Seven hotels that combine relaxation and Faith

This place is hidden in a mystical forest, which is an excellent starting point. Inspired by the traditional architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries, has its focus on the future and on clear nights, it is possible to hear the Sanctuary of Fátima the chants, which is located just five minutes away. In addition to all the surrounding with its Zen and Nature environment, the accommodation offers several programs and activities: from Yoga classes, to Meditation, massages in a cave, pottery, horseback and boat riding, jet sky, dolphin watching… and a lot more. Decide what you want to do, while taking a dip in the pool with natural water, rich in magnesium, which will remind you of the pool tank of your childhood, at your grandparents' house, when the word stress was not (yet) part of your vocabulary!

The Verbo Divino Congregation, born in 1875 in Holland, settled in Portugal in the 40s and gave rise to this hotel. Its initial objective was to prepare and send priests to mission territories, but given its proximity to the Sanctuary of Fátima, it was immediately sought after by pilgrims to sleep. At the end of the 1980s, it  became only an accommodation spot. In addition to comfort and well-being, you will find peace and tranquility for moments of meditation and reflection in spaces dedicated to religion and introspection, such as the Chapel of the Mother of God and the Chapel of S. José Freinademetz, which has Eucharistic celebrations and allows personal prayer. Outside, the Via Sacra and the gardens complete the atmosphere of spirituality and a visit to the Sanctuary will close, with a golden key, your trip to the most important Marian worship place in our country.

This farm is about 15 kilometers from the Sameiro Sanctuary and, even before arriving there, between narrow and steep roads, you will forget about the time that guides ordinary mortals. But the pilgrimage will be worth it, when the owners welcome you with a typical Minho coziness, many stories and a large balcony shaded by a bougainvillea, with views of a landscape that will speak directly to your spirit. Here, Faith is in Nature, which will provide you with unique moments of relaxation: get ready to fall asleep with the hooting of the owls and to wake up with the bleat of the sheep. You can stay in one of the rooms, in the main house, or in one of the farmhouses. If you want absolute privacy, stay at Casa de São Vicente (part of the same farm, but with different management): it has five bedrooms, a private pool, incredible gardens and a vine that will provide the perfect place for a family lunch or with friends, which will make you feel like the protagonist of an Italian film from the 60s.

You can't imagine yourself relaxing without a glass of wine on your hand? Welcome to Torre de Gomariz Wine & Spa Hotel. Just 25 kilometers from the Sameiro Sanctuary, this 5-star boutique hotel is surrounded by a landscape dominated by vineyards and leafy woods, with silence as its soundtrack. There are several services that will make your stay an unforgettable experience: at the Wine Bar you can enjoy an informal lunch or carry out a wine tasting, at the Gomariz Restaurant you can enjoy contemporary Portuguese cuisine, at the Camellia Spa - with an indoor pool, Jacuzzi and a wide variety of massages and treatments – you can renew your energy and have relaxed moments. If you are into more action, a bike ride or a tennis match are available.

In the XX century, the famous Portuguese writer Miguel Torga described Gerês very concisely: “There are places in the world that are like certain human existences: everything is combined so that nothing is lacking in its grandeur and perfection.” And it is in the surroundings of this natural perfection, between wild rocks and leafy secular oaks, that the modern architecture of OAK Nature was born. Just six kilometers away from the Sanctuary of São Bento da Porta Aberta, the place invites to  well-being and relaxation in different ways: with big rooms with glassed-in areas for Nature, with its SPA (jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath) and with the heated outdoor pool, with the stunning landscapes of Gerês as a backdrop. In the immensity of the surrounding forest, explore the water lines and small bridges, the trout-filled lake and the orchard. Lose yourself, to find yourself again.

The day starts with a Yoga class and continues with a visit to the Peneda-Gerês National Park, along incredible trails that lead to magical waterfalls. Do you like the idea? This is just one of the ways to start the day at Selina Gerês, an accommodation designed to suit (almost) all types of travelers. Do you prefer a private room, a shared dorm, a luxurious loft or a tent to fall asleep under the stars? Pick one. In addition to the more common activities – such as horseback riding or canoeing – the accommodation has an eclectic menu that includes Yoga, Shiatsu, Meditation or Reiki, as well as reading the Astral Map or the “Moon Circle”, to mention just a few. If you don't need that much for deep moments of relaxation, head to the swimming pool or join other travelers on the terrace with a cold beer or a glass of wine, enjoy the movie night or dance to the lively electro set, while contemplating the landscape and making Nature and conviviality your religion. The Sanctuary of São Bento da Porta Aberta is about seven kilometers away.

Imagine yourself in a room worthy of royalty, sitting at an exquisite table, in front of a Serrano Goat with Oven Rice and Roasted Potatoes, accompanied by a beautiful Douro wine. Finish off the meal with a conventual sweet, just like your grandparents did. Sound like a good proposal to get into Zen mode? This is just one of the (gastronomic) options at the Hotel Rural Casa dos Viscondes da Várzea. Located in the heart of the Douro, near Lamego, as we cross the emblazoned gates of this place with more than 180 hectares, divided into vineyards, olive oil and fruit trees, we immediately feel the magic of a place that promises unforgettable moments. Local cuisine is just one of them. The princely decorated interior spaces, the charming gardens, the swimming pool or the Chapel of Gothic-Manueline Architecture, are other elements that will take you on a journey to the times of kings and queens, princes and princesses and just 10 kilometers from the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios and the 686 steps of its imposing staircase.