Northern Portugal
Mar 17th, 1999, 03:55 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hello Jo, We did 2 weeks in that area <BR>in 1996 and found it unique. Too much to <BR>tell you here, but I would strongly suggest you buy the Karen Brown book that has itineraries in Portugal--it was the best I found and has excellent tips. Most will be obvious to you as you <BR>read---but, there are 2 places that I think are must places to see. Use the <BR>village of Viano do Castello as your base to explore the Minho area. Stay at <BR>the Pousada there--called Santa Luiza---what a location and view. Also, try not to miss a walled fortress village of <BR>Marvao near Castelo de Vide---it is magical. They also have a pousada there <BR>which is excellent. Most of the other places will fall into place---Obidos, Braga, Estromoz, Evora et al. We were there in March and it did rain---April <BR>will be even better. Have fun !
Mar 18th, 1999, 02:49 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Bob: <BR>Many thanks for the info. We are actually staying in Viano do Castello, so it sounds a great base. Did you take travellers cheques in escudos or other (in our case Canadian dollars)? We were in Southern Portugal about 5 years ago, but I seem to have a memory lapse! Thanks again.
Mar 19th, 1999, 05:14 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
<BR>Hi, in the North of Portugal, you can really see wonderful areas. Minho of course is very famous. We liked very much the Bragança area, often missed by hit-and-fly-back travellers. Close to Bragança there is the Montesinho natural park, which took our breath away a few years ago. Sweet hills and old villages where people are not very much used to foreigners. You should just rent a car and go around. I know that in Bragança there is a nice pousada. <BR>
Mar 19th, 1999, 09:21 AM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Jo, Do not worry about travellers checks <BR>---they should be for back-up only. Use <BR>ATMs for your cash---they are in all of <BR>the towns and easy to use. We even got <BR>$100 worth of " scuds" in a small village in the Minho on a Sunday PM. <BR>You will lose 5 % trying to cash your <BR>checks---use credit cards and ATMs.
Mar 22nd, 1999, 05:54 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Jo, While in the north besides all the other suggestions on this forum, be sure to go to Pont de Lima...lovely town that time has left behind..old Roman bridge with women washing clothes on the rocks. There are small "quintas".. similar to B&B's that are wonderful to stay in. Karen Brown has some good info in her guide.
Mar 24th, 1999, 09:17 AM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Many thanks for all the info. Really looking forward to the trip. We don't know whether to take our Canadian winter woolies or rain gear or swim suits, maybe a little of both!We're hoping for some sunshine anyway. It sounds a really interesting part of the country. Hope we get to try some Port wine. <BR>
