Ponte de Lima, 16 - 21 July 2008
Music, landscape and history in Portugal's northwest corner
Named after its picturesque Roman/medieval bridge which is used to this day (but for pedestrians only), Ponte de Lima is one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal's Alto Minho. It was a favoured resting place for pilgrims using the Caminhos do Minho on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain and is now gradually opening up to tourism, although the atmosphere remains wonderfully tranquil and relaxed.
The Festival de Ópera & Música Clássica de Ponte de Lima is the brainchild of a music-loving family who live much of the year in this pretty, rural town. Their idea was enthusiastically supported by the town's mayor and the festival is becoming an annual meeting point for local music lovers and tourists who happen to be in the area. This is the first ever group tour to the festival and we are promised a warm welcome by organisers and artists alike, particularly as the festival's resident chamber music group, the acclaimed London Bridge Ensemble, is managed by Sharonarts. The music programme includes Mozart's ever-sparkling Le Nozze di Figaro and two chamber music concerts given by the Ensemble.
There is little centrally located quality accommodation in Ponte de Lima due to its relatively undeveloped nature as a tourist destination. We have chosen what we consider a very good option for a small, culture-loving group - the lovely Casa do Pinheiro (House of the Pine Tree), located within five minutes' walk of the performance venues and the town centre. It is an attractively converted historic mansion with several comfortable en suite bedrooms, a breakfast room, guest lounge, a sunny garden and small swimming pool. Casa do Pinheiro is very tastefully furnished, clean and welcoming - but please note that in line with many accommodations in this region, none of the rooms have a fridge/minibar or en suite telephone. The compensation is very much in the spotless rooms, the comfortable beds, the delicious home-made breakfasts, the discreet and gentle care of the owners and the ideal location.
Ponte de Lima, Portugal (Paul Burton)
Soajo (Johannes Schmidt)
