Head for Central Portugal

The visitor to Portugal is spoilt for choice on where to visit. It has beautiful sandy beaches in the South and bountiful forests and snow-capped mountains in the North and Central areas. The name of the "Green Heart" of Portugal is often applied to the Central region. This is because of its thick, aromatic covering of pine and eucalyptus trees which unfold over its valleys and mountains. It is a region of outstanding natural beauty. The wonderful, natural environment in which visitors find themselves in Central Portugal is hard to miss.

To reach rural Central Portugal and the Silver Coast in comfort it is important to hire a car. For the more active, Central Portugal offers a variety of adventure attractions. These include mountain-biking, hiking and kayaking. For those who do not want to travel far from rural areas to arrive at a beach, then Central Portugal is inundated with river beaches. There are many facilities available, including water sports activities, pedal boats, bars and restaurants. Alternative attractions include golf resorts such as the Montebello Golf and Spa Resort set in lovely, relaxing surroundings or a trip to the wonderful and historic university city of Coimbra.

The capital of Portugal from 1139 to 1260 was Coimbra. However, it is now the main city of the Central region. Surveying the city underneath is the University of Coimbra. It is the main seat of learning in Portugal and one of its major tourist attractions. There is a wonderful Baroque Chapel at the University; the ceiling of the Library is decorated with complex carvings and contains over 300,000 historical books. and some of the most fabulous gardens in Europe are here, of note are the 18th century Botanical gardens.

Coimbra was once a Roman enclave of the Aeminium, and some remains are still in existence, for example an aqueduct and cryptoporticus and the close by ancient city of Conimbriga has some of the most impressive Roman ruins to be found anywhere in Europe. In addition to Roman history, Coimbra has a good collection of museums for example the City Museum and the Museo Nacional Machado de Castro, which is looked upon as the most key in Portugal.

Making its way via the whole of Central Portugal is the mighty Mondego river which is the life-blood of the area. The Mondego flows through villages, towns and mountains on its voyage, however, it is most amazing flowing through the city of Coimbra. It is feasible to enjoy the river in many ways. Either by kayak, ferry ride or sitting having a cold drink on its banks.

The people of Central Portugal are conventional Portuguese in the way that they welcome people with warmth, hospitality and friendliness. Initially the language appears to be challenging and tricky. Notwithstanding, by mastering a handful of the basic words and phrases and trying them out on the locals, a repayement of homemade wine or port is oftentimes the case.

The Portuguese populace have a substantial history of being migrant workers with an average of 30% of the country's native people being abroad working at any one moment in time. Nearly all families in Portugal have someone who is working in another country and this leads to a exceedingly adaptable position to those coming into Portugal, either as a visitor, to live or to work.

If a person is looking for a mixture of experiences and differences of place to visit, then Central Portugal is the place to go. It is a region of outstanding natural beauty imbued in history, tradition and culture. History, culture and tradition are deep in the region and magnificent scenery surrounds and engulfs it.

Properties Central Portugal. Casa do Poco Velho is a stunning 4 bedroom Property close to the university city of Coimbra. It is situated in a lovely area at the end of a friendly village and is the last house on a track leading into the forest with stunning views over forests to the distant Serra da Lousa mountains. Property in central Portugal. Head for Central Portugal