An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã

Lovely day away from the city

It was nice to take a break from the busy city and see the storybook like villages. Fatima was so kind and we enjoyed the time with her.

Hidden gem and knowledgeable guide

We saw 2 villages with Sergio - Candal and Talasnal. The former has 7 residents and it is refreshing, quaint and different. The latter is slightly more commercial with lots of options for lodging. Time has really stood still in these rural villages and Sergio really educated us across a few hours on the shale villages. His passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for rural living really came across and I would recommend this to anyone who wants to uncover a hidden national treasure. We really enjoyed meeting and hanging with you!

Fantastic

It was a fabulous tour and our driver was fantastic. Always felt very safe and have us lots of information. Thank you can't recommend the tour enough.

Charming Schist Villages

We really enjoyed the picturesque drive out into the countryside, past farms and villages as we went towards Lousa mountain. Sergio is a good driver who handled the drive up the mountain with ease. The villages are quite charming and well worth visiting. Sergio is very knowledgeable about the region and is an excellent guide - he doesn’t rush you, gives you lots of time to walk around and take pictures, and even sent us pictures afterwards that he had taken of our day. We had time to stop in the first village for coffee in a tiny and unusual cafe, to sample a local pastry, and to watch the wild boars roam around. In the second village, we sampled some liqueur and honey on homemade bread that a local woman had made. An unexpected culinary tour as she is not always around! I would definitely recommend taking this tour; it was a fun, informative and relaxing way to explore the area.

Highly Recommend Schist Tour

Our 4 hour tour with Sergio was wonderful. He picked us up, was very personable and gave us a lot of history and interesting information about Schist villages, vegetation, and living in the area. He was able to answer all our questions. He was a very safe driver, including the trip up the mountain. It was nice to see the countryside, and walking through the Schist villages was very interesting. He even took photos and sent them to us a couple days later!

Schist Villages outside Coimbra

Sergio was a fantastic tour guide. We went on a private tour and were taken to two different shale villages. We had never seen anything like them before! Sergio provided us with just the right amount of natural and cultural history. We highly recommend this tour as a part of a trip to Coimbra.

A special trip to the Schist Villages

Sergio was our guide to the Schist Villages - he was very engaging and knowledgeable about the important and unique aspects of these little villages. It was a very relaxing tour. I highly recommend this tour if you want an activity that involves learning about local, unique cultural attractions and incredible views of the valley!

Villages of Coimbra district where time stands still

The go to place of you want to decompress and de stress from everyday life. The stillness and the quiet is what you notice first. The natural water streams in the mountain makes for a continuous symphony of music!! It was a four hours day trip for us with Sergio who did excellent job of explaining the unique characteristics of the shale structures that made up these houses in Lousã . Do yourself a favor on your next visit to Portugal and visit these villages with Sergio

Whau for a fantastic tuesday together with Sérgio.

Sergio was our guide on the mountaintrip “Lousã Villages - Aventuras” Better compagny we cant think of. Sergio is a great guy with lots of knowlegde within nature, histori, architecture and a great driver too - we felt completely safe on the narrow mountain roads. Helle and Nicolai

We went up to the mountain, and there we saw some beautiful animals. We went to two villages, both very beautiful.

We had an amazing time on the tour. The villages were beautiful and amazing to see. Our tour guide Sérgio Forte was amazing and made the experience so memorable. I would definitely recommend this tour.

More meaningful than sightseeing

We don't think there is any more fulfilling tour than this. Sérgio guided us through two characteristic villages (Candal and Talasnal). I think this is a special off-season project. There were still up Christmas decorations on January 4th, so we were able to enjoy a quiet and relaxing sightseeing experience. As a nature guide, he not only tells us about the native cork trees, the endemic animals of the mountain and the Schist Village, but also tells us about the characteristics of the Coimbra region. He send us a lots of photos after the tour.

Excellent Tour of the Schist Villages!

We had an excellent morning touring the schist villages of Lousa with Sergio! Sergio is a fantastic guide - he is very friendly and personable and we enjoyed chatting with him. Sergio shared a lot of history about the area and took us to two villages. He took pictures throughout the tour to share with us and help capture the memories. Definitely would recommend this tour to others wanting to experience the Schist Villages!

Fascinating and beautiful!

This is a wonderful and very interesting tour! Amazing guide! Sergio is so knowledgeable! Get out of the cordless and see these unique villages!

