Visit Arcos de Valdevez & the Portuguese Tibet
Before the Christmas season, we decided we could take some time to charge batteries and went for a weekend out. We choose Arcos de Valdevez as a destination. This municipality is located inside the boundaries of the Peneda Gerês National Park and is less than 2 hours away from Porto. The landscape is markedly rural and agriculture represents the subsistence of its population. The weather was not wonderful, but we were able to visit the delightful communal villages of Soajo and Sistelo, where the local populations continue to maintain their ancestral customs and practices. Where to stay We booked a hotel right in the center of the village, as we wanted to be able to stop the car and just walk through the streets of the typical Alto Minho provinces. The Ribeira Collection Hotel, with a riverfront location, is in the heart of Arcos de Valdevez and has very friendly and helpful staff. The rain would not let us enjoy the outside that much and the spa was a great alterna