A trip to take lightly and smoothly, so that the weight of history won’t bend us because of how rich and full it will be, through the cities, villages, and monuments of a history which Portugal proudly hoists in the five corners of its flag.
In Alcobaça, we surrender to the imposing and magnificent architectural complex that is the Monestary of Alcobaça, one of the seven wonders of Portugal, in the category of Monuments, built in the late 12th century. This was the first fully Gothic construction built in the Kingdom of Portugal, and it is now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Still intoxicated by the beauty of this monument, we will learn a little bit about a more recent culture with embossed Portuguese ceramics, through a visit to one of the factories of this city. We challenge you to tinker and model with ceramic clay, and even paint, if you dare pick up the brushes. Feel free to create.
Afterwards, we will set out to Óbidos, accompanied by the sea breeze coming from Peniche. Inhale and relax, before history surprises us again with a vision of a different time, spent within castle walls and powerful kingdoms.
Óbidos, a village classified by UNESCO as a Literary City in 2015 (view more),
was born as Oppidum, on top of a cliff which stands out in surrounding plains, where the Celtic folk, fishermen and farmers, which settled in the region, built a fortification through the 4th Century BC to protect themselves from invasion attempts coming from the sea.
Dazzle yourself with another one of the seven wonders of Portugal in the category of Monuments, the Castle of Óbidos, as well as the surrounding urban environment of the town of Óbidos, which for over 500 years was part of the dowry of every queen of Portugal, ever since its donation as a wedding gift to Queen Isabel.
After a relaxing lunch, we continue with the most traditional ceramics of our people in the city of Caldas da Rainha, by visiting the Bordallo Pinheiro Factory of Artistic Faiences. Here, we can lose ourselves and take the opportunity to buy a piece of what today is a reference of artistic ceramics all over the world. Without rush, you can choose to your liking, and we will help you pack and yes, load it, for the size of pieces Bordallo Pinheiro provides can be an irresistible temptation.
Finally, back to Porto, we invite you to a sensory journey across the country through aromas and flavours; premium olive oils from all different regions of Portugal, and lastly, a 10-year-old Port Wine, aged in oak casks.
Cheers; these are on us.
