Upcoming Trips: Journeys to Portugal

Travel to Portugal with us from
September 20 to 26, 2009

Jinny and Ed Fleischman have a trip for you that will engage all your senses!

Join us as we travel to Portugal this October. We will be offering a fascinating view of the Douro River Valley and Minho regions during the wine harvest season.

Why this area of Portugal you might ask. It is the region along the Atlantic coast about three hours north of Lisbon and just under Spain. Oriented towards the water and the river valley, the area is well known for beautiful historic towns and terrific sea food as well as terrific white wine, red wine and port. Our visits there will take full advantage of these strengths.

Our base for the trip is a large house near the Costa Verde in Minho. The house is located in a village near the coast. Dating from 1892, the farmhouse has six bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and has been updated with all of the modern conveniences. A modern kitchen will serve us as we prepare dinners incorporating local foods and wines for five of our evenings. Meals will focus on the delicious regional foods and wines that we gather in our travels. We will have informal cooking classes as we prepare dinners for most evenings. This region is home to a wide selection of sausage, trout, cod and sea food as well as cheeses, the food friendly vinho verde white wines, port and the revived red wines of the Douro area.

The 2009 harvest should be in full swing during our visit.

This 6 night trip includes a close look into historic heartland of Portugal as well as the major port and wine producing countryside. While here our base will be a more than 100 year old house that has been completely redone while retaining the charm of the late 19th, century. The home, located in a village near to Viana do Castelo, also features a large garden for our enjoyment. The house has 6 double bedrooms all have private bathrooms and spacious common spaces. We will use the well equipped, modern kitchen for our classes as we prepare our dinners most evenings from the local wines, meat, fish and produce we pick up each day in our travels.

This is how our trip could run:

Sunday:
We will pick everyone up at the Porto airport or train station and travel up to the house. The group will quickly make dinner as we toast the trip and discuss touring options during the week.

Monday:
We will head out to Ponte de Lima with a bridge that spans the Lima River and dates back to Roman times. We might stop at the Museu Rural or head to the town's market. From here we will travel up to Viana do Castelo to explore this wonderful 13th town on the Lima River estuary. We will wander the winding streets around the fountain in the Praca da Repulica and find a place to stop for a quick lunch. If it is a nice day we will be sure to include a stop at the local beaches. We hope to do some wine tasting as part of our adventure. Back at our home base, there will be lots to talk about as we prepare our dinner.

Tuesday:
After a quick breakfast, we will travel to Porto and its beautiful tiled Sao Bento station to hop on the narrow gauge railroad that follows the Douro River for wonderful vistas of the terraced vineyards that rise up from the river banks. In most cases these terraces are so narrow that all the grapes are harvested by hand. We will get off the train at Pinhao and visit a Quinta or two to see port and red wine production - and a tasting.

Wednesday:
We will travel back to Porto today to visit the wonderful sights of the city in the Cathedral area including the Se (cathedral) and the semi-covered market. After lunch we will move on to a port tasting on the other side of the Douro River at the Vila Nova de Gaia where the port houses are located. Once we catch our breaths at the house we will prepare dinner with some of the food and wine we picked up during the day.

Thursday:
Today we will travel to the nearby town of Barcelos for their famous market. The famous painted rooster that we will see all over the region has its home in Barcelos. In addition to produce and household goods, this market is known for the quality and quantity of its crafts offerings. Among the local handicrafts are ceramics, lace, rugs and clothes - as well as the roosters! From Barcelos we will go up to Braga. A Roman town, Braga was the 12thcentury seat of Portugese archbishops and the nation's religious center. We will visit the famous Bom Jesus do Monte, often regarded as the nation's most spectacular religious sanctuary, with its striking 18th century stairway. After a full day we will return to our house to make dinner.

Friday:
It is possible you will think we saved the best town for the last! We will travel to Guimaraes today. This UNESCO World Heritage City if often regarded as the birthplace of Portugal. Chosen in 1139 by Afonso Henriques as his capital it has a well preserved city center with cobbled streets and old houses. Friday is also market day in Guimaraes so you will have your last chance to select some handicrafts to bring home to remind you of your wonderful week in Portugal. We will all toast fond memories at a farewell dinner that evening!

Saturday:
After breakfast it will be time to head out. Porto will be our departure point. We will all leave with many memories of a beautiful stay in a wonderful corner of the world.

« Return to Upcoming Trips