June comes in full swing: summer begins, we celebrate the solstice with the longest day of the year, the heat settles in, the season of local festivals kicks off with barbecues and street parties, we enjoy some friendly holidays, the scent of vacation is in the air, and we open the month with Children’s Day – so much excitement!
With that in mind, we want to share a handful of suggestions for things to do with the kids at Monte do Ramalho, whether on this special date or at any time of year.
At our estate, there are two pools for refreshing dips, plenty of space to explore and discover every corner, whether on foot, by bike, or in a wild, aimless run!
And there are plenty of friendly animals: our furry family includes chickens, ducks, goats, the donkeys Ramalha, Arquimedes, and their babies, a Vietnamese pig named Entremeada, and three dogs – Peúga (the mom), Bota, and Tacão (her pups).
There are hammocks to cradle you into a nap in the shade, and the loquat trees are loaded with sweet fruit, ready to be picked and enjoyed.
After a nap, we suggest a trip to Mora, just 40 km from Avis.
Here, you can visit the beautiful Fluviário de Mora, a public aquarium dedicated to freshwater ecosystems. You’ll discover otters, plenty of river fish, and explore the natural habitats of these friendly creatures.
Opened on March 21, 2007, the Fluviário showcases some of Portugal’s freshwater species, from their sources to the estuary, others from the Iberian Peninsula, and even species from the Amazon River Basin in Latin America and the great African Rift Valley lakes. Since September, it has featured the Great Amazon Aquarium, housing 65 fish from 11 different species, all with exotic names like Pirapitinga, Jacundá, and Aruanã. Surely the little ones will spend the rest of the day trying to pronounce these funny-sounding names!
This fantastic place is part of the Gameiro Ecological Park, which offers a range of generous amenities: a campsite, picnic area, leisure zones, and a treetop adventure park.
The park is crossed by a 1.5km wooden boardwalk along the riverside, another 1.5km trail, and a 2.5km cork oak forest path, all clearly marked with informative signs about local fauna and flora. The landscape is particularly beautiful this time of year, and the circular route ends in the village of Cabeção, making it impossible to lose your way!
Our suggestions for enjoying with the kids include, of course, a delightful picnic of bread, cheese, chorizo, and sweet, juicy loquats – simple, delicious local flavors – along with plenty of water, hats, and sunscreen. Enjoy a magical day spent in nature, unfiltered, unhurried, and filled with wonder seen through the eyes of children.
If your vacation isn’t on the horizon just yet, consider a long weekend (especially since there are some nice holidays to take advantage of). It’s the perfect time to slow down, let the children burn off all their energy, and enjoy some good, deep sleep.
We’re waiting for you!
