Overview
The ancient region of Minho is where Portugal came into being – discover its facinating history and enchanting landscape on our Braga, Bridges and Viana do Castelo Holiday.
Itinerary
You’ll begin your holiday with a direct flight to Porto. You’ll be collected by our driver on arrival for your transfer to the city. It’s a short walk down to the Cais Ribeira district, home to Porto's most famous landmark: the Ponte Luis I bridge.
You’ll be transferred to Campanha station where you’ll catch the lunchtime train to the city of Braga. Our driver will collect you on arrival for the short transfer to your accommodation in the city’s historic quarter. Your hotel, the Vila Gale Braga, was once the city’s Sao Marcos university hospital. Founded by the Archbishop of Braga in the 16th century, the most-impressive, original architectural features can be seen in the shared guest areas: the gable archway in the entrance lobby, the vaulted ceilings in the Versatil Restaurant, and the inner cloister with its baroque fountain.
You’ll be free to explore Braga on foot – you might like to visit the Se de Braga, the first cathedral to be built in Portugal, the Arco da Porta Nova triumphal arch, the Jardim de Santa Barbara, and Museu Nogueira da Silva.
You’ll explore Braga’s ancient Roman heritage at the Fonte do Idolo, Domus da Escola Velha da Se, and the impressive ruins at Termas Romans do Alto da Cividade. In the afternoon, you’ll collect your hire car before driving to to Bom Jesus do Monte – the baroque Roman Catholic pilgrimage site on the summit of Mount Espinho.
You’ll drive west to the Bronze Age settlement at Citania de Briteiros, and on to Guimaraes - the 10th century medieval city which is considered the birthplace of the Kingdom of Portugal. It’s UNESCO-protected centre is a pleasantly dizzy maze of narrow medieval passageways and cobbled pavements, overlooked by the 15th century Paco dos Duques de Braganca and the fairytale Castelo de Guimaraes.
You’ll leave Braga today, driving north to our new accommodation on the outskirts of Ponta de Lima. Enroute, you’ll visit Barcelos- the town is inextricably linked to one of Portugal’s national symbols, the O Galo de Barcelos: the Rooster of Barcelos.
You’ll visit the riverfront towns of Ponta de Lima, Ponta da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez. The origins of all three towns are firmly rooted in the Roman Lusitania era, but they also played a leading role in the political machinations which helped to create Portugal.
You’ll drive west to the Atlantic coast to your final destination: Viana do Castelo
You’ll be staying on the Monta de Santa Lucia, with its striking, panoramic view over Viana Bay and the mouth of the River Lima. Your hotel shares the summit with the Santuario do Sagrado Coraçao de Jesus, one of Portugal’s most-beautiful religious centres, and the preserved remains of the Iron Age Citania de Santa Luzia settlement.
You’ll head down into the centre of Viana do Castelo, where you can get pleasantly lost in its maze of narrow alleys, bustling arcades and medieval squares. By contrast, its modern marina and busy harbour are one of Portugal’s most-important connections to the rest of the world.
You'll drive down the west coast to Porto, returning your hire car to the airport before flying home.
We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.
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