To many people the Minho is the most beautiful part of Portugal. With its green valleys, terraced vines and wooded hills and miles and miles of beautiful, virtually unspoilt beaches, it is easy to see why. >From the rugged mountainous country to the east of the region, where the hills rise as high as 1200m, the four rivers of the Minho, Douro, Lima and Cavado run down to the sea. The countryside is fresh and lovely, the hills clad in pine and eucalyptus. The river valleys are enchanting.

The area is full of history, with many Celtic sites. The most notable of these and perhaps the most exciting archaeological sites in Portugal, is the hilltop village of Citânia de Briteiros. The Romans, when they came to Portugal, thought that the river Lima was so beautiful that they had discovered the mythical river of Lethe.

The Crusade to recover Portugal from the Moors began in the north of Portugal. These successive waves of conquest have left a rich architectural patrimony. The wars with Spain have also left this part of Portugal with many good examples of military architecture. Braga is the ecclesiastical capital of Portugal but in any case the area is rich in church and monastic buildings.

The Minho still retains its traditions and old ways of life. It is still an everyday occurrence to see small haycarts being pulled by bullocks or mules. Tradition also comes to the fore in the carnivals and fairs. Notable examples of these are the celebrations of Easter at Braga, the Romaria in Viano do Castelo at the end of August and the new fairs at Ponte de Lima in the second and third weeks of September.

The beaches of the Minho are beautiful. The coastline is relatively untouched and you do not have to go far to find beaches that are uncrowded, if not empty. A good way to explore the coast is to start at the charming resort of Viana do Castelo, which is at the mouth of the river Lima, and take the coast road or railway north stopping off at little villages like Afife or Vila Praia de Ancora. Carry on up to the charming riverside town of Caminha, where you can catch a ferry across the river Minho to the Spanish side and Galicia.

Another way to explore the Minho is to take the road from Viana do Castelo, which follows the beautiful river Lima to the charming town of Ponte de Lima. The town's Monday market held twice a month is reputed to be Portugal's oldest and probably predates its charter of 1125. Carry on east taking in the town of Bravães and its church with beautifully carved nave and doorways. The road takes you past Barca, a pretty old town with a 16th century bridge, and on to the Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês.

Several houses are around the eastern stretches of the rivers Ave, Cavado and Tamega, and near to the National Park. You can follow the river Tamega through Amarante where the wooden balconies of the old houses lean out over the water, and onto the attractive village of Celorico de Basto.

The Park is a paradise for walking with some fine trails that have been marked out which take you past delightful little villages. Indeed many other parts of the Minho are attractive to walkers. Wine lovers will also enjoy exploring the vineyards of the Vinhos Verde's effervescent wines especially enjoyable with shellfish. A trip to Oporto is also worthwhile to visit the wine lodges and to explore the famous port vineyards of the river Douro - such as Dow's, Warre's and Noval.