The Minho Region

Yavanna lies in The Minho region, situated in the north-west corner of Portugal next to the border with the province of Galicia, in Spain. Small houses and farms are dotted around the lush green rural landscape, surrounded by fields too small for a tractor to work them. Connecting these fields are granite tracks which often have grapevines growing overhead. Its village, Fontoura, lies on the Pilgrim's way, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

Rivers
Beautiful rivers flow into this region from Spain. The river Lima has the historical and beautiful towns of Ponte de Barca, Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo on its banks.

The river Minho forms the northern Portuguese border with Spain. There are interesting old monuments along its banks including the fortified border town of Valenca do Minho, which is only 3 miles from Yavanna. The stunning fort which encloses the town was built to keep out the Spanish. Safe lifeguard patrolled swimming and fishing in the Minho is only 10 minutes from Yavanna.

The southern border of the region is another beautiful river, the Douro. The river banks are terraced vineyards leading down to the water. The wine from the 'quintas' on the upper reaches of this river make the famous Port Wine.

National Park

The Minho boasts the only National Park in Portugal with international status, Penedes Geres. Here, there are traditional Portuguese hill farms and an older way of life. Cattle still live under houses and those which do go out grazing have to be indoors each night because of the Iberian wolf.