scdreamer

Road tripping through Portugal for a few weeks in September/October. We're staying in Mesao Frio (at Casa de Canilhas, which looks wonderful) for two nights after a week in Porto and before heading out for longer stays in Coimbra and Evora. We'd like to visit a vineyard and sample some port wine - wondering if anyone has suggestions for a any day trips that offer this? Or other sites of interest or activities? Thanks.

scdreamer

Guess we must be off the beaten path - !

Clousie

Sorry you haven't received any responses. I can't comment very much on places to visit because our planned day became totally undone by incorrect train schedules and getting lost trying to drive to Pinhao.

But the positive part of my reply is that we totally loved staying at Canilhas House for two nights. It was April and the vineyards were quite bleak, but the B&B staff was warm and welcoming. They suggested walking up a rather steep road to get to the actual town of Mesa Frio and having dinner at Tasca do Zequinha. It was run by a brother, Andre and his sister, Alice, so we called it Alice's Restaurant. They were so friendly and eager to please. We didn't speak the same language so we would point to a menu option and Alice would run into the kitchen and bring the food out, such as a cantaloupe. Food was good that we decided to go back our second night there. When you first enter on the ground floor, it's a noisy bar filled with locals having a good time, but the pretty, casual dining room is upstairs away from the noise.

Enjoy your trip.