Northern Portugal – May/June 2025
A Warm Welcome to Northern Portugal
This time, we headed to Northern Portugal in search of something a little different—and what a delight it turned out to be. We flew into Porto, where we were warmly welcomed by our guide, João, who stayed with us for the entire 10-day adventure. What a gentleman! Stylish to the core, he always had something to say about our outfits or shoes (in the nicest way), and to our amazement, confessed to owning 40 pairs of shoes! And we thought we were bad… 😊
Braga: Our First Home Base
From the airport, we hopped into our transfer vehicle and made our way to Braga, our home for the next four days. Just 55 kilometres northeast of Porto, Braga is one of Portugal’s oldest cities, full of character, beautiful churches, and a vibrant historical centre. On the way, we had our first taste of Portugal with a seaside lunch of grilled sardines and salad—simple, fresh, and absolutely delicious.
Life in the Old Town
Our hotel in Braga was perfectly located in the old town, allowing us the freedom to stroll out in the early morning or after dinner. We adored the relaxed dinners in tucked-away restaurants, sharing plates, laughter, and excellent local wine. One of the highlights was visiting the stunning Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary, perched on a hill overlooking the city—made even more impressive by the ladies who climbed all 350 steps to the top!
Charming Towns and Heartfelt Moments
One particularly memorable day took us through Ponte de Lima, Barcelos, and Viana do Castelo. Ponte de Lima charmed us with cobbled streets, a Roman bridge, and a timeless feel—not to mention an unforgettable ice cream shop. Barcelos burst with colour and folklore, home to the famous rooster legend and a lively market, where we even witnessed a wedding ceremony. In Viana do Castelo, we visited the magnificent Santa Luzia Basilica, where João shared the touching story of saving for ten years to be married there, complete with photos that left us all a little emotional.
Porto by Day and by Night
Sunday took us back to Porto, with a special lunch at a traditional family-run restaurant buzzing with locals enjoying their Sunday feast. While Porto is beautiful by day, I truly fell in love with it by night. Evenings spent across the river in Gaia, sipping wine and watching the sun melt into the Douro, felt pure magic. By day, we explored, shopped, and wandered through the vibrant Bolhão Market—a sensory feast of fresh produce, seafood, cheeses, and the hum of everyday Porto life.
Aveiro & Coimbra
We also spent a day exploring Aveiro and Coimbra. In Aveiro, we cruised the canals in a traditional boat, guided by a captain who kept us laughing throughout. The bridges were adorned with colourful ribbons left by couples as romantic gestures—a sweet and thoughtful alternative to the padlocks seen elsewhere.
The Magic of the Douro Valley
One of the standout experiences of the trip was our day in the Douro Valley. We began at Porto’s iconic São Bento Railway Station, its walls decorated with 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history. A scenic train journey led us to a peaceful river cruise past terraced vineyards and sleepy villages, followed by a home-cooked lunch at a hilltop farm and a Moscatel wine tasting.
Food, Friendship, and Farewell
Food played a central role throughout the journey, from eating where locals gather to a lively walking food tour—and even a surprise detour through a beautifully kept cemetery. A cooking class was a highlight, hidden behind what appeared to be a clothing boutique, where we learned to make a delicious Portuguese almond tart. Our final night in Gaia was spent at a hillside restaurant overlooking Porto, toasting new friendships as the sun set and city lights twinkled below. And so, our Northern Portugal adventure with The Adventurous Ewe’s women-only tour came to an end—richer in laughter, stories, and connection. Until the next one…
This was my first time overseas on my own, and I felt so well taken care of throughout the tour. The group of ladies I travelled with were lovely, the itinerary was interesting and well-paced, and the hotels were very comfortable. A truly enjoyable and memorable experience!
I really did have a wonderful time on the trip and I have fabulous memories to think back on. I thought all the other ladies were super – what an eclectic mix!
I haven’t been on a guided tour before, but I loved it. I loved the tempo and the fact we had a base, not in and out of our suitcases. Very good guides in terms of personality . I would definitely join another trip.
Joined Mandy’s group, The Adventurous Ewe tour to Northern Portugal last month. I had such a fabulous time and enjoyed amazing meals, interesting cities and villages, beautiful sight seeing, shopping, laughter and very comfortable transport and accommodation. Mandy was the perfect leader and often checked that we were fine and enjoying ourselves. Highly recommended. I would definitely plan another adventure with Mandy.