Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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COMBINE ANY TWO EUROPE TRIPS FOR A $500 PER PERSON DISCOUNT! 41
Our journey combines village-to-village hikes, medieval pilgrim trails, wine-tasting in ancient Douro vineyards, and enchanting accommodations. PHOTO: MICHAEL HOWARD
Portugal’s exquisite landscapes and rural
villages are perfect for a hiking adventure—
WT-style! We’ll head out on trails to discover
the aldeais do xisto villages, taste wine in
a family-owned quinta, see prehistoric rock
art, hike medieval pilgrim routes, and explore
13th century castle towns and Peneda-Gerês
National Park, with its craggy peaks and
wild horses. Fine regional cuisine and
aromatic port wines are a delightful part of
our journey, too, accompanied by the haunting
sounds of fado. We end our journey in Porto,
a World Heritage Site of centuries-old
lanes and port wine cellars. Our lodgings
are enchanting, including a former wine
warehouse in picturesque Pinhão and the
17th century Paço de Calheiros, a Douro
Valley palace where we are welcomed by the
dapper Count of Calheiros himself.
Days 1-4 Serra da Lousã / Serra da Estrela
From Lisbon, we head into the rock-built slate
villages known as aldeais do xisto , stopping in
at a local home for tea and walking village-to-
village to soak up views of the deep green
valleys spread below. We’ll also roam Lousã’s
lively covered market (a chance to sip herb-based
licor beirâo) and hike in the Serra da Estrela
below the rock towers of the glacier-carved
Zêzere Valley.
Days 5-7 Belmonte / Douro Wine Tasting /
Pinhão / Peneda-Gerês We explore castle-topped
Belmonte’s medieval Jewish Quarter, view the
Paleolithic paintings in the Côa Valley, then take
a rail journey along the tranquil Douro River to
lovely Pinhão. Our hike across a dreamscape
of Douro Valley vineyards leads to the family-
owned Quinto do Crasto wine estate on the
banks of the Douro, and we return by traditional
wooden port barge. In mountainous Peneda-
Gerês National Park, our hike leads from
verdant forests into grasslands where we may
encounter goat herders and their trusty castro
laboreiro sheepdogs.
Days 8-12 The Pilgrimage Route / Ponte de
Lima / Porto After dipping a toe into Spain,
we join the pilgrim trail to the sanctuary at
Peneda, with its staircase adorned with statues
representing faith, love, and charity. After a visit
to charming Ponte de Lima, our final hike leads
us across the gorgeous Camino Portuguese,
which once brought medieval pilgrims to
Santiago de Compostela. We end in Porto,
exploring the historic quarter and listening to
soulful fado songs. Depart on Day 12.
SEAN PAVONE
HIGHLIGHTS
• Explore from Lisbon to Porto, tasting
port wines and vinhos verdes , savoring
rich local specialties
• Hike among the slate villages of the Serra
da Lousã and along medieval pilgrim
routes, including the Camino Portuguese
• Meet a Douro Valley vintner, ride the
Linha do Douro (Portugal’s loveliest train
ride), discover castle-topped towns
• Enjoy unique lodgings, including a
traditional spa hotel, a converted
pilgrimage hostel, and a palatial 17th
century manor house
DETAILS
• 12-day trip begins in Lisbon and ends
in Porto
• 11 nights charming accommodations
• All meals included except 1 lunch and
1 dinner
DATES
Apr 19-30, 2017
Sep 4-15
Oct 9-20
TRIP COST
$5395 (11-15 members)
$5895 (6-10 members)
Single supplement: $640
TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3+ 4 5 6 7
9 hiking days on moderate to strenuous
trails (some steep sections), 3-6 hours a
day with two longer days, van support