With a view over Sertã’s riverside gardens, the Convento da Sertã Hotel is a 17th century monastery lovingly transformed into a 4-star boutique hotel. The celebrated regional buffet breakfast is served in the beautiful cloister and at dinner guests can enjoy local specialities such as Maranho and Bucho in the emblematic Ponte Velha and Santo Amaro restaurants. Ponte Velha e Santo Amaro.

Walking route PR2 (PR2)will take you along an old cobbled path down to the early 17th century Philippine bridge, which until 1954 was the only link between villages on either side of the river Zêzere. This route has stunning views along the river valley and several picnic spots along the way. The path continues to a tunnel, dating from 1918, built to transport water to the Moinho das Freiras mill in the valley below.

One of the largest of its kind in Portugal, the Cabril Dam was constructed in the 1950s to generate electricity and provide a store of water. Nowadays the reservoir has become an impressive leisure area and focus for active tourism.

This village, consisting of little more than one street, runs along the crest of one of the quartzite crystal flanks that form the Fragas de São Simão river gorge. Casal de São Simão boasts a spring-water drinking fountain, a chapel, a restaurant and one of the Schist Village Network shops selling local crafts. Lunch in the Varanda do Casal restaurant is a delicious mix of sophistication and traditional cuisine, with a nod to the olden days. Relax on the terrace and enjoy the best flavours of the region. The river beach is a 15 minute walk away. Nestled between the two imposing crags of the gorge and shaded by cork oaks and fragrant bay laurel, this is a magical place. Enjoy the waters or try rock-climbing, rappel or slide or a stroll along the wooden footbridges and walkways.

Eat lunch in Sertã and taste some of these wonderful regional dishes: Maranho is a delicacy that has been enjoyed here for more than 200 years, first appearing around the period of the French invasions. Bucho Recheado originated in the Alentejo, the recipe was brought back to this region by the seasonal workers who travelled there for the annual harvests. The skill and knowhow of an exceptional cook lie behind the 40 year-old recipe for Dona Helena’s Fish Soup, one of the signature dishes of the Ponte Velha and Santo Amaro restaurants. Dating back to the end of the 19th century, but with mysterious origins, Cernache do Bonjardim’s Cartuchos de Amêndoa are a must for anyone with a sweet tooth.

The village of Dornes, in the district of Ferreira do Zêzere, has been called the Enchanted Village or the Mythic Village of the Templars. On the top of a peninsula surrounded by the waters of the Zêzere River, the village is crowned by a pentagonal defensive tower built by the Templars - the only one of its kind in Portugal. This is an ideal spot for walking and boat rides all year round and for bathing and water sports during the summer

In this village, in the district of Vila de Rei, you can see the vestiges of ancient traditions, such as the wood-fired bread ovens and the use of water-power in the old mills. The name Água Formosa (fabulous water) owes itself to the source of pure spring water that still flows from a grotto just outside the village.

NNo concelho de Vila de Rei, os Passadiços do Penedo Furado unem a premiada Praia Fluvial do Penedo Furado a um dos segredos mais bem guardados do Centro de Portugal, a Penedo Furado Waterfall. Ideal para uns belos e longos mergulhos. Os novos passadiços que vão da praia até à cascata têm uma extensão de apenas 700 metros (1,4 km ida e volta). Logo, o percurso não demora mais do que uns 20 minutos a realizar, o que faz dele um passeio perfeito para toda a família.

Just outside the town of Vila de Rei is the Picoto da Melriça, a peak where a geodesic pillar was erected in 1802, marking the centre of Portugal. The spectacular 180-degree view is really not to be missed. A litle further on you will find the Trízio river beach, where you can swim in the Zêzere River, hire boats and enjoy a variety of water sports such as canoeing, water-skiing and wakeboard.

The Açude Pinto and Cambas river beaches have everything you need to make the most of the hot summer days! Have lunch at the Adega dos Apalaches and try the famous cabrito estonado (roast kid). This is a traditional Portuguese delicacy linked to ancient traditions.

Visite a encantadora aldeia de Álvaro. É em pleno Geopark Naturtejo que se esconde um dos mais recentes passadiços de Portugal. Aqui pode conhecer uma série de geomonumentos classificados pela UNESCO, como também a Cascata da Fraga da Água d'Alta e o Cabeço do Mosqueiro.

For most people, luxury accommodation suggests something very modern, with a restricted and selective ambience and a swimming pool. For Ana and António, biologists from Lisbon who fell in love with rural life and are now the owners of the Casa da Cisterna guesthouse, luxury is something more down-to-earth: in the beautiful fortified village of Castelo Rodrigo the walls carry centuries of history and are open for whoever wishes to enter. This rural guesthouse has a special character, sophistication and good taste are happily combined and every detail is important.

Aldeia Histórica de Monsanto: A caminho da Casa Cisterna visite o ícone turístico da região, Monsanto que foi considerada em 1938 a Aldeia Mais Portuguesa de Portugal e em 1995 Aldeia Histórica. Situa-se a nordeste das Terras de Idanha. Aqui existem lugares antigos com presença humana desde o paleolítico. Castelo Bom e Almeida (Aldeias Históricas)

Aldeia Histórica de Monsanto: A caminho da Casa Cisterna visite o ícone turístico da região, Monsanto que foi considerada em 1938 a Aldeia Mais Portuguesa de Portugal e em 1995 Aldeia Histórica. Situa-se a nordeste das Terras de Idanha. Aqui existem lugares antigos com presença humana desde o paleolítico. Castelo Bom e Almeida (Aldeias Históricas)

Castelo Rodrigo is a stately location with important medieval ties. Highlights are the old walls, the ruins of the palace of Cristóvão de Moura, the 500 year old pillory and the remains of an early-Christian community.

The Côa Park Foundation was created in 2011 to safeguard and enhance the Vale de Côa Archeological Park and Museum. Its aims are the protection, conservation, promotion and investigation of the prehistoric art found here. The Côa Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be one of the most important open-air Palaeolithic rock art sites. Like a vast gallery, Côa Valley has more than 20km of Palaeolithic engravings, dating back 25.000 years.

In the early 1990s, during the initial construction of the Côa dam, the archaeologist Nelson Rebanda identified the first engraved rock at the site. Fortunately the site was preserved from flooding and is now a record of our distant past. The best way to see the rock carvings is to visit in the evening and use torchlight.

In the Faia Brava Reserve, nature is given the highest value: there are more than 100 hectares exclusively dedicated to conservation. Activities focus on ecological restoration through improving habitats, increasing food sources of the most endangered species and managing the forest.

Torre de Moncorvo is a town with a surprising diversity of heritage: architectural, archaeological, natural, geological and industrial. The Douro International Natural Park is one of the most stunning nature areas, not only in Portugal but in all of Europe.

Desfrute de um passeio de barco num surpreendente espaço do Rio Douro. Aqui irá avistar vinhas em socalcos até ao rio, edifícios centenários de quintas vinhateiras, tudo enquadrado por uma paisagem única considerada Património Mundial pela UNESCO. Nas margens do Lima desagua-se numa casa, uma casa de família, senhorial, que conta uma história de tradição e cultura. Envolvidos pelos campos, entramos e vivemos pelos séculos. Do século XVI até aos nossos tempos procuramos oferecer momentos de tranquilidade, romance, história, charme e natureza.