Spring in Vimieiro feels like a quiet awakening. The hills turn soft and green again, dotted with wildflowers, olive trees, and the unmistakable silhouettes of cork oaks — low, broad trees with thick, sculpted bark. The air is full of the smell of damp soil and new life; you can almost hear the land exhale after months of dryness. Birds are everywhere, calling from the hedges and circling above the fields. Even the old stone walls seem warmer this time of year, wrapped in moss and sunlight.

So… we were fresh and clean, and in a good mood to discover our surroundings. We had been inside the car enough for the past few days, so we laced up our hiking boots and set out for a firm walk in the area. The owners of the camping site showed us a lovely trail, which we gently embarked on. The first part led us through a rustic landscape — small farms, whitewashed houses, and endless rows of cork oaks spreading wide and low over the fields. It felt as if we were walking through a miniature train model, everything perfectly in place, green and vivid. Of course, that’s the magic of the season: a few months earlier or later, this same land turns yellow, dry, and silent. I’m so glad we came in spring — Primavera all the way!

We stayed at the Bubulcus & Bolotas eco-camping, a peaceful base that became our home for much of the trip. Hidden among oaks and singing birds, it was the perfect place to slow down, breathe in the scent of nature, and plan our next adventures — which you can read more about in my travel report.