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People and Traditions in A Schist Village

From £393 pp

Central Portugal, Douro Valley, Porto, Portugal

4 Nights/ 5 days

Private Tour

People and Traditions in A Schist Village

From £393 pp

What You'll Do

Enjoy this 5 day trip in Porto and Lousã, where you will enjoy an authentic experience around some of the most beautiful villages in Portugal.

Travel back in time on this trip, admiring the serenity of the old ways alongside the beauty it brings.

Plunge into a magical world of Serra da Lousã and discover the Schist villages that view travellers see.

Enter in its old and narrow streets and listen to the stories, legends and traditions.

Relax on a boat in the golden Douro River, with Porto on one side, Gaia on the other, and the horizon ahead. Listen to the seagulls’ cries while relaxing with a glass of wine, letting the last sun warm your heart and soul.

Discover a park which is home to the largest variety of species in Portugal and is a National Ecological Reserve. Along the walk the landscape and collection of so many flora and fauna is breathtaking.

Enjoy a local jam making workshop in the small village of Cerdeira, a delicious experience and an edible souvenir to take home!

This tour is authentic and off the beaten track, giving you an insight into the people, traditions and natural beauty of Portugal past and present.

Experience
Highlights

Relax on a boat along the golden Douro River

Walk through the traditional small villages in Portugal

Admire the beautiful flora and fauna in an ecological reserve

Your Local Host:

The T4 Team

We are a small company that maintains a deep contact with Portuguese history and culture, and seeks to share them by offering active and authentic experiences in the territory. We begin by establishing contacts throughout the country, local people, small businesses, Guest Houses, municipalities, and content specialists to map and develop experiences that are unique and immersive, that lead us to meet the traditions of a simple soul people and thousands of years of history.

Experience Itinerary

Arrival Day

Land in Porto, and transfer to your hotel. Check in and settle in, before exploring the local area.

Spend the day and evening at your leisure, immersing yourself in the culture and cuisine around you in this beautiful city!

 

Accommodation

Descobertas Boutique House in Porto.

Descobertas Boutique Hotel is located at the heart of Ribeira do Porto, offering you a modern and comfortable accommodation with free Wi-Fi throughout the building. The Hotel is only 800 meters away from Avenida dos Aliados, São Bento Train Station and the Metro Station.

The iconic D. Luís I Bridge is a 2 minute walk and allows you to cross the Douro River for a visit to the famous Port Wine Cellars. The Palácio da Bolsa and the Church of São Francisco are at an equal distance. Porto International Airport is 22km away.

Descobertas Boutique House

Explore Porto

Begin your day with a delicious breakfast courtesy of your beautiful hotel, before you explore Porto for the rest of the day.

Take a trip to the cradle and true heart of Porto, its Historic Centre. This is sure to blow you away

During this journey, your history professional will introduce you to the city and teach you all about its interesting history alongside its vibrant culture.

In the mid-afternoon relax on a boat in the golden Douro River. By Porto by one side, Gaia on the other, and the horizon ahead, listen to the seagulls’ cries while relishing on a glass of wine, letting the last sun beams warm your heart and soul.

Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, enjoying the beauty around you here in Porto.

 

Accommodation

Descobertas Boutique House in Porto.

Descobertas Boutique House

Discover the Charm of the Enchanting Villages

day 3: Discover the Charm of the Enchanting Villages

After a hearty breakfast, you will spend the day visiting the traditional, Portugese villages.

To begin the day, you will be taken to discover Lousã, a place that holds thousands of memories from the past. Throughout this village there are authentic and mysterious hidden gems that are the Schist villages.

Together with your guide, embark on a walk until the village of Talasnal. This is a beautiful walk through serene roads, where you will be surrounded by pure tranquility.

In the afternoon, you will be discovering Cerdeira. While walking through the village, discover the traditional ways of the past whilst being consumed by the opportunity to find out what is more endogenous in these regions.

To end your day in the village, visit the village Alto de Trevim and enjoy the astonishing view from 1.200m in a giant wooden swing.

Return to your new hotel in Lousã, where you will unwind and turn in for the evening.

 

Accommodation

Palácio da Lousã Boutique Hotel in Lousã.

Offering views of the Serra da Lousã mountains, this elegant, 18th-century palace and annex in a former noblewoman’s residence is 2 km from Castelo da Lousã, a fortress and National Monument.

Refined rooms feature Wi-Fi access (fee), minibars and satellite TV. Upgraded rooms have sophisticated furnishings and ornate, high ceilings; some include canopy beds and balconies. Suites add separate bedrooms and living areas. Room service is available.

Breakfast and parking are free. A regal restaurant has painted ceilings. Other amenities include a game room, gardens, and an outdoor pool with a bar, as well as a playground and a playroom.

palacia da lousa hotel

Discover an Ecological Reserve

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you will embark on today’s adventure of visiting a beautiful ecological reserve.

In the morning, you will return to the origins and to discover a
park that is the largest sample of wildlife in Portugal with a National Ecological Reserve.

Along the walk you will find various species of fauna and flora, which is sure to blow you away with its beauty.

You can take a rest in the shade of chestnut trees, oaks, arbutus
and other species of flora in the forest.

It is suggested to end your exploration of the Schist villages with a visit to another village where you can participate in the local activities, who focus on recovering the local traditions.

 

Accommodation

Palácio da Lousã Boutique Hotel in Lousã.

palacia da lousa hotel

Departure Day

After a delicious breakfast, check out of your hotel, and begin your journey to the airport.

This marks the end of your trip here in Portugal, allowing you to begin reminiscing on your time here!

Location Information

Your trip begins in Porto, a coastal city in the northwest region of Portugal. Porto is known for its beloved wine as well as the distinct cobbled streets in the medieval Riberia.

Next, you will be staying in Lousã, a beautiful small town in central Portugal. This is where your trip will end, and where you will depart from.

  • 4 nights accommodation in a double room
  • 4 breakfasts
  • Guided walking tour in Porto with a local professional guide
  • Guided walking tour in Schist village with a local professional guide
  • Boat trip along the Douro River (50 minutes)
  • Entrance to an ecological reserve
  • Jam making workshop with a local artisan
  • Either a driver- guide for the duration of the tour or your rental car if you wish to drive yourself ( choose at time of booking)

FAQs

No, airport transfers are not included in the price of this trip. You will need to organise this yourself.

You have the option to book this trip with a rental car, meaning you can drive across Portugal yourself in a 5 or 9 seater. The rental car would include unlimited milage, collision damage waiver, theft protection, 24 hour road assistance and road tax. Alternatively, you can book this trip without a rental car, and instead will be transported in a 5 or 9 seater car by a driver / guide. All expenses of the car and driver will be included in the cost. Both options are available on the booking page.