Visit the Minho, experience the festivals and celebrations of summer, discover its age-old customs.

A great way to learn about the traditions of this region is through the handicrafts, artisans and workshops of the Alto Minho. Take a close look at how the rich festival costumes and coloured embroidery of Viana (incorporating gold and filigree) are made. And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the strange but entrancing clay figures of Galegos - Santa Maria (Barcelos).

Try the slightly sparkling ‘vinhos verde’ wines, which is made only in this region and is an ideal accompaniment to fish and shellfish.

Visit Monção and Melgaço, where the most famous example of Portuguese ‘vinho verde’, or Alvarinho, is produced.

The great Minho contribution to the national cuisine is Caldo Verde soup. It remains popular to this day, containing a mixture of corn bread, smoked sausages, Portuguese ‘bacalhau’ cod, lamprey, trout, and shad –cooked in several different ways.

If you like good meat, try the unusual Minho pork speciality ‘sarrabulho’ or the crackling pork of ‘rojões’. Alternatively sample a leg of pork ‘à Clara Penha’ style, Serra goat, or the young goat stew of Gerês. Good food, good wine, good memories.