lreynold1

I'll have a week before work starts in Lisbon to do some traveling, and this year we've decided to head to the Minho. Two nights in Viana do Castelo, two nights in Moncao, two nights somewhere near the national park of Peneda Geres.

From Viana, we're going to do some walking on the coast (there is a coastal path all the way up to Spain from there, part of the Camino de Santiago), visit Caminha, what else near there?

From Moncao, the area of interest is the Minho to the east, any ideas?

Then, finally, the area near Geres, visiting some Romanesque churches, visiting Ponte de Barca (?), Arcos de Valdevez (?) on the way from Moncao.

For the Geres area, has anyone stayed in the Santa Maria do Bouro pousada? I have some Portuguese friends who didn't have a good experience there, and didn't particularly like it, but it looks very nice to me. They recommended Quinta de Pais, http://quintadepais.com/, which is nearby. Any opinions on that?

We've done some hiking in the park and enjoyed it a lot, but if there are other great things to do up there, we're flexible.

I have been to this area a number of times (except for the Minho from Valenca to the east). So we are not going to go to Braga, Guimaraes, Vila Nova de Cerveira, Valenca, Ponte de Lima (though I may have to make an exception because I love that town), etc. We'll spend our time north of Braga.

Thanks everyone

bobthenavigator

Sounds like fun!
We stayed here in 1997 and loved it.
http://www.pacodecalheiros.com/ENG/default_eng.htm

We also loved the Pousada at Viano.

lreynold1

Thanks, Bob. Do you have any specific suggestions for things to see and do? Muito obrigada!

taconictraveler

Oh, my: Bob the navigator, memories!
We spent Christmas at the Paco de Calheiros in 1985, when the Conde was just starting up the wonderful group of pacos and homes available for elegant B&B!

Christmas eve dinner was an unforgettable experience, with the entire family and the local priest in attendance.

Only problem was the weather had turned incredibly cold and we almost froze! The wing we were in was furnished with lovely antiques and we and our friends had a lot of laughs huddled around the fireplace!

The Conde was so gracious and welcoming. Would love to go back!!

bobthenavigator

Yes, the Thursday market in Barcelos.

lreynold1

I'm wondering about this market. I have heard that it is now primarily for tourists. Is that your experience?

And isn't there anyone who has traveled along the Minho who can give me some great ideas for places to go/eat/sleep?

Thanks.

bobthenavigator

I was last there in 1998--it was the real thing then.

lreynold1

Has anyone visited the Palacio de Brejoeira? It's near Moncao, where we will be spending a couple of nights and looks like it would be a nice visit.

http://www.palaciodabrejoeira.pt/