Final Day

This morning we breakfasted at the Majestic, another unique coffee shop in Porto 

Unlike the Brasileira, it was expensive - two Americanos and two croissants €24 - c. €4 -€6 at an ordinary coffee shop!!! 

En route, we encountered the National Theatre 

and once again another impressive church. There are 27 Catholic Churches in Porto. I tried to visit them all in your interest, dear reader,  but alas!!!  

We lunched at a local Portuguese restaurant. Its menu was aimed at the local working man - a large plate of meat of your choice, salad, rice and chips €4, two quarter litres  of wine €1.50 each, for  a huge dessert €2 with soup and coffee - total bill €12.!! The place was very clean with an open kitchen and our waitress was most helpful in explaining some of the dishes. 

We set off on the 27 minute ride to the airport (€2) from the nearby São Bento Metro station and arrived on time. This is a large airport with flights departing to all parts of Europe and the USA. There was quite a  queue at security but we had cleared it in 7 minutes from time of arrival at airport - I believe such is the chaos in Dublin airport at present that it is recommended that passengers arrive 3 hours prior to departure for a European flight !! I rest my case 

We are too patient a nation. 

Day 7

Today,  I’m going to see the Geographical Discoveries Museum. I’m hoping to learn more about Henry, the Navigator

 and Vasco da Gama. However, I was disappointed to find that it was the Disneyland of Porto - a great place to bring children to, as having  learned a little about the ships 

used and the navigators, one boarded a boat which took one to Cueta, around the Cape of Good Hope, to India, China and Japan. 

En route back to the hotel, I visited the Church of St Francis. 

From there, we took a train out into the countryside. 

to do a spot of shopping at an outlet. 

Similar to Lisbon but with only 250,000 inhabitants; it’s transport system is varied and efficient - buses, metro, trams and railway lines all interlinked so it is possible to go anywhere by public transport. 

On our return, we crossed the river on the upper bridge,  another bridge designed by Eiffel, by tram. 

I walked the steep hill up to the 

There were great views of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia from here 

the city on the other side of the Douro. Here the port wine houses are situated 

We chose 

where we joined an English speaking tour (30 minutes), concluding with samples of their various ports. The tour was informative but the number on it was too large at 50 - the group should have been divided.....

We returned to the hotel by walking across the lower bridge (once can also traverse the river by boat). En route, we saw: 

I couldn’t figure out whether it was a human or a sculpture??? When I saw a box I deposited some money and the hammer came down - a human. 

Up from the river, into Rua Flores

and back to the hotel. 

Later we ate at an excellent restaurant - white tablecloths etc - the best restaurant we had eaten in by far - would highly recommend / a great end to a great day. 

Til tomorrow then ..... our last day!!!

Day 6 Porto to

A trip on the Duoro.  This morning we are to take a train to Picnhou. It is, I am reliably informed, a trip taken in classic coaches. The entire trip will take 4 hours each way. There are steam trips in summer time. 

We breakfasted at one of the many cafes outside São Bento. We boarded the train at 09:20 am. 

Porto is ‘run down’ in places 

Some run-down inhabited buildings would never pass our health and safety laws. 

Back to the train......We are en route to Picinhou

We boarded  and travelled for about an hour before we saw the River Douro. 

The scenery was picturesque 

From there the scenery was spectacular . The train crossed bridges and via ducts 

It stopped at small picturesque stations along the route some with plainly tiled 

and  others with blue tiles representing the Portuguese way of life. 

It passed Quintas or estates where the grapes for port wine are produced 










We arrived at the end of the line

However, no boats departed from there so we boarded the train again and returned to Pinhão,

where we boarded a ship for a 2 hour trip up the Douro. (€20) pp. It   encompasses 250,000 acres. 

The bridge above was designed by Eiffel, he of Parisian fame. He is responsible for a number of bridges in the Porto area. 

An App downloaded  to one’s mobile, explained the history of the various Quintas - the port wineries  - some such as Sandeman, Dão, Cockburns and Graham’s are well known but other such as  Calem and Vila Vehla less so to name but a few. The trip had taken us up river from where we had returned by train. However, it was so relaxing on the water and the sun shone  

All along the Douro, the terraces were planted with vines  with the odd orchard of oranges and lemons on the lowers terraces. 

The terraces require much skilled work to form them Above the creation of terraces, which looked perilous for the staff. 

Back to the train again. As we returned to Porto, the train  at times hugged the edge of the river

and at others we travelled high above the valley

We passed river cruise ships 

On our return, we had to stop to await the train going up the valley 

We arrived at Porto as the sun was setting ...,

A very interesting day - we have seen the river from many aspects - driven the valley, years ago and on this occasion by train and boat.