The group of monumental constructions comprising the Bridge, the Saint Gonçalo Church and Convent, framed by very respectable buildings and the woods lining the banks of the Tâmega, are the town's brand image. The Bridge, whose massive look infuses a feeling of great sturdiness, has two balconies jutting out on both sides of the deck and baroque pinnacles giving it all its grace.

The Churchand Convent constitute a surprisingly balanced ensemble, even when considering the fact that they represent different times and styles.The list of illustrious names linked to Amarante is long - from Francisco da Silveira Pinto da Fonseca, 1st Earl of Amarante, hero of the Peninsular War (French invasions of Portugal, 1807-1814), to a long list of personalities linked to the arts, such as the writers, Teixeira de Pascoaes, Agustina Bessa-Luís and Alexandre Pinheiro Torres, and the painters Amadeu de Souza-Cardoso (who gives his name to an important museum of modern art), António Carneiro and Acácio Lino.The egg-based sweets made by the nuns in the local convents - "lérias", "brisas", "foguetes" and "papos de anjo" - are local favourites. Two of the most popular dishes of the gastronomy are trout and kid, but veal and codfish (à la "Zé da Calcada" and à la "Custódia") are also very popular.

The "vinho verde" is lively and spirituous. Thanks to its proximity to the Minho, the region has assimilated the Minho tradition of great festivities and pilgrimages where the religious character of the people, clearly visible in the processions and the sometimes dramatic fulfilment of vows, goes hand in hand with the idea of fun and fairs. There are scores of them, throughout the council; but none as radiant and lively as the «great feast day» of Saint Gonçalo, the match-maker saint, at the beginning of June

An ancient city, which originated from a Roman settlement and still retains traces of its mediaeval layout, in particular the walls and the castle keep.

Barcelos is known today for its production of small ceramic figures, particularly in the form of cribs and musical bands, and, of course the Barcelos "cock", which is based on a famous legend-is recognized worldwide as a symbol of Portugal.
According to the story, a Galician who had been condemned to death for various crimes that had occurred in the region continued to protest his innocence to the judge and, in one last attempt to save himself, claimed that, to prove the truth of what he was saying, the roast cock that was about to be served for lunch would stand up and crow. Indeed, as the prisoner was just about to be hanged, the cock stood up and crowed and the judge, forced to admit his error, immediately ran to the gallows to prevent the execution taking place, fortunately arriving just in time. The Galician was immediately released and left to live in peace

Braga is the centre of the textile industry in Portugal, located 53km northeast of Porto. It was founded by the Celts in 300BC and later occupied by the Romans. The city has an historic centre with several monuments not to be missed.

Braga - the Portuguese Rome-, is the home of Portugal's Archbishops. It is hardly surprising that there are many churches here to see, as well as the palace of the Archbishop dating from the 14-th century. But there are also many remains going back to per christian times, when the town was one of the more important ones on the Iberian peninsula.

The 14th Century Torre de Menagem that stands in the City's square is all that remains of the original fortifications. The much altered and extended 12th Century Cathedral was built on the site of an older church destroyed in the 6th Century. Another importnat sight is the 16th Century Palácio dos Biscainhos.

Just east of the town is one of Portugal's most famous tourist attraction, the Igreja de Bom Jesus de Monte. It is an impressive Baroque staircase symbolic of the 14 Stations of the Cross that leads upwards to a late 18th Century Church. Ornately carved figures and wall-fountains and Chapels decorate the steps according to the various stages of Christ's last journey. You can either climb up or take a small elevator dating from 1882 that runs-up alongside the steps, which works on water pressure, and is the oldest elevator of its kind still functioning.

The Cathedral
A fundamental and exemplary landmark of the history of Braga, it boasts the various architectural styles of the different ages through which it has passed since its consecration in 1093 to this day.

The Romanesque, the Gothic of different phases and inspirations and the Baroque are the principal elements of a marvellous stylistic mosaic that contains fascinating chapels (Kings', St Gerald's and Glory's) and an exceptional Treasury.

The various works, reforms and reconstructions that the Episcopal See of Braga underwent lasted until the eighteenth century.

