Portugal

To get a full refund, cancellation must be no less than 8 days before the local start time of the experience.

If traveler cancels their booking from 7 to 0 days before the local start time of the experience, no refund is provided.

This is an invitation to immerse yourself in the daily life of two schist villages nestled in the Lousã mountains in central Portugal, where community, nature, and tradition are deeply intertwined. 

After meeting in Coimbra, you'll drive towards Aigra Nova. Here you’ll be welcomed by locals who invite you to live as they do — walking ancient trails, and celebrating the rhythms of the seasons. You'll join a guided nature walk, witness the village’s relationship with the land, and experience a seasonal activity, whatever the village is engaged in at the time of your visit — a moment of cultural transmission. 

Lunch follows in a different schist village, a gastronomic experience led by a Michelin-recognized chef. Then you return to Coimbra passing by Lousã and its medieval castle from the eleven century nestled in the mountain.

This is a community-powered experience rooted in authenticity. Each element of the tour by Alexandra, a resident of Lousã with members of the community.

Through direct exchange with artisans, farmers, and cooks, you'll gain insight into the village's sustainable rural life and the resilience of mountain culture. The village adapts to nature's pace, and so does this experience — no two visits are ever the same.

Depending on the season, you may help distill água-ardente in a traditional copper alambique during the Waterfire ritual, or share roasted chestnuts and homemade jeropiga under autumn skies. You'll become a welcomed guest in the community and contribute to the village's living heritage through shared moments, stories, and hands-on traditions.
Lunch is its own moment — the result of a long collaboration Alexandra has built with a chef recommended by the Michelin Guide, with regional ingredients prepared at the highest level.

This experience is an invitation to connect, learn, and celebrate mountain life with the people who keep its traditions alive.

Comfortable, private transportation will pick you up from any point in Coimbra, taking you through scenic routes to the mountain village of Aigra Nova.

The journey offers a transition from urban landscapes to the tranquil beauty of central Portugal's mountains, setting the tone for the day's immersion.

Private transport from Coimbra to Aigra Nova in the Serra da Lousã.

Transport from Coimbra

Meet your local hosts and receive an overview of the village's efforts in cultural preservation and sustainable living.

Gain insight into the collaborative projects that have revitalized Aigra Nova, fostering a strong sense of community and purpose.

Introduction to Aigra Nova's history and community initiatives.

Village Welcome

Embark on a guided walk through the surrounding forests, discovering the region's rich biodiversity and conservation efforts.

Led by knowledgeable locals, the walk offers firsthand knowledge of the area's unique ecosystems and the community's role in their preservation.

Explore local trails and learn about native flora and fauna.

Guided Nature Hike

Engage in seasonal activities such as the Waterfire distillation or the Chestnut Festival, experiencing local customs firsthand.

These events offer a rare opportunity to partake in age-old traditions, deepening your understanding of the village's cultural heritage.

Participate in a traditional festival or ritual, depending on the season.

Seasonal Cultural Activity

A gastronimic experience led by a Michelin-recognized chef in another Schist village. This fosters connections over food.

This part of the experience is based on special access from Alexandra's connections. This is a unique way to experience the schist village.

Gastronomic experience in a schist village led by a Michelin recognized chef. 

Gastronomic Experience

Bid farewell to your hosts and embark on the return journey, reflecting on the day's experiences.

The departure marks the end of an immersive journey, leaving you with lasting memories and newfound connections.

Conclude your visit and return to Coimbra.

Farewell and Return Transport

On the way back to Coimbra, spot at Castelo da Lousã. Also known as Arouce Castle, it dates to the second half of the 11th century, when it formed part of the first defensive lines protecting Coimbra during the Christian Reconquista. Built from local schist and granite — the same stone that shaped the villages you've just visited — the castle was granted its charter by Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first king, in 1151, and is said to have been a summer retreat for Queen Mafalda. 

Now a National Monument, the castle sits perched on a hillside above the Arouce River, with views across the Lousã mountains.

