Amares

In the heart of the green and fertile province of Minho, in the district of Braga, the council of Amares has an area of 82 km2 that stretches from the of the Serra do Gerês, until the a confluence of the rivers Homem and Cávado.

The region is surrounded by the crystalline waters of the two rivers.The green of the landscape, the rivers and the bridges, the manor houses and monuments, the gastronomy and the wines, the town festivities and celebrations, the customs and traditions, are the necessary ingredients for an excelent holiday.

The assorted menu of the restaurant will introduce you to the typical gastronomy of Braga region. We suggest you taste the gorgeous traditional Minho dishes. To enhance this delicious suggestion, nothing better than an excellent portuguese wine (vinho verde of one of the Douro wines and more.). To finish it, have a good brandy at the bar.
Our suggestions: "caldo verde" (traditional northern cabbage soup), codfish, roasted yearling goat and "rojões à minhota" (Minho-style spiced fried pork) and more.

The Vinho Verde, peculiar to this area, is an unique product in the entire world with a blending of aroma and petillance that makes it one of the most delicious natural beverages!

Minho also boasts the only National Park in Portugal with international status. Here there are the traditional hill farms and way of life. The cattle live under the houses and those which do go out grazing have to be indoors each night because of the Iberian wolf.

Braga has always been an important centre for culture, commerce and religion. The Romans dedicated it to the Emperor and called it Bracara Augusta and in 216 CE made Braga the headquarters for the province of Galicia.

Other places of interes:
- Spas and Parque Nacional da Peneda Gerês
- Cathedral of Braga and sanctuaries of Bom Jesus and Sameiro
- Dams of Caniçada and Vilarinho das Furnas
- Sanctuary of Nossa Sra. da Abadia
- Typical village of Sta Isabel do Monte
- Monastery of Rendufe
- Roman Road

Visit also:
http://www.eb23-amares.rcts.pt/localiz.htm (Portuguese)
http://viajar.clix.pt/pt/dst2003.php (English)