In establishing a tourism business, it’s important to do your research. There are differing ways to do this, of course. Should we pack up a rental car and conduct a week-long road trip? We’ve done that. Should we connect with local vendors for specific one-time experiences? We’ve done that too. Yet there are still places around Portugal we haven’t visited that call to us…
For that reason we present a new recurring column on this blog:
DaHungryCouple’s Portugal Bucket List.
This month’s fascination: Trás-os-Montes.
Where???
Trás-os-Montes is an interior region in the northeast of Portugal and officially one of the seven Portuguese agrarian regions. It boasts production of a number of agricultural products: sheep and sheep cheese, olives, wine, hogs and sausages, natural mushrooms, and almond, cork and chestnut trees. Surrounded by three high mountain ranges, and literally meaning ‘Beyond the Mountains’, Trás-os-Montes was geographically isolated due to poor infrastructure until as recently as the 1990s. As a result, it retains its rustic charm, simple traditions, unspoiled scenery and quality food.
I absolutely must visit this place.
I’ve chosen my initial bucket list cities in the Trás-os-Montes region and listed some activities of interest:
Chaves– home to a casino and world class golf resort, and quality thermal springs.
Bragança- entry point to the Parque Natural de Montesinho, prime area for birdwatching and home to a number of traditional sheep farms .
Mogadouro– an area famous for mushrooms, fumeiro (or Portuguese sausage) production farms and part of the Rota da Terra Fria Transmontana, a world heritage nature walk situated in the region.
Miranda do Douro– located directly on the Portuguese-Spanish border and a true blend of the two cultures. Also famous for a river cruise of the lesser-seen parts of the Douro River.
I’m excited to take people out to Trás-os-Montes and see a completely different side of Portugal. Come join me!
by @dahungryhubs