This was my absolute favorite vacation activity from 2023.
Hands down.
No contest.
I mean, LOOK at that view! 👀
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How did you get there!?
The National Park is about 2 hours outside of Porto itself!
The Land Rover (pictured above) picked us up! I was asked for details of where we were staying in Porto, and that morning, I was given a time to be outside, and they came right to us. It made things easy that morning. 🚙
I am the absolute WORST at remembering names, so I can't remember the name of our tour guide, but here's the group of lovely ladies I hiked with that day! 👯♀️
Before you run and book this tour, be warned: this was no easy hike. From the very beginning, we started with several uphill climbs. Jumped right into it. No warmup. 🥵
I was honestly a little worried at first that I was going to die, but thankfully, my body adjusted, and I was able to keep up. I would have been beyond embarrassed otherwise! 🙈
You walk through foliage, over rocks, and uneven terrain. Therefore, I highly recommend wearing lightweight hiking pants to protect your legs. My gear consisted of a towel, sun hat, long-sleeve bathing suit, sunscreen, bug spray, water bottle, camera, lightweight no-sock barefoot shoes, and easy trail food. Disclaimer: Links provided are associated with my Amazon Affiliates Account.
My main focus of the day, of course, being to avoid getting sunburned! ☀️
During the hike, we were brought to two separate lagoons where we could swim. I can't express how unique this experience was. The water was briskly cold, with a crystalline clarity. ✨💧
Thankfully, it was May, so the weather was warm enough. 🔥
Our guide even brought an underwater camera and took fun photos (like the one posted above)! 📸
We would take a dip, leisurely swim, and then dry off before resuming our journey. 🏊♀️
Click to view slideshow ⬇️
If you're a plant person like me, there are plenty of opportunities to photograph and appreciate nature's beauty. 🌿
If you keep an eye out, you can even see a Quercus suber or more commonly known: "cork oak!" 🌳
Portugal is the largest producer of cork in the world, the trade covering over 60% of all exports. The tree is one of the most common species and native to Alentejo. An estimated 40 million cork wine stoppers are harvested a day! 🍾
If you look closely, you might even spot some of the wildlife. 🐜
That definitely was a nope rope pictured above. 🐍
We stayed far away. 🙅♀️
Click to view slideshow ⬇️
Now, I bet you thought it was just a hike! 🥾
Not quite!
One really cool feature of this adventure was lunch and a tour of the nearby village of Fafião. The company is working with the village to both educate the public and preserve their way of life. Bringing the village into the future, but also keeping traditions and preserving their culture. It's quite beautiful. 🥰
I mean, just look at this church. It's witnessed countless generations pass through its doors.
The walls full of forgotten tales. ⛪
History untold. 📜
Click to view slideshow ⬇️
A unique gesture by the company to aid the village is their efforts to reforest the surrounding areas. We were even encouraged to participate by watering all of the plants you see above! 💧
It's little touches like this that made the tour extra special. 🌳
Click to view slideshow ⬇️
Lunch was quite the treat!
Traditional Portugese fair at the Restaurante Fojo dos Lobos. 🍽️
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We were even treated to a small tour and educational opportunity at the local museum. Seen above are all locals from the area. The lady in black, in the middle, being the current village elder. 👵
Click to view slideshow ⬇️
The last stop of our tour was the village's olive oil production center. I find such beauty in continuing and honoring traditions such as this. 🫒
Love that they still uphold these methods of old.
Then we were back and heading towards our last lagoon and waterfall! 😍
If you couldn't tell... I was having the time of my life. 😁
On the return trip home, we stopped at this scenic spot. 📸
Our guide even insisted we climb up on the Land Rover and take a photo. 😆
So, what are you waiting for❓
Start planning your trip now! 👏
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Life is short. Live it well.
Yours truly, Allie
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