Behind the beach there is a pine forest full of flowers

The Mount Vilarinha created three walking routes for guests in partnership with Walking'Sagres. To show that the village of Carrapateira in Lagos, is not only beach.
The smell of cistus starts right when it turns in the direction of Mount Auburn, off road surrounded by greenery and the giant propellers of the wind farm to mark the landscape. This year the rain helped and the fields are full of water, and bright green. In summer, the scenario will be different now, brown and dry, with the cars they headed to the beach. The winding road follows, we now Bordeira and its white houses and silent, and Carrapateira village in the municipality of Aljezur approaches. In addition to the starboard air is rosemary. Are strong smells that make up the scenario a spring that soon, but it arrived.

Deep in Paradise Valley and in the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina, a herd of cows crosses slowly dirt road, swaying the clappers at your own pace. Hidden among the vegetation is Mount of Vilarinha, a unit of rural tourism that João Pedro Cunha, owner of the Sea Restaurant watermills in Sintra, did not rest until his feet. Were ten years papers and bureaucracies to get the license it needed to build the houses painted white, following the traditional method of mud, roofed in sugarcane. In 34 acres of land he bought, wanted to sow tourism accommodation in family, near Carrapateira.

"The choice of location had to do with surfing and spearfishing and my teenage years spent here. It was all wild, an adventure, and I did not rest until I sold a house in Praia Grande, Sintra, to buy land. Been here were foreigners to value Carrapateira "says João Pedro, while making a tour of the trails. The gardens, manicured, integrated into the autochthonous vegetation. Boars that sometimes at night if wandering nearby were not scared away. "We placed cameras with infra-red for the shooting," he reveals.

The lot is divided into three zones: the Casa do Forno, Casa da Ribeira (consisting of four houses T0) and the Houses Angle (3 houses T1). The leakage was from T0 in the Ribeira House, next to the pool and located in the lower unit, near the river. All rooms have a small patio overlooking the valley.

Inside, the space is large and no doors (except in the bathroom). There is a small dining area with a kitchen equipped with everything needed for cooking. And a living. The furniture was made to measure. There are bedside tables lined with cork, stone walls contrast with the view that other painted white, a double bed covered in white.

On the hillside lies the Casa do Forno. There are three bedrooms with double bed and private bathroom, two of which have a living room with fireplace. At Casas de Cima is a bed on the terrace to enjoy the view. The living room also has a fireplace and dining area and the kitchen is equipped, including with washing clothes. The decor is simple. A mixture of beach and countryside reflected in earth tones, white and gray, and the screens with references to the sea that populate the walls.

A window to the mountains telluric

Sofia Gonzaga decided to leave Lisbon and transform their grandparents in Alvaiázere, an area of ​​rural tourism. Called it Aldear the name makes sense. This is a place to escape the bustle of the city and is also aldear this.
The dense pine and eucalyptus runners were left behind. The white houses stands on the roof ocher green mantle carried by spring rains. At this time, the sun still burning and direct light enters through the windows facing the mountain of Alvaiázere, path twists and turns through the trees shaken by the wind force in this county do Pinhal Interior Norte.

We climbed to an attic like that to climb the mountain. For a few hours, this is our home - a house in the attic where the pile of papers and dust gave way to an airy apartment unit Aldear rural tourism, opened in May. And here we are, looking at extending the limits of the saw, the sorbed quiet rural village and appeal to the path.

Land from the Moors, who in the eighth century called it Al-Bai-Zir or Alva-Varze (depending on version historiographical) Alvaiázere is a window faces a massive limestone covered with fertile vegetation, one of the vertices of the Lands of Sico. Is between the Roman and Conimbriga Sellium (Tomar), between the river and Zêzere Nabão. D. Duarte donated the village in 1435 to Queen D. Leonor and 79 years later would receive a new charter of King Manuel. It is naturally a village of local traditions. And this is also one of the philosophies of space Aldear three apartments (two floors) that combine the simplicity of modern lines with a return to the past and to the universe of the rural county.

Sofia Gonzaga, the owner, decided to leave Lisbon full time and lay in the area of ​​rural tourism, rehabilitating their grandparents in Alvaiázere, a small farm in the heart of the village. Was also thinking in the minds of summers spent there who conceived the project.

Each apartment, Sofia thought that for families with children, is decorated with a different theme. But all have something in common: poetry on the white walls.

In House Attic, inspiration from fond wish . The space is large and hot, like the poem Bocage. The apartment (two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large living room that communicates with the kitchen running the length of the house) collects the sun during the day. Further highlights were brown, gray and crisp.

Down the stairs outside, sharing the walk two independent houses, Snow White and the Blue House. At first, with windows overlooking the village center, Sofia gave more urban décor, which chose to put on the wall a poem by Person ( Put my hands on his shoulders ... ). Next door, who is Florbela Espanca guide space, overlooking the mountains and the garden of the house, where the blue of the pool blends into your interior.

