The Douro Valley in Autumn The Oldies couldn’t leave Porto before going to see the mouth of the Douro estuary. I had no objections to that! After the languid movement of the river the previous few days, it was wonderful to see waves crashing against the harbour walls at Foz do Douro harbour and along the coast at Matosinhos. Then off we set to drive along the River Douro. Only we couldn’t. Or at least only in parts. The Oldies…
Latada Parade and Visit to Bolsa Palace, Porto After our relaxing day out at the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, the Dynamic Duo had renewed energy for exploring the old town centre further. Even though we’d seen a fair bit of Porto already at this stage, I was amazed at the number of fine historic buildings we were still coming across at every turn. I think we’d need weeks to get around to seeing everything this city has to offer. I…
Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, Porto One thing I’ve noticed during many of our trips to large towns and cities is the trend of erecting giant structures spelling out the place name. Now, I know I’m a bit of a bird brain but I’m not an eejit. I don’t need a huge blue sign to tell me where I am. I already know I’m in otroP, for goodness sake! And now for something completely different… (That’s what you get from…
Autumn Break in Porto The joys of travelling off-season! After having scored great deals on a hired car and a luxurious hotel close to the banks of the River Douro, the Oldies are living like kings in Porto. Pity their attire isn’t a touch more regal. You can’t have it all, I suppose. My first impressions of Porto were mixed. The location is amazing, built as it is on a series of hills with dramatic drops down to the riverside, and…
Ferry to Almada, Cristo Rei Statue, Lisbon When I heard that we were going back to Lisbon, I started preparing myself for all the old familiar haunts, the familiar beaches, the familiar views. The first thing we did, however, was take in a completely unfamiliar view of the city… Her Ladyship, a.k.a. the Heroine of the High Seas , had long been resisting a trip out to the Setubal Peninsula by boat. We had, of course, been there before by car but…