At the invitation of Smart Travel 2024, in which I had the pleasure of participating as a speaker, I visited a region I hadn't been to in many years: Bairrada, more specifically, Mealhada.
When I say many years, I mean I must have been 6 years old, perhaps, the last time I went with my family, so the only thing I remembered was filling a water bottle at the Luso spring - typical. And let's start here: in fact, this spring is called Fonte de S. João, and it is not the same water as the well-known Água do Luso. Still, of course, I did the same thing this time.
It was here, in the village of Luso, that I stayed, at the iconic Grande Hotel do Luso. The hotel is very comfortable, with an Olympic-sized swimming pool that, unfortunately, I couldn’t enjoy. The restaurant also pleasantly surprised me: everything at dinner was delicious.
1st Wonder: WATER
Although it is no longer owned by the same people, the hotel still has an interior access to the Luso Thermal Spa, known for its therapeutic properties. All treatments use thermal water, and this is where my zen moment of the trip began: first, in the Emanatório, where I simply relaxed and breathed - a much-needed pause. Then, I tried a Vichy Shower with a back massage for the first time. Well... I won’t deny that the first few minutes were a bit strange simply because I didn’t know what to expect. After that initial moment, I thoroughly enjoyed the treatment and relaxation - thank you, therapist Rui!
Next, I had a guided tour of the Luso Casino exhibition, “Luso on the Path to Sustainability,” where we can see the evolution of Luso water packaging, from thermal water to natural mineral water - pure, of course. As a marketer with an interest in sustainability, I found it absolutely fascinating.
Then, we headed to the National Forest of Bussaco/Buçaco. Besides breathing in the fresh air and enjoying a bit of nature, we had the opportunity to visit the Santa Cruz convent. I found its history captivating, and it's definitely worth visiting.
2nd and 3rd Wonders: BREAD AND SUCKLING PIG
In the late afternoon, after the opening session of Smart Travel, we were delighted with two more culinary wonders from Mealhada’s table, and I finally got to enjoy what I had long desired: the suckling pig sandwich that is unmatched here. Don’t forget to visit Churrasqueira Rocha as well; it was my last stop before heading home, and the food was delicious, along with the quick and attentive service.
4th Wonder: WINE
Of course, my favorite wonder, I won’t deny it. The Bairrada region is known for producing high-quality wines, particularly sparkling wines. The perfect pretext for a guided tour of the Messias cellars, a producer and marketer of wines and brandy since 1926.
I loved the visit and had never done one before, which is almost a crime for a wine lover like me, but better late than never. There was even time to taste one of the Messias sparkling wines (and bring another one home…), the ideal pairing for the famous Bairrada suckling pig, and indeed, the combination is flawless.
Though brief, the trip was incredibly enriching. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Smart Travel for the invitation, to Grande Hotel do Luso, and to the Municipality of Mealhada for the warm and gracious hospitality. I’ll be back soon, but for now, the journey continues!
--
What is Smart Travel?
It is a global event that connects smart cities and smart tourism, where experts from various fields discuss smarter ways to travel and think about cities. This year, I had the opportunity to present some reflections on the importance of tourism and hospitality for the local community and how tourism should be an asset for destinations and the local population rather than a source of problems. Authenticity, communication, and sharing were the keywords of the presentation.
