Travel to the Schist Villages of Serra da Lousã, a bunch of small shepherd villages scattered across the mountains.

The half-day tour includes a visit to 3 shale villages: Cerdeira, Candal, and Talasnal.
The visit kicks off in Cerdeira, right in the heart of the mountains, and it's known for its natural beauty. It's a place of artistic inspiration, based on the School of Arts and Crafts, that promotes art and creativity in harmony with the silence and natural beauty around it. It's been perfectly rebuilt with houses that blend into the landscape, thanks to the reuse of shale stones, clay, and chestnut wood.
Next, the tour moves on to the Schist Village of Candal, which is the best located, most developed, and most visited, thanks to its easy access. Nestled in the mountains on a south-facing hill, visitors stroll through the narrow, sloping streets and, from the top of the viewpoint, take in the stunning views over the valley.
We head down to the Schist Village of Talasnal, the biggest, best-preserved, and most charming village, with a natural setting that makes us feel like we're in a magical world. Exploring the village through the narrow, steep streets of the hillside is a timeless experience. There are alleys to explore, stairs to climb or descend, and balconies to admire. Here, nature and human touch come together.

The full-day tour includes a visit to the villages of Cerdeira, Candal, Talasnal, and Casal Novo, which has a pretty steep slope, so the village's urban layout follows that.
We'll go to the extremes, check out the Arouce Castle and the natural beach of Nossa Senhora da Piedade at the foot of the mountain, then head up to the highest point, Trevim, to swing on the popular Lousã swing.
Lunch is included and will be served at a typical restaurant with local cuisine, featuring chanfana (goat meat slowly cooked in a wood oven). There are other options if you don't like this typical dish.

We're heading back to Coimbra after this trip 'back in time' to our rural ancestors.