Author: Ella

What’s with the students sporting long black capes?  A little research and I’ve got a vague answer. The black cape has been a university student’s uniform here for 500 years. “Here” being Coimbra but also seen in Lisbon and Porto as well. Why a black cape? As opposed to some kind of hat or other apparel?…

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Finally getting around to posting photos of the interior. Now that we have left. id highly recommend this place. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ErdrwRPhAmZaJAau7

Who remembers Brownie box cameras? Or Polaroids and the waving of the photo sheet with its curved edges, watching as the photo developed magically within a few minutes? Oh my god, and one’s first Minolta or Canon SLR and trying to figure out f-stops and the endless adjusting, never being absolutely sure it was clearly…

We visited the museum of azulejos (tiles) in Lisbon and have posted photos of beautifully tiled exterior walls. Many depict scenes plucked from Portuguese history and those are almost always blue and white. How did these things come to be? I never did explain. When Wynette (thank you, Wynette) posted a link to an article…

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We joined a day excursion tour of the Douro Valley, about an hour and a half’s ride from Porto. The Douro Valley produces the best Port wine in the world. In fact, only wine made in this region is allowed to be labeled ’Port’’.  So, not really any competition. Two wineries, 8 generous tastings of…

Yeah, I like me a good cemetery. I think cemeteries give Grubb the heebie jeebies though he claims to like the skulls and bones in catacombs.  He always gives me the “oh brother, here we go” look when I suggest we go see this one or that one. I am not an extremist about this. You…

This past week has been spring break for the kids in addition to the Easter holiday, so things are hopping.  Even Google maps says so. “Busier than usual” appears a lot as we scan the map.  Busses are jam packed and popular areas like Ribera, are full to bursting. We see Camino pilgrims hiking through with…

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Our big meal of the day was a hit. Especially after the cacophony of the immersive Kahlo experience. Grubb says he will describe the Frida experience. I am going to trust him on that.  I started with a glass of sangria. Some of the best I’ve ever had. In fact, if i seem a bit…

“It’s Easter Sunday. I thought we’d go to Jardim de Cristo Palacio”, Grubb said. “OK. But will the palace be open?”, I asked. “It’s not a palace.” Grubb states. “It’s a Palacio you said?”, I asked, confused. “Yes” “But not a palace” “Yes” “Yes, it’s not a palace?” “Yes. And plus, there is a delta…

Who can spot the buckets of Nutella? https://photos.app.goo.gl/zTsnUxeq1EbxVQeX9 Bom Jesus de Monte https://photos.app.goo.gl/v4k7uKCxSu77xhQV9 Catedral de Santa Maria de Braga https://photos.app.goo.gl/mnWEqjWsQySBmdXG6

A town (really, a small city that used to be a quaint town) that lies 60 km northeast of Porto. By car, it’s 45-50 minutes. We chose the regional train. You can’t beat 3 euro round trip per person. Unless you factor in the 25 stops. Still, just under 1 hour 20 minutes. 9:00 on…