This is the northernmost region of the country and together with the Montanhas region is one of the least known areas of the country. It occupies the northwest corner of Portugal including the remaining stretch of the Atlantic coast to the Minho river which forms the northern border with Spain. It is a proud land rich in history, folklore, crafts and traditional festivities. Oporto is the gateway to the north, the Douro river valley, the green and welcoming Minho area and the spectacular Tras os Montes. The whole region is dotted with magnificent historical towns and villages outside of Oporto including, Guimaraes, Braga, Amarante, Viana do Castelo, Espinho, Barcelos, Monçao, Ponte de Lima and Ponte de Barca, Penafiel to name just a few. The region's National Park of Peneda Geres is an impressive mountain sanctuary for rare flora and fauna.
 | HOTEL PESTANA PORTO 4* - PORTO Located in Praça da Ribeira, right in the historical centre of Porto, and set on the city's medieval wall, the Hotel Pestana Porto is situated in a quarter of ancient buildings dating back to the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Spread along the Douro riverbank with magnificent views and a unique atmosphere, these buildings were classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Besides panoramic river views, all 48 rooms including 3 suites are totally equipped with complimentary safe-deposit box, mini-bar, air-conditioning, direct-dial telephone, satellite TV and radio. The hotel's Vintage Restaurant offers an excellent range of local specialities, while guests can sample Port wines in the Heritage Café. Secured public parking at 200mts for hotel guests. |
 | HOTEL MERCURE PORTO CENTRO 4* - PORTO Recently renovated, this lovely hotel is situated right on the central Praça da Batalha and offers all the latest amenities with a pleasant, modern decor. Ample lounge, dining and bar areas with a good restaurant. Has parking. |
 | HOTEL EUROSTARS DAS ARTES 4* - PORTO Recently established, the Eurostars das Artes is a classic 4* hotel in the centre of the city, close to the main art galleries. Each of its 82 doubles, 4 singles and 3 junior suites is tastefully decorated and fully equipped with air-conditioning, heating, mini-bar, hairdryer, safe deposit box, cable TV and WiFi internet. Hotel facilities include bar, garage and 3 meeting/conference rooms. |
 | HOTEL INFANTE DE SAGRES 5* - PORTO Originally a private mansion, this impressive hotel has pride of place in the city's heart. Furnished in classic 19th century Portuguese style, the hotel has all the modern facilities once could desire, and all the ambience one could wish for. Impeccable taste, magnificent period features, superb loung, bar and dining rooms. Parking at 50m. |
 | MH PACO DE SAO CIPRIANO (A) - GUIMARAES This fine 15th C house maintains the spirit of medieval Portugal in its noble architecture. It is set amongst gardens, orchards and vineyards, offering an inviting stroll in the tranquillity of the location and its surrounds. A swimming pool, a small library and lots of great walks. Wonderful period furniture complemented by age-old hospitality. |
 | POUSADA DE SANTA MARINHA - GUIMARAES This wonderful Pousada was inaugurated in 1985, having been restored and converted from the original Santa Marinha da Costa Monastery which dates back to the 12th C when the Order of Santo Agostinho was created. Situated in the Penha National Park approximately 1km from the city of Guimaraes, this impressive building shows many architectural influences from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, with a beautifully preserved collection of decorative mural tiles which adorn the walls and corridors of the building. |
 | MH CASA DO AMEAL (B) - VIANA DO CASTELO Built in the 16th C, this traditional Minho style house offers the warmth and atmosphere of a country home, with all the grace and charm of a past era. Only 5 mins drive from the centre of old Viana, the house with its beautiful gardens and courtyard provide an ideal setting for an enjoyable stay. Swimming pool and parking. |
 | POUSADA MONTE DE SANTA LUZIA - VIANA DO CASTELO Set on the hill of Sta Luzia, overlooking the town of Viana do Castelo and the beautiful estuary of the river Lima, this Pousada is the result of an excellent restoration of a 1918 hotel. From this Pousada guests can enjoy the view of one of the vast and beautiful landscapes of our country, the city of Viana do Castelo and the sea. Its surrounding gardens and woods, the magnificent swimming pool and the peaceful place where the Pousada is set, allow guests an invigorating tranquillity. |
