We just returned home from an amazing trip to Portugal with some of our loyal readers and want to make you all wish you had come along! It was a fabulous week filled with great sites, fun times with friends (old and new), and many unforgettable moments. Here is a photographic recap of some of those good times.
Our Portugal Travel Crew
Were were a merry group of travelers on this adventure! We ranged in age from 52 to 80. We were all women, with the exception of one brave male (who we are eternally grateful for as he did our heavy lifting at the train station and was always available with a steady arm). Everyone was a native-born Texan (although one defected to Tennessee). And all had roots in the Texas Panhandle except for one who is married to a Panhandle boy. Not the most diverse of groups this year, but loads of fun!
Saturday
The official trip began at our Welcome Dinner in the Portugal capital of Lisbon, where we enjoyed a fabulous Portuguese meal. But everyone arrived early and took advantage of getting to know the city. Our first stop (after coffee and a pastel de nata for fortification) was the Santa Justa Lift. This lift takes you to the upper level of the city. From the lift we saw the breathtaking views.
One of the main sites that caught our eye were the ruins of the Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This Roman-Catholic Gothic Church and convent was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake but what remains is stunning and worth the time to explore.
Next we explored the Feira da Ladra flea market for some wonderful finds. Then we toured the Castelo de Sao Jorge. The castle grounds are very interesting as they really illustrate the location of the palace, and the castle which protected the Palace. The on-site museum tour was a wonderful way to learn more about the history of Lisbon.
Sunday
Today’s Tuk Tuk tour of Lisbon and Belem was a great way to get to know the city. We saw Lisbon Cathedral and several other churches. Mainly we enjoyed just experiencing the sights and sounds of Lisbon.
We also visited the Belem Tower and Monument to the Discoveries, as well as several other great sites. And, we even enjoyed a little taste of Pastel Belem!
After the tour, we grabbed lunch, did a little shopping, and rested up for a night on the town! We had a wonderful dinner and Fado Show and then took a night tour of Lisbon.
Monday
We ventured a short distance from into the countryside of Portugal to see the wonders of Sintra. But first we made a stop at Cabo da Roca – the westernmost part of Europe! What beautiful views!
In Sintra, we visited Quinta da Regaleira. It was quite a hike up the mountain to see it all, but everyone agreed it was worth it as soon as we began descending the stairs into the well. And then the glories of the home were magnificent.
The Pena Palace should have been a piece of cake after Quinta da Regaleira, but unfortunately the shuttle drivers went on strike less than an hour before our arrival. Well, if you can’t do what you plan, you plan what you can do. So up we hiked again. But it was worth every step as we were rewarded with the grandeur of the Pena Palace.
Tuesday
We grabbed a morning train south to the Algarve Coast and the city of Faro, Portugal. It was thrilling to see the countryside whiz by from the high-speed train. After a late lunch, we explored the town of Old Faro Town with its cobbled streets. The Faro Cathedral was built in the 13th century and is an amazing site to see.
A sunset boat tour of the Ria Formosa is a wonderful end to the day.
Wednesday
On Wednesday we saw the Algarve coastline and the famous Benagil Cave. It was a day filled with hiking, cliffs, and the sparking sea.
Deidra and Darla were particularly daring and climbed all the way to the other side. The rest of us took a breather and watched their antics from afar.
Thursday
We hopped on an early morning train to make our way north to Porto, Portugal. Again, it was interesting to see the countryside whiz by! We spent the evening checking out this amazing bookstore Livaraia Lello and exploring the city by night!
Friday
What better way to get to know Porto than with another Tuk Tuk tour! Porto is an absolutely breathtaking city packed with history and character.
The city is filled with magnificent viewpoints and breathtaking churches and cathedrals.
We enjoyed seeing the famous and historic places including the Port Sao Bento Railway station with its beautifully tiled interior.
Afterwards, we enjoyed an excursion to Aveiro and Costa Nova. What a fun day seeing this city of canals filled with brightly colored gondola styled boats! Then we trekked on to Costa Nova to witness the wonderfully colorful beach homes on the sandy coastline.
Saturday
The day was filled with beautiful views of the countryside as we made out way to the Douro Valley. We stopped at beautiful viewpoints where we could see the Portuguese wine country in all its beauty.
Everyone enjoyed a scenic cruise down the Douro to enjoy the region from the beautiful river it surrounds.
We were lucky enough to tour in a 4×4 vehicle so we could enjoy some of the off-road trails others miss.
Topping the day off with a winery visit, tasting and Farewell Lunch. All agreed that while each day in Portugal was wonderful, this day was the best of all!
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