[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1489495498910{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:40|text_align:center|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row container=”1″ css=”.vc_custom_1491584441006{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]– Natural Parks
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Alv\u00e3o Nature Park –\u00a0<\/b>7 000 hectares\u00a0of\u00a0abundant and diversified\u00a0fauna, with stunning natural landscapes in its primitive state, constituting its high point\u00a0the nature waterfall of<\/b> Fisgas de Ermelo.<\/b><\/p>\n
Archaeological Park of C\u00f4a Valley<\/b> – <\/b>concentrates most of the Prehistoric Rock Art Sites of the C\u00f4a Valley, considered the most important Paleolithic open-air art in the world<\/b>. It is classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.\u00a0Currently there are over 60 rock cores, spread over 26 kilometers.<\/p>\n
International Douro Nature Park<\/b>\u00a0<\/b>– The International Douro Nature Park covers 122 kilometres of border stretch\u00a0of the Douro River and its tributar, the \u00c1gueda River,\u00a0between Portugal and Spain.\u00a0Surrounding the valleys of these two rivers, it\u00a0offers a rich wildlife, especially in relation to nesting birds: the Griffon Vulture, the Egyptian Vulture, the Black Stork, the Golden Eagle, among others.<\/span> Here<\/span>, you can also find several animal species that are currently in danger of extinction, such as Iberian Lynx<\/b> and Bonelli\u00b4s Eagle<\/b>.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_images_carousel images=”1082,1083,1084,1085,1086″ img_size=”500×400″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Belvedere routes<\/b><\/p>\n Spread along the Douro Valley, there are several belvederes with amazing views, such as S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o da Galafura, S\u00e3o Domingos, Casal de Loivos and Sanctuary of S\u00e3o Salvador do Mundo<\/b>. Visiting them, you can discover and <\/span>admire\u00a0<\/span>the most beautiful landscapes of Douro Valley, UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/span><\/p>\n – Vineyard Village Routes<\/b><\/p>\n Don\u00b4t miss the chance to\u00a0<\/b>get to know the various wine villages and be enchanted by its stone houses, beautiful churches and historical pillars, and learn from the friendly local people some of the\u00a0local traditions and customs. In Favaios<\/b>, visit local Bread and Wine\u00a0Museum Centre <\/b>and know the way of producing local bread and wine. You must also visit local winery and taste Licor de Favaios<\/b>, a famous liqueur wine. In Provesende<\/b>, walk along the sidewalks of the village, contemplating the 9 village manor houses, the 18th century baroque churche and pipe organ, the old fountain with its archbishop’s crest, dating 1755 DC, the pillory, dating 1578\u00a0DC and an ancient sarcophagi.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Finally<\/span>, be sure to see the old tiles at old\u00a0train station of Pinh\u00e3o, famous village near the Douro River<\/b>, surrounded by the most traditional wine farms. It is also possible to make pedestrian itineraires <\/b>between some of <\/span>the<\/span> most genuine\u00a0Douro Valley villages, namely, Pinh\u00e3o\/Provesende and Pinh\u00e3o\/Casal de Loivos\/Favaios.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n – <\/b><\/span>Route<\/b><\/span>\u00a0of Museums, Architectural and Historical Heritage<\/b><\/span> Due to its antiquity and vast heritage, the city of Lamego<\/b> is a living example of history, which \u00a0can be found in its medieval streets and in the architecture of its buildings and monuments.One of the most impressive monuments is the Sanctuary of\u00a0Nossa Senhora dos Rem\u00e9dios<\/b>,\u00a0built on a hill in the town of Lamego. The construction in a rococo style began in the late\u00a0<\/span>18<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>century and it\u00b4s consider one of the most important Baroque pilgrimage churches in Portugal.\u00a0<\/span>The stairways stand out with its nine flights of stairs, 686 steps and several terraces adorned with chapels, statues, fountains and obelisks. Also, The Castle and Cistern of Lamego<\/b> are listed as National Monuments, standing on top of the Castle\u00b4s Quarter<\/b> – awalled enclosure where the city originated and the Lamego Cathedral<\/b>,\u00a0<\/b>built in the middle of the 12th century and the famous Lamego Museum<\/b>, located at the old Episcopal Palace. Currently, the permanent exhibitions range from painting, sculpture, goldsmithery, ceramics and mosaics, from 12th to 20th centuries, archaeology (Roman, Medieval and Baroque)\u00a0chapels and altars from 17th to 18th centuries, vehicles <\/span>to<\/span> furniture from 17th to\u00a019th centuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The authenticity\u00a0and singularity\u00a0<\/span>were some of the traits that led to the awarding of the “National Treasure”<\/b> classification to some 18 pieces housed in this museum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A stay <\/span>in <\/span>Douro Valley cannot fail to include a visit to the Douro Museum<\/b>, located in the city of Peso da R\u00e9gua<\/b>, in the banks of Douro River<\/b>. <\/span>Founded in 1997, it is the place of welcome and representation of memory, culture and identity of this wine region. Here you can learn about wine culture, from the characteristics of the various\u00a0wine varieties, the best years of wine production and the different types of Port wines.<\/p>\n Another museum worth\u00a0visiting is S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o da Pesqueira Wine Museum, <\/b>one of the most important and representative municipalities of Douro Valley.