It is characterised by the Manueline religious sculpture, which finds its expression in the High Altar and in the baptismal font. The Chancel can be seen at the end of the naves. The stalls, where the canons sit, are of great artistic value. Facing the Chancel we find two organs that still work today. One of them possesses 2,400 tubes, some sunk in water, and they produce a sound identical to that of the song of nightingales. Because of its cultural and historical wealth, the Cathedral of Braga is worth visiting.

To Visit
Owing to their intimate devotion and beauty, Bom Jesus sanctuary - with its stairs climb the hill-, Sameiro and Falperra, as well as the Historic Centre stand out as landmark sights you can't afford to miss in your Braga tour.

The historic centre of Braga consists of a valuable architectural and archaeological heritage that goes from the monumental buildings, both civil and religious, to the most genuine traditional style of house not forgetting the evocative stone cross, in an exceptional, vast, fascinating and multifarious whole.

Majestic city, with medieval castle and walls. Its Domus Municipalis is a unique example of civic Romanesque architecture in Portugal. Special mention must be made to the Cathedral (16th century), Santa Maria Church, Casa da Misericórdia Chapel, Santa Clara Convent and Church (16th century), São Bento Convent and Church (17th-18th centuries), and the Abade de Baçal Museum. At the Railway Museum, 19th century, locomotives and carriages.

Those who leave Viana do castelo , towards to Porto using highway (A28) are promptly amazed with one of the most surprising landscape of the country. Surprising because of its extension of sand dunes, beaches, river and sea, among fields of corn and willows, sunny with early morning fog, lighting up all the different greens: moss green, pine green and really green; the blues from the sky and the ocean. From the top of São Lourenço hill, Esposende astonishes us with a landscape that opens in flashes of light, pieces of history, traditions, legends and poetry as if a dream can be observed. The river Cávado's mouth, beachs like Marinhas, suave-mar, Fão  and Ofir , further along the Apúlia beaches should be visited. Evolved by its sea and river, Esposende hasn't stopped growing till today. Esposende welcome you on a leisure, tourist and entertainment resort.

Guimarães is celebrated as the birthplace of Portugal.

When Afonso Henriques proclaimed himself king in 1139, Guimarães was his capital, and the distinctive outline of its proud castle still appears on the Portuguese coat of arms.

Its medieval castle and walls, houses a magnificently well-preserved historic centre and the narrow cobbled streets are ideal for exploration on foot. The cobbled Rua de Santa Maria, lined with old town houses, embellished with ornate statuary, leads up from the main square, the Largo da Oliveria, past Paço du Duques to the castle. To feel the real hustle and bustle of the Middle Ages it is best to visit Guimarães in the first week of august, for the Festival of medieval art and costume.


To visit   
         ·          Guimarães Castle
         ·          In the cloisters of the church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira is the Alberto Sampaio Museum;
         ·          the cloister of São Domingos Convent houses the Martins Sarmento Museum
         ·          In the ancient dominican convent stands the Sacred Art Museum
         ·          Also deserving special mentions are the palace of the Dukes of Bragança (15th-century)
         ·          the church of São Miguel (Romanesque), the church of Santos Passos (Baroque), and the monastery of Santa Marinha  
                 da Costa (converted in to a pousada). Nearb y lies the early settlement of Briteiros.

From the heart of a verdant park rises the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, with its magnificent Baroque staircase (686 steps). Medieval monuments: (castle, tower-fortress 12th-13th centuries) and the Almacave Church. Also worthwhile visiting are the Renaissance churches of Chagas and Santa Cruz, and the Regional Museum and at the village of Balsemão, the chapel of Suevian-Byzantine origin (7th century).

Beautiful small town with a Roman bridge and medieval towers. The region is renowned for its large number of manor houses and a well preserved historic city center. Remarkable well recovered and preserved, the downtown area is a good example of Portuguese heritage as a nation and independent country.

Built on the right bank of river Douro, the city of Porto has two very strong attractions, both for internal and international markets. Firstly the classification of the historical center as World heritage, for  the harmony of the lkines and the urban planning of rare beauty and secondly the fact that it was chosen as "European Capital of Culture" in 2001 that enriched the city with great diversity of cultural equipments.
However what Porto has to offer the tourist does not end with its historical and monumental patrimony: its multiple cultural events constitute an opportunity to consolidate and improve on the urban dynamism of the recent past. The cultural vitality of a city must pass by clear gestures that will help to understand that charge: bring back memories of the past experience , launch projects in the present and thus constitute patrimony for the future.

