2021 – Portugal Best Classic

Arrival to Caminha.

18h00 – Opening of the secretariat – Check up of cars and document’s and clothes delivery.

19h00 – Welcome drink

20h00 – Dinner

22h00 – Briefing – in ample space, with physical distance

Dinner: at local restaurant Hotel: Pousada de São Teotónio  in Valença do MinhoThe Pousada of São Teotónio, in Valença do Minho, one of the most beautiful border towns, is flanked by the Lima River and is located inside the fortress, with a privileged view of the fantastic landscape that surrounds it. The tiled floor, the huge granite fireplaces, the old wood and the typical Valença faience give a cozy and charming touch that tastes even better while tasting an Alvarinho!

The North West, National Park of Gerês. Narrow and steep winding roads, real feel of “I’m in the middle of nowhere”. Keep that for a few days! This is a truly isolated part of our country. Your classic car will be the only car on the road! My favorite feature?….The Espigueiros of Lindoso, kind of granite huts, build above the ground, to protect crops from animals. And the streams, which bring green and water to an otherwise harsh granitic landscape. And what granit boulders!!!

Aprox. 120 milles / 195 kms

Lunch: Gourmet Picnic or lunch at local restaurant Dinner: at local restaurant Hotel:  Hotel Águas do Gerês or similar

We go north, again through the National Park of Gerês, until we reach Spain. Back down through the park again, and on to the Natural Park of Montesinho. We continue on narrow winding roads and explore the Montesinho plateau. Barren land with faraway views, so simple and yet so rich.  Overnight in Bragança, a northern interior city which had an enormous historical importance due to the closeness to the border, and now recovered its part in history due to the presence of a university.

Aprox. 170 – 150 milles/240 kms

Lunch: Gourmet Picnic or lunch at local restaurant Dinner: at local restaurant Hotel: Pousada de Bragança or similar

The Pousada of Bragança is a unique project in the region, designed by architect José Carlos Loureiro, in the late 50s, a symbiosis with nature and the urban landscape, “is opening in its most important spaces to the scenic splendor of the Castle and its surroundings.

First challenge will be to continue exploring the unspoilt Natural Park of Montesinho. The farther northeast corner of Portugal is still a mystery for many Portuguese!Later we will cross the border near the International Douro Natural Park, visiting Mirando do Douro, where you can see the river running down in its deepest gorges.We explore our neighbors’ land again, passing by some fantastic Spanish “pueblos”. Riverside Ledesma is one of them.We reach Salamanca for the evening and will need to save time for a typical end of the day beer at a counter with some tapas!

Aprox. 180 milles/280 kms

Lunch: Gourmet Picnic or lunch at local restaurant Dinner: at local restaurant Hotel: Hospes Palacio de San Esteban or similar

The hotel building used to be the old Dominican convent of San Esteban, located in the central square of Plaza del Concilio de Trento in the heart of Salamanca, with privileged views of the cathedrals. Its interior combines tradition and modernity and you can find traces of history in every single detail.

From Spain we return to Portugal, through the River Douro Natural Park. This is a wild isolated area of the country, doted by several lovely historical villages, which were, at their time, of strategic influence, and feature gorgeous castles. One of our visits will be to Figueira Castelo Rodrigues, which is classified as one of the 7 wonders of Portugal, category “Authentic villages”.

A bit further south we will find our accommodation in Marialva, set in a fantastic granite boulder’s area.

Aprox. 120 milles/195 kms

Lunch: Gourmet Picnic or lunch at local restaurant Dinner: at local restaurant Hotel: Casas do Coro or similar

This is a granite village with a handful of inhabitants. Just by the castle, surrender to the surprise of finding the most charming accommodation, which blends in the village in such a way you don’t even see it. Charm and comfort on its higher levels.

The Douro valley was the first wine region in the world and a natural witness of long hard working hours to create the perfect terraces for the production of grapes that end up in wonderful Port Wine. We will go up and down, down and up, exploring tremendous views. Wine tasting is compulsory on this day!!!

Aprox. 155 milles/250 kms

Lunch: Gourmet Picnic or lunch at local restaurant Dinner: at local restaurant Hotel: Pousada de Viseu or similar

The Pousada de Viseu is located in central Portugal, in the city of Viseu.  It was the old Hospital de São Teotónio, one of the oldest hospitals of the city, which opened in 1842, and features views of the historic part of the city. This old hospital was completely reconstructed and adapted by architect Gonçalo Byrne in 2009. The hospital is an important landmark in the most peaceful city centre in Portugal. During your stay, you can enjoy the spa, where you can schedule massages and treatments or use the fantastic outdoor pool.

Our first stop will be at the fantastic Caramulo Museum, where we will have the chance to see amazing classic cars, some much older than ours!Then we will invite you to climb the “rampa”, off course! This famous curvy road is the stage, each year, to an internationally famous classic car race.From here we drive towards the coast to visit the Vista Alegre museum (aesthetic evolution of porcelain production).We pass by the fantastic maritime museum of Aveiro, where we can learn about the tough life in the cod fishing boats (so tough man preferred to go to war then get this job!).The port of Aveiro shelters the last cod fish ships which survived the years and the lighthouse is impressive as well. Follows the arrival to Aveiro the Portuguese Venice, with its beautifully set water channels.

Aprox. 93 milles/150 kms

Lunch: Farewell lunch at local restaurant

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