Interesting tour of pretty villages in the mountains

Our family recently signed up for the Schist villages of Lousa tour with Aventura Forte(s) as it was our first time in Lousa and we wanted to see what the local area was like. Our tour guide, Pedro, picked us up 5 mins before time, and we started the tour with a curious mind and no expectations. Pedro took us up the mountains and introduced us to 2 very lovely villages with very few inhabitants left. In addition to the pretty villages, the view was amazing, and we saw some deers along the way. Overall, we had a great experience with Pedro, who is a local, speaks fluent English and holds a degree in eco tourism. He has extensive knowledge of the region, including the trees, animals and history, and even knows the cats in the villages. Pedro was attentive and flexible throughout, and as a bonus, he took many pictures of our tour, which he promptly sent to us a few days after. We gladly recommend the tour and tour company.

Tour of the Shale Villages

Thoroughly enjoyed this trip led by Sergio. It felt so good to get out of the city and see some of the countryside outside of Coimbra. Sergio is a well informed and personable guide and during the drive he told us about local sights and vegetation as well as the history of the area and shale villages. He is very knowledgeable about the area and didn’t seem to mind answering all kinds of questions. I loved that he was willing to share his experiences of growing up in this area (he has lived here his entire life and graduated from the University of Coimbra with a degree in ecotourism). He also takes photos of your trip so you can just enjoy the experience and sends them to you later. We ended our tour sampling local pastry. Can’t recommend this trip highly enough.

Sergio is the greatest

Sergio was great, knowledgeable and very personable. He knew everything about the villages and made the entire fun.

Fantastic trip through shale villages

Excellent trip with Sergio! He is very knowledgeable and the villages are beautiful. Highly recommend!

Excellent tour

We had such a great afternoon with Sergio showing us the unique Schist villages. Sergio is so knowledgable about the local area and he was so easy to spend our time with. He took us to different villages so we could see the contrast. We even got to meet some local villagers. We also saw deer on the mountains which was extra special. Highly recommend this trip. One of the highlights of our holiday!

Schist Village tour for a solo traveler.

I had a solo tour of two schist villages combined with lunch and a tour of the Bussaco Forest. Sergio was punctual, very polite and full of information and interesting facts about everything we saw. The scenery was beautiful and the restaurant he selected was a local one that served the suckling pig! It was a great day! If you pick his tour you won’t be disappointed!

Schist Village Adventure

Our half-day tour was excellent. Sergio is very knowledgeable and we enjoy his company and conversation - definitely worth it, great guy

Magic in the Mountains

This tour was really worth it! Our guide Sergio was very friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about the history of the Schist villages as well as the nature of the surrounding area. Even though it was a bit misty/rainy to begin with, we felt like it added to the mysticism of the location. Later on the weather cleared up a bit and we got a second perspective of the environment there. We even got lucky and saw some deer! A real (honestly unexpected) highlight of our trip to Portugal! Thanks Sergio!

Highly recommended private tour

It was a very interesting tour with a lot of background information about the landscape, fauna, culture and history of the area. Very favorable for this individual, very personalized service.

History Lesson at Its Best

A history lesson with sprinkles of nature facts, and cultural explanations made this tour a rich learning experience. Sergio answered our numerous questions and kept us entertained. Highly recommend him for an exceptional day trip.

Great tour and experience

What an amazing experience visiting a place like this. The views were marveling and the guide, Sergio, was tremendous. His geogrqphic knowledge of the area and of the history in general brought it all together.

Don't miss out, book a tour with Aventuras Forte(s)!

This tour was beyond expectations. Sergio has a vast knowledge of the area and was able to answer all of our questions in detail ranging from different types of plants, bridge engineering, real estate, and of course everything about the Schist Villages. It was a nice surprise that Sergio provided professional photos during our tour and took pictures of anything of interest we pointed out. Don't miss out, book a tour with Aventuras Forte(s)!

Picturesque and Informative

Sérgio was a wonderful guide, very patient with answering all of our many questions! The villages were so picturesque, and the history of the region was very interesting. We had a particular interest in the local plant and wildlife, with Sérgio’s expertise and knowledge really adding to our experience. Highly recommend.

Unique tour that you must have done

We had great views and unique impressions of the shale villages. Our guide was able to tell us a lot about the country and its people and shared his knowledge with us so that all our questions were answered. There were nice surprises for us on the tour.

Shale Villages and Bussaco Forest tour

We had a great day with Sergio. It was our best Portugal tour. Sergio picked us up and showed us the wonderful places of Shale Villages and Bussaco Forest. He is the best guide we meet during our trip.

