[Christmas 2023] I still had a few days of vacation to take and I thought: why not take advantage and visit what was the only (continental) region of Portugal that I didn't know? A trip that was postponed without a date in October. My family agreed (as if they weren't the first ones to want to go for a trip) and we hit the road to Trás-os-Montes.

In fact, we slept in Chaves because it was the place with the accommodation that best met what we were looking for and we also didn't know the  ‘Flaviense’ city. Spoiler alert: everything was really cool but it wasn't easy to find restaurants to celebrate Christmas as almost everything was closed on the 24th and 25th of December (naturally).

There were very (like, a lot!) cold days but nothing that the car's AC couldn't solve. I drove many kms that were 100% worth it, with incredible landscapes and the only drawback was the dense fog that we found in some places. We rewarded ourselves when we arrived at our destination with the great food and wine the region has to offer.

Chaves

A city that surprised me. I don't know why, I didn't really have a predefined idea but I didn't expect to like the vibe I felt so much. People are always an important factor, the way they welcome you, and I couldn't have had a warmer experience at Castelo Hotel Chaves and Taska das Caldas.

Trajan's Roman Bridge and the Thermal Park were what I liked most about the city, especially the Thermal Park, where the Fonte do Povo (People's Fountain) is located – take your empty bottle (thermal, preferably) and fill it with the thermal water from this fountain, perfect to keep you warm throughout the day.

 Chaves historic centerRoman Bridge

Thermal Park

Bragança

The Montesinho Natural Park was where I most wanted to visit and it didn't disappoint. For nature lovers like me, it is an mandatory stop.

From Chaves to Montesinho Natural Park, the shortest and easiest route is through Spain.

From Chaves to Montesinho Natural Park, the shortest and easiest route is through Spain. 

In the city, the historic center was what enchanted me most, in particular the Cidadela and the Domus Municipalis. The climbs to get there were the best allies against the cold.

This time, the place to have lunch was my father's choice and, I admit, it was one of the best meals of the trip: Restaurante Poças.

Domus Municipalis

On Christmas Day we went to Porto and we spent the night in the schist village of Gondramaz, in the middle of Serra da Lousã (Miranda do Corvo), in an incredible place that invites us to disconnect from the world – literally as there is no mobile network in the village.

Gondramaz / Mountain Whisper

The path to get there is not easy at all, but it is still worth it and the warm, home-style breakfast at Mountain Whisper was the best farewell I could have had. Thank you to my parents for always being part of my adventures. ♥