When I learned that Aldeia da Pedralva, in the municipality of Vila do Bispo, wanted to focus on hosting LGBT weddings, I became curious. I knew the name, I knew it was a rural tourism project, but I had never been there. I decided to spend a few nights in the village to understand what makes it different and if it makes sense as a setting for a wedding.
Pedralva was practically abandoned for years, until it was recovered through a project that brought life back to the old houses of the village, maintaining the traditional architecture and transforming the space into tourist accommodation spread across several houses.
After checking in, I received the key to the house where I would be staying. Unlike most tourist accommodations, there are no corridors or numbered doors here. Each guest is accommodated in one of the old village houses, which makes the experience very different from a hotel stay.
The cobbled streets, the whitewashed facades, the silence, and the absence of the typical hustle and bustle of tourist areas make you forget that the beaches of Costa Vicentina are just a few minutes away. The atmosphere is peaceful and invites you to slow down.
During my stay, I also visited the restaurant, the pool, and the other common areas. Everything was designed to maintain the identity of the place, without distorting what the village was for decades.