Porto is a fascinating city with lots of unknown treasures to discover by just strolling around.

At the delta of the Douro River, the second heart of Port wine beats. The wines, that are produced in several "quintas" up the river on step hills, are here bottled and shipped to all over the world. Vila Nova de Gaia, the city opposite of Porto on the left bank of the River, is the home to all the famous Port wine companies like Taylors, Dows, Offleys, Calem etc.

These 2 cities are directly connected through the Ponte de Dom Luis I, a steelwork construction build in the 19th century. This bridge, dominating the skyline of the two cities, is a double bridge that connects on the one hand the upper towns of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia and on the other hand the river banks. The most direct route to the wine lodges is across the lower level from the Cais da Ribeira, but if you have a head for heights it is an amazing sensation to walk over the upper deck, otherwise take bus no. 32, 57 or 91 from Sao Bento train station. Standing on the upper bridge and looking eastwards you will see the second steelwork construction bridge of Porto, the railway bridge Ponte de D. Maria Pia, designed by Théophile Seyrig and contracted by Gustave Eiffel in 1876 / 1877, length 160 m.

Porto main characteristics

S. João Festivities (20-24 june)
The "portuense" São João festivity is a social unequal phenomenal in all country. There are symbolic acts like jumping over the bonfire, the cascades and sleeping in the open air. Although they are not exclusive of the "portuense" festivities the are other curiosities like the use of holy grasses ( basil, citron-tree, lavender) and the leek  (symbolizing the fertility, related with the saint and the solstice).The S.João night is popular  intercourse of all city. At this night, people of all ranks and age, join together.

Tripeiros
The inhabitants of Porto are knows as Tripeiros (literally "tripe eaters") , due to their sacrifice in order to help the army that conquer Ceuta in 1415. it is said that they offered all the good meat to the expeditionary forces, and only keptvthe tripe for themselves. That's why one of the city's most traditional dishes is "tripas à moda do Porto" .

Very noble, Unconquered and loyal city of Porto
Porto has always been known as a libeal and progressive city, with long-standing tradition of defence of civil rights. Its population withstood a long military siege by royalist forces between 1832-1833. The victory of liberal cause was partly due to the sacrifice of people, who fought to support the Constitutional Chart. As a result o this heroic action. King Pedro IV described it as the "very noble, undefetead and ever loyal city of Porto".

Francesinhas
Is the name given to a sandwich , hypothetical of French origin, it was adapted by Porto's cooking style, which gave "Francesinha" special touch. It quickly expanded itself for the northern region, becoming a symbol of Porto gastronomy. A Confraternity creation exists  to preserve and promote this gastronomy speciality.

The ingredients are nowadays: 2 slices of tin loaf, fresh sausage, cheese, ham, roasted meat, and steak. After put, the ingredients inside of the bread it is covered with melted cheese and a special  sauce.

Porto Wine
Port cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia
This is a must see for every Port lover. Your heart will jump for joy when you see the skyline of Vila Nova de Gaia: Taylors, Dows, Sandeman, Calem, Offley, Ramos Pinto, Ferreira, Niepoort, Kopke etc. Most of these houses open their cellars to visitors and offer guided tours and a small wine tasting at the end. It is really interesting to hear and see how port was produced (and still is) and what differences there are in vinification.

Porto monuments

The most impressive part of the city are the narrow, steep stairs of the old town and the small old houses at the Douro river bank with the contrast of the huge steelwork construction double bridge. But the large part of sights you will find by strolling around in the upper part of the city such as the beautiful Estacão de São Bento, the Stock Exchange Palace, a 19 th century gem of arab and european good taste, and the cathedral Sé with the Episcopal Palace and the Igreja dos Grilos.

Igreja e Torre dos Clerigos
Here you can enjoy an overall view to the city. The church itself, built in Baroque style is open daily from 9am to 5.30pm.

Cathedral Sé
The cathedral's cloister is much more impressing than the interior of this old church at the edge of the old town. From the dazzling chapterhouse you have a nice view over the old quarter.

Igreja Sao Francisco and Museum
This is perhaps the most extraordinary church in town. The Gothic outside contrasts with the unbelievable ornate attack of 18th century refurbishment.

