Route of the Almond Blossom 7939

We depart from London and upon arrival in Porto we enjoy a city tour (this includes some sightseeing by coach and a walking tour) exploring Porto, the capital of northern Portugal. The Ribeira area is the historic centre of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from where you can stroll through the city’s charming narrow streets, admire the architecture of the old churches and buildings and enjoy panoramic views over the Douro River. Known for its historic architecture, vibrant culture and Port wine production, it is the second largest city in the country and is located along the River Douro. The city is famous for its iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, which connects Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia, where many of the Port wine cellars are located. We explore the city’s many landmarks, such as Porto Cathedral, the Clérigos Tower and the Lello Bookshop.To conclude we will visit the Crystal Palace Gardens which are one of the main attractions in the city. Located in the Palácio de Cristal Park, they are known for their beauty and variety of plants and flowers. The gardens were designed in the 19th century and have a romantic style, with beautiful flower beds, centuries-old trees, lakes with ducks and swans and winding paths that invite contemplation and strolling. In addition to the natural exuberance, the Crystal Palace Gardens have several sculptures and monuments, as well as a music pavilion where concerts, events and exhibitions are held throughout the year. From the top of the gardens, you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the River Douro, the D. Luís Bridge and the city of Porto, making the place even more enchanting.

After breakfast, we visit the old Quinta da Arcadia, bought in 1839 by João Allen, the British consul in Porto and an art collector. Here he built his country house and garden in the Gardenesque style. After his death, the property was inherited by his son Alfredo Allen, who bought two more farms to expand the existing one: Quinta da Vesada and Quinta de Vila Verde. Alfredo Allen was an oenologist, farmer and gardener. He was one of the driving forces behind the Palácio de Cristal Portuguese Society and was responsible for introducing a number of exotic plants to Portugal.The gardens at Quinta de Vilar d’Allen have several interesting features such as the lake, the woodland area, the greenhouse, the Swan Garden, several specimens of camellias and a formal garden. There are a large number of camellias – around 180 different varieties in the garden. There are also sculptures and architectural ornaments by Nicolau Nasoni, as well as a fountain from the former Monchique Monastery.This afternoon there is time to spend at leisure further exploring Porto or perhaps you may wish to join the optional experience. – a tile painting workshop.This evening dinner is at your own arrangement.

Today after breakfast, we leave Porto behind, heading in the direction of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, a small town located in the north of Portugal, known for its stunning landscapes and historical significance. One of the best times to visit this charming town is during the almond blossom season, which usually takes place in late winter or early spring.Vila Nova de Foz Côa’s almond trees bloom with delicate white and pink flowers, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The town and surrounding countryside are transformed into a sea of flowers, providing a picturesque backdrop. During the almond blossom season, the streets of Vila Nova de Foz Côa are filled with festivities and events to celebrate this natural wonder.After lunch in a local restaurant, we visit Barca d’Alva to view the almond blossom before heading back to our hotel.

Today we visit Casa de Mateus, which was completed in 1744 and is a symbol of a much older history. It is a time machine that allows us to travel through the last five hundred years of the history of Portugal, Europe and the world, and is a point where people, ideas, documents and works of art come together from all over the world to form a collection like no other. Tradition has it that the original garden of the Casa is said to have been designed and planted by the Archdeacon of Labruje, Diogo Álvares Botelho Mourão, brother of António José, the builder of the House. Traces of this original complex remain in the staircase that connects the upper and lower parterres and in the trellis that extends the path to the production area.In the afternoon after lunch, we’ll visit Casa do Campo. Experts say that the Casa do Campo gardens are home to Portugal’s oldest camellia tree, which is around 250 years old, and that this is one of the only places in the world where these trees form arches and alleys. It is said that this Baroque-style Garden was built around the 18th century, and one of its most peculiar aspects is its unusual location: it is situated at a higher elevation on the grounds of the house, secluded at the front and accessible via the first floor. The garden is crossed by a unique and graceful set of paths of boxwood and trimmed camellias that transport us to different environments. Through these alleys, we find stone tables, fountains and a pond surrounded by parasols, arches and camellia domes. It is for this combination of singularities that this is one of the most artistic gardens in the north of Portugal. Our local guide will be on hand to enhance our visit.

After breakfast we head to the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary which is known for its stunning architecture, beautiful gardens and religious significance. The sanctuary is situated on top of a hill, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. It can be reached by climbing a monumental staircase with 577 steps, adorned with several chapels and sculptures depicting the Passion of Christ. At the top of the hill, you can enter the neo-classical church, which houses various religious artefacts and paintings. The church itself is an architectural masterpiece, with intricate details and beautiful stained-glass windows. The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is also made up of a beautiful, landscaped garden, with fountains, statues and quiet footpaths. The sanctuary’s history dates back to the 14th century, when a small chapel was built on the hill. Over the centuries, it was enlarged and redesigned several times, resulting in the present impressive structure. In addition to its religious significance, the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting both religious pilgrims and tourists due to its unique beauty and serene atmosphere.In the afternoon we head to the Biscainhos House Museum. In 1755, the garden of the Biscainhos Palace, a building whose origins date back to the 16th/17th century, was depicted on a map of the City of Braga Primas with a design and spatial organisation identical to the ones we find today, making it one of the most expressive testimonies of the Baroque garden, with notable Rococo introductions that have survived in Portugal. The rich heritage of the Casa dos Biscainhos Gardens was reinforced in 2020 when the Portuguese Historic Gardens Association awarded it the Historic Garden Quality Seal, raising its status and making it part of the “Baixo Minho Historic Gardens Route”. Once again, our local guide is on hand to enhance our visit.

After breakfast, in the heart of the Vinho Verde region, we discover the magical Quinta da Aveleda. As we enter, we travel through the history of a visionary family; it is to contemplate nature sculpted in a state of passion; it is a new picture as each season passes; and an intoxicating experience for each of the senses. Among the trees are rare species of centenary trees (i.e. more than 100 years old), such as the Japanese cedar, the marsh cypress or the American sequoia, while a vast array of camellias lends a luxuriant gradient from pink to red. The lake, the Manueline window, the tea house, the fountains of Nossa Senhora da Vandoma and the Four Seasons are all part of the legacy preserved in this Romantic-style garden in the heart of the Vinho Verde region.Guimarães is located 50 kilometres north-east of Porto and is known for its rich history and cultural heritage. It was the birthplace of the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques. One of the main attractions in Guimarães is the historic centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, we can explore narrow medieval streets, picturesque squares and ancient buildings, such as the Castle of Guimarães and the Ducal Palace. The city also has several churches and chapels, including the Church of São Miguel do Castelo and the Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira. We have some free time to explore at leisure before reconvening to head to our next visit.Our last visit of the day is to Camelias Flavius nursery, home to more than 2300 varieties and strains of camellia. It presents a vast collection of Portuguese camelias, an enormous variety of japonicas, sasanquas and hybrids and also the largest collection of camellias reticulatas in the country (more than 200 different cultivars). The most important strains in the nursery are the Camellia changii (azalea), the Camellia amplexicaulis and the Camellia chrysantha.

After breakfast, we start our day visiting the Santa Bárbara Garden in Braga, one of the oldest gardens in the city, with a history dating back to the 18th century. The garden has a wooded area with species such as oaks, plane trees and magnolias, as well as beautiful beds of colourful flowers. The garden’s highlight is a central fountain in Baroque style, which is one of the most photographed sights in the city.We later return to Porto. Later this evening we reconvene for a farewell dinner.

After breakfast, we transfer to Porto airport for our return flight to London.