DISCOVER THE CITY OF GIL EANNES

Description

• The main characteristic of Viana do Castelo is its understanding of the sea, mountain, river, and city elements as essential aspects of the landscape, which provides its residents visitors with a remarkable quality of life.
• In recent years, and because of its strong connection with the sea, Viana do Castelo has increasingly asserted itself as a nautical city of the Atlantic, developing various initiatives linked to nautical activities, tourism, education, and cultural and environmental heritage.
• Thus, the Gil Eannes Foundation, in partnership with the "Friends of the Sea Association," "Irmãos Portela Boats," "Viv'Experiência," "Fábrica do Chocolate Hotel," and "Casa de Pasto Maria de Perre" and "Tasquinha da Linda" restaurants, has developed a two-day tourist program. This has allowed visitors to experience a connection with the sea and rivers to know the importance of the cultural and historical heritage of the city through kayaking, diving baptisms, or even surfing lessons, and through the visit to the Gil Eannes Hospital Ship. Open to the public since 1998, this Museum Ship is a living symbol of Viana do Castelo shipbuilding industry and its support to the cod fishing fleet.
• Participants will also have the opportunity to visit the Interactive Chocolate Museum and stay in the old Avianense Chocolate Factory, transformed into a theme hotel, and open to the public since 2014. During the two-day trip and at lunch, everyone will have the chance to taste the regional dishes at two distinct restaurants, well known for promoting traditional cuisine. One is in an old fishing warehouse in Tasquinha da Linda, specialized in seafood and always-fresh fish that comes directly from the fishing port. The other is Casa de Pasto Maria de Pessoa restaurant, a typical house of Miño with a rustic style decoration that has a specific menu of traditional Portuguese cuisine, especially from Miño.

Itinerary

Viana do Castelo. Casco antiguo; Viana do Castelo. Centros náuticos

Includes

• Lifejackets for the boat trip and the necessary equipment for water activities
• Visit the Gil Eannes Museum, with the possibility of an audio guide
• Boat trip across the Lima River
• Diving baptism, kayak trip, or surfing lesson
• Two meals at two different restaurants
• One night with breakfast at Fábrica de Chocolate* Hotel or Casa Melo Alvim Hotel
• Visit the Interactive Museum of Chocolate* (only if the accommodation is at the Fábrica de Chocolate Hotel).
• Personal accident and liability insurance.

Does not include

Everything that was not specified in the itinerary and in the section called "The price includes"

Recommendations

• A minimum of 4 adults and a maximum of 10 people
• One week in advance pre-booking
• Guided tours for a minimum of 10 participants
• Comfortable shoes, clothing appropriate to the time of year, and sunscreen