Month: April 2022

Porto is all about the river. All roads lead up from or down to the Douro. As much as I shrugged off plugging along the inland waters in a tour boat, walking the Porto promenades on either side of the Douro is instantly refreshing, and I have to admit I’m going to miss that river…

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…

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gyxVhSkZ1XwGtwVj9

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…

Tour to the Douro valley where the grapes are famous for making great port and excellent vino verde. Ella and I aren’t the tour type of travelers. Groups make it difficult to wander off, my specialty. Sitting in vans for long stretches of time while a guide tries to feed us fascinating facts becomes tedious…

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…

An Albuquerque statue in Porto? How could we resist? We weren’t sure whether it was the seafaring Albuquerque who bullied his way into India and points east, but according to our Google map the “Albuquerque Statue” was in the middle of a park making up a roundabout near a graveyard Ella wanted to visit. So…

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…

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xjMwHQwQN16R6Msv9

All of the above were strutting their stuff in the Jardim de Cristo Palacio this morning. The Palacio is a circular dome that serves as an events arena. The Jardim is a gathering of gardens terraced into the steep hillside overlooking the Douro River. Paths lead up and down and all around with medieval turrets…

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…

Sunny. Seventy degrees. Yawn. Bus to São Bento station. Then the train to Braga. Twenty-five stops later, we’re there. The basic idea was to go north and stop in some picturesque town before we got to Spain. Braga, whose citizens are reputed to be the happiest in Portugal, seemed a good pick. Besides a brooding…