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
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