Igreja Paroquial de Santo Ildefonso

Porto, city of bridges

Maria Pia Bridge
The first great piece of work by Gustavo Eiffel is double hinged arch that sustains the single lane railway plate through pillars to reinforce the whole of the bridge. The construction works began on 5 January 1876 and were concluded the following year on 31 November. The solemn inauguration ceremony took place on 4 November 1877 by the king D. Luís and the queen D. Maria Pia, after whom the bridge was named. This bridge was used for 114 years, until 1991, when the Ponte S. João (S. João Bridge) became active

Ponte D. Luís I (D. Luís I Bridge)
The bridge project proposal was the engineer Teófilo Seyrig, from the Belgian company Societé de Willebroeck. He had already been the author of the plan and head of the team in the project of the Ponte D. Maria Pia (D. Maria Pia Bridge) as Eiffel's associate. This time he was the sole responsible for this work of the new and grand Ponte D. Luís I (D. Luís I Bridge). The construction works began in 1881 and the inauguration occurred on 31 October 1886). The arch comprises 172m of cord and is 44.6m tall.

Ponte da Arrábida (Arrábida Bridge)
In March 1952, Autonomous Highway Authority  passed judgment upon the elaboration of the sketch for the highway bridge to Professor Edgar António de Mesquita Cardoso, boron in Porto on 11 May 1913 and deceased on 5 July 2000.

The Arrábida Bridge, which contains a 270m span, set the world record for concrete bridges for some time. The arch is 52m tall and the plate rises up to 70m above water level. The construction lasted from May 1957 to 22 July 1963, day of its opening.

Atlantic city in Europe
Situated 30 km north of Oporto, Póvoa de Varzim is both a traditional fishing town and cosmopolitan summer resort for the people of northern Portugal. At one end is the port and picturesque fishermen's quarter, where the men arrange their brightly-painted boats and the womenfolk quietly sit mending their husbands' fishing nets.

The city lies open to the Atlantic Ocean, whose presence ensures a gentle climate year round, for season follows season without abrupt changes of temperature. And the sea plays a central role in the life of the town, for the people of Póvoa draw from its depths their livelihood, their relaxation, their entertainment, their inner peace. The whole town is built as though it were embracing the ocean, and the main tourist attractions are, quite naturally, located along the coastal strip. There is a profusion of restaurants and a number of outdoor sports facilities. The beach, whose sand has a distinctive and highly attractive quality, is broad and convenient, but also has plenty of personality, thanks to the rocks that jut from it in several places. And at low tide, the rock pools are especially attractive to beachcombers, because of their concentration of marine life.

Day & Night Entertainment
Póvoa de Varzim is a cosmopolitan town that prides itself on its own ancient traditions of hospitality. And entertainment seems never-ending. The little streets, with their welcoming, intimidate scale, tempt local inhabitants out of their homes to promenade.

In Póvoa de Varzim is placed one the best casino in Portugal. Famous by its international concerts and daily show, the modern newly-renovated Casino da Póvoa is a good entertainment place, undoubtedly not to miss one single visit. 
In musical terms, the highest point of the year is the International Music Festival, but others cultural activities includinf exhibitions are organized by municipal library and museum.   

The northern end of Póvoa is a lively mix of beach-side cafés, discotheques, bars, restaurants, tennis courts.
The town's 2-km-wide expanse of sandy beach is ideal for bathing, surfing and most other kinds of water sports.

What to see: A small 18th-century fort guards Póvoa de Varzim's busy harbour. The town's parish church was built between 1743 and 1757, while the church of Nossa Senhora da Lapa dates back to 1772.

Nearby: 3 km south of Póvoa de Varzim lies the smaller and lesser-known town of Vila do Conde, a peaceful place reputed for its lace and pasteis de Santa Clara sweet cakes. The elegant 12th-century church of São Pedro at Rates, 15 km north-east of Póvoa de Varzim, is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Romanesque architecture in Portugal.

Spread along the north bank of the Lima estuary (where one can take trips on typical boats), this town is famous for its handicrafts and colorful regional costumes. Deserving special mention are the mother-church and the ancient Paços do Concelho (both Gothic), Casa da Misericórdia (Mannerist, with a sacred art treasure), the medieval Casa dos Arcos, the convent of Santa Ana (16th-century), and the Regional Museum. Up above and dominating the city is the sanctuary of Santa Luzia, featuring a fantastic view of the town, the river and the Atlantic ocean.

