Blogs from Braga, Northern, Portugal, Europe

Following the success of yesterday’s plans, we thought a repeat today was a good idea, but with a different lunch destination. First we thought we’d check out this weird thing I’d seen (not on TikTok) called Bom Jesus. I hadn’t bothered to do any reading at all but the pictures looked cool, so off we set. After a false start at some other stairs leading to heavenly redemption, we found the right place. Despite the pious religious motifs scattered left, right and centre, it was actually pretty spectacular, and we meandered up and down the stairs for some cool photos, in between trans-continental tales of the dog’s escapades around the neighbourhood. Next stop Braga for some lunch. We had a quick look around the historical centre before hitting the main drag for a restaurant where we ... read more

The Santiago de Compostela extension group left Porto at 9:00 a.m. A bonus on this trip was a stop at Braga, Portugal. It was not a long ride north to Braga, we reached there about 10:00. The first stop was at the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. The hilltop has been a Sacri Monti pilgrimage site since the 14th century. The present church was built in 1784-1811. The theme of the shrine and the surrounding grounds is the story of the Passion of Jesus. Bom Jesus do Monte has many similarities to the shrine of Our Lady of Remedies in Lamego. It is situated on a hilltop reached by a long staircase and overlooks the city of Braga. The staircase was built in three stages, each with a different theme: the Staircase Porch, Staircase of ... read more

Bonjour à tous, Ne soyez pas surpris par le kilométrage de la journée, il y a une explication. Ce devait être une journée avec un maximum de 130km. Comme je suis toujours à la recherche de l'alambic, j'avais demandé, hier matin au réceptionniste, si éventuellement il avait une adresse. A Vila Réal c'est sur vous allez trouver. Ce matin, c'est une réceptionniste, qui parle bien le français, même question, elle consulte ses collègues, ici vous ne trouverez pas mais à Regua, c'est certain. C'est presque dans ma direction, avec un léger détour de 24km. Regua était dans ma liste de village, mais un peu excentré, j'avais laissé tomber. A Regua je m'informe, je vais même poser la question au musée du vin de Porto. Ici non mais à Vila Réal. J'en viens. C'est bon j'abandonne et ... read more

En route to Luso & Mata Nacional do Bucao a 105ha National Forest, so we are winding our way up the slopes to Luso a spa town, we are following a sat nav location to a wild camp, the road goes higher and windier, and somehow this isn’t looking promising!! Now I have to say that we find our way to each night’s sleep stop in the same way, but sometimes they are more accurate than others, sometimes they just leave you at a place that looks the most inappropriate stop. Today is not looking hopeful but then we see another motorhome and he takes to a road we hadn’t been happy to attempt, so we take the same road and find a car park, things are looking promising. We are here because another couple (who ... read more

Move to Spain and lots of friends and acquaintances message you to say they’re coming and to ask when/where they can meet up. I certainly didn’t anticipate how many friends/relatives would come to Europe, but it has been nice to reunite with people and see new places. A Canadian friend I knew from Daegu was traveling in Portugal and Spain with a couple of friends, so we decided to meet in Braga, Portugal, for a day at the beginning of May. Braga is only about 1.5 hours from Ourense, but unfortunately there’s no direct public transportation, and blablacars are also rare. So, realistically, the main way is to go to Vigo and then get to Braga from there via bus or train. Because of the schedules, I decided to go to Braga on Sunday, stay overnight, ... read more