An Most Memorable Adventure

Experiencing the Shale Villages of Lousa with our outstanding guide, Sergio, has been the highlight of our trip to Portugal. The old houses that comprise the two villages that we toured were constructed of shale rock obtained from the mountains where the villages are nestled. Sergio shared his extensive knowledge of the area from start to finish in a friendly and engaging manner. In addition to discussing various aspects and details about the houses themselves, he also spoke about the flora and fauna of the area which we found interesting and enlightening. This is a not-to-be missed tour with a wonderful and knowledgeable guide who has lived in Coimbra all of his life. Highly recommended!

Beautiful village made of...

Beautiful village made of stones from the around the area. Required some walking but doable with beautiful scenery.

A highlight of our entire trip!

This tour was a highlight of our entire vacation! Not only were the Schist villages and mountains around Lousa gorgeous, Sergio was a fantastic tour guide! We had a wonderful time chatting with him throughout the day and felt like we learned so much. It felt like a truly "local" experience, not a touristy one, which is what we love about traveling--getting to meet amazing new people & getting insight you otherwise wouldn't into fascinating new places. Even though it was raining the day of our tour, Sergio's jeep was super comfortable & well equipped for our trek up into the mountains. We were still able to see so much and Sergio went above & beyond to make sure we had an enjoyable experience. He is extremely friendly, professional and knowledgeable. We booked the trip knowing almost nothing about the history of the villages and came away feeling like we'd gained so much after just a few hours with Sergio. Thank you for an amazing and truly memorable trip--we will absolutely book with Sergio and Aventuras Fortes again the next time we're in Portugal. Do yourself a favor & take this trip--it was awesome!!

One of our favorite experiences the entire vacation!

This tour was probably our favorite of all the tours we took on our trip! It was just us and our guide Sergio for the day which was awesome--Sergio was not only super friendly and professional, he went above and beyond to make sure we had a wonderful experience--we were so lucky to have him as our guide! The shale villages are gorgeous and represent and extremely interesting part of Portuguese history that we didn't really know anything about until Sergio shared his vast knowledge & insights. Even though it was raining the day we went, the jeep was super comfortable & well-equipped to take us up into the mountains. Sergio also stopped with us for coffee & pastries and took tons of pictures that he shared with us also to make sure all our memories from the day were captured. We had a fantastic time talking with him throughout the day and felt like we learned so much about the area and the people who live there. It truly felt like a "local" experience, not a touristy one which we were extremely grateful for. You really can't do better than this trip for the value, professionalism & interest of a truly fascinating area. Do yourself a favor & book this tour--you won't regret it!!

Outstanding tour!

Loved this tour! Sergio picked us up at our Airbnb and off we went for a great day in the mountains. It was nice to get outside of the city and see another part of Portugal. Sergio’s knowledge of Portuguese history and of the Schist villages made for such an enjoyable trip. He also stopped at a few places that we would never have found on our own, and made sure we had lots of opportunities to take photos. He also takes photos during the tour and emails them to you! Going on a tour with Sergio is like spending the day with a friend. Highly recommend this tour or any of his tours.

Magical morning in Schist Villages and driving into the mountains

This was our second tour with Sergio and we were pleased to work with him again. We had an excellent time learning about Schist villages, the Lousa mountains, and the more rural lifestyles in smaller Portuguese villages. Sergio has a comprehensive knowledge of the area and the culture, and he communicates this well and with much passion and nuance. Our drive happened on a rainy day and we were grateful for his larger all-terrain vehicle as well as his excellent and safe driving skills. The Schist villages were beautiful and it was fascinating to learn about how people live here now and what that lifestyle can be like compared to living in more populated areas. I truly appreciate his willingness to discuss a local's perspective on current political, environmental, and socio-economic conditions as well as participate in really light-hearted conversations. Sergio is very easy to talk to and clearly enjoys his work. And the pictures he takes along the way and sends to you later are just lovely. I look forward to booking again with Sergio when I return to the area and recommend others take his tours too. You will thank yourself for choosing one of Sergio's tours - I'm so glad we found him! (Make sure you go to his website for even more images and details about his tours - there is other great info & Pics here about Sergio and his tours)

Fascinating insight into the Schist villages.

Enjoyed a fascinating morning on the Lousa mountain with our excellent guide, Sergio. In depth explore on foot of 2 Schist villages, and off roaming over the mountain. Sergio was very knowledgeable and good company. Would recommend

Highly recommend!

