Lisbon to Porto

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  I have already referred in passing to our trip to Portugal from which we returned on 4th July. It was a fascinating journey arriving in Lisbon and returning from Porto in the company of a small group of similar aged travellers. I suppose the big question is, can I recommend it for retirement vacations?

Like so many of the world's popular destinations, Lisbon and Porto in particular were very crowded with lengthy queues to enter the best known attractions; the number 28 tram had standing room only and allegedly carries pickpockets as well as tourists in a city renowned as one of the safest in the world. The railway station in Porto with its beautiful tiled frescoes is awash with sightseers making the simple act of boarding a train something of a squeeze before even reaching the platform.


 

Away from the better known towns, life is much more peaceful and the Douro Valley astoundingly beautiful. Wine, port and traditional pastries made to old recipes were abundant.

Our accommodation in 3 very different pousadas offered a touch of luxury coupled with character and history: a converted palace, hospital and monastery, no less. 


 


Coimbra, Sintra, Obidos, Viseu and Guimares  with their narrow picturesque streets, hill top monasteries and palaces were pretty and easy to negotiate so long as you are not averse to walking up and downhill made more diffcult in the rain when the cobbles, which seem to cover most of historic Portugal, were lethal!


 

Aveiro fell short of its description as an alternative to Venice  but the light and colour enhanced what were for the most part resplendent buildings of an art nouveau style.


 

Cascais and Estoril were the tourist antidote to the wilds of Cabo Roca although all suffered from a surfeit of visitors.


 

Ultimately our final stay in Santa Maria do Bouro where the only other foreigners appeared to be cyclists was quiet, rural and scenic. A two bar, one mini mart hamlet dominated by the Church and converted monastery and yes, it was very hot!


 


Comments

Treaders said…
I've been giving some thought to Portugal for quite some time but right now I don't seem to have the energy for anything, so maybe I'll wait for a while! Looks lovely though!
13 July 2024 at 09:37
Caree Risover said…
I think that, as in most countries of the world, you always find the real charm and beauty away from the prime tourist spots - or perhaps I just hate other people!
13 July 2024 at 18:51
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