The last day of my trip to the Douro and Serra da Estrela regions in Portugal begins with a splendid view over the pool of “Quinta do Crasto.” Here, I can very well imagine to spend a relaxing day out – alas, not this time because I still “have to go” to a wine tasting. 😉 The views are absolutely stunning though …
Quinta do Crasto high above the Douro – a great place to taste wine …
… is what Andrea thinks as well! Our Colombian wine expert obviously enjoys the relaxed atmosphere in her hammock.
When visiting “Quinta Nova”, fresh almonds are served with the wine! On the neat, old estate with the little chapel, you can also spend your night!
From Douro Valley to Sabrosa & Tarouca: Culture & History coupled with beautiful Wine!
Just north of the Douro valley, you will find the municipality of Sabrosa. The drive there is amazing, so take your time! The place itself is beautiful and there is not only Magellan’s birthplace, the famous Portuguese explorer, to visit. For lunch, we are invited to the manor house at Casa dos Canavarros de Barros.
A wonderful welcome awaits us in the community of Sabrosa! With all these culinary delights, we are tempted to say we are spoilt for choice!
The manor house “Casa dos Canavarros de Barros” is near Magellan’s birthplace. The family lived here for many centuries and the ancient paintings on the walls are all relatives of our host!
The lady of the house invites us for lunch and her cooks serve us the finest of meals …
… as well as, of course, delicious port wine!
My short, but intensive trip to Portugal ends with the visit of the monasteries in Tarouca. First of all, we visit the monastery São João that has its origins in the 12th century. We then carry on to monastery Salzedas, which is a rather young monastic institution.
The beautifully decorated sacristy in the monastery of São João in Tarouca – WOW! Definitely worth seeing!
Wildly overgrown ruins in the earliest Cistercian monastery in Portugal – São João.
Before the tiles are glued to the wall, they are numbered on their back in order to avoid any mistakes in this huge puzzle. Obviously, something went wrong here. 😉
In the nearby and much younger Cistercian abbey “Monasterio Salzedas”, there is also a small museum talking about the monks’ everyday life.
Around Tarouca, there are wonderful apartments inviting you to spend some relaxing days.
So this is how my journey through beautiful Portugal ends, as unfortunately I have to make my way back to Porto and head back home from there. But these intense days have left a great impression on me! Several things have both surprised and charmed me about Portugal. On the one hand side, Portuguese people are extremely friendly. One has the feeling of being truly welcome here instead of being labeled as a tourist all the time. On the other hand, there is the country’s interesting history to which the locals are still very strongly connected. Then there is the wild and romantic southern landscape as well as the wonderful cuisine. Listening to a Fado band over a glass of (port) wine is most inspiring. I will definitively have to go back to this amazing country soon again!
If you feel like me and want to know even more about Portugal, check out all our travel stories & useful tips about Portugal here. Drop me a line in the comment section if you want to ask for more advice, too!
Disclaimer: We have been invited by “Douro e Estrela” to join their trip through Douro and Serra da Estrela in Portugal. All opinions are my own.