 | MH PACO DE CALHEIROS (A) - PONTE DE LIMA Paço de Calheiros has a most impressive entrance with its distinguished gateway, beautiful tree-lined drive and stone fountain. The Count of Calheiros, who will proudly show his 17th Century family home, makes guests to feel very welcome. A magnificent view of the Lima valley can be seen from the tranquil gardens. Facilities include a library, a chapel, a cellar, horse riding, gardens, a swimming pool, and wine tasting. Evening meals available on request. |
 | MH CASA DA LAGE (A) - PONTE DE LIMA The Casa da Lage is a beautiful manor house built in the 17th C with a distinguished historical background. Located on a rambling agricultural and forestry property, the house entreats its guests to a very relaxing stay in high quality surroundings. Great taste in decor and colour accentuates the careful use of wood and stone in the new wing where a fabulous interior pool is housed. The classic regional architecture and internal features of the main house leave the visitor with a lasting impression of the grandeur of the colonial days of Portugal. |
 | HOTEL CASA DA CALÇADA 4* - AMARANTE A member of the prestigious Relais and Chateaux group, this fine boutique hotel is a restored 16th C palace of the Counts of Redondo near the old bridge over the River Tamega. Fully renovated in 2001 in great style, this beautiful hotel has 30 individually-decorated rooms, including three executive suites and a presidential suite, each with air-conditioning, direct-dial telephone, cable TV, mini-bar and hairdryer. Facilities include a bar, outdoor swimming pool and the upmarket Largo do Paço restaurant. Private carpark. |
 | MH CASA DAS TORRES DE OLIVEIRA (A) - MESAO FRIO This is an example of a magnificent manor of the early 18th C and was built in a carefully selected area, which not only allowed it to head a vast farming estate producing port wine, but also enjoys a beautiful landscape, overlooking the Douro river as it winds slowly down towards the sea. The splendour of the house captivates the visitor and its period furniture adds all the atmosphere and character one can manage. The property has its own small chapel and offers a swimming pool, great local walks and wonderful gardens to enjoy. |
 | POUSADA SOLAR DA REDE - MESAO FRIO In the midst of the Douro denominated wine region, on the road from Mesão Frio to Régua, is the Solar da Rede, with its breathtaking view over the River Douro. Ideally located within a 27-hectare vineyard, this 18th century manor house offers visitors the chance to sample the reality of local vineyard life, whilst experiencing the delights of savouring the region's principle product, Port wine. |
- Portugal
- Tours
- Pousadas
- Solares
- Accommodation
- Cruises
Portugal - Land of Tradition
A land of great tradition and famous for its warm hospitality, Portugal shared a common history with Spain for many Centuries. However its regional individuality in culture and language, combined with a dogged determination to self rule brought its nationhood to the fore as early as the 12th Century when Afonso Henriques proclaimed himself King of Portugal.
Recapturing regions from the Moors was the first priority, and the fledgling nation would endure another four centuries of wars and dynastic succession with the Kingdom of Castile.
Portugal, like Spain,would develop and consolidate its vast empire. Under the Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494 they divided the known world between them into two spheres of dominance and influence.
Always a great seafaring nation, Portugal provided a long and distinguished line of explorers and navigators, with its ships the first to discover Brazil and the lucrative trade routes of Asia, Africa and India. Names such as Vasco De Gama, Henry the Navigator, Ferdinand Magellan and Pedro Alvares Cabral are now legendary for having made great discoveries in the New World in the name of Portugal.
The Republic of Portugal today is a small vibrant nation with a population of around 11 million people with a deep sense of their history and traditions. As a consequence of a concerted policy of economic development over the past 15 years Portugal is emerging as an important new member of the EEC.
With its islands of Madeira and the Azores, the country offers an enormous variety of scenery, historical sites and monuments. With heritage accommodation as well as fine food and wine for the visitor to enjoy the pleasant and courteous nature of the Portuguese people is a welcome bonus.
MADEIRA & THE AZORES - Please ask us for a fact sheet for more information!