Ancient medieval wooden shipyard. Interesting architectonic places to visit are the mother-church (Manueline style), the Santa Clara Convent (18th century), the Misericórdia Church (Renaissance), the Aqueduct, and St. John the Baptist Fortress. This town is also famous for its manufactured lace.

This is the center for visits to the Côa Archaeological Park, and where a set of cave paintings were discovered on the banks the river Côa dating from the upper Paleolithic period. From here visits can be arranged to the centers of Penascosa, Ribeira de Priscos and Canada do Inferno. In Vila Nova de Foz Côa itself the main church contains a beautiful portico from the Manueline period.

The bustling suburb of Vila Nova da Gaia lies opposite Oporto on the steep south bank of the mighty River Douro.

Sitting on top of a pre-Roman fortified hamlet, it was given town status in 1255 by King Afonso III and then bequeathed to the aristocracy in order to counteract the power of the bishops of neighbouring Oporto, who were charging unreasonably high shipping tolls at the time.

Gaia today is dominated by the Port wine lodges, with over fifty wine companies based in its narrow, twisting streets. Here, the ageing and blending of most of the world's supply of Port wine takes place beneath a sea of red roofs emblazoned with some of the most famous names in winemaking.

What to see.
The 16th-century monastery church of Serra do Pilar features unusual circular cloisters and panoramic views of Oporto and the River Douro. From the church's terrace, the future Duke of Wellington planned his surprise attack on the French in 1809.

A tour of the cellars is a must for any visitor to Vila Nova da Gaia, followed by a wine-tasting. One of the best-organised lodges is Sandeman, founded in 1790 and housed in a former 16th-century convent with a small museum. Taylor's, one of the last privately-owned English wine companies, offers a lively, informative tour of the premises and impressive views from its spacious outdoor terrace.

Nearby. At Grijo, a few kilometres south of Vila Nova da Gaia, stands the Augustinian monastery of São Salvador, commenced in 1574 from the designs of Francisco Velasques. The two-storey cloister was completed in 1593. 

Town with great religious architecture diversity: Cathedral and São Brás Chapel (Gothic); churches of São Pedro and Misericórdia (16th century), São Dinis (16th-18th centuries) and the Baroque Capela Nova and Clérigos Church. Also worthwhile visiting nearby the city is the famous Mateus Palace, a Baroque masterpiece, where cultural events are currently held.

The council is divided into two distinct areas: most of it is granitic, with large tracts of pinewoods and where maize is the predominant crop; the southeast zone, however, has slaty soil and belongs to the Douro Demarcated Region. Here the vineyards predominate.

The city was created through a royal charter granted by King Dinis, who founded a town here intended to be the administrative centre of a vast circumscription. The region, however, has been inhabited since very remote times. And the Romanisation left here a perennial monument: the RupestrianSanctuary of Panóias, a place of worship for the native peoples which the Romans adopted and transformed.Vila Real possesses other monuments which are well worth a visit: the Cathedral, the House of Mateus and the New Chapel, the stone pillory and a group of mediaevel buildings including of the House of Diogo Cão and adjoining buildings. It has numerous buildings of noble proportions, many of which bearing armorial insignia. But best of all is a stroll through the streets of the historical zone, enjoying the harmonious groups of façades which reveal, here and there, delightful details.

Vila Real has plenty of reasons to delight the gourmet and wine connaisseur. One dish in its gastronomy stands out, "tripas com molhos" (tripe with sauces), a unique specialty, and "pastéis de toucinho-do-céu" (tartlet filled with egg yolks and sugar). The wine list - magnificent.The black clay pottery of Bisalhães and the linenware from Agarez are some of the articles of interest produced by the local handicrafts industry.

Cultural events are frequent and highly visible, in particular certain regularevents such as the Music Courses and Festivals organised by the House of Mateus, the Luso-Galaic Caricature Show and the Academic Week. Vila Real also springs to life in June during the City Celebrations where two events stand out: Saint Antonio's Fair and Saint Peter's Fair, also called the Fair of the "Pucarinhos" (Small Pots), dedicated to the region's handicrafts. During the same month, there is a solemn religious event that should be mentioned due to its pomp and participation: the Corpus Dei Procession, a clear reminiscence of the mediaeval Corpus Christi