Casa de Nasce

Spend a day relaxing by your pool, taking the occasional dip to cool off.

Make the most of the spacious kitchen to prepare a delicious lunch then enjoy it outside in the fresh air.

With so many activites to choose from including canoeing, canyoning, white water rafting (or soft rafting) and many more. Plus there's a quiet pool area for relaxing and winding down after participating in one of the many exciting activities on offer.

There are numerous vineyards dotted around the region and the Quinta do Minho is located nearby, just the other side of Povoa de Lanhoso. Enjoy a tour and learn about the vineyards' history, and of course, sample the wine produced here.

Most have great amenities and places for lunch or dinner. Moledo and Esposende are two of our favourites. Don't forget the suntan lotion!

With its impressive medieval monuments, a charming labyrinth of narrow streets and general sense of grandeur, it is not hard to imagine that the attractive town of Guimaraes was once home to royalty.

This charming seaside town, popular with the Portuguese and blessed with a lovely dune-backed beach of fine white sand has much to offer and explore.

Take the funicular to the church of Santa Luzia, climb the dome and look out from the very top for incredible views.

Spreading lazily along the tree-lined banks of the river Lima, this is a beautiful town, with fine buildings and pretty cobbled squares. Visit on a Monday morning and you may be fortunate enough to witness the local market, held on a sandy river beach every other Monday.

Drive through the ancient archway that leads the way through the impressive town walls to discover cobbled streets and a delightful range of local shops selling the beautifully embroidered linen and towels for which the town is famous.

Wherever you go in Northern Portugal you will not struggle to find tasty meals at very reasonable prices and friendly people to serve you and make you feel at home. From beachfront restaurants to cosy village cafes be sure to try the local deliciacies and you won't be disappointed.

Behind the church you will find wooded grounds, grottoes and miniature boating pools which makes this a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon or early evening.

This is the only national park in Portugal and has numerous hiking trails, old shepherds' tracks to follow, an abundance of wildlife to spot and traditional villages to wander around. Why not take a picnic and stop off at one of the many pretty spots to have lunch.

Head towards the river to spend a day on a river beach, these beaches are popular with the locals as they say the water is much warmer than the sea. At some river beaches you can hire canoes and enjoy a paddle along the river too.

With pretty stone houses and nice views across the hills you are sure to enjoy a light stroll along the lanes surrounding the house. Be sure to greet the friendly locals as you go.

The 'Se' of Braga is the gothic cathedral which dominates the main square. Dotted around are cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a coffee or a midday snack.

For some retail therapy, head to Braga Park shopping centre, home to a variety of shops, ranging from high street brands to designer outlets and jewellery.

Marvel at the huge, preserved oak tree which stands at 23m tall. Enjoy the gardens and play area for the kids and visit the information centre where the guides will explain more about the oak tree and the preservation involved.

Cross the iron bridge built by Monseiur Eiffel, visit the port caves to sample the famous drink, see the sights from an open top bus and people watch from a restaurant terrace. Just a 1 hour drive from the house, this beautiful city is well worth a visit, and if you wish to avoid parking in the centre, you could catch a train.

There are stalls which sell everything; food, clothes, pottery and handicrafts and of course, the famous ceramic Galo de Barcelos, the colourful chicken for which the city is famous.