Downstairs, the lounge chairs and armchairs crescent invite to a natural juice or a drink. The garden - high walls and stony beds sober - was the old orchard, which were the old trees, jasmine and orange trees. It is a place that the grandmother of Sofia, live right next door, is happy to see the decorated granddaughter, who thought there space for barbecues, breakfasts and snacks. Where once was the old cellar of the house, the restaurant Aldear born, that Sofia wants to give the name of Jasmine. Everything has a meaning. And the enterprise has set up a small shop which sells some local produce - cakes, jams, teas - and some clothes.

COIMBRA: CITY OF ROMANCES, HISTORY AND ACADEMIC TRADITIONS

COIMBRA: CITY OF ROMANCES, HISTORY AND ACADEMIC TRADITIONS

This is a full day tour in Coimbra with an official guide!
Coimbra, capital of Beira Litoral Province, named Aeminium by the Romans in 400ad, was also the former capital of the Kingdom of Portugal. One of the most beautiful cities of Portugal, keeps several historical monuments, medieval churches and the most important library in Portugal! Stored treasures and rare single volumes from various fields of knowledge. Coimbra, located on the River Mondego, is in the geographical center of Portugal, it has more charm in the streets of the famous academic republics, medieval narrow streets, with courtyards, arches and eaves flowers, cafes, galleries and bookstores.

Coimbra also housed the forbidden love of King Pedro I and the Spanish Galicia Lady Inês de Castro, who was executed by order of King Afonso IV, who saw the danger in this love of a subjugation to Castile. Inspiring poets and writers, its history remains part of the city's heritage.

Coimbra’s historical characters:
City where Afonso Henriques is buried, the first King of Portugal, 12th century.
City where St. Anthony studied, 13th century.
City where Saint Queen Isabel lived and is buried, 14th century.
Birthplace and where Luís de Camões studied, 16th century.
City where Eca de Queiroz studied, 19th century.
City where Almeida Garrett studied, 19th century.
City where Antero de Quental studied, 19th century.
City where Manuel de Arriaga studied, 1st President of the Portuguese Republic, 19th – 20th century.
City where Zeca Afonso studied, symbol of the Carnation Revolution of 25 April 1974.

Morning
During the morning we visit the eastern side of the city, where Queen Isabel lived, famous for the Roses Miracle. Visit the interior of the Monastery of Santa Clara Nova (XVII), where the Saint Queen is buried. Visit to the Monastery of Santa Clara a Velha (XIII century), a Gothic masterpiece recently recovered, housing a very interesting exhibition about the life of nuns in the middle Ages.
Photostop in Quinta das Lagrimas, where King Pedro I and the Spanish Galicia Lady Inês de Castro lived their forbidden love and where she was later beheaded by 3 assassins by a famous fountain - "fountain of tears."
Photostop at the famous Penedo da Saudade, a romantic garden, favorite place of many students / poets of the University of Coimbra.

Free Lunch at a local restaurant with traditional food.

Afternoon
During the afternoon we'll take a nice walk along the western part of the city, this is the best way to explore the narrow streets of Coimbra full of history, monuments and academic traditions.
We start at the University of Coimbra (1290): Here you can see some of the most precious treasures of the University, the Baroque Library (National Monument), the Chapel of St. Miguel, the Via Latina, the Hall of Capelos, the Rectory, the Iron Gate and the Archive.
Visit the Old Cathedral (1162) in Romanesque style, one of the oldest temples in Portugal.
New Cathedral (1598) Jesuit Temple and former school.
Academic Quarter, where we can see the various academic republics, private houses where students live today, and where illustrious Portuguese poets once lived.
Almedina, gateway to the ancient Moorish walled city.
Inquisition Courtyard, where catholic convictions made thousands of deaths through Fire to witches, Jews, and other infidels.
St. James Church, a must-pass for all pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela.
We finish in Santa Cruz Church (1131), founded by the 1st King of Portugal and where he is buried next to his son. It was here where St. Anthony graduated as an Augustine monk.
Free time for shopping and taste regional sweets.

ALENTEJO: THE PEACEFUL COUNTRYSIDE

Visit the Almendres Cromlech, set among oaks and cork trees, dated from 5000-4000 BC, the largest megalithic monument in Portugal, consisting of 95 menhirs arranged in two circles, used for sacred pagan rituals.

Evora, UNESCO World Heritage City. Walk in its historic center and feel the beauty of its medieval whitewashed streets, with yellow/blue stripes. Discover iconic landmarks such as the Palace of King Manuel, São Francisco Church and its Bones Chapel, Geraldo Square, the Cathedral from the 13th century, the Roman Temple from the 1st century, the Royal Jesuit University and the Church of Graça.

Visit the charming village of Arraiolos, with a typical Alentejo architecture crowned by its castle, its beautiful hand embroidered tapestries, and the convent from the 16th century.

Finally, visit a real Traditional Portuguese winery with noble origins. Walk in its vineyards, cellar, carriages museum, mansion and gardens, finish with a proof of its best wines.

Wine Tasting: Additional payment of 6€/person for 1 wine tasting or 11€/person for 3 wines tastin