Braga district
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​In the extreme north of Portugal the coast is called "Costa verde (green coast)", covering several districts that show all gradients of green in rolling hills, mountains and fertile valleys, where agriculture thrives due to heavy rainfall that makes this the greenest zone in Portugal.

The coastline has unpolluted beaches of rough and cold waters, but the highlights are in the countryside, with great mansions amidst vineyards and forests of pines or oaks.​
The main cities in the district are Braga (with its baroque churches, parks and the sanctuary of Bom Jesus), and Guimarães (the birthplace of the nation), the Peneda-Gerês National Park, with its wild, dramatic scenery and a rich variety of flora and fauna, including some wild "garranos".

My preferences:

*** Not to be missed:
       Braga
       Guimarães

 ** Very interesting:
      Gerês
      Barcelos
      Esposende
   * Interesting:
​      Vila Nova de Famalicão

​Braga



​The fastly growing capital of the district, Braga, shares with Guimarães the "not to be missed" status.

​Challenging Fatima as the religious capital of Portugal, its many sanctuaries and churches justify one of two days of visit, though much people prefer to do it in a day trip from Porto.

Famalicão
​Not Yet!

No, I will not write about Famalicão.

Yet!

I know I've been there, 30 or 40 years ago, and... kept no memories.

Portugal changed a lot, and Famalicão, for sure, was no exception.

Last Saturday I was supposed to dance in Famalicão, and that could be the opportunity for a new glance. No way, the competition was in Vermoim, and we skipped the city, but I have to post my (good) memories of Vermoim... Famalicão.

​Gerês

 
Gerês is the name of the National Park, created in 1971, in the northernmost area of Portugal, by the Spanish border.

It spreads over four mountains, and three rivers, with several beautiful dams, and houses several species of animals and plants, some of them difficult to see out of the park. 

The town of Gerês, has a Spa and, well located to access the park, is a good start or ending point for the visit, housing several hostels and restaurants. 

Guimarães



​UNESCO world heritage, Guimarães is a not to be missed city, where you may catch the essential in a day, or stay longer browsing the interesting details, or travelling around, living the welcoming area.

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