CENTER - Central Nacional do Turismo no Espaço Rural

“Enjoy Easter Traditions in Soares de Portugal” is our new campaign. TURIHAB – Solares de Portugal created a new promotion that will allow you to discover our cultural and religious customs during the Holly Week.

Easter in the North of Portugal (Minho, Porto, Douro and Trás-os-Montes)

In the North of Portugal we have some traditions, still maintained during the Easter. This is the celebration of the Resurrection. The priest brings, in procession to the houses to bless all the family and there friends. If you want to make part of this experience you can find in Viana do Castelo, Casa do Ameal, Quinta de Monteverde or Quinta do Paço d’Anha. These manor houses recreate every year this tradition.
In Vitorino das Donas, Ponte de Lima, the “Compasso” (a procession) going to every houses of the village, the crucifix is taken by men with a women "cachenés" (handkerchief) in their head to protect them from the sun. If you want to see this Easter tradition you can sleep in the neighbour houses Quinta do Casal, Casa do Anquião, Casa do Barreiro, Quinta da Agra, Paço de Calheiros Quinta da Roseira or Casa de Crasto.
In Fontão, Ponte de Lima, every year one man is chosen to be the “mordomo”: this man pays the lunch of the Easter day to the entire village. Sometimes they are 500 people for lunch. Solares de Portugal suggests you Casa de Fontão, Casa de Outeiro, Quinta do Rei, Casa de Covas or Casa da Lage if you want to make part of this event.
But if you prefer to enjoyed the Minho valley or the National Park of Peneda Gerês, so you have to go to Valença, Monção and Melgaço. Here you find Casa da Eira, Quinta da Calçada, Casa de Rodas or Quinta de Santo António.
In Guimarães, where Portugal began, with a UNESCO classified centre, the traditions are the same as ever. The Easter is commemorated with enthusiasm and faith. Paço de S. Cipriano (Tabuadelo), Casa de Sezim (Santo Amaro), Casa dos Pombais (centre of the Town) or Quinta de Cima de Eiriz (Penha) are good choices for a long Easter weekend.
In Basto, the garden land, where the flowers in the spring appears in every corner and near the roads, the Easter is a combination with nature that flourishes spontaneously. Casa do Campo and Casa do Canedo (Celorico de Basto) have great gardens that you can profit during your stay.
In Trás-os-Montes, local people make a “folar de carne” (meat cake) to celebrate Easter, and you can taste it during the breakfast served at Quinta da Mata (Chaves), Casa da Pedra (Amarante), Solar das Arcas (Macedo de Cavaleiros), Casa Agrícola da Levada (Vila Real). In the Douro Valley Casa das Torres de Oliveira (Mesão Frio) and Casa dos Varais (Régua) are a great opportunity for you to meet the Easter tradition of this area. In Felgueiras there is a famous cake, “pão-de-ló de Margaride”. A lit bit further, at Penafiel, Quinta da Maragoça is a good choice to stay.

Easter in the Centre and South of Portugal (Beiras, Lisbon, Alentejo, Algarve and Azores)

In the Centre and in the South, the country people make sure that the tables are full of food. In Beira Litoral we usually eat “chanfana” and “leitão” and you can enjoy it if you chose to stay in Solar Abreu Madeira (Canas de Senhorim), Casa do Cimo (Fundão), Vila Duparchy (Mealhada), Casa de Mogofores (Anadia), Quinta de São Lourenço (Anadia) and Quinta da Comenda (S. Pedro do Sul).
In the Alentejo and in the Algarve we also have the “folar”. In this region Palácio de Rio Frio, Monte da Corte Ligeira (Beja), Quinta da Bela Vista (Castelo de Vide), Casa da Muralha (Serpa), Casa do Terreiro do Poço (Borba), Herdade de Vale Covo (Mértola) and Casa da Palmeirinha (Portimão) are also good to spend a nice holyday.
In Açores between food and flowers we suggest in S. Miguel Island – Casa das Calhetas and in Pico Island – Casa das Barcas.

Come to Portugal. Enjoy our Traditions. Easter in Solares de Portugal.
For further information please contact CENTER - Central Nacional de Turismo no Espaço Rural, through the telephone number 00351 258931750, the fax 00351 258931320, the email info@center.pt - www.center.pt