\u00a0Here too, the theme of the wine and vineyards is dominant. At rustic \u00a0village of Trev\u00f5es<\/b>, do not miss the opportunity to visit the\u00a0Ethnographic Museum<\/b> and the Sacred Art Museum. <\/b>Also, the famous C\u00f4a Museum<\/b>, in Vila Nova de Foz C\u00f4a, <\/b>is a cultural space \u00a0which aims to promote the historical and cultural heritage of the Prehistoric Rock Art Sites of C\u00f4a Valley,<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>considered the most important Paleolithic open-air art in the world, recognized by UNESCO<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>as World Heritage Site.<\/span><\/p>\n Located three kilometers <\/span>away <\/span>from Vila Real<\/b>\u00a0city center, Mateus Palace and gardens<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>are<\/span> part of a large estate. Built in the mid-eighteenth century,\u00a0<\/span>they are <\/span>attributed by some authors<\/span> to<\/span> the architect Nicholas Nazon<\/span>i<\/span>, especially because of the baroque exuberance of its front, being considered as a “Mini Versalles” Portuguese Palace<\/b>. <\/span>It is one of the few noble palaces that remains in the same family, over the centuries. A part of the house is open to the public <\/span>with <\/span>guided tours, presenting itself as an authentic house museum.\u00a0The visit\u00a0<\/span>includes <\/span>the hall, the library (with a copy of the first edition of Lus\u00edadas<\/b>) and observe various rooms where furniture and earthenware of incalculable value.<\/span> On the way out, you can walk\u00a0through the amazing gardens of the palace, with its magnificent plants, trees and flowers and an unique cedar tunnel, plus a fantastic lake.<\/span><\/p>\n – Castles and Monastaires routes<\/b><\/p>\n The Douro region is rich in numerous examples of baroque and gothic\u00a0castles and monastaires, some of which date back to the time of Portuguese Foundation or the Medieval Age.<\/p>\n Many of them were built by Portuguese kings and\u00a0religious orders. Highlights include the Salzedas Monastery<\/b>, S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o de Tarouca Monastery, Medieval Bridge and Tower of Ucanha, the Castle of Num\u00e3o, Meda’s Castle, the Castle of Penedono, Castle of Longroiva and Castle of Mogadouro and\u00a0Castle of Marialva and its Citadel<\/b>.<\/p>\n – Archeology route<\/b><\/p>\n The origins of Douro region date back a few millennia, since the Palaeolithic period.<\/p>\n In addition to the famous rock engravings of \u00a0Archaeological Park of C\u00f4a Valley,<\/b> we can find other archaeological remains, such as Pan\u00f3ias Sanctuary,\u00a0Anta of Fonte Coberta, Dolmen of the Chapel Nossa Senhora do Monte e de\u00a0Areita,\u00a0Castros <\/b><\/span>in <\/b><\/span>P\u00f3pulo, Cidadelhe and Palheiros.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n – River Beaches<\/b><\/p>\n Within the protected landscape of the stunning Azibo\u00b4s albufeira<\/b>,two river beaches of singular beauty stand out: Ribeira Beach<\/b> and Fraga da Pegada Beach<\/b>. However, there are plenty of river beaches, ideal for a calm and peaceful\u00a0sunset and the surrounding green\u00a0landscapes\u00a0invite a\u00a0<\/span>dive\u00a0<\/span>in the natural, clean and calm waters of Douro River and \u00a0tributaries. In the heart of Douro Valley, you can enjoy a memorable afternoon in\u00a0the river beaches of\u00a0<\/span>Passadouro, Mur\u00e7a<\/span><\/b>,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Mouth <\/span><\/b>of River Tua<\/span><\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Mouth <\/span><\/b>of River\u00a0Pinh\u00e3o<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u2018World Best Driving Road\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n Do not miss the N222,<\/b> which crosses the heart of Douro Valley, connecting Peso da R\u00e9gua<\/b> to village of Pinh\u00e3o<\/b>, for 27 kms, taking an average of 30 minutes. In 2015, it was considered the best \u00a0road in the world to drive, by Avis Rent A Car study. According to this study, the ideal road as a 10:1 ratio, ie, ten seconds of straight from 1 second spent to curve. N222 has a 11:1 ratio.\u00a0It\u00b4s a better than the Big Sur in California or the A535 in UK. Along this route and following\u00a0Douro River<\/b>, you can appreciate the amazing terraced vineyards of the Douro steep slopes, observe the\u00a0the flowers growing on the almond\u00a0trees,\u00a0during\u00a0March\/ – Gastronomy<\/b><\/p>\n The Douro region is also recognized for its gastronomy. The presence of the region\u00b4s\u00a0most diversified products, combined with the distinctive flavors of its traditional recipes, transmited from generation to generation, confirms the region\u00b4s character.<\/p>\n There are several dining options, from the most traditional to the most sophisticated, with prices for all wallets and with the hospitality of local people.\u00a0From the long list of traditional recipes, we<\/span> can highlight\u00a0Bean Stew with meat (<\/i>Feijoada \u00e0 Transmontana)<\/i>, Oven-Roast Goatling (Cabrito assado em forno a lenha<\/i>), Chicken Cabidela Rice (Cabidela de galinha<\/i>), Boar (Javali<\/i>), Local Ham and other sausages (Presunto e outros enchidos<\/i>), Roast Codfish with punched potatoes (Bacalhau assado com batata a murro) <\/i>and delicous desserts such as\u00a0\u00a0bolas e folares<\/i>, puddings (pudins)<\/i>, covilhetes de Vila Real, queijadas and Mirandela\u00a0papos de anjo,\u00a0<\/i><\/span>among many others.<\/span>During<\/span>your stay at Casa Castedo do Douro<\/b>, we will be happy to provide all kind of information and to suggest some of the main options and gastronomic places, according to <\/span>your <\/span>profile and preferences.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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