I had a great time with Sergio and learned so much! I really recommend this tour. It was one of the highlights on my trip.

Best time EVER!

“More than an adventure, memories for life” This is exactly what my Mom and I experienced. Sergio is such an amazing, easy going guy that cares deeply about delivering the best experience ever. I HIGHLY recommend this tour. Simply happy with choosing Sergio as my tour guide. Sergio met my expectations and MORE…

Best tour of all times!

Schits village is one of those magical places that make your imagination travel back to many years ago. It was definitely one of the best tours I took while traveling in Portugal. I honestly regret for not able to spend at least two days more to explore each village. But Sergio was an awesome tour guide very knowledgeable about the history that surrounded that place. He introduced me to some of the oldest people that still lives in there and showed incredible views of the villages that I will keep forever!

A highlight of our time in Coimbra

Wow our tour with Sergio was fantastic. Sergio's local knowledge meant we learnt so much about the history of the area, alongside all of the wonderful flora and fauna of the region. The tour was very relaxed and all covid safety precautions met. Sergio's English was fantastic .and he has a great sense of humour! This tour was a highlight of our time in Coimbra. We highly recommend.

A tour through Shale and more!

An outstanding day of beautiful sites completely backed by our tour guides amazing knowledge of both the area and Portugal's history. Sergio is a wonderfully articulate speaker, with a vast knowledge of the area. He showed a a number of small villages and we enjoyed the walks through and around three of the more developed villages. Talasnal, Gondramaz and Cerdeira. We stayed in Talasnal and really enjoyed the village, the Taberna, and our rental Casa do Ti Tote. Cerdeira is a beautiful 'Artisanal' village with a unique presentation of numerous artists and places to stay

An excellent half day tour.

Highly recommend. Spent a wonderful half day looking at 3 Shale villages in the Lousa Mountain. Our friendly guide Sergio spoke good English, was very knowledgeable and provided interesting information, gave us a link of the photos he took, and provided a jar of delicious honey and Beirao liquer to finish off with! He was a safe and careful driver. Thanks very much Sergio!

What a wonderful experience!

We had an amazing time on this tour of the shale villages of Lousa. Our guide, Sergio, is a native of the area and has studied rural culture. He gave us an insider's view of local plants and animals -- and of course of the villages. They are a delight to explore, and Sergio knew every corner of them, as well as their history. He even introduced us to a resident of one of the villages, Gondramaz. The afternoon we spent on this tour was like a vacation within our vacation as we explored these beautiful and out-of-the way places. We highly recommend this tour!

An Amazing Experience to See Some of the most Unique Villages in Eurooe

A beautiful adventure, expertly guided by Sergio to some of the most unique places in Portugal. Sergio’s knowledge of the area, the floral and fauna and the mountain roads that take you to these quiet villages make this a “must see” destination if you are visiting Portugal. Sergio is a fantastic guide.

Memorable, magical experience!

This was our second day with Fatima and Sergio, and it was just as good as day one. They took through the Schist Da Louisa villages, with stories and insights for each one. It was a magical experience including an “off road” short cut to their favorite village around the mountain and through the woods. Wonderful vistas. A mixture of fog and sun made for some great photos. Once again, Fatima provided memorable photos for us all along the way. We highly recommend this tour, we enjoyed it thoroughly.

Amazing tour

This tour was great we got to see the Schist Villages but the highlight was definitely the Trevim swing. Sergio provided a great tour and took some great pics along the way.

What an amazing tour!

The tour guide was amazing and spoke very good English. It was an amazing tour where they knew the perfect spots with great explanation of the nature, wildlife and history. We enjoyed it so much and will definitely do another tour since they had more options :))

5 Star Experience

The guides Sérgio and Fátima took us through the mountains of Lousã to discover the fantastic shale villages. Throughout the course were extremely attentive and friendly. They were always looking to show us all the details that these villages had to show us and the beautiful landscapes. An experience not to be missed for those who are in Coimbra.

1st contact Aldeias do Xisto

Good morning walk. Lots of information and friendliness from Sérgio made the tour and the villages even more beautiful! We will be back!

Discovering Serra da Lousã

It was an immensely pleasant walk, discovering the Schist Villages and Serra da Lousã. Sérgio was tireless in his explanations, incredible in driving and extremely kind and attentive. I highly recommend it to everyone who loves nature and takes pleasure in discovering the most beautiful things Portugal has to offer: the places and the people.

Return to the past

Fantastic views, a wealth of knowledge from the guide, meandering through the mountains and valleys and contact with local people and products.