It's a pefect break and viewpoint on your way back to Coimbra.

Visit to Castelo da Lousã - also known as Arouce Castle.

Visit to Castelo da Lousã

Day Trip from Coimbra near Porto to discover schist villages, mountain life and tradition in Lousã.

Applies when fewer than the minimum participants book.
This ensures the experience runs at its required minimum price.

Life in the Schist Villages

Guided village tour and nature walk through the Lousã mountains. 

Return private transportation from Coimbra.

Participation in seasonal cultural activities such as the Waterfire ritual or chestnut roasting or taking care of the tree nursery. 

Warm welcome and personal interaction with members of the village community.

Gastronomic Experience , in Cerdeira Schist Village, by a Chef recommended by Michelin Guide, 
(Drinks are excluded) 

Comprehensive insurance coverage for the full experience.

Comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain
Weather-appropriate clothing (layers recommended)
Reusable water bottle
Camera or smartphone for capturing the sights and people
An open mind and willingness to engage with local traditions

You will be picked up from your hotel in Coimbra - or from any point within Coimbra. After booking, chat with Alexandra to share your accommodation details.

If you are coming from Porto, it's an hour's journey by fast train.

Your host is a passionate advocate for sustainable and responsible tourism, with deep roots in storytelling, community engagement, and the preservation of cultural heritage. With a background in journalism and years of experience working with traditional Portuguese artisans and rural communities, they have dedicated their path to creating meaningful connections between travelers and the real Portugal — off the beaten track, slow-paced, and full of heart.

Partnering with a dedicated local association, formed by villagers committed to keeping their traditions alive, they work together to offer immersive, community-led experiences. The association plays a key role in safeguarding local knowledge, supporting biodiversity, and revitalizing the economy through sustainable tourism. Together, they create experiences that are not only enriching for travelers but also empowering for the people who call this place home.

Argentina

Buenos Aires

Tango tours in Buenos Aires explore milongas, live music, dance culture, and local traditions through performances and expert-led experiences.

Tango

Buenos Aires walking tours explore Recoleta, San Telmo, and La Boca through politics, architecture, street art, and local neighborhood history.

Walking

Buenos Aires wine tours exploring Argentine varietals, Malbec tastings, and sommelier-led experiences across urban cellars and curated wine bars.

Wine

Buenos Aires tours exploring tango culture, Peronist history, Recoleta Cemetery, and food traditions with historians, chefs, and private local guides.

Mendoza Tours

Mendoza day trips exploring Uco Valley vineyards, Andean landscapes, mountain estates, and wine experiences shaped by high-altitude terroir.

Day Trip

Gaucho

Mendoza wine tours exploring high-altitude vineyards, Malbec tastings, Uco Valley estates, and Andean terroir with winemakers and local producers.

Mendoza tours exploring high-altitude vineyards, gaucho traditions, and Andean landscapes with wine tastings, mountain asados, and local producers.

Mendoza

Argentina tours exploring Buenos Aires culture, Mendoza’s vineyards, and Patagonia with private experiences led by historians and winemakers.

shutterstock 2448944351 772768419233

Atacama

Atacama stargazing tours explore desert skies, constellations, and planets with astronomers through high-altitude observatories and night experiences.

Desert Stargazing

Atacama tours exploring salt lagoons, geysers, desert wetlands, and stargazing with photographers and field naturalists in the world’s driest desert.

Santiago Tours

Santiago walking tours exploring street art in Yungay, historic neighborhoods, mosaics, and local life beneath the Andes with expert guides.

Santiago wine tours exploring Maipo Valley vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon tastings, boutique wineries, and Andean terroir with local winemakers.

Private Santiago tours exploring markets, architecture, Chilean cuisine, and neighborhood life beneath the Andes with historians and local creatives.

Santiago

Valparaiso

Valparaiso day trips exploring Viña del Mar coast, Casablanca Valley vineyards, Pacific landscapes, and cultural escapes beyond the port city.

