Nothern Portugal - Recommendations

[Wally H]

I am traveling in northern Portugal in April, does anyone have any restaurant, music (fado in particular), cafe, etc., and of course, photo op recommendations for the following areas:

Oporto
Alijo (Douro Area)
Braganca
Guimarães
Viana do Castelo

 

[André E.C.]

Nice country you`re about to visit, ceratto!
Regarding Fado, there are two types of it, Coimbra and Lisboa, the Coimbra one is more melancholic, slow and you applaude it with silence, the Lisbon kind is faster, happier and you applaude vigorously. Obviously, Fado can be found everywhere, but if searching for the "real" thing, travel to Coimbra and enjoy it with a good Red Wine, chouriça preta and a fantastic queijo da serra.

Some really beautiful natural parks, a must go.

http://www.solaresdeportugal.pt/EN/entevt.php?eventoid=101

http://www.solaresdeportugal.pt/EN/entevt.php?eventoid=103

http://www.solaresdeportugal.pt/EN/entevt.php?eventoid=106

Some city images and information.

http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costaverde/braganca/ukcity.html

http://www.dei.uminho.pt/~fernando/hobbies/guimaraes/guimaraes.htm

Dead Link Removed ( a must visit)

http://www.cm-alijo.pt/galeria_fotos/index.asp

http://www.contactovisual.pt/viana/VCmain4.html

In Porto, pass the bridge to the side of Gaia, where the main Port Wine cellars are, and take the usual cliché shot for the Ribeira side.
Visit the Foz area and Ribeira!
I like your route, you`re going to see a very nice Portugal, take always your camera with you, you`re going to see images everywhere in the Douro region, people are very friendly there, don`t be shy to ask for a portrait if you need to.

Well, have fun and take loads of photos!

Que boa luz o ilumine!

André

 

[rduraoc]

Well, I'm from Portugal, and I must say that André said it all. I should only repeat that in the northern parto of the country it's not so usual to hear fado, fado's houses are mostly in Lisbon, and in Coimbra there are also a few (and they are different types of fado, as André said). When you visit Alijó, make sure you take the route trough Régua and Pinhão (also a must, with very nice cruises on the river and very photogenic landscapes), trough the old road that goes along the Douro River. The new highway takes away some of the enchantment. And, photography wise, be prepared for some heavy fog this time of year, those areas are prone to that. Enjoy the wine, the cheese, and all the different hams. If you need pratical tips about Portugal, feel free to ask, I'll help anyway I can.

 

[André E.C.]

Just for the record, I`m also a Portuguese national, just living in Finland!

Cheers

André

 

[Wally H]

Andre e' rduraoc,

Thank you for the information and links. I was unaware of the 'two' types of Fado. I'm not sure which recordings I've got the most of, but I'm thinking it is the more melancholic style. I won't be able to visit Lisbon or Coimbra so I'll have to take in whatever Fado music I can find on that northerly route. I have read about the Lisbon & Coimbra Fado houses being a bit touristy and would love to find some more traditional performances with a more traditional atmpospher, but alas, I suppose I am a 'tourist' too, (albeit more low profile than normal I hope). I am happy to hear that I can expect fog, it agrees with my photographic interests and am looking forward to experiencing as many and as much of the foods, wines and of course ports as my body can handle.