シストの村と中世の城を巡るツアー

Monica is amazing and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to spend time with her. She was very knowledgeable about the Moorish castle and the Schist villages. We visited four villages- two “touristy” but I didn’t think either really were, just one isn’t as authentic because of renovations. The two non touristy ones were very special. Wandering around Mónica picked mushrooms and gave me fruit to eat straight from the trees. She was able to provide the history of the area and point out various construction features. We had a terrific conversation over lunch despite our 45 year age gap. She also provided a history of Portugals dictatorship which was fascinating. I liked how she provided both factual information during our time together and inserted personal stories about her family. You must do this trip and with Monica. She is a very special person.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Amazing Experience with Monica Our tour with Monica to see the Schist (stone) villages was absolutely amazing! From the very beginning, she made us feel welcome by providing water and a sweet treat to start our journey. Monica was informative, professional, kind, and incredibly personable. Her knowledge of Portuguese history was impressive, and she brought the history and culture of the villages to life in a way that made the experience so much more meaningful. She took us to four different villages. Two had been beautifully restored, with services and lodging available, while the other two remained largely unrestored. Seeing both gave us a fascinating contrast and allowed us to understand how people once lived—and, in some cases, still live—without electricity or running water. One of the highlights was meeting the locals in each village. They were funny, kind, welcoming, and engaging, which made the experience feel authentic rather than simply being a sightseeing tour. We also enjoyed some wonderful unexpected moments along the way—eating grapes right off the vine, picking blackberries, tasting figs and persimmons, and seeing an abundance of chestnut trees, something we rarely see in the United States anymore. Monica didn’t just show us the villages—she gave us a glimpse into the history, culture, people, and everyday life of this beautiful part of Portugal. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an authentic, memorable experience away from the typical tourist attractions. If you have the opportunity to tour with Monica, don’t hesitate—you won’t be disappointed!

We had a magical experience visiting the castle & the four schist villages. It was fascinating learning about Portuguese history from Monica who is extremely knowledgeable. She pointed out key differences among the four villages, shared traditional pastries, & recommended a restaurant with an amazing view & the best food we had our whole trip. From start to finish we had a delightful, personalized experience that we will always cherish. On top of all this she took photos of our day that she later shared with us. Thank you!

Monica is a nice and relaxing woman who guided us trough the nice places. She told about the history of these places, we went for a short 'swim', and she answered all our questions! Thank you for the interesting and nice tour! Maybe we'll meet again 👋👏

What a fantastic day in the Lousa mountain range with Mónica, visiting 4 very different schist villages. Mónica was an excellent guide, speaking great English with a clear passion for these ancient abodes. Her knowledge of the history and idiosyncrasies of the villages was outstanding. We never felt rushed, and finished the afternoon sharing a delicious platter of local cheese and charcuterie. Boar and deer to be seen on the way back to Coimbra if you take the afternoon tour. This tour was supposed to include one of the nearby castles but it was closed for some reason. Be prepared for steep, mysterious winding lanes and uneven steps. Monica took plenty of photos for us (knowing all the best vistas!) and we have booked another tour with her.

Very thoughtful and prepared guide. We appreciated the small group tour and our guide’s personal knowledge of the villages and the people living there.

What an awesome tour we had today. Monica picked us up at the city center, just 2 minutes from our Airbnb. She was so friendly and accommodating. The weather was rainy, but we still decided to go. It was so worth it. It gave the entire existence a mythical, magical, almost fairy garden feel. Monica took us to 4 villages in the Schist Villages…we also went to see one castle. Monica was so knowledgeable about the area we went to. Her enthusiasm for the culture was so evident. At the last village, we ate at the restaurant because she said it was the best goat stew in Coimbra; she wasn’t kidding. It was delicious. We also had a sampler of various cheeses and meats. The entire experience was absolutely amazing and so worth it. Highly recommend this adventure!

12 Nov 2025, a rainy day that Mónica has turned into an unforgettable experience. All shale villages have a peculiar beauty and autumn with its colors contrasting with shale stones transports us to a unique and magical place. We adored the little tourist villages and that therefore retain their true essence. Mónica’s vast historical knowledge combined with the feelings of those who have real pleasure in what she does, convey us her true passion for nature and animals. It involved us in the distant and present times of the families who still live there. Treat the villages for yourself and the kindness with which treats the community that lives there make it part of the place. I found Mónica's idea to organize private visits brilliant. I went with my husband, we were just us and the visit became even more special in our time. Answered all our questions and still took us photos 😊 The sympathy, kindness, attention, the easy and genuine smile were the cherry on top of the cake. † We will be back in the spring with Monica to whom we wish much success in the profession she chose. Continue to be the beautiful person you are.

Monica was a knowledgeable and helpful guide, and the tour was interesting given the history of the villages. It was a great learning experience and fun. We highly recommend Monica and the tour.

Mónica is a fantastic guide with a huge amount of knowledge of the schist villages. She is incredibly generous with her time and helped my elderly mom feel comfortable as well, making sure that she had a shaded place to rest while my wife and I explored. Her explanations of the origins of the villages as well as her close relationships allow her to bring a lucky few people to truly see the beauty of the area and the people that live there. This is a great change of pace from the bustle of Coimbra and I can’t give a higher recommendation.

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