FEIRA DO FUMEIRO DE VINHAIS
Personal expenses.
Tourist circuit with all the visits mentioned;
1 night's accommodation in a hotel;
1 breakfast and 3 meals included;
Travel insurance;
Hotel and tourism taxes.
Vinhais is located in the far northeast of Portugal, in the heart of the Montesinho Natural Park. Known as the 'Capital of Smoked Meats', this town in the Bragança district offers a privileged location amidst mountain landscapes and unique biodiversity, making it a must-see in the Trás-os-Montes region.
The Vinhais Smoked Meat Fair, which takes place every year in February, is visited by thousands of people. Held annually since 1981, this fair celebrates the ancestral art of making sausages. The heart of the festival is the meat of the Bísaro pig, an autochthonous breed of the region. These animals are raised outdoors and fed naturally (on chestnuts and cereals), which gives the meat and sausages an unmistakable flavor and texture, very different from industrial smoked meats. Some of the excellent products with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) are salpicão (a type of cured sausage), alheira (a type of sausage made with black pudding), and butelo (a type of sausage made with butelo).
Beyond the sale of artisanal sausages, the fair is a cultural hub that attracts thousands of visitors with typical food stalls, craft exhibitions, concerts, and the traditional bullfights, representing the central pillar of the economy and identity of the Trás-os-Montes region.
BRAGANÇA
Bragança is a destination where time seems to dictate its own rhythm, balancing a preserved medieval heritage with the vitality of a modern city. Perched on a plateau, the city offers a deep dive into the roots of Portuguese identity.
The city's sentinel, Bragança Castle, is one of the most impressive and well-preserved examples of military architecture in Portugal. Located within the medieval Citadel, it stands out for its imposing Keep, which today houses a military museum. From the top of its walls, it is possible to contemplate an unforgettable panoramic view over the city and the mountains of the Montesinho Natural Park.
Right next door, in the heart of the historic area, the Museum of Masks and Costumes celebrates the most mystical and ancestral side of the region. This space is dedicated to the "Winter Festivals" and the rituals of the Caretos — colorful and enigmatic figures that roam the villages of Trás-os-Montes. The museum displays a vast collection of masks made of wood, brass, and leather, as well as traditional costumes, preserving a unique cultural heritage that blends pagan and religious influences.
VINHAIS BIOLOGICAL PARK
The Vinhais Biological Park is a nature refuge dedicated to the conservation of the fauna and flora of Trás-os-Montes. Located within the Montesinho Natural Park, it is a reference center for biodiversity conservation and the promotion of ecotourism in Northern Portugal. This unique space allows visitors to observe up close around 30 species of animals, including wildlife such as the Iberian wolf, deer and wild boar, as well as native domestic breeds such as the Bísaro pig and the Mirandese donkey.
RIO DE ONOR
Rio de Onor is one of the "7 Wonders of Portugal" and a rare case of the survival of ancestral traditions. This community village is crossed by the border with Spain, dividing it into "Rio de Onor" (Portuguese side) and "Rihonor de Castilla" (Spanish side) — but its inhabitants live as if it were a single village, sharing bread ovens, mills, and even their own dialect, Rionorês. With its typical schist houses and wooden balconies, the village offers an idyllic setting next to the Onor River, preserving a unique spirit of mutual help that attracts visitors from all over the world.
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