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Holiday Focus Portugal
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'Casa do Brasão', The Coat of Arms Cottage, originally built in 1856, is a fully restored and stylishly decorated cottage situated in Marvão and the natural park of 'Serra de São Mamede', an area of outstanding natural beauty. Dewi Jones who runs Casa do Brasáo sent Wildside Holidays some details of a nearby walk.
A great walk in Marvão, Alto Alentejo, Portugal with fantastic panoramic views, wonderful countryside and interesting historical sites. This walk is 7.38 km and is easy to moderate. The map/guide we bought earlier from the tourist office in Marvão, and the start is from Portagem near the public swimming pool. The four of us, two adults and two children aged 12 and 14, set off from the 16th century bridge and tower in Portagem. The guide informs you to follow the trail by posts with green markers and we realised after a few kilometres there are none. Instead follow the normal markers of a red and yellow rectangles.
This walk took us about two and a half hours with regular stops to see the sights such as:
- The 16 century bridge and tower next to the river Sever.
- The mediaeval cobbled road, possibly of Roman origin.
- Views of the imposing town and castle of Marvão,
- The mountain range of Serra de São Mamede and the granite plains of the Alentejo countryside.
- The Convent and Church of the Lady of the Star (Igreja do Convento de Nossa Senhora da Estrela).
- Typical small Alentejo hamlets.
- The 16 century derelict chapel and mediaeval tombs cut into the rock at Fonte Souto.
- Oak, Walnut, Olive,Chestnut and Horse-Chestnut trees.
- Plenty of farm animals and the wonderful fauna and flora of this region.
At the end of the walk why not have lunch at O Sever restaurant at Portagem for a hearty typical Alentejo lunch washed down with a bottle of Conventual Red wine.
This is a perfect day out in this great region of Portugal and for more information get in touch with Dewi via the website at www.casabrasao.com
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