Viamigo

Accept the challenges that Naturtejo proposes you and come meet the first portuguese Geopark, included on the UNESCO network. Here the rocks, the air, the natural smells, the sounds of nature and the millenarian culture, delight body and soul. Highest exponent of Tourism of Nature in Portugal, the Geopark Naturtejo invites you to discover mythical places, geosites, Templar castles, churches and shrines, millenarian borders, vultures, eagles and black storks, and a vast and rich natural, historical and cultural heritage.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival to Lisbon, departure to Vila Velha de Ródão. Briefing at the Archaeology Museum of Ródão and boat trip until Portas de Ródão, a Natural Monument of rare beauty which embraces the Tagus river. Intense and majesties, this monument integrates the Geopark Naturtejo Meseta Meridional, which is a place you can not to loose! - Lodging in Pousada das Amoras (Proença-a-Nova)

Day 2

Departure to Nisa, accomplishment of the “Conhal do Arneiro” trail. In Nisa, there is the excellence of the gastronomy, the beauty of the landscape, the quality and variety of the patrimony which conquer the heart to everyone who passes there. It is like to dive in a postcard illustrated, through a panoramic sight on the Tagus river, the Arneiro valley and the Portas de Ródão. This trip still take us to appreciate the art of the sculptures of different forms of the ornamental granite “Blue of Alpalhão” and to explore the artistic vein through a next contact with the Pottery of Nisa, the only artisan expression in the country. Not to lose! Lodging in Pousada das Amoras (Proença-a-Nova)

Day 3

You will have the opportunity to meet the genuine villages full of history – Schist Villages, Foz do Cobrão and Álvaro. Through the footpath “Segredos do Vale Almourão” you will enjoy the visit to the geosite Natural Monument of Portas de Almourão and finish this trail with a traditional lunch at the typical village. Departure to Oleiros and visit to the geosite, Meanderings of Zêzere river and also to the other beautifull Schist Village of Álvaro. Departure to Castelo Branco and lodging in the Hotel Tryp Colina do Castelo (Castelo Branco)

Day 4

Departure to Louriçal do Campo, accomplishment of “Rota da Gardunha” trail. Through this footpath, you can appreciate the granitic morphologies of Castelo Velho, as well as the magnificious cultural heritage of this region as for example the watermills at the Ocreza river's edges or the typical village of Louriçal do Campo. Departure to Alcains and visit to the Stonemason Museum – Lodging in Hotel Tryp Colina do Castelo (Castelo Branco)

Day 5

Departure to the typical village of Salvaterra do Extremo. In full heart of the Naturtejo Geopark, let be surprised for the exuberance of the fauna, avifauna and sumptuous diversity of the vegetation through the “Vultures route”. This route is integrated in International Tagus Natural Park, one of the best European Parks. Along this natural paradise, we can find the Spanish Imperial Eagle, the Black Stork, Vultures, as well as relaxing the body and spirit throuh the flaring landscapes and of the pure air that we breathe in these stopping. Finally you can see the Olive Oil Mill Nucleus in Proença-a-Velha – Lodging in the Hotel Astória – Termas de Monfortinho (Idanha-a-Nova)

Day 6

Departure to the typical village of Penha Garcia and accomplishment of the “Rota dos Fósseis” trail, passage for the Icnological Park with icnofossils of trilobites, which date from 480 million years. Departure to Monsanto, “the most Portuguese Village”, invites to dive in a granite sea, characterized for its Inselbergue and of where in the high of the castle we sight all the geomorphology of the vast territory. Guided visit to the Gastronomy centre to open the appetite! Lodging in the Astória Hotel (Termas de Monfortinho)

Day 7

Departure to Lisbon. End of the program.

Photo: Pedro Martins