Valparaiso walking tours explore cerros, murals, hidden passages, historic bars, and local life shaped by artists, food, and port history daily.

Valparaiso wine tours exploring Casablanca Valley vineyards, cool-climate wines, coastal terroir, and tastings shaped by Pacific Ocean influence.

Valparaíso tours exploring steep cerros, street art, artists’ studios, and Pacific views with photographers, architects, and local residents.

Chile tours exploring Santiago’s life, Valparaíso’s artistic hills, and the Atacama Desert’s lagoons and night skies, with private guided experiences.

Torres del Paine Chile

Chile

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik walking tours exploring Old Town streets, local history, culinary traditions, nearby Trsteno gardens, and views along the Adriatic coast.

Dubrovnik tours exploring the walled Adriatic city through coastal walks, food traditions, island landscapes, and encounters with local families.

Istria

Istria day trips exploring Rovinj, Pula, and Motovun through truffle regions, coastal towns, vineyards, and hilltop villages across the peninsula.

Istria wine tours exploring Malvasia and Teran vineyards, hilltop wineries, truffle pairings, and Adriatic terroir across coastal and inland estates.

Istria tours exploring Rovinj, Pula, and Motovun through truffle hunts, Malvasia tastings, olive groves, and hilltop villages along the Adriatic coast

Croatia tours exploring Dubrovnik’s Adriatic coast, Istrian vineyards and truffle forests, and historic towns, with private guided experiences.

Croatia

France

Bordeaux walking tours exploring historic center streets, Atlantic trade history, Chartrons wine district, and Garonne quays shaped by wine culture.

Bordeaux wine tours exploring Médoc and Saint-Émilion estates, classified growths, cellar tastings, and terroir shaped by the Garonne and Dordogne.

Bordeaux tours exploring vineyards, historic quays, and classified estates with historians, winemakers, and chefs interpreting the region’s wine.

Bordeaux

Paris walking tours explore Le Marais, Père Lachaise, revolutionary history, and political stories that shaped the city’s past and present forever.

Paris wine tours exploring curated tastings, sommelier-led cellars, French regions, and wine culture through intimate bars and private dégustations.

Paris tours exploring art, literature, gastronomy, and political history with historians, chefs, and writers, with private guided experiences.

Paris

Explore Provence tours through Roman history, Cézanne’s landscapes, and Mediterranean terrain. Discover private guided cultural experiences.

Provence

France tours exploring Parisian art and gastronomy, Bordeaux wine estates, and regional culture with private experiences led by local guides.

Athens day trips exploring Delphi, Cape Sounion, and Peloponnesian sites through ancient ruins, coastal landscapes, and rich Greek heritage.

Athens walking tours exploring local markets, Greek cuisine, storytelling, and neighborhood life from Nea Smyrni to the city’s historic center.

Private Athens tours exploring the Acropolis, ancient markets, food traditions, and music culture with historians, archaeologists, and local experts.

Athens

Nafplio day trips exploring Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Peloponnesian landscapes through ancient archaeological sites, rural villages, and coastal life.

Nafplio walking tours exploring Venetian fortresses, neoclassical streets, seaside promenades, and Peloponnesian culture along the Argolic Gulf.

Nafplio wine tours exploring Peloponnesian vineyards, indigenous Greek varietals, seaside estates, and tastings shaped by Argolic Gulf terroir.

Nafplio tours exploring Venetian fortresses, Peloponnesian food traditions, honey producers, and ancient sites with craftsmen and local guides.

Nafplio

Santorini boat tours explore the caldera by sailboat, with volcanic beaches, hot springs, Thirassia, and sunset light across the Aegean Sea.

Boat

Santorini walking tours exploring Akrotiri ruins, volcanic landscapes, Megalochori village, vineyards, and local life shaped by the Aegean Sea.

Private Santorini tours exploring volcanic landscapes, vineyards, villages, and caldera while revealing the island beyond its most famous moments.

