Take a tour of the historical villages of Centro de Portugal and see the numerous castles and fortifications, that look out towards the horizon.

Start off at Linhares, considered to be the home of paragliding in Portugal. Situated in the Serra da Estrela, with the highest mountain in mainland Portugal (1,993 metres), the beautiful landscape spreads into the distance and disappears from sight.

Next, head on to Almeida, stopping at the Solar do Queijo, in Celorico da Beira, to taste (and retaste) the famous goat’s cheese known as Queijo da Serra. In the village of Almeida, you will discover one of Portugal’s most interesting fortresses.

Further south is the medieval town of Belmonte. The discoverer of Brazil, Pedro Álvares Cabral, was born here in 1500. The town has successfully preserved many of its Jewish traits, and is also home to the Pousada de Belmonte, an old monastery that has been newly restored, where you can enjoy the delicious local cuisine.

Carry on to Sortelha, a village which is ringed by 12th-century walls and which seems to rise naturally out of the granite rocks on which it was built.