April-May 2023

Portugal

Having been big Rick Steves fans for quite some time, and watching his zoom streams from his kitchen during peak COVID, we though we'd try one of his tours on sabbatical once the pandemic had mostly lifted (or so we thought). Everything about Steves' company was first rate in the run up to the tour. Our tour director Roberta was first rate and every local guide we spent time with brought a much appreciated depth of knowledge.

Our tour started in Lisbon. We had a couple of days on our own in advance to acclimate and visit Sintra. The full itinerary is below. Visiting the Rovisco Garcia farm and St Euphemia winery were highlights. Coimbra is a wonderful university town and the walled city of Evora was a unique site. Porto was probably our favorite, yet another charming city on a river surrounded by hills.

Bom Dia, Lisbon!
Santa Maria Maior, with views of Lisbon's golden gate and Christ the redeemer

National Coach Museum in Belem

A lovely day in Sintra!

National Palace in Sintra (royal summer home) and the initiates well at Quinta da Regaleira. Maybe Freemason?

Castle Sao Jorge, Lisbon

Jumped the ferry on a whim...spent an awesome, chill morning in Cacilhas, Amara across the Tagus river from Lisbon

Riding the famous Tram 29 one early morning.
Avoid the crowds, go early!

An iconic Portugese Funicular

Funicular Lavra trolley taking riders up to the Alfama area from Baixa.

Fado Lisboa

Distinct in several ways from Fado Coimbra as we would later discover.

A wonderful morning in Belem

Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monestery, and the Discoveries monument.

Don't forget to sample the Pasteis de Belem!

A visit to the amazing Gulbenkian
Monet and Renoir (painting Madame Monet)

The walled old city of Evora and the
Cromlech megaliths from 6000BC

Alentejo

Spent an amazing morning on the Rovisco Garcia farm. Cork, olive oil, wine, beef - all socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable. Great tour by Goncalo and lunch by Sophia and team.

Visiting Alcobraca

Hitting the market and then the Cistercian monastery. They believed the structures were for praying not admiring so they are uniquely white/plain.

Nazare

Home of world class big wave surfing. Not today though. Still very pretty - a cross between central coast CA and the PNW.

The monastery of Batalha

Saw the tomb of Henry the navigator, the unfinished chapels, and the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.

Faithful making pilgrimages at the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima

The university town of Coimbra

Great morning tour of Vandel Ceramicas de Coimbra.

Antonio and his crew showed us the process from mold to paint to glaze and kiln. Had to pick up a few pieces at their shop in town, Marabal.

Lovely traditional dinner and fado on our last night in Coimbra.

Douro valley vineyard tour and lunch at the Quinta St Eufemia. Theresa was an excellent host!

Bom Dias, Porto!

Took an interesting food tour and a short boat ride in the first rain of our vacation (17 days in, 4 to go!). Experienced the amazing food court/farmers' market and an incredible port tasting at Kopke. We took in the over the top Porto chamber of commerce and the majestic old train station.

Drinks at the Majestic with new 'old' friends!

Adeus Porto! Back to Lisbon and off to the PNW

Portugal

Our first Rick Steves Tour - from Lisbon to Porto

5/15/20232 min read