Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
oak and pine groves to
Branda Ramil
(a
branda
was a settlement of summer houses for villa-
gers, who drove their livestock to high pastures and lived with them all summer).
Another walk, along the
Caminho do Pão
and
Caminho da Fé
, takes you downhill from Soajo
village to the
Ponte da Ladeira
, a simple medieval bridge. Hike another 500m upstream and
you'll find perfect swimming holes at
Poço do Luzio
, an ideal antidote for Soajo's soaring
summer mercury. Ask for a map at the info gate.
Sleeping & Eating
Village Houses
(cottage €45-200)
About a dozen houses (sleeping two to eight) are available for tourist ac-
commodation under the Turismo de Aldeia scheme. Each has a fireplace or stove (with
firewood in winter) and a kitchen stocked with breakfast food, including fresh bread on
the doorstep each morning. Casas de Soajo are a particularly great option, plus they accept
bookings for one night only; not all village houses do (especially on weekends). Book
through Adere Peneda-Gerês (
Click here
)
in Ponte da Barca or directly through
RURAL INN
$
Casa do Adro
( 258 576 327;
www.casadoadroturismorural.com
;
s/d €50; )
This manor house (rather than a
cottage), located off Largo do Eiró by the parish church, dates to the 18th century. Rooms
are huge, furnished with antiques, and blessed with sweet vineyard and village vistas.
There is a minimum two-night stay in August.
RURAL INN
$
Videira
( 258 576 205; mains €8.50-10; lunch Thu-Mon Jul-Sep, Fri-Mon Oct-Jun)
Locals rave about
Videira's authentic regional smoked meats and sausage and the homemade mainstays. The
shady, arched patio of this family-run tavern is outfitted with sturdy, polished wooden
tables . It's situated by the bus stop. Most of the portions easily feed two so order less. Try
the delicious
cachena
beef and the
feijão terrestre
bean stew.
PORTUGUESE
$
Saber ao Borralho
( 258 577 296;
www.saberaoborralho.com
;
plates for 2 €18-20; lunch & dinner Wed-Sun)
A further 200m
beyond Espigueiro, this handsomely set place features excellent local dishes like the
PORTUGUESE
$$
