Serra da Lousa mountain A trip in the center of Portugal in the slate villages

Serra da Lousa mountain A trip in the center of Portugal

Let me tell you about our last family trip, which decided to break free from the chewed and familiar tourist route. We settled in Coimbra and the natural choice for us was the Lousã mountain area.

The slate villages, hidden among the forested mountain slopes with thick vegetation, are like a well-kept secret. Their pleasant and friendly residents are happy to share all the secrets of the place with their guests.

We took a guided tour in an SUV with a charming guide named Paolo, who proved to be knowledgeable and articulate. He took us on a fascinating journey between four slate villages of the Laos mountains. Already on the way we realized that we were about to experience something special on a trip to the center of Portugal in the slate villages.

Serra da Lousa mountain A trip in the center of Portugal

First stop was at Trevim, the highest point on Mt. Although we fell on a foggy day, we managed to get an impression of the electric turbines and the impressive height, which was a great vantage point.

From there we continued to Mount Santo António da Neve (Santo António da Neve) on a mountainous and green road. The sky started to clear and we looked for deer and elk.

We arrived at a unique building called Neveiros Reais, which was used as a kind of factory for artificial ice production and ice storage in the 18th century. When we thought the experience couldn't be more impressive, we arrived at the amazing village of Talasnal. There, time seemed to stand still.

Just when we thought it couldn't be more beautiful, we arrived at the breathtaking village of Talasnal (Lousã), where time really seems to stand still.

Many of the village houses were built of slate stones combined with pebbles of all kinds of sizes, some of them were carefully restored and rebuilt using traditional methods and materials.

The village is full of slate houses, some of which have been carefully restored using traditional methods and materials. We walked around the village in wonder, enjoying the vines that spread out in harmony and picking a sweet cluster of grapes.

In Aigra Nova, one of the slate villages in the heart of Serra de Lusa, we met the charming twin sisters Rachel and Katya. They welcomed us warmly and invited us to an amazing traditional lunch with recipes passed down from generation to generation.

After the meal, we joined the process of making corn and rye bread (broa) and goat cheese. We very patiently learned the secrets of making traditional bread and the steps involved. We rolled the dough and enjoyed the experience, and even the dough was covered with my husband's traditional jeans, who finished the important task with an impressive traditional skirt.

While the dough was rising, we made goat's milk cheese. We compressed the cheese to give it a symmetrical shape and a uniform texture, and enjoyed the spectacular view from the window.

While the cheese was being refrigerated, we continued to the Schist Traditions Eco Museum, where the traditional activities of the community are displayed. We learned how they lived and worked in the villages in the past, and we understood more about the cultural and natural heritage of the place.

At the end, the dough was ready for baking, and we moved excitedly to the kitchen where the stone oven was hot and ready. We learned to enrich the flavor of the bread with meats and toppings, and put the loaves in the oven.

When the boiling bread came out of the stone oven, the smell spread everywhere and the crisp sound was like music to our ears. The combination of the bread, cheeses, and butter in the hot kitchen with my family around me, was an exact summary of everything I love about the Portuguese tradition and people.

Nice to meet you, I'm Ilanit, owner of ILANITRAVEL, a Portugal travel specialist. I accompany families, couples, and individuals in planning their perfect vacation.

I entered the tourism industry out of my love for movement, new experiences, and getting to know cultures and people from around the world. I'm here to help you turn your dream into an unforgettable vacation.

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Come discover the magic of Portugal with me - from the stunning Douro vineyards, through Lisbon's enchanting sunsets, to the endless ocean beaches! 🌟

Ilanit