Portuguese "Festas" include religious
festivals, pilgrimages, traditional dances, gastronomy, processions,
firework displays, music, literature and dance. Local festas during
the months of June, July and August abound in the local villages where
you can participate in dancing, drinking or just enjoy watching traditional
village life continue unchanged for centuries. Markets
are held in most villages on a weekly basis.
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Because it rains sufficiently, except for the dry
months July and August, there is a rich variety of flora and fauna.
During the majority of the year, everything looks green, and in every
month something is blooming. The climate is mediterranean, so there
are many plants and trees that are very different from the ones that
grow in the northern countries. Orange and lemon groves in the gardens,
oliveyards, huge palm trees, cacti and yuccas and the Australian eucalyptus,
that smells delicious. And of course many, many vines! In the forests
you see mainly pines and oaks. In February and March the lovely mimosa
blooms and makes the slopes look yellow. In May it is the broom that
provides the hills with yellow or white flowers.
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In springtime the air is sweet with orange blossom,
heathers, and hundreds of different wild flowers and insects. From our
estate you can see the river and our pool, and in summer both are a
wonderful way to cool off.
Autumn
is lovely, with cooler days, and the smell of ripe grapes ready to be
picked and made into wine.
A region of deep contrasts, Beiras Altas is where
the mountains meet the sea. About 45 minutes drive there are the
Serra de Estrela mountains which are
the highest in Portugal. This beautiful area is a protected National
Park. It is a wonderful place to explore.
In the summer the mountain area is not too hot
and on a clear day you might even be able to see the sea over 150
kilometres in the distance! About a 1.5 hours drive, is the rugged
Atlantic coast with sweeping sandy surf beaches and small fishing
villages.
There is plenty to see and do. Dramatic crags and
ravines makes this area a stunningly beautiful drive or hike.
There are several walking trails. In winter
this magical area is transformed into a glittering white kingdom. The
tallest mountain peak of the Estrela mountains is the Torre where sledging
and skiing can be enjoyed during the winter months. The Serra da Estrela
is also famous for its wonderful cheese called "Queijo da Serra",
as well as its smoked sausages.
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