2015 - April : 5 Day visit to the Viseu area
April 27th – May 1st.AAA visit to the Viseu area . This excursion was arranged by a group called ‘EON Never Ending’ who planned a very complete programme of visits to archaeological and historical sites in the region of Viseu. The base for the visit was at the very pleasant Hotel Jose Alberto at the edge of the town. On our first evening we met Pedro and Fatima who were to be our guides and they had arranged a wonderful spread of local meats and cheeses for us to sample at the hotel before we went on a walking tour of Viseu prior to our evening meal.
During our stay we visited an excellent variety of sites, which included the famous Dolmen of Antelas, which contains possibly the most important and unique paintings of the Calcolithic period. At Tondelo we visited the museum ‘Terras de Besteiros’ where we also had a short lecture about the dolmens and other prehistoric sites in the area. Later we drove to Molelinhos so see the site of rock art from the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Also during our tour we visited the impressive monastery at S. Joao de Tarouca and Salzedas Monastery, followed by a walk along the twisting streets of ‘bairro do quelho’.
The last day of our tour included the magnificent castle at Linares followed a drive through the Serra da Estrela to the village of Valhelhas for lunch. The final visit was to Belmonte to see the Centum Celas ruins which is one of the most awe-inspiring Roman sites in Portugal.
On our return to the Algarve we stopped in Almeirim to sample the famous (and excellent) stone soup at ‘O Tocinho’ restaurant. As it was May 1st the town was very busy with Portuguese families enjoying the national holiday.
This tour was highly enjoyable made even more so by its excellent organization by our guides who were keen for us to sample the gastronomy of the Beira and their choices of restaurants and the meals provided were all of a high standard. Both Pedro and Fatima together with their 2 other colleagues who joined us, provided a first class service which was much appreciated by all those who went on this tour.
During our stay we visited an excellent variety of sites, which included the famous Dolmen of Antelas, which contains possibly the most important and unique paintings of the Calcolithic period. At Tondelo we visited the museum ‘Terras de Besteiros’ where we also had a short lecture about the dolmens and other prehistoric sites in the area. Later we drove to Molelinhos so see the site of rock art from the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Also during our tour we visited the impressive monastery at S. Joao de Tarouca and Salzedas Monastery, followed by a walk along the twisting streets of ‘bairro do quelho’.
The last day of our tour included the magnificent castle at Linares followed a drive through the Serra da Estrela to the village of Valhelhas for lunch. The final visit was to Belmonte to see the Centum Celas ruins which is one of the most awe-inspiring Roman sites in Portugal.
On our return to the Algarve we stopped in Almeirim to sample the famous (and excellent) stone soup at ‘O Tocinho’ restaurant. As it was May 1st the town was very busy with Portuguese families enjoying the national holiday.
This tour was highly enjoyable made even more so by its excellent organization by our guides who were keen for us to sample the gastronomy of the Beira and their choices of restaurants and the meals provided were all of a high standard. Both Pedro and Fatima together with their 2 other colleagues who joined us, provided a first class service which was much appreciated by all those who went on this tour.
Click on the image to see a Video with slideshow of the trip
