Although Pedrogao Grande is some 90km from the nearest sea beach, this should not put off swimmers, as there are so many fabulous river beaches. These range from large Lido type pools to small village pools.

Just to mention a few.

My favorite is Praia Fluvial Fragas de Sao Simao, a beautiful waterfall fed crystal clear pool, with a snack-bar/cafe, toilets and changing rooms.

Mosteiro River Beach with cafe and Fugas restaurant, or restaurant St Pedro a very short walk away.

Or the upscale Praia da Rocas a km long lake setting, a multi facility family swimming complex. Including a wave pool, zip wire, boating, climbing and waterside accommodation. (Praia Fluvial das Rocas web site)

Just a few km from Castanheira de Pera towards Lousa is Praia do Poco Corga beautiful clear water set amid grassed pic-nic areas. The preserved works of a hydraulic olive mill are still there as well as a wonderful restaurant.

Continue on towards Lousa some 30km of tortuous winding road through stunningly beautiful mountains, and stop off along the way at the view points for photos. Eat or drink in the shist village of Talasnal. Or just a coffee at the mill in Candal. Then be surprised to see a magical Moorish castle below you as you approach Lousa.

Pedrogao Grande is nicely placed amid a plethora of tourist attractions, far to many to     cover them all, so just a few to wet your appetite.

The nearest being the lake formed by the Cabril Dam built in 1954, the lake offers boating, canoeing, fishing and endless places to swim or barbecues at purpose built BBQ areas.

Many well marked walking or biking trails, local bike hire facilities are available with the same company in Pedrogao Pequeno that offers other sport/motoring activities.

The walks range from gentle short strolls to much more vigorous treks for the more accomplished walker.

Staying in town there are the three main churches each with it's own unique history and décor. The museum of Pedro Cruz, Casa Museu Comendador Manuel Nunes Correa, and Museu de Art Sacra.

Just out of town is Les Jardins de la Quinta das Mil Flores.

Try the Torre da Cadeia, a granite tower built in 1506, and restored and converted into lookout point in 1994. opening time are weekdays: 10.00-13.00 15.00-18.00. Saturday and Sunday:10.00-17.00 If you catch it open the views are wonderful of Figueiro and the surrounding countryside.

The church Igreja Matrix circa 15th century contains many important works of religious art.

Trek up the hill to the signed posted Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross) 1816. It stands at the original entrance to the village. Commissioned by Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, it is engraved with the date and the Passion of Christ.

The shist village of Casal de Sao Simao. Is a 8km drive from Figueiro (or a good 15minuet walk from Fragas Sao Simao). with it's 25 or so restored houses and wonderful restaurant, is one of 27 shist villages (Aldeias do Xisto) covering the region of Central Portugal.

Casulo de Malhoa.  Was the home and studio of the artist Jose Vital Branco Malhoa, (1855-1933). A pioneer of naturalism in Portugal. The house was built in 1898 and restored as a memorial to Jose Malhoa who not only painted there but also died there. Along with the tourist office there is a small museum of chessboards, photographs, books, post cards stamps and posters.

The first thing that might strike a visitor is the number of sculptures dotted around the town, from monuments to the age of water power, to abstract steel beams. Or the huge green grass Rabbit/Fox?(your guess is as good as mine)! leading to the open air performance area and glass enclosed viewing platform.

Praia Fluvial das Rocas is a dominant feature of the town, a 1km long lake/river beach with wave pool, zip wire, Island with palm trees, restaurant, cafe, and waterside accommodation.

The quirky public gardens of Casa de Crianca Rainha Dona Leonor, with the yew and box hedges surrounding the flower beds and thuja trees cut into whimsical shapes fronting the beautiful tile decorated nursery school.

A little out of town in the direction of Derreada Cimeria & Pedrogao Grande is the slightly abandoned pic-nic area of Parque Marendas Sao Joao de Mata. The once glorious busy park and bathing area still has purpose built BBQ and spring fed pools running through tiled seating places. Although it is now sadly neglected it still has a quiet shabby charm.

Serta is by far the biggest of the four towns I have used and is the town one would spend the longest time exploring or shopping in.

It is dominated by it's castle open weekdays from: 09.00-17.30 and weekends from: 10.00-17.30

The old tree lined main road leading to the six arched Roman bridge know as the bridge of three counties, with a reconstructed olive mill/press on one side of the river and the recently landscaped park on the other side. The river meanders through the town with many pathways enabling scenic strolls.

The Casa da Cultura da Serta open weekdays from: 09.00-17.30 Saturday: 09.30-13.00 14.00-17.30. As with any cultural/arts center it has a full itinerary of events which can be accessed via their web sites:  turismo@cm-serta.pt  geral@tourismocentro.pt   www.turismodocentro.pt

The shopping can not be ignored in Serta with everything from supermarkets, local produce open market, hardware stores, and the ubiquitous Chinese shops.