This guide was created for Carvalha House's preferred target audience - couples and adults looking for a haven from the hustle and bustle of life. silence, authenticity and tranquillity, The proposal is to transform Christmas into the Upper Minho in an experience slow, where the coziness of the house and the preserved nature complement the cultural magic of the region, avoiding “mass tourism”.

Winter Guide: The Magical Silence of Christmas in Vale do Vez

Carvalha House - Find your calm in the north of Portugal.

Winter is the perfect season to enjoy warm hospitality and simple comfort that Carvalha House offers. While the cities buzz with activity, the Vez River Valley, between Arcos de Valdevez and Ponte da Barca, retains its status as a nature refuge.This guide invites you to experience a Christmas where physical and mental rest is the priority.

I. Your Private Winter Retreat

The ideal Christmas experience for slow traveler begins and ends at Carvalha House, a rural accommodation boutique. Here, the focus is on intimate and private comfort, far from impersonal lodgings.

1. Seasonal Cozy Packages

Take advantage of the low season (November to February) to enjoy offers that celebrate tranquillity:

• Fireplace & Wine Weekend or Romantic Winter Escape: These seasonal packages have been designed for couples who value cooking, being together and by the fire and enjoy the Green Wine.
• Writers & Creators Retreat: Ideal for urban professionals looking for absolute rest and the opportunity to “completely disconnect from routine”.

2. Comfortable dining

Christmas in the Alto Minho is synonymous with intense flavors.

• Breakfast and local meals: Take advantage of the local breakfast optional e meals upon reservation in the house.
• Flavors of the Season: Although the Arroz de Sarrabulho Gastronomic Weekend takes place in January, you can indulge in the rich, warm dishes of the region's gastronomy, such as the Arcos Style Stew and the Rojões & Papas de Sarrabulho.

Traditional sweets: Try the Arcos sweets and traditional sweets, perfect to accompany the colder evenings.

II. Slow Magic: The Christmas Atmosphere in Alto Minho

Although Carvalha House favors silence, its proximity to historic villages allows you to enjoy the festive atmosphere without succumbing to the noise.

1. visual and craft experiences

We advise you to visit the town centers at off-peak times, focusing on the the beauty of lights, art and local products, and not in large crowds or noisy events.

• Christmas magic in Arcos de Valdevez: Arcos de Valdevez hosts the program “Arcos de Valdevez ‘Christmas Magic’”. Look for Christmas Market to find local products. You can also visit the “Enchanted Forest“, an event that lasts for much of the winter season. The municipality promotes specific routes for the Winter arches.
• Christmas Village in Ponte de Lima: Portugal's oldest town is transformed into a “magical setting” with the NaTal Vila. Enjoy the lights and “snow falling” on a peaceful stroll through the center, which runs from December 1 to 31.
• Christmas in Coura: Paredes de Coura celebrates CHRISTMAS IN COURA, which includes a Christmas market, Art in Pieces“ and the ”Enchanted Christmas Tent“.

2. Nature in Winter Mode

Winter is ideal for slow walks and quiet, especially for nature and hiking lovers.

• Silent walks on the River Vez: Carvalha House is next to the River Vez promenade, allowing you to hike or stroll around the Ecovias and Trilhos do Vez at a time when traffic is low.
• Landscape of the PNPG: O Peneda-Gerês National Park (PNPG) and Mezio Gate keep their natural resources unparalleled, offering serene landscapes, far from the hustle and bustle of summer.
• Reflective Wine Tourism: Although the event Praising the Seed (a route of flavors that promotes Vinho Verde) ends at the end of November in Ponte de Lima, the experience of Wine tourism can be experienced in an intimate way, enjoying the Green Wines by the fireplace.

III. What to Avoid to Maintain Peace of Mind

In line with Carvalha House's positioning of avoid noise and mass tourism, caution is advised in relation to:

• Activities for children: Avoid activities specifically designed for children (such as those mentioned in the “Christmas Magic” program in Arcos de Valdevez), which can generate more noise and commotion.
• Great Mass Attractions: A Ferris wheel over 30 meters long in Ponte da Barca, although a novelty, could be a source of greater agitation and noise, which goes against the principle of the absolute rest.
• Events during peak periods: Visit the lights and markets outside of the busiest times (late afternoons and weekends before Christmas).