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Portugal, day 5: Porto & Pinhao (Piotr)

The second half of the two-hour train ride from Porto to  Pinhao offers great views of the Douro river valey with changing landscape. Pinhao has great location and beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding hills covered with vineyards, olive trees and orange stands. The temperature here is quite a bit higher than in Porto. Quinta de la Rosa is located on the river bank a short walk from the station. The visit was interesting and informative. We finished with tasting 2015 red, I tried the 2014 vintage in Chicago preparing for the trip, two ports and surprisingly good white (will look for it in Chicago). It was quite hot afternoon, so rather than an extended hike up the vineyard hills I decided to return to Porto for a long meandering walk from Bolhao to Sao Bento station, a quick look towards the Cathedral (visit next day), Clerigos Church, Liberdade Square, back to Sao Bento and Bolhao. Finished the day trying some portugesse food from local market with Quinta de la Rosa tinto 2015.

Pinhao

And back to Porto….

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Portugal, day 4: Lisboa & Porto (Piotr)

The day started with a brisk walk up the stairs from Praca Martin Moniz to the Castelo de Sao Jorge, followed by a couple of hours of climbing the Castle walls and nice city views. Then downhill to the Cathedral and Alfama for late lunch, and Santa Apolonia station. The three-hour train ride to Porto was rather uneventfull. Finally, fast-walked from the Campanha station to Bolhao for a quick look around just before the sunset.

Lisbon…

And now Porto…

View from Rua de Fernandes Tomas near the Mercado do Bolhao towards Igreja da Santissima Trindade.
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Portugal, day 3: Lisboa & Cascais (Piotr)

The day started with a lazy walk down to the river to Praca do Comercio, along the familiar sights such as the Elevador de Santa Justa and the Cathedral, and the Castelo almost always in sight as well. The Praca was sunny and full of tourists, relaxed. I continued towards Belem on 7 km tram ride along the river (local tram 15, 90% tourists). First stop, the Jeronimos Monastery, an hour rest at the Tropical Botanical Garden, and then a short walk to the Belem Tower.  Walked around a bit, visited the war memorial and then walked over to Alges to continue to Cascais by train, exploring some modern architecture on the way. Hanged around town until dinner and returned by train to Cais do Sodre to catch some night views of Lisbon to close the day.

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Portugal, day 2: Lisboa & Sintra (Piotr)

Started the day racing with Elevador da Gloria, old machine on high wheels, not really a challenge, but gave up the win for a few photo ops. The morning view from Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara was nice but flat, turned around and visited Convento Sao Pedro and Igreja de Sao Roque, and walked down to Rossio station just after 11 am to take train to Sintra.  Walked up from Sintra train station to Castelo dos Mouros, via Parque da Liberdade shortcut to Igreja de Santa Maria, in just about an hour. After Inka steps, hills are just hills. Then down and up to Palacio da Pena. The place was packed with visitors, many more than in the castle. Most of the trails and side streets were actually rather quiet. Could not quite decide how to spend the rest of  the day, with not enough time left for Quinta da Regaleira, I walked slowly to Valley of the Lakes, stopped for late lunch at Dona Maria restaurant, had a quick look at Palacio Nacional before returning to the train station around 6 pm.

Sintra loop

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Back to Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara, in time for afternoon/sunset views. With all the local zig-zagging, I walked well over 10 km.

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