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Fondly regarded by the Portuguese as the birthplace of Portugal, Guimarães is rich in history and a delight to visit. It is so beautiful and well-preserved that it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With only a few hours to visit Guimarães, we tried to make the most of it by starting with a cable car ride to the summit of Penha where we spent a couple of hours before making our way back to the historic center of Guimarães. MONTE DA PENHA  Monte da Penha, a forest-covered hill (617m) with giant boulders and tranquil footpaths, fountains and waterways, picnic areas and viewpoints with fantastic views. The church, Santuário da Penha, is an art deco style, made from granite from the region in the 30s, is a symbol of faith and beacon of Guimarães. Santuário da Penha   Teleférico de Guimarães (cable car) CASTELO DE GUIMARÃES (THE CASTLE) Perched on a rocky promontory in the heart of the city,  the Castle of Guimarães dates back to the 10th century and it's a b...

Hidden away in the north of Portugal lies an unparalleled natural paradise, Serra da Cabreira (Cabreira Mountain).  With a lush mountain landscape and sublime panoramic views, is an obligatory passage for those visiting Vieira do Minho and home to picturesque villages, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and trails. LUGAR DE S.PEDRO, ROSSAS Lugar de S. Pedro is a small village surrounded by the mountains, tiny roads, stone houses and a local coffee shop, Café Duarte  (a big thank you to Maria Sameiro, the owner, for all the tips and to make us feel like part of the community). The nearest local shops are in Rossas but if you need a supermaket, it's best to drive to Vieira do Minho, about half hour away. Nestled on the banks of Rio Ave (river) in a very secluded spot, is Moínho da Rã , a restored ancient watermill and our home during the holiday. We called it our little bit of paradise, with the constant sound of the water, and "our" private pool and waterfalls.  Moinho da Rã (wate...