and has had the reputation that ‘the best coffee comes from A Brasileira ‘ !!! The building is reputed to be one of the most emblematic building in Porto, which includes the coffee house and hotel Pestana A Brasileira situated in the UNESCO historic centre of Porto.
To date, we’re not impressed with this 5 Star hotel. It’s only advantage is that it is that all attractions are walkable from here.
Though, we were reputedly upgraded, the room is small. There is a kettle in the room with tea bags only. One has to go into the corridor to make a cup of coffee. - that’s if the machine works!! It didn't last night! We reported it this morning and asked for sachets of coffee but the hotel doesn’t have any! We were informed that there would be a filter provided in our room. There is no turn down service - I miss the Editory Riverside Sãn Apolónia as water, coffee and tea were replaced daily and in addition to a turn down service there was a sweet treat on the pillow!!!
We arrived back this evening at 17:30 to find our room was only then being cleaned. We had left at 11:00 this morning! The cleaning wasn’t finished, the filtered coffee hadn’t arrived and the machine in the corridor was still out of action. We rang reception. A lady arrived with a filter, saying that she had ordered one to be delivered this am! I asked her if she’d show me how to use the machine in the corridor, in case we were missing something!! In the process, she spilt the beans on the floor and said she would have to get someone to clean it up. I asked her if she’d show me how to use the machine, when the cleaning was completed - that is 45 minutes ago and no communication!! I do enjoy a cup of coffee first thing in the morning and on returning from a day sightseeing.! Basil Fawlty please come back - all is forgiven. The porter arrived just now - the bean grinder wasn’t working, it’s been replaced. One would think the problem would have been resolved before now !!
We quitted the A Brasileira coffee house and walked to the Cathedral (Sé). It is situated in a commanding site overlooking the river Douro and the old town.
Around it is a Square, where is situated the substantial Bishop’ Palace!!
To the fore is a concert venue
The bishop’ palace !
The interior, especially the main altar was quite impressive.
I climbed the tower
From this vantage point, I saw a portion of the old city walls.
We are taking a train trip up the Douro valley to Pinhao, where we will cruise on the river before returning. This train is, I am advised of vintage stock, so it may not be a comfortable ride ! We went to the São Bento station to purchase tickets. The station is also of historic significance
The blue tiles so emblematic of Portugal.
Walking towards the Palacio do Borso, I came across Gelatopia. As an ice cream aholic, I had to sample. The ice cream is made on the premises - utterly delicious.
Nearby was a cultural centre
and in front of it was Pce. Infante d’ Enrique where we whiled a way a pleasant hour, sitting in the sunshine, as we awaited the English speaking tour of the Palacio do Bolso
The Stock Exchange Palace is a nineteenth neo classical building constructed by the Porto merchants to impress other countries to invest in Portugal. It was originally a Franciscan convent burnt down by fire. Queen Mary 11 gave the site to the merchants to construct the building, which took from 1842-1910!
The vast hall operated as a Stock Exchange until 1994.
Just under the glass roof are the coats of arms of the various countries they traded with.
On the floor is s mosaic - hand painted
An impressive granite staircase brings one to the upper floor with its impressive chandeliers that weigh 800km each. The place abounds with beautiful chandeliers.
Within the Palace was a commercial court where trade disputes were settled. Today, all such disputes are litigated in the Civil Courts
Much of merchants wealth came from port wine for which the area is famous.
Here we see the intricately decorated hall, Sala Arabia inspired by the Alhambra (Spain) where today
all Heads of State visiting Porto are entertained. The palace though no longer operating as a Stock Exchange, is a functioning commercial building.
Above one of two doors in the room
The Library
En route home, we saw what appeared to be a demonstration. However, it was an initiation ceremony for new university students. Those dressed in black were their mentors. One reliably informed me that at the end of the route, the newbies jump into a fountain or some of them do!!
We ate on a restaurant one of the streets off Flores, the pedestrian street in the city - it was the best meal we have had to date.
Generally, the food in Portugal is disappointing.
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