality, sex, age and socio-cultural background, inviting everyone to come together, to communicate and mediate, to rest and rediscover happiness.

Take a walk on the nature in this garden!

ALGARVE, SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC WAVES

Discover the best of the Portuguese South. A traditional village renewed to receive tourists just next to the last treasure of the Portuguese ocean coast, the southwestern desert and wild beaches. Apart from the beach, surf and scubadiving, the village location is ideal for walking, cycling and nature watching in the Natural Park and Algarve mountains.

Carrapateira

The trail starts in the dunes of Carrapateira beach, and then goes along the coastal plateau all the way to Amado beach, where you can see a large number of Seabirds on their nest, or passing through here during migration, and a large number of white stork nests in the rocky cliffs - something unique in the world. From Praia do Amado, the trail continues towards the interior, and the landscape begins to change. Gradually species such as mastic trees, the white-leaved rockrose, the sage-leaf rockrose and cork-oaks begin to appear.

Bordeira

At the village of Bordeira, the walk is through a wooded area, with eucalyptus, stone pines and some corkoaks. The fauna is varied: here can be found the typical species of Mediterranean, like scrubland-wild boar, Iberian hare, European rabbit or the mongoose, among others. Arriving to Ribeira do Tacual, you’ll enter in a valley, where the landscape changes and you come across areas of olive trees and wild junipers.

Saint Vincent cape

The trail that will lead you to the coast starts in an area of scrubby vegetations, mainly consisting of mastic trees, citus and strawberry trees. Then you will go uphill until you reach Torre D’Aspa (109m) where you'll have a great view of the beach cliffs. Then you will roam south to Saint Vicente cape, the most southwestern point of the European continent, a sacred place for Romans that named it Promontorium Sacrum. This is a privileged spot for bird watching during the autumn.



The entire journey can be made by bike, on trails that are especially made for that purpose.
Suggestion: With a GPS you can do it at your own pace and enjoy the beautiful scenery's that these trails have to offer us.

Come to Algarve!

SCHIST VILLAGES FAMILY PROGRAM

A unique opportunity for you and your family to relax in intimate contact with nature (you can even bring your dog or cat). Learn firsthand the traditions of making bread or goat cheese and explore the woods and rivers in Serra da Lousã, Portugal. It will be a weekend to remember!

http://www.travel-tailors.com/detalhado.php?i=226

DAY 1: IRONWORK OF ST. JOHN

(Optional) Transfer from Lisbon or Porto to St. John Smithy reception in the village.
In this village, you can still take part in activities that some of the 40 people still continue to perform. You can make goat cheese, be the shepherd of the flock community for a day, picking olives or grapes.
If driving you can visit some castles in the region, two Roman villas or even go to the Shrine of Fatima.

Accommodation and dinner at the home of the Valley of the Nest or House Joe Shoemaker.

The Valley's Nest house, seated in the valley is named, overlooks the village overlooking Iron John and his comb quartz. It is a small cottage renovated with environmental concerns and energy efficiency, making the balance between modern and traditional architecture of the region. The result is a high level of comfort in a rural setting with 3 bedrooms with toilet, panoramic room and kitchen. The huge balcony to enjoy the relaxing landscape of the valley surrounded by gardens, woodland gardens and small farming from where many of the ingredients for meals in the house: www.vn-nature.com.

The House of Joe Shoemaker was rebuilt and prepared to receive up to 10 people in a familiar and comfortable. Sharing a kitchen, living room and a courtyard, guests can choose one of four double rooms or the suite, all with bathroom privativa.Na reception, an old piece to grind corn reminds us of the reality of other times: www.casadozesapateiro.com

DAY 2: VILLAGE TRADITIONS

Today you have the opportunity of meeting the locals, visiting them in their own homes and learning about their ancient traditions.

The day will be filled by two main activities. First, have the opportunity to prepare your own delicious fresh goat cheese, from the moment we express milk the herd community. Then you can still learn to make bread in a wood oven. It's all in the midst of many conversations, stories and folktales. The meal will undoubtedly have a different flavor, tasting prepared than during the day!

Accommodation in the Valley of the Nest House or at the home of Joe Shoemaker. (Optional dinner.)

DAY 3: RAIL FLOCK (2,5 TO 4,8 KM./1 - 2,5 HOURS)

Today we walk through the beautiful Valley of St. John. 
Between rocks and streams, bridges and passing through cork forests, you will discover a new world of tranquility.
The Way of the Schist (4.8 kms) gives us different perspectives around this village. We start at the center of mountain biking, then following the shores of Ribeira da Ferrara. Along the way, you will find small mills with several traditional wells to draw water.

If you choose the longer route, you can still spot old water mills, cooling pools in the canyons of Riverside and finally, as at the end when it comes back to Smithy, a lush forest of oaks and corrals community, ex-libris history life of this village.

We are sure going to love this tour, during which children (and adults) can still be fun with a treasure hunt (geocaching) using GPS (optional).

Lunch along the way, with a hearty picnic lunch.

Transfer (optional) to Lisbon or Porto.

Testimunial: "Rui H, Cruise in Douro River, Portugal, August 2012"

"The cruise was very good, good food, good landscapes. We ended up changing our Sunday lunch plans and went up to Gaia, visited the Sandeman Port Wine Cellar (I recommend), and had lunch at a restaurant by the river (A Transmontana, I think). Very Good!
I thank you for your help. We got an excellent impression of you. You are now our reference at home for future trips."

Gerês National Park

Take some days off and discover the only National Park in Portugal. Walk by the dense oak forests and listen the water falling down the granite rocky streams. Walk through the old paths connecting traditional villages where you can learn about their ancient way of life and traditions of "Barroso" people. This Park is part of the European PAN Park network, the most pristine areas of Europe.

More information here

Route of the Traditions in Lousã

Walking through the Schist Villages of Lousã in the county of New Aigra Gois, Aigra Old Comareira and Pena, in the company of imposing Penedos de Gois. The route passes through a set of living villages of the municipality of Gois, where participants can enjoy the unique characteristics and traditions of the territory of the shale.

More information here

Villages Route of Lousã

Visit the mountain villages of Talasnal, Vaqueirinho, and Casal Novo, passing through places of rare beauty, like cascades and sanctuaries... and more!

More information here

The Route of the Deers

The Route of the Deers takes place in the upper part of Lousã mountain, covering extensive areas of forest and bush of heather and gorse, the preferred habitat of its largest mammal, the deer.

More information here

Gerês National Park SHORT ADVENTURE

Take some days off and discover the only National Park in Portugal. Walk by the dense oak forests and listen the water falling down the granite rocky streams. Walk through the old paths connecting traditional villages where you can learn about their ancient way of life and traditions of "Barroso" people. This Park is part of the European PAN Park network, the most pristine areas of Europe.

More information here

Canoeing: Minho International River

Canoeing expedition in the river Minho, located in the North of Portugal, between Valencia and Melgaço. In a region full of natural beauty and history, the Minho River is restless and full of emotion. The program includes cultural visits and contact with the local cuisine.

More information here