My family and I are at the beginning stage of planning a trip next summer( June/July 2017) and hoping to visit Monsanto, Portugal. We will be flying to the Azores first, spend a little time on the Northwest side of S. Miguel island and then perhaps from there flying to the airport in Faro, spending a few days in Porto and then driving to Monsanto. We would appreciate any information to help us plan this trip. Our hope is to capture as much "old Portugal" as possible.
If you want to capture traditional Portugal, then stay north and avoid the Algarve, which in June/July will be overrun with Europeans seeking some summer sunshine.
You don't say how long you intend to stay. Do you not want to visit Lisbon?
Inland Portugal will be very hot in July - possibly 40+ degrees. Most of the traditional Portugal is inland, rather than on the over-developed coast.
On your way from Porto to Monsanto, visit Belmonte, and while in Monsanto, visit Piodão. Google these two villages, I believe they correspond to what you want.
Dear Jennifer and Helena,
Thank you so much for your responses. We will take your advice. I have realiized that we will be flying into Porto, not Faro airport. We will not be visiting Lisbon and intend on staying up north. Thanks again for taking the time to respond.