Santorini

Thessaloniki boat tours explore the Thermaic Gulf, coastal sailing, and lagoon landscapes with swimming stops, wildlife, and city views from sea.

Thessaloniki walking tours exploring Jewish heritage, synagogues, historic neighborhoods, and Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman layers across the city.

Thessaloniki tours exploring Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman layers across historic neighborhoods, churches, and markets along the Thermaic Gulf.

Thessaloniki

Greece tours exploring Athens’ ancient heritage, Santorini’s volcanic landscapes, and Peloponnesian traditions, with private guided experiences.

Greece

Florence walking tours explore Medici history, Renaissance art, Dante’s city, Oltrarno artisans, and streets shaped by power, memory, and craft.

Florence tours exploring Renaissance art, Medici history, and Oltrarno workshops with historians and artisans, with private experiences available.

Florence

Milan lake boat tours explore Lake Como and Lake Maggiore through private rides, lakeside towns, villas, gardens, and surrounding alpine landscapes.

Milan fashion tours explore design districts, ateliers, stylists, and Italian craftsmanship through experiences shaped by the city’s fashion culture.

Fashion

Italian Lakes tours from Milan explore Lake Como and Lake Maggiore through villas, gardens, boat rides, and landscapes shaped by northern Italy.

Lake

Milan walking tours exploring architecture, design, Navigli canals, Brera’s art scene, and historic sites across the city’s evolving neighborhoods.

Private Milan tours exploring fashion ateliers, architecture, design culture, and day trips to nearby lakes with local creatives and historians.

Milan

Naples walking tours exploring historic streets, local markets, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and daily life shaped by archaeology, and coastal views.

Naples tours exploring archaeology, markets, underground routes, and nearby Pompeii with historians, photographers, and private local guides.

Naples

Running tours in Rome explore dawn routes, ancient landmarks, and hidden neighborhoods through guided runs shaped by history and city life daily.

Running

Rome walking tours explore the Colosseum, Testaccio, Pigneto, and historic streets through guided routes shaped by architecture, food, and art.

Rome wine tours exploring Lazio vineyards, Frascati wines, countryside estates, and tastings shaped by volcanic soils and Roman traditions heritage.

Private Rome tours exploring the Colosseum, Vatican treasures, ancient roads, and hidden palaces with historians, chefs, and local artisans.

Rome

Alghero tours explore Bosa, Castelsardo, and Sardinia’s highlands. Private guided experiences with photography, nature, festivals, and local experts.

Alghero

Sardinia Blue Zone tours explore Ogliastra, Barbagia, and Gallura through shepherd life, village traditions, food, and longevity practices.

Blue Zone

Cagliari tours explore coastal landscapes, Sinis wetlands, and ancient sites. Private guided experiences with artisan workshops and local experts.

Cagliari

Sardinia hiking tours explore Supramonte, Gorropu Canyon, and coastal cliffs. Private guided hikes with shepherds, botanists, and local experts.

Hiking

Olbia tours explore Gallura, Supramonte, and Blue Zone villages. Private guided experiences with e-bike, 4x4, crafts, and local experts.

Olbia

Sardinia tours exploring Blue Zone villages, mountain landscapes, ancient traditions, and rare crafts across the island’s rugged terrain.

Sardinia

Catania tours explore Baroque streets and Mount Etna hikes, craters, and vineyards. Private guided experiences with volcano, wine, and nature experts.

Catania

Mount Etna tours explore volcanic landscapes, lava trails, and high-altitude terrain through guided hikes shaped by geology and Sicilian culture.

Mount Etna

Palermo tours explore Arab-Norman architecture, street life, and Marsala vineyards. Private guided experiences with historians and food experts.

Palermo

Syracuse tours explore Ortigia, Greek ruins, and Val di Noto Baroque towns. Private guided experiences across Siracusa, Noto, Ragusa, and Modica.

Syracuse

Taormina tours explore the Greek Theater, Mount Etna, and coastal villages. Private guided experiences with volcano hikes and local experts.

