|
 Distances between each Tourist Town in Kms.
Distances in Kms.
Costa Verde Accommodation
Costa Verde Guest & Manor Houses
Costa Verde Holiday Apartments
Costa Verde Hotels
Costa Verde Hotels
Costa Verde Hotels & Spa
Costa Verde Inns
Costa Verde Pousadas
Costa Verde Golf Courses
Costa Verde Golf Courses
Costa Verde Guest Book
Costa Verde Forum
Introduction to Costa Verde
The Costa Verde is the name of the tourist area
covering the districts of the Minho and most of
the Douro Litoral. It stretches north from the
City of Porto to the
Spanish border which is a limited distance north of
Viana do Castelo.
It is an area highly populated with a large percentage
of younger people. Inland, there are several historic
and interesting cities, towns and villages that will
fascinate the passing tourist. Particularly important
are the tow other towns of Braga
and Guimarăes.
This
area is the ancient beginnings of what today is known
as the country of Portugal. The first town
Braga is renown for its
many imposing buildings and having been the original
capital of the district during the time when the
Peninsular was occupied by the Swevian tribe
from the north of Europe. In this town there are some
wonderful examples of medieval buildings together with
its formidable castle.
The second town Guimarăes has
retained its many medieval buildings and its castle
is imposing. The city was considered the capital of
the district of Portucale after the tribes had
been driven away. In 1139 Portugal's first King,
Afonso Henriques, declared in the cathedral in
this town of his intention to conquer the rights to a
kingdom and convert and later enlarge the district
known as Portucale into a Kingdom (Portugal)
over which he would hence forth rule.
A very popular area is the Parque da Penada Gerêz,
a nature reserve of charming beauty in the north-east
corner on the border with Spain. here, a visitor may
encounter many forms of wild life in their natural
inhabitation and various species of plants and trees.
Some of these species are unique to the Iberian
Peninsular. An ideal destination for nature lovers
and walkers.
The City of Porto
inhabitants have through history suffered considerably
from the result of either Royal fights between
brothers or from invasion by foreign troops or open
rebellion against their rulers. However, they have
always struggled onwards with noticeable determination
and the present immediate surroundings today
demonstrate an industrially dynamic area with many
diversified industries. This productivity gives the
city the bustle and busy feeling that is so noticeable
to the visitor. It is impressive to note the close
co-operation that these industries have with the
northern academic world and its associations. The
fruit of this very positive attitude is still to be
fully reaped, but already the improvement in the
quality of products and the introduction of new
skills are to be noted. The City is also
internationally noted for being the source of the
famous drink "Porto". The wines are
harvested on the lower slopes in the middle reaches
of the River Douro and then brought by barge
down the river to the city. On the waterfront across
the river from the centre of the city is the very
visible signs of the different manufacturers that
are involved in this trade. Another product within
their wine trade and more commonly known within
Portugal, is the white wine called "Vinho Verde".
Literally translated this means "young (green)
wine. It is normally acid and sharp on the palette
and is consumed soon after bottling.
There is a concentrated industrialized coastal strip
composed of small and medium industries that employ
less than 50 workers per enterprise. Their products
range from metal and machinery to such industries as
printing and publishing.
An very interesting way to see and feel the true
culture and history of this region is to stay in
some of the various Pousadas,
most of which are steeped in local atmosphere and
with historic architecture of this region. (Visit - Portugal History)
Costa Verde Towns
Braga
· Guimarăes
· Porto
· Viana do Castelo
|
|