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Portugal (8.3mb)
Fully Escorted Tours (4.5mb)
Tours
Ranging from short Fully Escorted coach tours to Private itineraries with your own driver, we have a tour to suit your time frame and budget. Here are a few examples of some of our most popular touring options...
| Self Drive Tours: | CENTRAL PORTUGAL -- HERITAGE OF PORTUGAL -- LISBON AND THE ALENTEJO -- PORTO, MINHO AND THE DOURO VALLEY |
| Fully Escorted Tours: | 03 DAY WONDERS OF PORTUGAL -- 04 DAY SOUTH OF PORTUGAL -- 06 DAYS NORTH OF PORTUGAL -- 11 DAYS BEST OF PORTUGAL TOUR -- SALAMANCA AND PORTUGAL |
| Chauffered Tours: | FIRST CLASS PORTUGAL |
| Unique Portugal: | A TASTE OF EVORA -- AN INTRODUCTION TO PORTUGUESE WINE -- DISCOVER THE WESTERN ALGARVE -- JEWISH HERITAGE IN LISBON -- LISBON AND MEDIEVAL OBIDOS -- LISBON AND UNESCO MONASTERIES -- SAVOUR THE ALENTEJO -- VINHO VINTAGE |
Pousadas
IBERTOURS is the Official Representative of Pousadas in Australia and New Zealand.
If you are looking for attractive and historic accommodation for your next holiday, away from the bustle of the city, consider the Pousadas of Portugal.
The Pousadas are located in pleasant rural settings, inside the walls of medieval towns, near the seaside or in the mountainous regions of this 'old world' country. There are around 45 Pousadas forming an impressive network of heritage hotels run by the Portuguese State, many of them Historic Buildings, Castles, Palaces and Monasteries all lovingly restored and managed.
Special care has been taken to reflect the cultural traditions of the region in which they are located with attention to folk crafts, period furniture and local cuisine and wines.
Comfort, friendly atmosphere and traditional Portuguese hospitality are the cornerstones of these uniquely beautiful buildings.
Solares Properties
A new kind of tourism has recently developed in Portugal basing its theme on the cultural and traditional heritage of the country and involving privately owned country Manors and Historic Rural Estates, which have been adapted in order to receive "Special" guests. These are known as Solares de Portugal. The guest is treated to the friendliest of receptions that is an essential hallmark of the Portuguese tradition, blended with the comfort and charm of the rural setting. Most of the Manors and Houses are historic buildings located in or near medieval villages offering attractive country walks, natural parks and ancient monuments to enjoy. Others are situated near urban centres where one can ride, play tennis and golf or just relax on a nearby beach. Many homes have their own swimming pool and ample private gardens. All rooms have private facilities and the basic tariff includes continental breakfast. This is the way to truly discover the essence of Portugal, its customs and regional culture and cuisine. The houses fall into 3 categories:
Category A - the finest manors and palaces, luxuriously furnished with antiques and family heirlooms, often surrounded by beautiful gardens. Many of their names are preceded by the word 'Paço', a term used to indicate that a king stayed there.
Category B - incorporates country homes and smaller manors, many of which date from the 18th century and carry on the farming traditions of their ancestors.
Category C - establishments which are largely rustic cottages and farmhouses, which have been converted into comfortable apartments.
Portuguese Hotels
Stopovers can include 2 and 3 night packages in all major cities including Lisbon, and
Oporto, plus many other smaller regional cities and towns such as Coimbra, Evora, Obidos, Guimaraes and so on... In fact, with our extensive experience and contacts we can develop stopover packages for almost any city or town in the Iberian Triangle, for any length of time, to suit your requirements. Here are some examples...
View a selection of hotels by region:
Costa Verde / Costa de Prata / Lisboa and Costa de Estoril / Ribatejo and Alentejo / The Algarve
Douro River Cruising
The Douro River, with its origins in Spain and reaching the Atlantic Ocean in Porto, traverses the spectacular Douro River Valley, now declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rambling vineyards and picturesque farms called 'quintas' cling to the steep sides of the Douro River Valley, creating an incomparable backdrop to one of Europe's most unspoiled regions, the country of Portwine - the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.
The cruise allows one to taste plenty of wonderful local wines from village vineyards, including Port, the region's famous fortified wine. Feast on a traditional meal at the Alpendurada Monastery; enjoy an authentic Spanish-style lunch complete with a flamenco show; and dine at the Vintage House Hotel, a magnificent 18th-century wine quinta overlooking the Douro River. All along the way, uncover a land of genuine beauty and breathtaking scenery, and meet some warmhearted, friendly local people who will welcome you with open arms, in the renowned tradition of Portuguese hospitality.
This river cruise is a must for those seeking a leisurely and visually rewarding experience along an extensive river valley with extraordinary scenery, creative off-cruise excursions to historical towns, and monumental cities. True wine connoisseurs and food aficionados will enjoy indulging in the region's celebrated Port wine and local cuisine.
