Itinerary Overview
This exclusive itinerary invites travellers to immerse themselves in a fascinating period of transition: the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. Departing from Oporto Airport, we offer a journey of elegance and history that connects three key destinations in central Portugal: Estarreja, Aveiro, and Curia (Anadia). This experience is designed for architecture enthusiasts, history buffs, and travellers seeking the sophistication of yesteryear, combining science, urban art, and the spa luxury of the “Roaring Twenties.”
The Cornerstones of the Experience
- The Nobel Prize Winner's Retreat in Avanca (Estarreja)
The journey begins with a tribute to Portuguese excellence. At the Egas Moniz House-Museum, visitors discover the summer residence of Portugal's only Nobel Prize winner in Medicine.
Architectural Highlight: The house's façade, redesigned in 1915 by the renowned architect Ernesto Korrodi, is one of the purest and most delicate examples of Art Nouveau in the country.
The Experience: In addition to the architecture, the interior preserves Egas Moniz's original collection, ranging from his scientific discoveries (such as angiography) to his vast collection of art, furniture, and porcelain, offering a faithful portrait of the life of one of the brightest minds in history.
- Aveiro: The Living Capital of Art Nouveau
We continue southward, where the water of the canals reflects the gleam of ornate façades. Aveiro is an open-air museum city.
The Art Nouveau Museum (Casa Major Pessoa): Housed in an iconic 1909 building (designed by Silva Rocha and Korrodi), this museum is the interpretive centre of the route. Its façade, crafted from carved Ançã stone, and its wrought-iron details are the hallmark of the Art Nouveau movement in Portugal.
Cultural Walk: The tour includes a walking tour along the banks of the Central Canal, revealing buildings such as the Agricultural Cooperative and the House of the Architect Silva Rocha, where glazed tiles and curved lines blend with the city's identity.
Pause: We recommend a tea or coffee at the Casa de Chá Arte Nova, located on the museum's ground floor, a space that retains its original décor and invites contemplation.
- Curia: The Heyday of Spas and Luxury (Anadia)
The journey culminates in the golden triangle of Bairrada, at the Curia spa resort, where time seems to have stood still at the height of European aristocracy.
Curia Palace Hotel (1926): A masterpiece of Eclecticism and Art Deco. With its marble staircase, lavish stained-glass windows, and the grand Belle Époque Restaurant, this monumental hotel is one of the most legendary on the Iberian Peninsula.
Wellness and Nature: The tour continues to the Curia Spa Park, with its 35 acres of lush vegetation, romantic bridges, and a tranquil lake. It provides the ideal setting to conclude the tour in an atmosphere of absolute tranquility and sophistication.
