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Historic Villages of Ribacoa
Itinerary: Almeida | Castelo Rodrigo | Ciudad Rodrigo | La Alberca | Castelo Mendo | Vilar Formoso
The Historic Villages of Ribacoa itinerary takes travelers on an immersive journey through the border region, where each location holds centuries of history and significant episodes in the formation of Portugal. Exploring medieval villages and recalling important moments in world history, this itinerary offers a unique perspective on the Ribacoa territory, where military history, border life, and local traditions intertwine in a rich and memorable cultural journey.
PROGRAM:
Day 1: Almeida | Castelo Rodrigo
Morning: Departure from the places of origin. Lunch at a local restaurant .
Afternoon: Discover Almeida , known for its impressive 17th-century star-shaped fortress. Visit the historic center, including Casa da Roda , a former institution for abandoned children; the Almeida Military History Museum , dedicated to the Napoleonic invasions and the defense of the border; and the Solar São João House Museum , a sunny building that preserves environments and objects representative of local life. Continue to Castelo Rodrigo , strolling through the medieval historic center, highlighting the ruins of the former palace of Cristóvão de Moura and vestiges of the old walls.
It will be: Return to Almeida. Dinner at a local restaurant and accommodation at the Hotel Fortaleza de Almeida 4*.
Day 2: Ciudad Rodrigo | La Alberca
Morning: Visit to Ciudad Rodrigo (Spain), a historic fortified city of medieval origin. Discover its historic center, highlighting the Plaza Mayor; the Palacio de los Águilas , an example of Renaissance civil architecture; the Cathedral of Santa María , begun in the 12th century and enriched with Gothic and Renaissance elements; and the ancient walls that surround the city. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continuation of the journey to La Alberca , considered one of the most characteristic villages of Castile and León. Visit to the Masaveu Art Foundation , an artistic and cultural institution. Stroll through the historic center, marked by traditional wooden and stone houses, flowered balconies, and narrow streets. Highlights include the Plaza Mayor, the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción , and the La Alberca House Museum , which recreates the atmosphere of a traditional dwelling in the region.
It will be: Return to Almeida. Dinner at a local restaurant and accommodation at the Hotel Fortaleza de Almeida 4*.
Day 3: Castelo Mendo | Vilar Formoso
Morning: Departure for Castelo Mendo . Stroll through its medieval walled center, characterized by narrow streets, stone houses, and important vestiges of its defensive past. Continue to Vilar Formoso , a border town marked by the intense railway traffic of the 20th century. Visit the Aristides de Sousa Mendes Museum , dedicated to the Portuguese diplomat who saved thousands of refugees during the Second World War, and the Vilar Formoso Railway Station , known for its tile panels depicting scenes of rural life and the history of the region. Lunch at Quinta do Prado.
Afternoon: Return to the places of origin.
Guide: Professor Dr. Augusto Moutinho Borges
Doctor of History of Health Sciences, UNL, Master in Heritage and Tourism, UMinho, and Bachelor in Historical Sciences, UPortucalense. Academician of the Portuguese Academy of History-MC, Full Member of the Plenary and Scientific Council of the Portuguese Commission of Military History-MD, Delegate in Riba Côa of the Historical Society of the Independence of Portugal. Historian, Researcher and Professor, he is the author of 33 books, some of which have won awards, 190 scientific articles, 200 lectures and has participated in 230 congresses and colloquia.
He was instrumental in the creation of the Historical Villages of Portugal project and designed 14 stamps about castles and fortresses in Portugal. He is the author of two magazines about Portuguese heritage, * Viagem por castelos de Portugal * (2015) and * Viagem por Vilas e Aldeias Históricas de Portugal * (2025), with *Viagem por fortalezas de Portugal * (2026) currently in preparation . Associated with these magazines are his latest books, published by CTT, * Castelos e fortalezas da raia luso-espanhola * (2023) and *Castelos e Fortalezas do litoral * (2025), which are reference works for anyone wishing to learn about our heritage.
His extensive editorial experience, combined with his scientific knowledge of topics related to our culture, heritage, and identity, allows him to develop author-led tours that are of great interest to the general public and to anyone who wants to learn about the territory where we live.
DEPARTURE LOCATIONS:
Oeiras | AERLIS | 06:10 |
Seven Rivers | Bus Corridor (Zoo) | 6:30 AM |
Coimbra | Coimbra Forum | 10:00 |
Extra stops are possible along the A1 route to Coimbra, subject to availability.
PRICE PER PERSON:
In a double room: 2 people, double bed | 595 € |
In a twin room: 2 people, separate beds. | 595 € |
In a single room: 1 person | 675 € |
Deposit: €100
Reservations accepted up to 30 days before departure.
The prices shown include:
Tour by tourist bus.
5 meals with a full menu (Starters or Soup, Main Course, Dessert, Coffee, Wine and Water with meals. Some restaurants offer juices and soft drinks as part of the menu).
Guide by Professor Dr. Augusto Moutinho Borges.
Local guides for visits and activities.
All the entrances and visits mentioned in the program.
Accommodation in a 4* or 3* hotel with breakfast.
Liability and personal accident insurance.
PLACES ON THE BUS:
Seats on the bus are pre-assigned based on the order of boarding and the seniority of the sign.
PACE: Medium
To participate in this itinerary, you must:
Feel comfortable with several days of visits and an itinerary that alternates between bus journeys and short walks through the villages visited.
To be able to keep up with a group at an average walking pace on sometimes uneven terrain and occasional stairs.
Being able to follow a moderate-paced program, which may involve getting up early for several days and only arriving at the hotel at the end of the day to have dinner and rest.
Feel comfortable following a guide and respecting all instructions given.
Tolerate some temperature changes and unstable weather.
ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation provided at the Hotel Fortaleza de Almeida 4* or similar with breakfast.
If, for reasons beyond our control, accommodation is not possible at the indicated hotels, the alternative accommodation will always be of a similar category, although the services offered by each hotel may vary.
NOT TO BE MISSED
Explore the Almeida fortress , one of the most impressive examples of bastioned military architecture in Europe.
Explore Castelo Rodrigo , with the ruins of Cristóvão de Moura's palace and breathtaking views over the border landscape.
Discover Ciudad Rodrigo , with its historic cathedral and walls that bear witness to centuries of border conflicts.
Be enchanted by La Alberca , one of the most picturesque villages in Spain, with traditional houses and an authentic atmosphere.
Visit the Aristides de Sousa Mendes Museum in Vilar Formoso and discover one of the most remarkable stories of the Second World War.