Taormina

Private Sicily tours exploring Etna’s slopes, Arab-Norman Palermo, baroque towns, and local food traditions with historians, chefs, and artisans.

Sicily

Trieste boat tours cross the gulf to Muggia, pairing sea views and maritime history with e-biking, vineyard visits, along the Adriatic coast.

Trieste day trips explore Karst landscapes, Muggia, vineyard routes, and heritage shaped by Adriatic views and traditions across the region.

Trieste tours exploring Habsburg architecture, coffee culture, and the Adriatic coastline where Latin, Slavic, and Central European traditions meet.

Trieste

Venice boat tours explore the lagoon through Murano, Burano, Torcello, and quiet waterways, revealing local craft, fishing, and island life.

Venice Carnival tours capture masks and costumes through photography-led experiences, with rare access, quiet locations, and atelier visits.

Carnival

Venice walking tours exploring Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, hidden canals, artisan workshops, and local life across the city’s quieter neighborhoods.

Private Venice tours exploring Murano glass studios, hidden islands, photography walks, and quiet routes beyond the city’s crowded canals.

Venice

Italy tours exploring Rome’s ancient monuments, Florence’s Renaissance art, Venice’s canals, and Sicily’s layered cultures, with private experiences.

Italy

Japan

Kanazawa tours in Japan exploring samurai districts, Maeda clan heritage, and world-class craftsmanship shaped by Edo-era traditions.

Kanazawa

Geisha tours in Kyoto explore Gion districts, tea houses, and traditions through encounters, performances, and insights into geiko and maiko life.

Geisha

Sake tasting tours in Kyoto explore local breweries, fermentation traditions, and tastings of regional varieties shaped by water, rice, and craft.

Sake

Private Kyoto tours exploring temples, tea rituals, sake culture, and traditional crafts with masters of calligraphy, kintsugi, and hospitality.

Kyoto

Osaka walking tours explore Buddhist temples, meditation rituals, sake culture, and craftsmanship through experiences in Osaka and nearby Kobe.

Private Osaka tours exploring street food culture, Buddhist temples, sake breweries, and culinary traditions in Japan’s vibrant kitchen city.

Osaka

Sanja Matsuri tours in Tokyo explore Asakusa processions, mikoshi, and festival traditions through experiences around Senso-ji and the shrine.

Matsuri

Tokyo walking tours exploring Nihonbashi traditions, Asagaya neighborhoods, street food, sake bars, and everyday life shaped by culture and history.

Private Tokyo tours exploring hidden neighborhoods, temples, markets, and living crafts with journalists, photographers, and cultural experts.

Tokyo

Japan tours exploring Tokyo’s neighborhoods, Kyoto’s temples and crafts, and Osaka’s culinary traditions, with private cultural experiences.

L1160157

Guadalajara day trips exploring Tequila distilleries, agave fields, artisan towns, and cultural traditions rooted in Jalisco’s regional heritage.

Mural tours in Guadalajara explore public art, history, and identity through guided walks revealing Mexican muralism and vibrant urban culture.

Mural

Tequila tasting tours in Guadalajara explore agave fields, distilleries, and production traditions through tastings rooted in Jalisco heritage.

Tequila

Guadalajara walking tours exploring Chapu, Americana, colonial churches, local culture, food, and design across historic and creative districts.

Guadalajara tours exploring historic churches, Orozco’s murals, charro traditions, mariachi culture, and tequila with historians and local experts.

Guadalajara

Merida day trips exploring cenotes, Uxmal ruins, haciendas, and Yucatan landscapes shaped by Maya heritage, colonial history, and regional traditions.

Maya tours in Merida explore ancient ruins, cenotes, and traditions through guided experiences revealing Yucatan heritage and living culture.

Maya

Merida tours exploring Maya heritage, colonial streets, murals, markets, and nearby Puuc ruins with archaeologists and private local guides.

Merida

Mexico tours exploring Mexico City’s murals and markets, Oaxaca’s craft traditions, and regional cultures, with private guided experiences.