Off the Beaten Track: The Beauty of Untouched Destinations

Travel is changing. More and more, we’re trading predictable places for those that surprise us, not by what they show, but by what they stir within. A new generation of travellers is seeking soulful experiences, far from the crowds and close to what truly matters. People looking for the authenticity of a simple gesture, the beauty of an untouched landscape, the quiet thrill of discovering something that hasn’t yet been packaged for tourists. That desire has led to a growing interest in off the beaten track destinations, places that don’t make the front covers of guidebooks, but linger long in the heart.

In Portugal, these places exist and enchant. They lie between mountain ranges and valleys, along winding rural roads, and in the Historical Villages where time still takes its time. Belmonte, for example, holds centuries of history and breathtaking views. The locals welcome you with sincerity in their eyes. And there’s a stillness that doesn’t need to be performed, it’s simply there.

Choosing a place like this means choosing to travel with intention. It means wanting to truly know a place — not just visit it. It means choosing small boutique hotels, where there’s still time to prepare breakfast with local ingredients, time to speak with each guest, time to recommend a trail or suggest a book to carry in your bag. Where names are remembered and silence is respected. It’s also a more sustainable choice. Travelling to less-visited destinations helps balance tourism’s impact, supports local economies and preserves traditions. It contributes to keeping these places alive, genuine, unique and unspoiled.

At the top of the Serra da Esperança, TheVagar is a natural response to this new way of travelling. A retreat in the mountains, where time slows down and the soul breathes again. Every space has been designed to honour the essential: tranquillity, nature, authenticity. Our mountain shelters, inspired by the old shepherds' huts, offer a sensorial experience rooted in solitude and serenity. Here, the natural surroundings invite deep reflection and reconnection with what truly matters.

Simplicity is everywhere, in the local flavours served with each meal, in the solitary hikes along the mountain trails, in the aromatic baths overlooking the valley. Authenticity lives in human connection, in unhurried conversations, in thoughtful details. And time gains a new rhythm: the one that truly matters. If you’re seeking to disconnect from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with yourself, this may be the place. Let us suggest a picnic in the mountain, a late afternoon soak in our hot tub, a visit to nearby villages, or a starlit night far from the city lights. All of it, always, at the pace of the essential.

Because travelling off the beaten track is, in truth, a way back to who we are. And at TheVagar, that return is made with time, soul, and intention. Let the mountains guide you. Book your stay and experience what few know but many seek. Will you join us?