The blog of Portugal by TravelTailors, tailor-made travel experiences
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| The Green Wine Route 4 days |
 This TravelTailors culinary and wine program disclosesthe second most exclusively Portuguese wine in the world: green wine. It also promotes the discovery of the gastronomy of Minho and its rich heritage and landscape, with palaces, manors and the typical vinha de enforcado . |
DAY 1 PORTO-GUIMARÃES
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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 18.30: 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 . Journey to Guimarães. The picturesque town of Guimarães is one of the most important historical destinations of the country, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO in 2001. It's designated as the Place of Birth of the Portuguese Nationality, because D. Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal, chose this ancient Roman city as capital of the Kingdom of Portugal after his victory at the Battle of São Mamede in 1128. Guimarães is a fascinating place to visit, with its proud castle, the Ducal Palace and the well preserved medieval quarter. Around 20h30: suggestion for dinner in a signature cuisine restaurant, in Guimarães. Set close to Guimarães, the restaurant chosen by TravelTailors features dishes (highlighting game meat dishes) made with high-quality ingredients. It offers a spacious and comfortable room, overlooking a valley whose green is summoned into the space by large windows that open for it. It is dedicated to regional cuisine, but the modern and cosmopolitan space contrasts harmoniously with the gastronomy's traditional soul. It is a good time to try your first GREEN WINE. The Green Wine is unique in the world, naturally light and fresh, it's produced in the demarcated region of Green Wines in northwestern Portugal, a coastal region geographically well placed for the production of excellent white wines. Cradle of the charismatic Alvarinho caste and producer of unique wines, the Green Wine Region celebrated in 2008 the centenary of its demarcation. With low alcohol content, and therefore fewer calories, Green Wine is a fruity wine, easy to drink, great as an aperitif or in harmonization with light and balanced meals: salads, fish, seafood, white meat tapas, sushi , sashimi and other international dishes. Overnight at the hotel of the selected category. | ||
DAY 2 GUIMARÃES-BRAGA-PONTE DE LIMA-MONÇÃO-VALENÇA
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Journey to Braga.
Braga is located in the heart of the verdant region of Minho, in the northwest of Portugal, surrounded by a landscape of rolling hills and forests. The city, one of the largest religious centers of Portugal, is renowned for its baroque churches, the splendid 18th century manors and the beautiful parks and gardens. The old part is solemn, while the industry and trade have given rise to a modern lifestyle, complemented by local universities, the contemporary restaurants and lively bars. The city's history is reflected in the numerous churches and monuments, among which stand the imposing Cathedral and the Church of the Holy Cross, dating from the 17th century. On a hill about 5 km south-east stands the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a major pilgrimage site. Behind, is Mount Sameiro, where a colossal statue of Our Lady watches attentively the city. On the outskirts of Braga is Citânia of Briteiros, an impressive archaeological site of the Iron Age. 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 12:30: suggestion for lunch in traditional Portuguese 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, highlighting the pataniscas and sausages of Ponte de Lima. On cold days, the fireplace is almost inspiring and foreshadowing of several specialties that are the delight of diners. Namely, the roasted lamb, the sarrabulho from Minho and the divine cod with cornbread. The wine list, of reasonable prices and well provided with green wines, uplifts the list of delicacies, which ends with the already distinct pear borrachona. Journey to Monção (optional: through Arcos de Valdevez and Ponte da Barca). Located in a valley traversed by the river Vez, Arcos de Valdevez retains all the charm that characterizes the Alto Minho, with greenery and traditional architecture in which the sunny houses stand out. In Ponte da Barca, the historic town center with mansion houses (some of them adapted to tourism) and beautiful monuments of the 16th and 18th centuries deserves a careful visit, as well as its surroundings, highlighting the Romanesque church of Bravães and Lindoso's Castle, that played an important role in the defense of the region. Ponte da Barca is part of the demarcated region of Green Wine. Part of the municipality is inserted in the Peneda Gerês National Park, which offers excellent conditions for sports and leisure. Visit to the Palace of Brejoeira, near Monção (until 17h30). Located 6 km from Monção, the PALACE OF BREJOEIRA, built in the early 19th century, is a fine example of the noble houses in Minho. Surrounded by lush woods and gardens, its characteristics are attributed to Carlos Amarante, that somehow tried to create a replica of the Ajuda National Palace. In Neoclassical style, it has four facades limited by four turrets and on the inside you can find halls rich with paintings and frescoes, as well as a beautiful chapel. On the farmstead that surrounds the palace, it's produced the Alvarinho wine, that is bottled here with the seal of the Brejoeira Estate and that you will be able to sample. Monção is overlooking the river Minho, with its pleasant terraces and viewpoints, like the terrace of the Neris, the 17th century walls keeping the historic center, where the monuments of the Main Church, the Church of Mercy and the Church of Santo António dos Capuchos have a prominent place. Outside, the Caldas de Monsão complement a visit to the city, with its therapeutic waters. Suggestion: visit to the winery of Monção. Located in the most northern region of Green Wine, the Regional Winery of Monção was founded in 1958. The geological structure of the terrain, the microclimate and typicality of white and red varieties, together with the modernization of its equipment and technology, especially the temperature control and stabilization of fermentation, give its wines and spirits a unique and higher quality. Journey to Valença. Border town, located next to the River Minho, Valença is surrounded by walls and retains the characteristics of the fortified city of XVII-XVIII centuries. Its first name was "Contrasta", which meant the village opposite of another, due to its location opposite the Galician city of Tui, on the other bank of the River Minho. Today it's a city with flourishing trade, which emphasizes the highly sought after products of local craftsmanship. Around 20h30: suggestion for dinner in a signature cuisine restaurant, in Valença. To North of the city of Valença, looking at the immense green Minho, the choice of TravelTailors assumes itself more and more as a restaurant, a reference in the national panorama. The ruins of an agricultural farm gave way to two spaces for events and a dining room, decorated with simplicity and good taste, where large windows illuminate further the outstanding service. In the cuisine, the chef associates new cooking techniques to regional products, thus creating a different menu that lives between tradition and modernity. It also features a wine list that reveals real treasures. Overnight at the hotel of the selected category. | ||
DAY 3 VALENÇA-CAMINHA-VIANA DO CASTELO
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Journey to Caminha.
Fortified border town at the mouth of the Rio Minho, Caminha was the scene of several battles between Portugal and Spain, but since today the relationship between the two countries is more friendly, a daily ferry links the two sides of the river. In the middle of the estuary, on an island, remain the ruins of Fort of Ínsua, built in the 15th century to defend the entrance. Around 12:30: suggestion for lunch in traditional Portuguese restaurant, in Caminha. TravelTailors' bet goes to a restaurant where the letters live with the flavors. The restaurant is a haven of stories. Appreciate the entrées, dominated by regional sausages. Rice with bass à Tio Maçarico and cod with cornbread are options when it comes to fish, while in the meats it is suggested ham with red beans and old styled rice with duck. With a wine list to match, we arrive to the epilogue, with a pie with fresh sweet eggs. Journey to Viana do Castelo. Situated 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 restaurant, in Viana do Castelo. Renowned, award-winning restaurant with excellent specialties from Minho, this TravelTailors choice offers a plentiful and well prepared cuisine, thus justifying its high number of customers. On the wine list, the green deserves to be highlighted. Overnight in hotel of the selected category. | ||
DAY 4 VIANA DO CASTELO � CIDADE DE DESTINO
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Journey to the city of destination.
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