Blogs from Northern, Portugal, Europe - page 4

Viking Torgil docked at Peso da Régua about 2:00 p.m. The major city on the Douro would be a base for several shore excursions. Today, our first excursion was to Vila Real to see the Mateus Palace and then visit a working wine Quinta, or estate. The Mateus Palace (Palácio de Mateus) is located at Vila Real, inland from the Douro River. The manor house was built in 1736-1737 and remains in the family. It was designed in Baroque style by an Italian architect. Notable I think are the decorative spires popping out of the roof, looking like so many Turkish teapots. A tour of the house led through several rather dark rooms. They did have remarkable furnishings, all attesting to the breadth of 18th century Portuguese colonization and trade. The Blue Porcelain Room had many ... read more

On the fast train to Lisbon but not travelling fast yet as we are still in the suburbs of Vila Nova de Gaia. Modern and comfy with functional and fast wifi connection all has gone smoothly since we left the shat! That’s half ship, half boat but I don’t think the name will stick. Boip is probably worse though. The windows here are big scenic ones but I share mine with the only person in the entire carriage that’s pulled his down! There must be 80 passengers in this carriage, half of whom sit next to the window and I share with the 1 in 40 that pulls the blinds. I might try the half centimetre every few minutes sneak up technique, we’ll see. The driver has just ‘put the foot down’ and we are gaining ... read more

Close to Porto and getting closer. Overnight at Pinchoa, I think the spelling is correct but it doesn’t matter because Portuguese pronunciation is full of hard sounds, eow, tricks and traps. As long as I have my 2 words and then expresso and nata (those delicious Portuguese custard tarts) I will be OK. Again the Burcher muesli was absent at breakfast so I had to make do with orange juice and sparkling wine. Well after 2 of those I was over it but evidently someone with more influence than me must have asked for some because muesli suddenly appeared. So after 2 sparkling, some muesli, a pancake, 2 small croissants and coffee it was time to make Lee her take-away breakfast. I thought she may like a sparkling start to her day as well and because ... read more

Jumping around again today. Into Spain then back home and into Portugal. No internetness at the moment. But liking my new word more and more. Should also be liked by both people that enjoy my blog as usually I write more when I do not have access to anything else. Back to yesterday. The photos show Castelo Rodrigo and obviously that’s where i went as Lee had a little rest and recovery session. Castelo Rodrigo is an old hill top fortress that was once ransacked by its own Portuguese people who were somewhat, but rightly aggrieved, by the residents. They literally threw sticks and stones at the place until it crumbled! It’s claim to fame was also that it was part of the compdistella or pilgrims road to Santiago. Some as part of the pilgrimage even ... read more

Very much cruising. Cruising and ‘cruisin’. With 8 days on board unpacking is a given. As such the suitcase is stowed under the bed and will not be seen for a week which just makes things so much easier and so much more civilised. Even clothing that may be a bit past its used by date look and smell better if its hanging in a wardrobe. Although the discovery of a washing machine at our last Airbnb did marvels for us and made it a bit easier to make some new friends. We have joined an APT travelling group that has bused up from Barcelona via Lisbon. Many are not young and I’m amazed at the schedule they are expected to maintain. They have had almost 20 hours in a bus over the last 2 days ... read more