The surroundings of the quinta offers you many possibilities. You can make long walks, go to the beach on the Atlantic coast or visit one of the many old villages. If you are interested to go out for dinner it is recommended to go to the bigger villages, where you will find many different restaurants, mostly including terraces to enjoy the outdoor atmosphere. Everything is easily accessible. The roads in Northern Portugal are very good. The city Porto is only 45 minutes away.
The village Cabeceiras de Basto will offer necessities like, a mini-market, several banks, an internet cafe and a tourist office. In Fafe of Guimarães you will find a bigger supermarket. The shops are usually closed between 13.00 and 15.00 hours. If you enjoy your walks, the tourist office can provide you with local walking trail information.
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Cabeceiras de Basto |
Besides the daily grocery shopping, it is worth visiting the Monastery and the Baroc Church. The church is beautifully lit at night. To enjoy a typical Portuguese coffee with croissant, you can go to the “pastelaria”. Other things are available at the pastelaria, such as fresh bread, bread rolls, etc.
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| Porto |
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A big city that needs more than just one visit to get to know. The historical centre is listed on the UNESCO world heritage list. As a contrast, it is worth visiting “Parque da Fundação de Serralves and the nearby located Museum of Modern Art. The river de Douro runs straight through Porto. You can take a tram alongside the river banks or, to look at things from a different perspective, a boat cruise.
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Guimarães |
The city centre of this village has lots of cute little lanes, bigger streets and town squares. This village is listed on the UNESCO world heritage list.
An impressive castle is situated in the northern part of Guimarães, which dates from the 11th century. They say it is the birth place of Portugal. From this castle many battles were fought by the leader Alfonso Henriques, who was Portugal's first King.
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| Amarante |
It is definitely worth visiting this beautiful town. The river Tâmega runs straight through the town and gives it a picturesque appearance. If you decide to go there by car fro the quinta, it is possible to go through a national park, called “do Alvão” (N304). This is the forest, where the resin of trees is collected.
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| Braga |
Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and, one of the oldest Christian cities in the World.
It's the capital city of the North (Minho). This city has many beautiful churches, a university, a sanctuary and a museum showing the musical heritage of Portugal. Braga has a Cable-car witch runs on waterpower.
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National park “Peneda-Gerês” |
National park “Peneda-Gerês” is recognised by the “International Union for Nature Conservation” (IUNC), because of the diversity of landscape, flora and fauna. It is approximately 70.000 acres. The area has lots of mountains (max. 1545m) and various little rivers running through, waterfalls and reservoirs. If you are lucky, you might be able to see some deer or Iberian wolfs. There are also small wild horses, called “garranos”. Several marked walking trails are available and you are able to participate in an excursion with a guide provided.
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1. Cabeceiras de Basto, Quinta de Cainhos
2. Braga
3. National park “Peneda-Gerês”
4. Guimarães
5. Porto |
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From the Atlantic Ocean with beautiful calm beaches in the West, to the hills and mountains of the Douro Valley in the East, with rivers, lakes and beautiful walking trails.
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| View "Alto da Senhora da Graça" |
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